Award-Winning GRE Analytical Writing Tutors serving Portland, OR

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Award-Winning GRE Analytical Writing Tutors serving Portland, OR

Jeffrey

Certified Tutor

6+ years

Jeffrey

Doctor of Philosophy, Mechanical Engineering
Jeffrey's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Calculus
Geometry
Calculus
Algebra

I am enrolled in the Mechanical Engineering PhD program at Rice University which will begin Fall 2020, and I am hoping to return to academia as a professor after earning my PhD. In the meantime, I am looking to share my passion for gaining knowledge, specifically in STEM, by educating the up and com...

Education

University of Notre Dame

Bachelor of Science

Rice University

Doctor of Philosophy, Mechanical Engineering

Test Scores
ACT
34
Mimi

Certified Tutor

6+ years

Mimi

Masters in Education, Education
Mimi's other Tutor Subjects
Middle School Math
Calculus
Algebra
Elementary School Math

I am an interdisciplinary educator with an Ed.M. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and a B.A. from Dartmouth College. My background is primarily in integrated arts learning and museum education and I specialize in visual arts, history and art history, and object-based learning. In all su...

Education

Harvard University

Masters in Education, Education

Dartmouth College

B.A.

Test Scores
SAT
1560
Jacob

Certified Tutor

Jacob

Bachelors in Literature
Jacob's other Tutor Subjects
Calculus
Algebra
Quantitative Reasoning
PSAT Writing Skills

I am eager to help students thrive because I'm still very much a student myself, and will be for the foreseeable future. Though I enjoyed my time as an undergraduate student in Literature, and learned quite a bit during my time at Vanderbilt, there's still more work to be done. I am working towards ...

Education

Vanderbilt University

Bachelors in Literature

Test Scores
ACT
35
Sherry

Certified Tutor

10+ years

Sherry

Bachelor's degree in psychology and linguistics
Sherry's other Tutor Subjects
Middle School Math
Calculus
Algebra
Elementary School Math

I am a graduate of the University of Chicago, with a bachelor's degree in psychology and linguistics. Currently, I am pursuing a master's degree in speech-language pathology at Teachers College, Columbia University. In the past, I have worked as a teacher's aide in a public school classroom, a mento...

Education

University of Chicago

Bachelor's degree in psychology and linguistics

Test Scores
Perfect Score
SAT
1600
Tom

Certified Tutor

Tom

PHD, American Studies
Tom's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
College Algebra
Geometry
Calculus

I am a firm believer that clear, precise communication between student and tutor makes for a productive and fulfilling learning experience. When I work with students, I strive to listen carefully to find out exactly where they are struggling, and to impart corresponding strategies clearly and concis...

Education

Boston University

PHD, American Studies

Harvard University

Bachelors

Test Scores
SAT
1520
Victoria

Certified Tutor

6+ years

Victoria

Master's degree in Human Nutrition
Victoria's other Tutor Subjects
Middle School Math
Calculus
Algebra
Elementary School Math

I am a Physician's Assistant student at Rutgers University. I completed my first Master's degree in Human Nutrition at Columbia University. I have tutored all throughout high school and college in various subjects, including the SAT, the sciences, math, English, and the GRE. I am an advocate of maki...

Education

Columbia University

Master's degree in Human Nutrition

Columbia University in the City of New York

Master of Science, Human Nutrition

Rutgers University (New Brunswick)

Bachelor in Arts, Biological and Physical Sciences

Mary

Certified Tutor

Mary

PhD in Chemistry
Mary's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
College Algebra
Calculus
Algebra

I'm a scientist with experience working in Research and Development in lubricants, greases, paints and other specialty chemicals. I tutor math and science because I really enjoy helping people and sharing my knowledge. Some great teachers made a big difference in my education because they helped me ...

Education

University of Chicago

PhD in Chemistry

Lafayette College

Bachelors, Chemistry/Phyics

Natasha

Certified Tutor

Natasha

Bachelor of Science, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Natasha's other Tutor Subjects
AP Calculus AB
Pre-Algebra
Finite Mathematics
College Algebra

I'm a graduate student at MIT. I started tutoring from my first year of undergrad because I had such wonderful experiences when I was in high school learning with friends and upperclassmen. I am personally a social learner- I learn best when I'm talking and wrestling with concepts out loud and in a ...

Education

Johns Hopkins

Bachelor of Science, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

Test Scores
SAT
1500
Reid

Certified Tutor

Reid

PHD, Education
Reid's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Middle School Math
Calculus
Algebra

I am a graduate of Wesleyan University, where I received my Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with High Honors. With eight years of experience working in education, I've tutored students in math, science, history, and English, as well as helped students prepare for standardized tests. I've guided adults...

Education

Harvard University

PHD, Education

Wesleyan University

Bachelor in Arts, Sociology

Test Scores
ACT
32
Michelle

Certified Tutor

Michelle

Bachelor in Arts
Michelle's other Tutor Subjects
Middle School Math
Calculus
Algebra
PSAT Writing Skills

I am not tutoring, I enjoy baking, eating anything with chocolate, taking and editing pictures, reading, and singing.

Education

Yale University

Bachelor in Arts

Test Scores
ACT
35

Frequently Asked Questions

The GRE Analytical Writing section consists of two essays: an "Analyze an Issue" task and an "Analyze an Argument" task. Each essay is scored on a scale of 0-6 in half-point increments, and your final Analytical Writing score is the average of both essays. This section tests your ability to articulate complex ideas, support arguments with evidence, and identify logical flaws—skills that matter significantly for graduate-level work.

Most test-takers see meaningful improvement with focused practice and expert feedback. The key is understanding what scorers are looking for—clear thesis statements, logical organization, specific examples, and error-free writing. Working with a tutor who can provide detailed essay feedback and help you identify patterns in your writing helps you target weak areas and build stronger writing habits over time.

The two main challenges are time management (you have only 30 minutes per essay) and understanding what the prompts are really asking. Many students struggle to quickly identify the core argument, plan a response, and write a polished essay under pressure. Additionally, distinguishing between the "Analyze an Issue" and "Analyze an Argument" tasks—and adjusting your approach accordingly—trips up many test-takers.

Start by spending 2-3 minutes reading and analyzing the prompt carefully, then outline your essay in 3-4 minutes before writing. For "Analyze an Argument" essays, focus on identifying logical flaws and weaknesses rather than agreeing or disagreeing. For "Analyze an Issue" essays, present a nuanced position with specific examples. Leave 2-3 minutes at the end to proofread for grammar and clarity—strong mechanics matter on the GRE.

Most students benefit from writing 15-20 full practice essays under timed conditions, with expert feedback on each one. This gives you enough repetition to internalize the format, develop a reliable process, and identify your specific writing weaknesses. Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors experienced in GRE essay scoring who can provide the targeted feedback that accelerates improvement.

Your first session typically focuses on understanding your baseline skills and goals. You'll likely write a timed practice essay so your tutor can assess your strengths, identify specific areas for improvement (like organization, argumentation, or grammar), and create a personalized study plan. This diagnostic approach ensures your tutoring is targeted and efficient.

Most students benefit from 4-8 weeks of focused preparation, with 2-3 tutoring sessions per week combined with independent practice. If you're taking the full GRE, you'll be balancing Analytical Writing with Verbal and Quantitative sections, so your timeline depends on your overall test prep schedule. A tutor can help you create a realistic timeline based on your current writing level and target score.

Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors in the Portland area who specialize in GRE test prep and have deep knowledge of what graduate admissions committees expect. You can discuss your specific goals, timeline, and learning style to get matched with a tutor who's the right fit for your needs.

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