A Complete Guide for GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment

gmat analytical writing assessment tips

GMAT Analytical writing assessments test your ability to analyze an argument and present your ideas with appropriate language control. Are you one of those who have prepared day and night for GMAT but forgot AWA? No worries, here you have all the information about GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment.

What is GMAT AWA?

GMAT AWA embraces of an argument based on assumptions for which you will be asked to write a critique with supporting pieces of evidence. And you need to finish writing the essay within 30 minutes.

How is the AWA essay evaluated/scored in GMAT?

The instructions above analytical writing assessment questions in GMAT are unambiguous that a critique has to be written for the argument given and not to present own views. So your essay will be analyzed based on:

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1. Argument analyzing approach in GMAT Essay

Understanding the author’s argument and finding the flaws is the key task in GMAT AWA. So, when you present the flaws in the given argument along with the reason why it is a flaw shows how well you analyze the issue.

2. Supporting Evidence

When there is an argument, anyone can point out the flaws. But by providing examples or supporting evidence while pointing out flaws in the author’s argument differ you from others.

3. Structured ideas

Not just what you write, how you write is also matters. Based on how well you organize your thoughts will be visible in the essay structure for which the score records.

4. Language management

Even though grammatical mistakes should be taken care of, you are not expected to write an outstanding opinion of yours on the given argument. So, based on the pitch you maintain, confidence in your point will be scored.

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How to write an essay for GMAT AWA

Before starting to pen out your thoughts, plan them first. Once you study the argument, you can find the flaws in that context and have a mental image of how your essay should be.

The typical GMAT AWA essay should have an introduction, three to four paragraphs as body content, and a conclusion.

Introduction: Re-writing the argument in another way can help as an introduction. By using terms like, as the author argues, author point-of-view, etc.

Body: In the body of the essay, you should write about the flaws in the argument, the reason for why it is a flaw, and the evidence for that. Along with that, your supporting evidence can be found in the context itself. Find the clues and explain why the other way around is better to opt. mentioning real-time examples can become score points in GMAT.

Conclusion: Without a proper concluding point, no essay is ever going to win. So have a strong concluding point as a strong pillar to support your arguments. But at the same time, never repeat the same common mistake by most of the GMAT test-takers which is giving your own opinion.

How to prepare for GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment:

1. Set the Timer:

AWA section should be completed in 30 minutes time duration. In which, the first 5 minutes should be spared for organizing your ideas and plan the presentation. And last 5 minutes for double-checking and corrections. So, you need to practice writing a 5 paragraph length essay in 20 minutes.

2. Practice, Practice, and Practice:

The only way to prepare and score more in GMAT AWA is through practice. As this is not something you can have a shortcut to solve or a formula you can remember.

Tips for a better score in GMAT AWA

1. Focus on Instructions. Because those directions mention how your flow of essay should be.

2. Never take it personally and propose your views. All you have to do is analyze, amplify your thoughts, and present.

3. Using real-time examples as shreds of evidence to support your argument is one of the best tips for a good score in the GMAT.

4. You can find many practice papers on the internet. Practicing with previous questions can help you to be familiar with the pattern and increase the ease of writing during the test.

5. Have an eye on keywords for flaws. Generally, some common words like sure, definitely, nowhere, etc are used while arguing a strong point by the author. Check these kinds of assumptions.

6. Always maintain the structure of the essay, as it can make you win or lose in a click. It is such an important score point in essay writing for GMAT.

7. Practice writing in 20 minutes during your GMAT preparation. Even though you have 30 minutes to complete this section, it is better to take 5 minutes to plan and have spare time of 5 minutes for verification after completion.

For better guidance from the experts, you can always opt for intensive GMAT training sessions.