Tips & Tricks to handle the AWA section in the most effective manner.

Students tend to under-prepare for the AWA section. This is ironic because it is the one GMAT section where a small amount of preparation can make a large difference on test day. You don’t want an embarrassing AWA grade coming up in a business school interview. To beat the AWA, you must learn how to write in a highly disciplined and concise manner.

Be particularly concerned with structure. Clearly divide your essay into the introductory paragraphs, two to three content paragraphs, and a conclusion. Take time out before you start writing to set up an organizational structure.
Use transitional phrases such as “first”, “therefore” and “because” to help the computer identify concepts between and within the paragraphs. Make sure you spell these transition words correctly so that the computer may identify them. The E-rater does not have a spell-checker built in.

Be a conformist. The E-rater is not programmed to appreciate individuality, humor, or poetic inspiration; it will be comparing the style and structure of your essay to that of other high-scoring essays. If your essay looks like the high-scoring essays in the E-rater’s memory banks, you will get a high grade; if not, you will get a low grade.

Clearly state your critique in the Analysis of Argument essay. The Analysis of Argument question will show you an essay loaded with logical fallacies, such as the unwarranted assumption or fallacy of equivocation. These are buzzwords that the E-rater detects to see if you have correctly identified the argument’s logical flaws.

Write in effective American style. Both the human and the E-rater will detect poor writing style. The E-rater’s memory banks have essays written in American grammar/style, which is slightly distinct from the English used outside of the United States.

Practice, Practice, Practice. Try to do the essays in the 30-minute time frame. That is half of the challenge. Always practice under timed conditions on a computer or take our practice essays for grading.