GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment: Tips and Sample Questions

Are you one of the graduates aspiring to enter a good business school but wondering how to crack the GMAT? You’re in the right place!

1. Introduction

The GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) is an essential exam for individuals seeking admission to graduate business programs, particularly MBAs, both in India and abroad. One of the important components of the GMAT is the Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA), which evaluates your ability to think critically, organize your thoughts, and communicate ideas clearly in writing. While the AWA may seem straightforward at first glance, excelling in this section requires a thoughtful approach, structure, and understanding of the expectations. In this blog, you will explore the importance of the GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment, provide useful tips for success, and present sample questions to help you prepare.

2. What is the GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment?

The GMAT AWA consists of a single essay prompt that requires you to critically analyze a given argument and express your evaluation in writing. The essay is not about agreeing or disagreeing with the argument presented but about assessing its reasoning, identifying logical flaws, and explaining how the argument can be improved.

The goal of the AWA is to assess your critical thinking and writing skills, which are vital for graduate-level business studies. Admissions committees use your essay score as a way to gauge your ability to:

• Understand complex ideas
• Present a coherent analysis
• Identify flaws in reasoning
• Communicate effectively through writing

The essay is scored separately on a scale of 0 to 6, with half-point increments. A score of 6 indicates an outstanding essay, while a score closer to 0 reflects significant weaknesses in your writing and analysis.

3. Tips for Writing a High-Scoring GMAT AWA Essay

3.1 Understand the Argument

The first step in tackling the AWA is to carefully read and comprehend the argument presented in the prompt. The argument typically includes an assertion or claim and may contain evidence that supports it. Your task is not to agree or disagree with the claim but to critically analyze the reasoning behind it. Focus on the following:

• Identify the claim being made
• Analyze the evidence provided
• Examine the assumptions underlying the argument

3.2 Plan Before You Write

Though the time allotted for the AWA is limited (30 minutes), you should always take a few minutes to plan your essay. Drafting an outline will help you structure your thoughts and organize your analysis. A simple outline should include:

• An introduction that briefly summarizes the argument and your analysis
• At least two or three body paragraphs, each focusing on a different flaw or weakness in the argument
• A conclusion that briefly restates the flaws and suggests improvements

3.3 Focus on Logical Structure

The structure of your essay is crucial for conveying your ideas clearly. Use paragraphs effectively, with each paragraph focusing on one specific aspect of your critique. For example:

Introduction: State that the argument is flawed, without agreeing or disagreeing with the claim.

Body Paragraphs: Discuss the weaknesses in the argument’s reasoning. Each body paragraph should focus on a different flaw, such as unsupported assumptions, lack of evidence, or overgeneralization.

Conclusion: Summarize the main flaws and suggest ways the argument could be improved.

3.4 Be Concise and Focused

Clarity is key in the AWA. Avoid long-winded explanations or tangential information. Stick to the main points, and make sure every sentence serves to strengthen your critique. Aim for a well-structured, succinct essay that demonstrates your ability to analyze the argument without unnecessary embellishment.

3.5 Use Clear and Formal Language

The AWA evaluates your writing style, so it’s essential to maintain a formal tone throughout the essay. Avoid colloquial language, slang, or overly casual phrasing. Instead, use clear and precise language that reflects your ability to communicate complex ideas in a professional setting.

3.6 Proofread Your Essay

While time constraints are a reality on the GMAT, it’s still essential to leave a few minutes at the end of your 30-minute writing window for proofreading. Quickly review your essay to correct any grammatical errors, awkward sentences, or unclear phrasing. Even a few small errors can detract from an otherwise strong essay.

3.7 Practice, Practice, Practice

Like any other skill, writing improves with practice. Regularly practicing AWA essay prompts will help you refine your writing skills, develop a strategy for analyzing arguments, and familiarize yourself with the types of issues that may appear in the test.

4. Sample GMAT AWA Prompts

To give you a better idea of the kind of questions you may face on the GMAT AWA, here are some sample prompts that mirror the types of arguments you might encounter.

Sample Question 1:

“The following appeared in a memorandum from the director of a marketing firm:
‘In a survey of 1,000 consumers, 800 stated that they are more likely to purchase products from a company that offers a loyalty program. This clearly shows that companies offering loyalty programs will increase sales. Therefore, our company should implement a loyalty program to boost sales.’

Write a response in which you examine the logical soundness of the argument. Be sure to explain why the argument may or may not be well-reasoned, and discuss what additional information would help strengthen or weaken the argument.”

Analysis of the Argument: The argument claims that offering a loyalty program will boost sales based on the survey results. However, there are several issues:

• The survey only reflects consumer preference, not actual purchasing behavior.
• The argument assumes that the loyalty program alone will lead to increased sales without considering other factors, such as product quality or marketing strategies.
• The sample size of 1,000 consumers may not be representative of all consumers.

Sample Question 2:

“The following appeared in an editorial from a university newsletter:
‘Studies have shown that students who take part in extracurricular activities are more likely to have better academic performance. Therefore, the university should require all students to participate in at least one extracurricular activity in order to improve overall academic success.’

Write a response in which you evaluate the reasoning behind the argument. Be sure to discuss what assumptions the argument makes and how they impact the conclusion.”

Analysis of the Argument: This argument assumes a direct cause-and-effect relationship between extracurricular participation and academic performance, which may not be accurate. Possible flaws include:

• The studies may only show correlation, not causation, meaning that extracurricular involvement does not necessarily lead to better grades.
• The argument overlooks other factors that might contribute to academic success, such as effective teaching or study habits.
• Requiring extracurricular activities may not take into account the diverse interests and commitments of students.

Sample Question 3:

“The following appeared in a letter to the editor of a newspaper:
‘A new study indicates that employees who work from home are more productive than those who work in an office. Given this evidence, the company should allow all of its employees to work from home to increase productivity.’

Write a response in which you critically assess the argument. Be sure to discuss any logical flaws in the reasoning and suggest what additional information would be useful.”

Analysis of the Argument: The argument makes several assumptions:

• The study only demonstrates higher productivity for employees working from home but doesn’t address whether this productivity is sustainable or applicable to all types of work.
• The company might face challenges related to communication, collaboration, and monitoring when employees work remotely.
• The argument does not consider whether employees in the company already have the necessary resources and space to work from home.

5. Conclusion

The GMAT AWA tests your ability to think critically, evaluate an argument, and express your thoughts clearly and logically. By following the tips outlined in this blog—understanding the argument, planning your essay, focusing on logical structure, maintaining clarity, and practicing regularly—you can significantly improve your chances of scoring well on this section. Additionally, working through sample questions will help you prepare for the types of prompts you’ll encounter on test day. With consistent practice and a solid strategy, you can approach the AWA tests with confidence and achieve the score you need to succeed in your business school applications.

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