Intro to AWA
Summary
The Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) section of the GMAT consists of one essay, focusing on analyzing an argument. This section tests the ability to think analytically and write persuasively with correct grammar.
- AWA stands for Analytical Writing Assessment and involves critiquing a short paragraph argument within 30 minutes.
- The AWA score, separate from the 800 total score, influences overall test performance by affecting test-taker confidence.
- The essay is graded on a 0-6 scale by both a computer and a human grader, with discrepancies resolved by a master grader.
- Scoring emphasizes the importance of cogent, well-articulated writing and the ability to identify logical flaws.
- Resources such as the GMAT official guide provide concrete examples of high and low-scoring essays to help test-takers understand scoring criteria.
Chapters
00:00
Introduction to AWA
01:01
Importance of Practice and Timing
02:56
Scoring and Evaluation
The GMAT in its current form will be offered through early 2024. Starting on November 7, 2023, a new, shorter version of the exam called the GMAT Focus will become available.
All the AWA Essay lessons apply to the current GMAT only. (The GMAT Focus edition does not have an essay.)
Please see the lesson "New GMAT Focus Edition Can be Taken Starting November 7, 2023" for more details about the Focus edition.
