Most students see meaningful improvement with focused practice and feedback. The Analytical Writing section rewards clarity, organization, and evidence—skills that develop through targeted instruction and revision. Working with a tutor who can provide personalized feedback on your essays typically accelerates improvement more than self-study alone, as you'll learn to identify patterns in your writing and apply them consistently across practice essays.

Students often struggle with time management—crafting well-organized, evidence-supported essays in just 30 minutes requires practice. Many also find it difficult to shift between the two task types, which demand different analytical approaches: Issue essays require you to develop your own position, while Argument essays require you to identify logical flaws without stating your opinion. Additionally, understanding what scorers look for—sophisticated vocabulary, varied sentence structure, and strong examples—takes targeted guidance to master.

Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who provide detailed feedback on your actual essays, helping you identify specific areas for improvement rather than relying on generic writing tips. Your tutor will work with you on essay structure, argument development, time management strategies, and how to adapt your writing style to meet GRE scoring rubrics. This personalized approach is especially valuable for the Analytical Writing section, where individual feedback accelerates skill development.

Effective practice involves completing full timed essays under test conditions, then reviewing them with detailed feedback on organization, evidence quality, and clarity. Start by practicing each task type separately to understand the distinct requirements, then alternate between them to build flexibility. Most students benefit from writing 15-20 practice essays before test day, spacing them out over several weeks to allow time for feedback and revision between attempts.

With only 30 minutes per essay, planning is crucial: spend 2-3 minutes reading and outlining your response, 20-22 minutes writing, and 3-5 minutes reviewing for clarity and errors. For Issue essays, quickly identify your position and 2-3 strong supporting examples before you start writing. For Argument essays, scan for logical fallacies and plan your critique structure before drafting. A tutor can help you practice these strategies repeatedly so they become automatic on test day.

High-scoring essays demonstrate clear organization, sophisticated reasoning, and strong supporting evidence. Scorers evaluate how well you develop your ideas, use relevant examples, maintain logical flow, and employ varied sentence structure and vocabulary. A 6-score essay shows mastery of the task with insightful analysis and compelling evidence, while a 5-score essay is well-developed and clear but may have minor weaknesses in depth or sophistication. Understanding these criteria helps you focus your practice on what actually matters.

Your first session typically involves completing a diagnostic essay so your tutor can assess your current strengths and areas for improvement. You'll discuss your target score, timeline, and any specific challenges you're facing. From there, your tutor will create a personalized study plan that addresses your writing patterns, time management needs, and the particular task type (Issue or Argument) where you need the most support. This foundation ensures your tutoring is focused and efficient.