How to get a 6.0 writing score

hookem09

Just received my score report last week and found out that my writing score is actually a 6.0.. Surprisingly the only thing I did differently from the last test is that I did not use a writing format. Although the writing format did help a bit on the overall structure of the essay, I think the only way to receive a good score on writing is how you analyze the topic.

So.. long story short.... make sure you are analyzing the essay topic like a simple critical reasoning question. GMAT is actually trying to determine if you have the logic and reasoning skills to compete in the business world. If you look at these topics closely, they are simply a critical reasoning question set up with missing assumptions or weak/strong premises.Therefore, you must take the same approach as how you analyze critical reasoning problems. A really good resource for this method is the answer explaination section for OG12 critical reasoning problems. You can basically copy or memorize how they analyze each problem and use it on your essay.

Now I am not saying a writing format isn't important because it provides the back-bone of your essay and helps you to flow more smoothly. However, try not to overload yourself by memorizing a complicated format because it will literally put in a box and limit your ability to write and express your logical arguments freely.

Just my 2-cents

shiningsmile

楼主我很赞同你的说法，特别是AI 我就是没法用固定一个模板，所以时间常常不够用，最无望的是有时看到一个题目就没有素材可写，无话可说，该怎么办啊，for example， AI80： although genius is difficult to define, one of the qualities of genius is the abilitiy to transcend traditional mides of thought and create new ones.楼主有什么素材么

hookem09

I think analysis of issue is to test your overall knowledge about history and current events. For example, the topic you gave basically asks you about the correlation between genius and creativity. In other words, the topic of the discussion is "creativity defines genius". From this point on you will have to analyze or attack the issue based on your personal experience and list specific real world examples.

Start with your introduction in the format and restate the issue above, then state your position. The introduction and conclusion will reflect each other and can be easily formatted.

Three paragraphs for body, this gets tricky for the issue because you must expand on your OWN position instead of staying on course with the speaker. I usually attack the "lack of evidence/support" in the first paragraph because the topic of discussion is always too short to really justify the conclusion. Try to use real world examples to attack and to replace the speaker's evidence. The topic above states that genius can create new ideas from the traditional ideas, but this doesn't mean they've actually created something brand new. Therefore genius did not create but they are merely "upgrading" ideas and improving them. I always use the first paragraph to attack what is ALREADY written in the topic. This is an easy way to start because the information is given to you in the question.

2nd paragraph, attack the assumptions by discussing what the author failed to establish or think about. This part is easy all you have to do is make up something that makes sense

3rd paragraph, attack the speaker's logic by expressing your own. I usually spend more time on this one because it will really show the GMAC grader that you have the logic to compete and win an argument. Use the first two paragraphs are your basis for the 3rd paragraph.

Conclusion reflects the introduction. You can basically repeat your position and list recommendations here. I doubt GMAC graders will read this thoroughly.

Important test points are:

Introduction (thesis statement)

1st, 2nd (ATTACK the topic as much as you can)

3rd (discuss your own reasoning and logic, aka foreshadow some recommendations)

Conclusion (reflect thesis statement, concrete recommendations)

maylovemay

写的太好了， 仰慕。。。

jessica007

非常棒，楼主逻辑性分析的很好向你学习

alancui

醍醐灌顶啊~~~~~

summer2me

Could you mind if I ask you one question? So far as I've read, all the writing formats have their settled answers, including the guiding books and given passages. Do you believe a common but safe train thought in GMAT could get a high score, or a quite different view could win experts' attention?

hookem09

I think that theory is correct. Each topic must have a pre-made but not definite set of answers or argument points. The grader will probably try to see how many key points you are able to analyze and hit in your essay. That is why I would recommend learning how each critical reasoning question is being analyzed in the answer explaination section. By analyzing these answers you will see how the test makers generate their arguments and how they approach each topic. If you can approach each topic the same way test makers do, then you will get a better score on writing.