很多考生認(rèn)為新gre考試作文或許并沒(méi)有多大的變化，因?yàn)榭荚囆问阶兂闪藱C(jī)考，但對(duì)于新gre考試作文來(lái)說(shuō)一直采取的作文機(jī)考形式對(duì)于很多考生來(lái)說(shuō)一點(diǎn)都不陌生。起碼，新gre考試作文在形式上沒(méi)有變化已經(jīng)是十分好的事情了。然而，在這次新gre考試改革中，新gre考試作文也做了一些調(diào)整。
簡(jiǎn)而言之，改革后的gre作文寫作的要求更加具體化，而不是籠統(tǒng)地要求就一道是非題(issue question)發(fā)表看法或指出一個(gè)段落中的主要邏輯錯(cuò)誤(argument)，這樣可以在一定程度上避免背誦事先準(zhǔn)備的答案。首先，ETS是否仍然公布題庫(kù)值得注意。即使公布題庫(kù)，對(duì)原來(lái)的題庫(kù)也會(huì)做一些內(nèi)容上或至少是措詞上的修改。其次，要注意ETS對(duì)每道題的具體寫作要求。例如，以上述的issue題為例，目前的寫作要求只是發(fā)表自己的看法并加以論證，等于寫一篇一般的議論文。同一篇文章，在ETS對(duì)新GRE作文的說(shuō)明中，從措詞到寫作要求都發(fā)生了較大的變化。首先，題目的措詞變了(刪去了原題的后半部分)：
A nation should require all of its students to study the same national curriculum until they enter college。
其次，寫作要求變了(變?yōu)槿齻€(gè)具體的要求)：
Write a response in which you discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the recommendation and explain your reasoning for the position you take. In developing and supporting your position, describe specific circumstances in which adopting the recommendation would or would not be advantageous and explain how these examples shape your position。
再以上述的argument題為例，目前的寫作要求只是找出段落中的三個(gè)主要邏輯錯(cuò)誤并加以分析，文章非常格式化。同一道題， 在ETS對(duì)新GRE作文的說(shuō)明中，從措詞到寫作要求都發(fā)生了較大的變化。
首先，題目的措詞變了(變成了一道新題)：
In surveys Mason City residents rank water sports (swimming, boating, and fishing) among their favorite recreational activities. The Mason River flowing through the city is rarely used for these pursuits, however, and the city park department devotes little of its budget to maintaining riverside recreational facilities. For years there have been complaints from residents about the quality of the river’s water and the river’s smell. In response, the state has recently announced plans to clean up Mason River. Use of the river for water sports is, therefore, sure to increase. The city government should for that reason devote more money in this year’s budget to riverside recreational facilities。
其次，寫作要求變了(以分析原文的假設(shè)為核心)：
Write a response in which you examine the stated and/or unstated assumptions of the argument. Be sure to explain how the argument depends on the assumptions and what the implications are if the assumptions prove unwarranted。
所以說(shuō)，盡管新gre考試作文的考試形式?jīng)]有發(fā)生變化，但是對(duì)于考題的具體內(nèi)容和要求都作出了相應(yīng)的調(diào)整，考生對(duì)此不必恐慌，還是按著原有的復(fù)習(xí)計(jì)劃進(jìn)行，注意平時(shí)寫作練習(xí)即可。