How do you prepare for AWA?

Question

How do you prepare for AWA? Any thoughts?

mochajava · Answer

I didn't write any practice essays for the AWA myself because I do a lot of writing for work, but I did take a peek at the chapter on the AWA in my Cracking the GMAT book. The tips were good, and I followed the structure they outline when I took my actual GMAT. I got a 6.

trahul4 · Answer

Prepare a template for both the essays ... just follow examples in any book and you can devise a template, although for arguement essay this should be very easy. If you stick to this template and use proper examples getting a 5.0 at least should not be a problem

Tarmac · Answer

the only all out practice AWAs I did was from GmatPrep, I wrote them out as if it were the real thing.

I only got 5.0 on mine though, as I was writing I was sure it would be 5.5 or 6.0. Who knows? I'm not gonna ask for a regrade though.

lsuguy7 · Answer

It's all structure and length. What your write isn't that important, just expand upon what you're saying and give real examples. I read a brief chapter in a PR book and stuck to the tips for a 5.5 AWA.

GMATBLACKBELT · Answer

First aim for about a 4.0, 4.5. If you get higher than this congrats. But this really isn't worth much of your time. Bout a couple weeks before the test just flip to back of the OG 11 and take about 10 min each night. 5 min for each essay. Think about how you would go about writing out the essay: make a thesis, list some examples you would use to support your thesis. Conclusion, well this isn't too hard, just a restatement of your these but reworded differently and leading to a broader outlook etc.. standard Paper. Id def do a couple practice essays. If your lucky enough like me, you got the GMAC email to write 2 awa's for 30$ woohoo! btw where is that stupid check anyway...

sonibubu · Answer

What's that all about? I wouldn't mind doing that...can you provide a link?

RyanDe680 · Answer

I'm not sure if I truly understand the significance of the AWA if you are given your score upon completion of the exam...

Is this something that is looked at carefully when you send your scores to the schools you select?

italstal81 · Answer

the awa only matters if you do really bad on it. IMO, having a score of 4.5 versus a 6 doesn't make a difference to your candidacy.

i think the main thing to keep in mind as you're doing the essays is that a computer will be grading you.. so your score will in large part be determined by the grammar, spelling and length of your essay rather than the opinions or eloquence you convey.

msday · Answer

I did the two sets of 2 practice AWAs on the official GMAT software. Also, look at the sample AWAs in the Official Guide and figure out what they consider important (things like varied sentence structure).

chineseburned · Answer

When you write your essays think about the e-rater, not the human rater. You know what the e-rater expects and can get 6.0 there even if writing crap. If you are lucky and the human rater does not give you a score lower than 5.0, you got yourself at least a 5.5.

kidderek · Answer

Prepare only to the extent to increase stamina.

bb · Answer

A useful topic, esp when combined with Chinese Burnt's strategy for AWA: how-to-get-6-0-awa-my-guide-64327.html

adarbari · Answer

I did not take any practice lessons (got a 5). However, make sure that you know exactly how the Argument and the Issue question differs in what the GMAT expects you to write in each.

How do you prepare for AWA?

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards