Facts about the Analytical Writing Analysis questions (AWA)
Fact: The current GMAT involves two AWA question: one Analysis of an Argument question, and one Analysis of an Issue question. You get up to 30 minutes for each.
Fact: Starting on June 5, 2012, the “Next Generation” GMAT will add a half-hour Integrated Reasoning (IR) question; to make room for that new question, and to keep the overall exam approximately the same length, there will be only one AWA Analysis of an Argument question on the new exam. The Analysis of an Issue question is going away.
Fact: The AWA does not count in your composite GMAT score. It is a separate score, reported alongside the rest of your GMAT scores. (Currently, the full score report includes a Quantitative score, a Verbal score, a composite score representing a combination of those two, and a separate AWA score; after June 5, there will be also be a separate IR score.)
The Argument Against AWA
It’s true, the Quantitative sections and Verbal sections (as well as the soon to arrive IR score) are all more important than the AWA score. It’s true, it’s a sign of the relative status of the AWA that the amount of AWA on the GMAT is being cut in half when the “next generation” arrives. It’s true that Business school rely on the Quant, Verbal and Composite scores considerably more than the AWA score, and presumably they will also rely on the IR score significantly more than the AWA score.
Less Important, but Not Unimportant
While it’s true that, in your GMAT preparation, Quant and Verbal (and soon IR) deserve more attention than the AWA, it’s also true you can’t completely neglect AWA. The difference between a 5 or 6 on AWA will probably not make or break a business school admission decision, but having a score below a 4 could hurt you.
The purpose of the AWA is to see how well you write, how effectively you express yourself in written form. This vitally important in the modern business world, where you may conduct extensive deals with folks you only know via email and online chatting. Some of your important contacts in your business career will know you primarily through your writing, and for some, your writing might be their first experience of you. While you don’t need to write like Melville, you need to be competent. An AWA score below 4 may cause business schools to question your competence. That’s why it’s important to have at least a decent showing in AWA.
It would be a mistake to devote 30% of your available study time to AWA. It would also be a mistake to devote 0% to AWA. Between those, erring on the low side, would be appropriate. If, in a three month span, you write half a dozen practice essays, and get generally positive feedback on them with respect to the GMAT standards, that should be plenty of preparation.
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This post was written by Mike McGarry, GMAT Expert at Magoosh, and originally posted here.
