Preparing for the GMAT AWA

nusmba2010

和大家分享一篇文章.(http://www.topmba.com/articles/gmat/GMAT-AWA-preparation?utm_source=button_gmat&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=TopMBANewsletter10&dm_i=8GW,CYJ4,11RMXS,10V7F,1)
======================================================================================
The Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) section of the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) is the first of three main sections in the MBA admissions exam.

Split into two essay questions (titled Analysis of an Issue and Analysis of an Argument) the AWA part of the GMAT is designed to test participants’ understanding of an argument, their ability to critique it and their ability to explore the complexities of an issue or opinion.

Although the AWA section is currently made up of the two essay questions, the Graduate Management Admissions Council (GMAC), who operate the GMAT exam plan to replace one of the questions with an entirely new section called Integrated Reasoning in June 2012.

Understanding the GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment
In order to prepare effectively for the AWA section of the GMAT, participants first need to understand what will be asked of them, and how their answers will be graded.

With a total of 60 minutes in which to answer both essay questions, test takers will first be given a short paragraph from a stated source which may express opinions, facts, figures, issues, or all of the above. This will then be followed by a paragraph telling participants what to write about.

While GMAC publish the questions in the Analytical Writing Assessment (the links for which are below), there are far too many questions to practice every single one. Instead, it is advisable to practice as many questions as you feel comfortable with, so that you can perfect the methods used in answering the questions.

Analysis of an Argument
In the Analysis of an Argument section of the AWA, test-takers are asked to perform the same task in all the possible questions. However, the sample argument text that appears in the one essay question each participant is finally given will differ between participants.

The Analysis of an Argument question will not be marked on the test-takers knowledge of a subject. Rather, participants are asked to break down the text, highlighting areas where the argument fails or excels.

High scoring test-takers in this section tend to offer examples of where the argument could be improved, such as through the addition of independent research, or facts surrounding an opinion.

You can find the current Analysis of an Argument essay questions on the official GMAT website.

Analysis of an Issue
In the Analysis of an Issue question, participants will be given a short paragraph which expresses one or two points of view on a broad, well reported issue. The participants will then be asked to formulate a response to the opinion, or argue a case based on their own personal opinion.

In this section there is no right or wrong answer. Instead of the content of their answer, test-takers are graded on their ability to develop an opinion, provide concrete examples to support their ideas and make them clear to the reader, all the while expressing themselves in grammatically correct English.

You can find the current Analysis of an Issue essay questions on the official GMAT website.