in regards to your message, i honestly wouldn't waste one minute on the AWA preparation. i went into the test completely cold in that section, and i do admit that i was a little worried that by doing that it would throw me off for the remainder of the test, since i had always practiced by starting with the math section, but now on the real thing i woudl be starting on the awa part. i found that it had no negative effect on my at all, and i didn't find the awa part difficult. i probably didn't get the top score for the essays, but i could care less about that. since the awa scores aren't that impt, i would spend every second that you spend studying on the real stuff. but it is your choice, so do what you please. i am just giving you an opinion.