Print out chapter

Need a 6 on the AWA section? Use the 800score guide.

Eric Bahn, Founder, BeattheGMAT

The Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) consists of one 30-minute section, the Analysis of an Argument essay. You will receive a grade from 1 to 6 on each and these will be sent with your GMAT scores.

Both a human grader and an "E-rater," a computerized grading program, will grade your essay. If the graders disagree, your essay will be sent to a third (human) grader. Not writing your essay in the proper format for the E-rater could lead to a lower score.

The good news is that the AWA can be beaten. The essay topics are available for you to review beforehand. The structures for the AWA answers are simple and may be learned. In addition, while much GMAT preparation may appear "useless" and without any merit beyond test day, the skills, reasoning tools, and techniques you learn for the AWA may be applied to any essay or persuasive writing. Don't worry about over-preparing for the AWA section, because you'll actually use this for the real world!

800score has graded tens of thousands of essays from GMAT candidates and we have an unparalleled knowledge of where students go wrong.

Here are some tips before we get started:

• Grammar and spelling are less important than structure and content.
  
  
• The E-rater's main impact is to put more value on highly structured writing.
  
  
• Take many timed practice tests on a computer. We have 20 practice essays.
  
  

Understanding How the GMAT will Score Your Essay

Video Courtesy of Kaplan

The guide is divided into these sections: Chapter 1: Introduction (current page)   Chapter 2: Analysis of Argument   Chapter 3: About the E-rater   Chapter 4: Improving Your Writing   Chapter 5: Getting the Real Essay Questions   Bonus Sections: 10 most common errors Essay Grading Service    Chapter 2: Analysis of Argument

Have a question? Ask 800score.
If you find any problems, please use our feedback form.