Tips for the GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment

The Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) is the first section of the GMAT. It has two parts. Each part involves writing an essay:

  • Analysis of an Issue:  1 topic, 30 minutes
  • Analysis of an Argument:  1 topic, 30 minutes
in an attempt to access:
  • Can you think critically and analytically?
  • Can you communicate your ideas in a written manner?
The topics are of general interest. You are not being tested on any specific knowledge. There are no correct or incorrect answers. You do not have to be a superior writer to score well.

Your essay will be scored by a human and by a computer program. The people doing the scoring follow the same guidelines that the computer program follows. This is good because it gives you a way to prepare.

The guidelines check for overall quality, organization, types of reasons and examples included, words used, how well ideas are communicated, spelling, grammar and more.

Steps & Timing for Working Each AWA Essay

Developing your time management skills is critical in this section. Extensive practice is key. Here is a breakout of the steps for writing the essay and how much time should be spent on each.
  • Read the issue or argument presented (1 minute)
  • Identify the key issue and define your viewpoint (2 minutes)
  • Develop an outline (about 5 minutes)
  • Write (about 20 minutes)
  • Proofread and correct (allow the final 1 or 2 minutes)

How To Prepare For the AWA

  • Know and follow the guidelines used for scoring.  Doing so will net you a better score.
  • Practice with actual, old GMAT questions to boost your score even more. This will not only improve your essay, but will also improve your clock management skills as described above. I emphasize this because this skill is especially important in this section, but often overlooked. Links to download free issues from past GMATs are below in the sections explaining each type of essay.
  • Use MBA.com's online AWA prep tool. The big benefit is that it provides you with feedback and a score that uses the actual scoring engine used for the test (not free).
  • Read 7 Tips for the Analytical Writing Assessment from 800score.com. It is helpful.

Analysis of an Issue Essay

For this essay, you analyze the issue presented and explain your viewpoint. Present your opinion. Cover different perspectives and identify complications. Develop a position on the issue.

Feel free to use examples and personal experience as well as cite what you have read or observed. Most of all, be certain to stay relevant and concise.

This part of the GMAT attempts to access how well you explore complexity and how well you explain the position that you take.

Sample Issue

“It is unrealistic to expect individual nations to make, independently, the sacrifices necessary to conserve energy. International leadership and worldwide cooperation are essential if we expect to protect the world’s energy resources for future generations.”

Discuss the extent to which you agree or disagree with the opinion stated above. Support your views with reasons and/or examples from your own experience, observations, or reading.
Be sure to download free Analysis of an Issue questions from past GMATs

Analysis of an Argument Essay

For this essay, you analyze the reasoning behind an argument and find flaws in it.  You write your own critical analysis about the argument.  This is not about your personal viewpoint, so do not present it.

This question attempts to access how well you can build and write about a criticism of an argument.

To improve your GMAT score, practice your ability to work with:

  • Assumptions:  Identify the key assumptions made.  Be on the lookout for questionable assumptions.
  • Conclusions:  Identify the conclusion(s).  Provide different reasons or examples that weaken the conclusion.
  • Proof and “Dis-Proof”:  Describe types of proof that would make the argument stronger, or weaker, or discredit it.

In fact, while you are practicing, have a notecard in front of you that has these three bullet points from above that you can refer to: assumptions, conclusions, proof and “dis-proof.” This will help drill them into your mind.

Sample Analysis of an Issue Question

The following appeared in a research paper written for an introductory economics course:

“For the past century, an increase in the number of residential building permits issued per month in a particular region has been a reliable indicator of coming improvements to that region’s economy. If the monthly number of residential building permits issued rises consistently for a few months, the local unemployment rate almost always falls and economic production increases. This well-established connection reveals an effective method by which a regional government can end a local economic downturn: relax regulations governing all construction so that many more building permits can be issued.”

Discuss how well reasoned . . .etc.

Be sure to download these free Analysis of an Argument questions from past GMATs.