GRE Argument task tests the writing proficiency and analytical skills of a candidate. GRE argument task require the candidates to study an argument, understand the logical correctness of the argument and write the essay. In this GRE argument sample essay, candidates need to form the essay by providing pieces of evidence and evaluating the argument. Candidates will get many topics in GRE writing practice papers.

Topic:

Fifteen years ago, Omega University implemented a new procedure that encouraged students to evaluate the teaching effectiveness of all their professors. Since that time, Omega professors have begun to assign higher grades in their classes, and overall student grade averages at Omega have risen by 30 percent. Potential employers, looking at this dramatic rise in grades, believe that grades at Omega are inflated and do not accurately reflect student achievement; as a result, Omega graduates have not been as successful at getting jobs as have graduated from nearby Alpha University. To enable its graduates to secure better jobs, Omega University should terminate student evaluation of professors.’

Write a response in which you discuss what specific evidence is needed to evaluate the argument and explain how the evidence would weaken or strengthen the argument.

Answer:

According to the Dean of Omega University, in his memorandum, a new procedure implemented by the University fifteen years ago allowed students of the University to evaluate the teaching effectiveness of their professors. This led to an overall increase in the grade average which rose by thirty percent as the Omega professors started assigning higher grades in their classes. Eventually, making the employers believe that grades are inflated, signifies the reason why Omega graduates have been lacking in successfully acquiring the jobs as compared to the graduates of Alpha University located nearby. Hence, in order to enable the graduates in securing good jobs, Omega University's Dean proposed the idea of terminating students' evaluations of their professors.

The dean of Omega University suggests the reason for Omega graduates not getting better jobs as compared to the graduates of Alpha University is mainly due to the students' evaluation of professors. According to him, grades of students went higher due to the evaluation and it didn't benefit them in securing jobs. Therefore, the idea of terminating the evaluation has been put forward so as to enable the students to get better and suitable jobs. Even though the argument seems logical, it surely has some loopholes that are conflicting and sometimes questioning its validity.

Also check:

Firstly, the importance of evaluation has been neglected as it can analyse the work done by the professors, time to time. Sometimes, professors usually take up private tuitions after college hours instead of making efforts to teach in the class. Professors usually avoid completing the syllabus, monitor the students progress and have a laid back attitude towards teaching. Hence, to assess these aspects of the professors, evaluation is necessary by the students themselves as they can be the best evaluator of their professors' work.

Secondly, students getting higher grades may have several other reasons irrespective of the fact that professors are deliberately giving them more grades in order to get better evaluations. According to the Dean, since the time evaluation of professors by the students was put forth, the average of the grades hiked up by thirty percent. However, it could be possible due to a change in the pattern of examinations over fifteen years that might have turned out favourable and allowed the students to perform well and score high marks. Therefore, before properly analysing, it would be incorrect to say that the professors are thoroughly responsible for the increased average of the grades. This might question the authenticity of the students actually studying hard.

Surely, the attitude of students towards study has been ignored by the Dean as he didn't take the efforts of students into consideration. It might be possible or one can assume that some students have used the opportunity of evaluation to secure high scores. However, there will be some genuinely interested in studying and getting what they deserve. A college consists of several types of students including class toppers, average students, low scorers. It is possible that few among them would remain unaffected over the chance given to secure more marks through unfair means and prefer to get scores on their merit as this will simply nourish them and make them suitable for acquiring jobs. Disregarding the opportunity of gaining better grades through evaluation of professors, and getting grades they themselves deserve can be the prime motive of some of the students. Hence, if a student scores more it doesn't simply depict that they used other methods, as it might be possible that they worked hard and got the grades they deserved.

Higher proportion of graduates getting jobs at Alpha University, when compared to graduates of Omega University, can be more than just we can see. There can be several other reasons behind Alpha University graduates leading the job acquisition, overlooked by the Dean. It might be possible that differences in structure and types of courses of Alpha University made the students' qualifications high in demand in the eyes of potential employers. One can assume, not being able to perform well in the interviews can be a reason too as both the universities can differ in several aspects. Hence, appointing a job counselor to teach the kids about excelling at job interviews, group discussions and mocks can be a way to perform better in front of employers instead of blaming the evaluation process.

After carefully analysing different aspects, one can find out the loopholes in the idea put forward by the dean of the University and state rational and logical facts to clearly explain the actual problem. All the statements in the memorandum seem questionable and unjustified, blaming the factors that don't hold much importance. Hence, a better solution is needed to be presented after assessing every detail. A full proof plan is required to reach into any conclusion and make changes if necessary.