The two Analytical Writing tasks—the Issue essay and the Argument essay—require different skills that don't always come naturally together. Students often struggle with time pressure (30 minutes per essay), distinguishing between stating opinions and building logically sound arguments, and recognizing logical fallacies in the Argument task. Another common challenge is understanding what scorers actually want: a clear thesis, specific reasoning, and evidence of critical thinking—not just eloquent writing. Tutors can help you develop efficient strategies for planning, writing, and revising under tight time constraints.

Effective preparation combines learning strategies with timed practice. Start by understanding the scoring rubric and analyzing high-scoring sample essays to see what works. Then practice individual tasks under timed conditions (30 minutes per essay) regularly—aim for 2-3 practice essays per week. Between timed attempts, work on specific skills like identifying argument flaws, brainstorming thesis statements quickly, or improving your editing speed. A tutor can review your practice essays, pinpoint patterns in your mistakes, and help you develop a personalized study schedule that builds both skills and confidence before test day.

The Analytical Writing section measures a distinct skill: your ability to construct and evaluate arguments in writing. While GRE Verbal tests reading comprehension and critical reasoning, Analytical Writing requires you to produce your own organized, evidence-based arguments under time pressure. Some graduate programs weight this section heavily because it reflects skills crucial for academic writing and research. Understanding this distinction matters for your prep strategy—you may need different tutoring approaches for Analytical Writing than for other GRE sections, especially if you're strong in reading but struggle with writing under time constraints.

Look for tutors with specific GRE expertise who understand the scoring rubric and can provide detailed feedback on your essays. Ideally, they've helped multiple students prepare for this section and can diagnose whether your challenges are conceptual (understanding what strong arguments look like), strategic (time management), or execution-based (organization and clarity). A good tutor will review your practice essays with the same rigor as official scorers, help you identify recurring weaknesses, and teach you strategies for planning and revising efficiently within 30 minutes. Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors for students in Chicago who can tailor their approach to your specific needs.

The 30-minute constraint requires a deliberate strategy. Most effective test-takers spend about 5 minutes planning (reading carefully and outlining your argument), 20 minutes drafting, and 5 minutes revising and proofreading. For the Issue essay, plan which side you'll argue and gather 2-3 supporting points. For the Argument essay, identify logical flaws and plan your critique before writing. The challenge for many students is resisting the urge to write immediately without planning, which usually leads to disorganized or weak arguments. A tutor can help you practice this timing strategy on sample essays until it becomes automatic, so you're not scrambling during the actual test.

The Issue task asks you to take a stance on a debatable topic and support it with reasoned examples. You're expressing your own perspective and building an argument for it. The Argument task is different—you're analyzing someone else's argument, identifying logical flaws, and explaining why their reasoning is weak. This requires a critical, analytical mindset rather than a persuasive one. Many students excel at one but struggle with the other. For instance, strong writers might find the Issue essay natural but miss subtle logical fallacies in the Argument essay. Understanding these distinct demands helps you practice each task more effectively and adjust your approach accordingly.