Easy Preparation Tips for GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA)

Q: Q. What are some GMAT AWA writing tips?

A. Here are some GMAT AWA tips: Understand the Task: Learn how to complete the AWA task's format and instructions. Understand what is required of you in terms of analysing a claim and offering a well-thought-out response. Plan Your Essay: Before you begin writing, take a few minutes to create an essay outline. Clearly define your essay's introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion as you organise your ideas. Analysis: Analyse the argument that is being made to you with care. Identify its advantages and disadvantages, false premises, and any missing data. Analyse the argument in a logical and cogent manner. Be Clear: Be concise and straightforward when you write. Repetition, wordiness, and superfluous language should be avoided. For efficient communication, use language that is clear and concise.

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Aishwarya Bhatnagar

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Updated on Sep 12, 2024 13:12 IST

Note: The AWA section is no longer a part of the GMAT exam. With the latest GMAT exam coming into force also known as - GMAT Focus Edition or GMAT 11th Edition, has removed AWA section. Thus, applicants will not have to prepare for this section anymore. This section stands outdated for GMAT Focus Edition. Get details about GMAT Focus Edition vs Old GMAT here.

Preparing for the GMAT exam is a tough nut to crack. However, we've got you covered. In this article, you can find the GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment practice questions, some tips and tricks to analyze the questions, and more. Note that in the GMAT Focus edition 2024, the AWA is no longer a part of the test as it has been discontinued.

The Graduate Management Aptitude Test or GMAT's Analytical Writing Assessment helps business schools analyse a candidate's writing skills. It is scored separately from your 200-800 point score, on a scale from 0-6. Essays are scored by a human-grade and a computer grading system, and the two scores are averaged for your final score. Even though, GMAT AWA score is not included in your main GMAT score, GMAT AWA can act as a tiebreaker in case if the B-School needs to decide between two candidates. Some top B-Schools also have a cut-off for GMAT AWA. It is always good to score at least 4.5 on it. In this article, we will discuss all the aspects of the GMAT AWA section including tips and a sample GMAT AWA essay.

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Duration: 30 minutes

Format: 1 essay

Tests: Ability to analyse an argument

The GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment gives clear instructions on how to plan and write the essay. Due to the time limit, it is difficult to go through the complete instructions. So, it is best to learn these instructions before the test day which will help in saving your time in the GMAT Analytical Writing test. GMAT AWA measures the candidate's ability to analyse the argument and communicate their thoughts and ideas.

Note: GMAT AWA is not a part of the GMAT Focus Edition.

GMAT AWA Tips

Apart from the GMAT AWA sample papers, you also need to follow these tips to have a great Analytical Writing Assessment.

Keep it organized: Your essay must be organized. There should be a clear introduction, a body, and a conclusion. Each paragraph must seamlessly integrate itself with the next paragraph so that there is a smooth transition between ideas. Your thoughts and written work must have coherence and logic.
Identify the strengths and weaknesses of an argument: The Analytical Writing Assessment measures the ability of a candidate to think critically and communicate his/her ideas. Analyse the reasoning behind a given argument and write a critique of that argument within the given time frame.
Become familiar with the possible essay prompts: More and more practice will help you in preparing for the AWA GMAT. You can go for the GMAT Official AWA Practice essay writing practice tool and improve your score
Prepare Analytical Writing Assessment Strategies: Before starting with your response evaluate the argument and plan your response first. Once you organize your ideas, you can utilize your time in such a manner that you have the time to revise your response.

While organizing the response ask these questions:

Can other counter-examples be raised?
What questionable assumptions underlie the thinking?
Which further evidence could strengthen the argument?
Does the response read like a discussion having coherent organization and full sentences?

Use well-developed illustrations and examples. Do not just list examples. Develop your thoughts. Make your response in such a way that it reads like a discussion. Your essay response should be coherent with logical transitions, full sentences, and appropriately introduced and developed examples.

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AWA Scores and Percentile Rankings

The table given below provides details of GMAT Analytical Writing Scores and their respective percentiles:

Percentile	AWA Score
91%	6.0
77%	5.5
56%	5.0
37%	4.5
21%	4.4
10%	3.5
5%	3.0
4%	2.5
3%	0.5-2.0
0	0

Analysis of an Argument

This question type presents a brief argument similar to a statement you would find in a critical reasoning question. Your task is to write an essay that critiques the structure of the argument and explains how persuasive or unpersuasive you find it. Consider the following questions:

What's the conclusion?
What assumptions does the writer make in moving from evidence to conclusion?
What evidence is used to support the conclusion?
What alternative explanations might weaken the conclusion?
What sort of evidence could help strengthen the argument?
Is the argument persuasive?
What would make it stronger? Weaker?

GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment: 5 Tricks

The first section of the AWA GMAT requires you to type an original analytical writing sample. To make the most of your essay, follow these recommendations:

Choose your stance immediately. There is no right answer to the question prompts, so do not waste time trying to find it.
Spend 2-5 minutes constructing a rough sketch of your ideas. Make sure you have a general thesis for the essay and a topic statement for each paragraph.
Include an introductory paragraph and a conclusion.
Be specific with your supporting evidence. Draw from your own knowledge.
Leave a couple of minutes near the end to proofread your essay and correct any errors.

GMAT AWA: Scoring Parameters

The GMAT AWA essay is scored on these 4 parameters:

Analysis of the issue
Supports ideas
Organizes coherent idea
Language control

You can go through some AWA GMAT examples to prepare for writing an essay. A well-written essay should:

Identify and analyze important flaws in the argument
Support the critique using significant supporting examples
Be organized and should be a comprehensive response
Showcase good command over the language and grammar including syntax, diction, and rules of standard written English

GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment Template

Once you are aware of the factors to make a perfect essay, create a template.

Intro - Point out the flaws and write your views that you will discuss further
First Para - Write the first critique of the argument and support your view with an example
Second Para - Continue from the first para and give your view with an example
Third Para - Give a few questions for the argument
Conclude - Mention that the argument is flawed and give reasons that support your argument. Also, mention briefly how this argument could have been strengthened

GMAT AWA Sample

The following appeared in a memorandum from the business department of the Apogee Company:

“When the Apogee Company had all its operations in one location, it was more profitable than it is today. Therefore, the Apogee Company should close down its field offices and conduct all its operations from a single location. Such centralization would improve profitability by cutting costs and helping the company maintain better supervision of all employees.”

(Source: mba.com)

GMAT AWA Sample Solution:

The argument in the memorandum from the business department of the Apogee Company claims that conducting all operations from a single location will improve the profitability of the company. The argument is flawed and inconclusive for multiple reasons as there is insufficient data to support its hypothesis. In addition, the argument presents a distorted view of reality and is a leap of faith reasoning without clear outcomes. The argument could have been stronger, had it been supported by relevant data and facts.

First, the argument assumes that historical performance can be replicated in the current economic scenario. The current economic scenario might not be favourable for any company that operates in the same segment as that of Apogee. In addition, there could have been several market indicators based on which Apogee Company had expanded its market presence by opening its offices at new locations. In such a scenario, centralization will not result in improved profitability. The argument could have been more convincing if it had provided revenue, profit, loss, and other operational data.

Second, the argument claims that centralizing the workforce by closing down the field offices will improve profitability. This is an unsupported claim as there is no evidence that demonstrates that an increase in cost or having more employees has reduced the profitability of the company. For instance, opening a new field office requires investment; however, as the period rolls on, the field office starts generating revenue thus leading to profits. Moreover, the closure of all the field offices might lead to a loss in talent and human resources that might move to competitors. The argument could have been stronger if the individual data of each of its field offices had been provided, and it should have indicated how expansion had an impact on profitability.

Finally, the argument should answer questions such as; What is the current economic scenario for the segment in which Apogee Company operates? Why did the profitability reduce? How have the field offices performed so far? What revenue could be lost if all the field offices were closed? Without precise answers to these questions, the claim seems to be more of a leap of faith than a well-reasoned inference based on data and logic.

In summary, the argument is flawed for the above-mentioned reasons and the fact that the assumptions have been made without concrete evidence and data. The argument would have been more convincing if the author had defined profitability, mentioned the financial impact of the field offices on profitability, and investigated why the profitability was reduced. In order to assess the merits or demerits of any decision, it is necessary to have a holistic picture and full knowledge of the deciding factors. Without this information, the argument remains open to debate.

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GMAT AWA FAQs

Q. What is the GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment section?

A. The GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) is a portion of the exam that rates how well you can analyse a claim and express yourself in writing. It is intended to evaluate your capacity for critical thought as well as your capacity for coherently and clearly articulating complicated concepts. You will be given an argument in this task, and you will be required to critically assess its logical plausibility and offer a well-reasoned analysis. You must point out the argument's advantages and disadvantages, any false premises, and back up your analysis with facts and examples. The AWA portion is 30 minutes long, and your essay will be graded on a scale of 0 to 6 in half-point increments.

Q. What are some GMAT AWA writing tips?

A. Here are some GMAT AWA tips:

Understand the Task: Learn how to complete the AWA task's format and instructions. Understand what is required of you in terms of analysing a claim and offering a well-thought-out response.
Plan Your Essay: Before you begin writing, take a few minutes to create an essay outline. Clearly define your essay's introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion as you organise your ideas.
Analysis: Analyse the argument that is being made to you with care. Identify its advantages and disadvantages, false premises, and any missing data. Analyse the argument in a logical and cogent manner.
Be Clear: Be concise and straightforward when you write. Repetition, wordiness, and superfluous language should be avoided. For efficient communication, use language that is clear and concise.

Q. How do I prepare for the GMAT AWA section?

A. Start by becoming familiar with the assignment and structure to get ready for the GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) part. Recognise the steps involved in producing a thorough examination of an argument. Before you begin writing your essay, practise your brainstorming and outlining skills. Examine the argument presented, pointing out its advantages, disadvantages, and false premises. Provide pertinent instances and facts to back up your analysis. To effectively communicate your thoughts, choose language that is clear and simple. During the exam, use your time effectively, and try to finish your essay in the allotted 30 minutes. You can perform better on the GMAT AWA part by using these techniques and studying sample essays.

Q. Is it necessary to use tough English on the GMAT AWA essay?

A. It is not required to employ extremely intricate or challenging English in the GMAT AWA essay. Your thoughts should be communicated clearly, coherently, and effectively. While it's crucial to demonstrate your writing abilities, utilising overly complex terminology could make it more difficult for the reader to understand your analysis. To effectively communicate your ideas and points of contention, it is advised to utilise clear and simple language. Instead of depending on intricate language or sentence patterns, give priority on clearly and concisely communicating your views. The idea is to present a convincing analysis of the argument in language that the reader can understand.

Q. Is it difficult to score more than 5.0 on the GMAT AWA?

A. It can be difficult, but not impossible, to achieve a GMAT AWA score above 5.0. A thorough comprehension of the assignment, the ability to think critically, and good writing abilities are necessary for a high score. While a score of 5.0 is regarded as adequate, obtaining a higher grade often necessitates exhibiting great writing ability, sophisticated analytical capabilities, and well-supported arguments. It is crucial to thoroughly examine the provided argument, spot its shortcomings, and present a convincing case. Additionally, you can improve your grade by supporting your analysis with pertinent examples and proof. On the GMAT AWA, a score above 5.0 is achievable with careful planning, practice, and focus on the details.

Q: Is the GMAT test hard?

GMAT exam is actually very tough, as only a handful number of students crack the exam. Out of 200,000 students, only 6% of the students qualified the exam. SIne the competition is very high, these tests are a hard nut to crack. Students preparing for GMAT exam will have to prepare rigorously and solve question papers in order to crack the exam. GMAT is hard to crack but not impossible. With the right strategies, students can aim to crack the exam.

Check out: Is GMAT exam tough?

Q: What is the best GMAT Focus book?

Some of the best books to prepare for GMAT Focus Edition are as follows:

The GMAT Focus Official Guide
The Critical Reasoning Bible
All the GMAT guides (Manhattan Prep)
Total GMAT Math (Jeff Sackmann)
GMAT Prep Plus (Kaplan)

Ideally these are some of the most important GMAT Focus books to prepare for the exam.

Q: What is the highest GMAT score?

The highest possible GMAT score is 800. It seems impossible to get a perfect score of 800 on the GMAT, but it can be achieved with sheer hard work, dedication, and the right study plan. Even the top B-schools require candidates to score 720 or more than 720, so, candidates need not score a perfect 800 to get into a top Business program. If you get a decent score then also you are eligible to apply to a top business program.

Q: Which month is best for GMAT exam?

As such there is no particular preference for choosing the best month to appear for GMAT exam. It is up to the applicants to choose a relevant GMAT exam date based on their admission intakes abroad and regster accordingly. Those who wish to submit GMAT scores for Fall intake should register for July-August months. While those applying for Spring intakes can appear for the exam in September-December months. It is completely up to the students because they need time to prepare and select an apt GMAT exam date.

Q: Is 650 a good GMAT score?

650 - 690 is a good score, however, if you score above 700 then it is great and it also enhances your chances of securing admission to a top B-school. However, a good GMAT score is not the only criterion for securing admission to a top MBA college. Students need to build a holistic profile that should have a decent balance of work experience, academic excellence, extracurricular activities, etc. Nonetheless, a good GMAT score will definitely help you in improving your candidature. Make sure to cover every aspect of the GMAT syllabus with the correct resources.

Q: Is it hard to score 600+ on GMAT?

To get a 600+ score on the GMAT one needs to do a lot of hard work and made consistent efforts to get this score. Start with the GMAT syllabus and pattern. You can then move on to the GMAT official guide and other official study material. Make this as the base of your preparation. Once you are thorough with this, you can read other authentic sources such as the Manhattan guides, Princeton Review study material, etc. Make a study plan and follow it strictly and try to cover one topic at a time. Also, note down your weakness and try to work on them to increase your score.

Q: How much does GMAT cost in India?

Applicants looking at applying for GMAT in India should first know that there are two types of GMAT exam - one is taken at the GMAT exam centre and the other can be taken from home. Both of them have different fee per se. As per GMAC, it costs the following fee to take GMAT in India:

Taking GMAT at a test centre costs USD 275 which is INR 23,429 + taxes.
Taking GMAT from home costs USD 300 which is INR 25,559 + taxes.

Applicants can check the current exchange rate and then apply for the preferred mode of attempting GMAT exam.

Q: How to prepare for UK 10th board exam 2025?

Those who are preparing for the UK Class 10 exam 2025 are recommended to follow the tips below.

Know the exam pattern
Make a proper time table as per the syllabus
Solve previous year question papers
Make short notes of important formulas and theorems
Revise regularly
Figure out weaker areas and learn them well

With proper planning and hard work, students can easily clear the UK 10th board exam.

About the Author

Written by

Aishwarya Bhatnagar

Study Abroad Expert

Aishwarya is a professional Writer currently working as a Study Abroad Expert in the Editorial Team at Shiksha. She has over 5 years of experience and is skilled at creating Online Content with leveraged knowledge i... Read Full Bio

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Easy Preparation Tips for GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA)

GMAT AWA Tips

Explore MBA/PGDM colleges in UK

AWA Scores and Percentile Rankings

Analysis of an Argument

GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment: 5 Tricks

GMAT AWA: Scoring Parameters

GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment Template

GMAT AWA Sample

GMAT AWA FAQs

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