Award-Winning GRE Analytical Writing Tutors
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Award-Winning GRE Analytical Writing Tutors serving Portland, OR

Certified Tutor
6+ years
Jeffrey
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...
University of Notre Dame
Bachelor of Science
Rice University
Doctor of Philosophy, Mechanical Engineering

Certified Tutor
6+ years
Mimi
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...
Harvard University
Masters in Education, Education
Dartmouth College
B.A.

Certified Tutor
Jacob
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 ...
Vanderbilt University
Bachelors in Literature

Certified Tutor
10+ years
Sherry
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...
University of Chicago
Bachelor's degree in psychology and linguistics

Certified Tutor
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...
Boston University
PHD, American Studies
Harvard University
Bachelors

Certified Tutor
6+ years
Victoria
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...
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

Certified Tutor
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 ...
University of Chicago
PhD in Chemistry
Lafayette College
Bachelors, Chemistry/Phyics

Certified Tutor
Natasha
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 ...
Johns Hopkins
Bachelor of Science, Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

Certified Tutor
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...
Harvard University
PHD, Education
Wesleyan University
Bachelor in Arts, Sociology

Certified Tutor
Michelle
I am not tutoring, I enjoy baking, eating anything with chocolate, taking and editing pictures, reading, and singing.
Yale University
Bachelor in Arts
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Related Graduate Test Prep Tutors in Portland
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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