How to Crack the Analytical Writing Section (GRE/GMAT)
- Shreya Barman
- 2 hours ago
- 3 min read
Every candidate becomes nervous while taking the Analytical Writing Test (AWA) section of the GRE or GMAT tests. But if you have a good strategy and mindset, then definitely it is possible to score a perfect score in this section. Regardless of whether you are going to take either of the two GRE or GMAT tasks: "Analyze an Issue" or "Analyze an Argument," good writing ability, good familiarization with a topic, and definite structure remain your best weapons.
Understand the Task
The GRE has two writing prompts: Analyze an Issue and Analyze an Argument. The GMAT has only one: Analyze an Argument. Both of the tests measure your capacity to think and express it, but each is expressed in a somewhat different manner.
GRE Issue Task: You will receive a topic and write an essay supporting or refuting the topic.
GRE & GMAT Argument Task: Your assignment is to criticize the provided argument and to describe the fallacies in its reasoning or the assumptions that underlie it.
Understanding the difference between arguing your own point (GRE Issue) and evaluating someone else's reasoning (Argument task) is key.
Develop a Format
One of the better strategies to finish your task faster is by completing a portion of the assignments to establish a foundation for your essay; then, you can finish the rest very fast.
Introduction: Rewrite your question and quote your thesis.
Body Paragraphs (2–3): You must tackle each individual idea or weak spot, and you must provide backups in the form of examples or reasons.
Conclusion: Briefly recaps what you have been talking about most and say why your thesis matters.
A well-structured essay provides the graders and the readers with a better understanding of the reasoning used in the argument and provides your work with a professional appearance.
While doing the argument exercises, watch out for the illogical fallacies such as:
Overgeneralizations
Correlation vs. causation fallacies
Unwarranted assumptions
Lack of evidence
In order to shed some light on the question, adopt different positions, that is, promote the argument culture by laying out your position strongly but not being averse to opposing positions other people can have.
Do not overwhelm the grader with a high vocabulary. Coherence of ideas, sentence variation, and reasoning sequence are the keys to successful writing of GMAT. Don't write sentences that are too long and difficult. Write simply unless you are absolutely certain about the meaning of a particular word.
Practice Timed Essays
Thirty minutes are allotted per section, and thus, you need to adhere to the timetable and complete all the work within that time frame. Describe concepts unscrambled in an orderly fashion and practice them always from the official GMAC or ETS websites. Sample Essays need to be read.
It is also a fact that gaining familiarity with essay basics can be done through the study of top-scoring essays. Learn what makes them successful—the clarity, organization, strength of argument, and word usage. These will be your writing standards. Don't forget to take 2-3 minutes to read your paper. Search for typo mistakes, complex structures, and awkward sentence formations. A small tweak can not only make your essay readable but also leave a positive impression.
Conclusion
Cracking the Analytical Writing section is more a game of strategic thinking than a game of super writing. You would turn it into your strength area by adopting clear and consistent practising and a closely observing approach. Keep reminding yourself that it's not so much what you're writing but how reasonably and effectively you're writing it.
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