Scoring and Criteria Flashcards

How soon after a GRE test are AWA scores typically available?

Answer: 10–15 days after the test date

AWA scores require human rating and are typically available 10–15 days after the test date, unlike Verbal and Quantitative scores which appear sooner.

Which of the following best captures what 'development' means in the AWA scoring rubric?

Answer: The extent to which ideas are elaborated with reasons, examples, and analysis

Development refers to how fully ideas are explored and supported—not paragraph count or vocabulary complexity.

A test taker's AWA essay heavily plagiarizes published material. What is the consequence?

Answer: ETS cancels the test scores and may ban the test taker

ETS has strict policies against score fraud; plagiarism can result in score cancellation and potential testing bans.

Which AWA score range is generally considered competitive for admission to top-tier graduate programs?

Answer: 4.5–6.0

Most competitive graduate programs expect AWA scores of 4.5 or higher, with 5.0–6.0 being particularly strong.

What is the correct interpretation of 'coherence' as an AWA scoring criterion?

Answer: Ideas are logically connected and flow smoothly from one to the next

Coherence means the essay hangs together logically—transitions, topic sentences, and sequencing all guide the reader through the argument.

Which of the following statements about AWA score validity is true?

Answer: AWA scores are valid for five years, the same as GRE Verbal and Quantitative scores

Like all GRE scores, AWA scores are reportable for five years after the test date.

When raters evaluate 'organization' in an AWA essay, what are they primarily assessing?

Answer: Whether ideas are presented in a clear, logical sequence with an identifiable structure

Organization refers to logical sequencing and structural clarity, not adherence to a specific format or paragraph count.