Advise needed: AWA Prep

Question

Hi,

I am looking for some info on how to prepare for AWAs. I want to spend as  little time  as possible on this with max ROI. Any suggestion on a quick and easy way to prepare for AWA wud be highly appreciated.


Thx !

mckenna · Answer

Banerjee,
I did the following, in chronological order:
1. Read the first chapter from Arco
2. Read the first 6-8 issue essays from Arco.
3. Came up with a format for structure of my issue essay.
4. Read the first 2 argument essays from Arco.
5. Formed a mental roadmap of my argument essay.
6. Practised 2 issue essays and 2 argument essays under timed conditions.
7. Took 4 full length tests including AWA
8. Studied first 20 issue essays : took a position, came up with and noted down 2 or 3 reasons in support of my view and 1 against and finally read Arco's take on the issue.

This strategy worked well. If I had time, I would spend more time on studying issue topics rather than on writing practice.

Good luck.

banerjeea_98 · Answer

Thx McKenna....is that Arco's regular GMAT book or is that specially for essays ?

Hjort · Answer

If you have not already done so, look at the "Sample Papers" in the OG for AWA.

Hjort

mckenna · Answer

Banerjee, Its not the regular GMAT book. There is book dedicated to AWA. GMAT CAT: Answers to the Real Essay Questions (2nd Edition). https://www.west.net/~stewart/awainfo.htm

GJJuggernaut · Answer

The 90 sample issue and arguments essays in the "American Education Aids' material is a great way to boost your AWA scores quickly and significantly.

Biren · Answer

Hi mckenna,

Do you think the combined material in Princeton review and kaplan GMAT is not sufficient.
In addition to that the OG is always there.

Does Arco book suggested by you offer much more then the books mentioned above. 
One problem that I see here is too much material to cover and not enough time.

Your suggestion will be valuable.

Thank.

ywilfred · Answer

I would say the Arco AWA book gives you some idea of what points you might include in your essay for a particular topic. But that doesn't mean memorising and regurgitating it wholesale. It's a widely used book, so I'm very sure ETS knows the content well, so be original, come up with your own points, supplement your stand with some taken from the Arco book. The template in the book is pretty useful though.

mckenna · Answer

Hi Biren,
Sorry, I missed your post.

I did not study from Kaplan and PR for AWA. So I dont really know how good these books are for AWA. I only looked at Arco and OG.

ywilfred has a very good point - do not reproduce the essays given in Arco. Read a few issues from Arco, so that you get an idea of the expected structure, size and content.

Btw, my AWA score came in last week - 5.5
I'm happy with the result, though I wish I had put in one more week on the AWA.
GL.
McKenna

Biren · Answer

Hi ywilfred, Very good point. I agree that Template is the most important concept. Content can be filed depinding on the topic.
 
Hi mckenna, thanks for the clarification. I have already ordered for the book. Thanks!

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