Analytical Writing Assessment Section
The Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) is designed to measure your ability to think critically and to communicate your ideas.
The AWA consists of one 30-minute essay: Analysis of an Argument.
The argument presented on the test concerns topics of general interest related to business or a variety of other subjects. Specific knowledge of the essay topic is not necessary; only your capacity to write analytically is assessed.
You will be asked to analyze the reasoning behind a given argument and write a critique of that argument. You are not being asked to present your own views on the subject.
Consider the following when developing your essay:
- What questionable assumptions underlie the thinking behind the argument?
- What alternative explanations or counterexamples might weaken the conclusion?
- What sort of evidence could help strengthen or refute the argument?
What Is Measured
Analysis of an Argument tests your ability to formulate an appropriate and constructive critique of a specific conclusion based on a specific line of thinking.
Sample Question
For an example and directions for answering, go to the Sample Analysis of an Argument Question.
Current Analytical Writing Assessment Topics
You may download the complete list of current Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) Analysis of an Argument Topics used during the administration of the GMAT exam.
AWA Rescoring Service
Independent readers will rescore your essays for a fee of US$45. The Integrated Reasoning, Quantitative, and Verbal sections of the test cannot be rescored.
Requests for rescoring must be made within six (6) months of your test date. A request received after six (6) months will not be honored.
Rescoring Results
Rescoring may result in an increase or decrease in your AWA score. Either way, the rescoring results are final. Revised results will be sent to you and to the graduate management programs you designated as score recipients approximately 20 days after your request is received. Once your rescoring request has been processed, the fee will not be refunded.
How to Request Rescoring
You may request this service by sending a request to GMAT Customer Service.
