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GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment
By QS Contributor
Updated September 29, 2014 Updated September 29, 2014The Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) is one of four sections which make up the GMAT business school entrance exam. TopMBA.com looks into the methods and processes that high scoring GMAT students have used in order to make the most of the AWA section.
Formerly consisting of two essays, as part of the new format GMAT exam, the AWA section now contains just one essay, in order to make way for the Integrated Reasoning section.
It’s important to note that the AWA does not test specific subject knowledge, but rather the ability to communicate thoughts and ideas clearly and concisely, and the ability to express oneself in an effective manner.
Analysis of an Argument essay
The Analysis of an Argument task presents a short passage of text which makes an assertion or states a point of view and then attempts to support it. For example, the argument may be a proposal to improve the performance of a commercial enterprise, or may relate to an educational policy.
Test takers are not expected to have expertise in the area in question. Instead, the task is to critique the structure of the argument and explain how persuasive or indeed unpersuasive it is. Students are not supposed to give their opinion and argue it in this essay, and doing so will not only waste time, but may cost valuable points too.
Consider the following when the argument is revealed:
Elements such as content, organization of ideas, and the candidate’s use of language are taken into consideration in the AWA. High scoring essays are usually strong in the following ways:
Students who work through the AWA and keep these simple rules in mind will be sure to achieve scores reflective of their true ability.
This article was originally published in November 2012 . It was last updated in September 2014
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