My AWA strategies for GMAT

The AWA essays written by students taking the GMAT are rated usually by one human reader and a computer program called E-rater. These essays are marked on a scale of 0 to 6.0 and the score is rounded off to the nearest half point.

The E-rater is not programmed to appreciate your individual style of writing, humor, or yours inspirations. It looks for the style and structure of your essay to that of other high-scoring essays. The key to write a 6.0 point essay on the AWA section is to understand the algorithm of the E-Rater.

• A Sample Structure

- Restate the argument or your understanding of the issue
- Take a stand early
- Use PREP strategy
Point
Reasoning
Example
Point again
- Cover all your points in about 5-6 crisp paragraphs
- Conclude by restating your stand

• Key words to impress the E-Rater

- In this argument/issue
- To begin with
- First, Second, Third..
- In addition to…
- Finally, Additionally
- Further more, Moreover
- In sum, In conclusion
- Inorder to strengthen the argument
- For example,
- For instance,
- Not only…But also
- Another problem

• Some good links for AWA

Kaplan AWA

Majortests.com

800score.com AWA Essay guide

• Live Online E-raters

WayAbroad.com (Choose english from the top right corner)

• Bottom line…

Practice is an important for improving your essay writing skills. Always make it a habit to write your AWA essays along with all the Full length practice tests.

Mobile phones banned on Mumbai roads

The latest regulation from the traffic authorities in Mumbai bans the use of mobile phones while driving. In fact, it can lead to a jailterm! This is ridiculous but probably a step in the right direction. In India the only way to enforce a rule is to add a clause with strict punishment for non followers. I believe such a clause always existed in the rule books but the government and traffic police department seems to have suddenly woken up with the increasing number of accidents caused due to use of mobile phone while driving. Interestingly, even the use of handsfree is not allowed any more.

We, Indians love to talk and talk long. One good way to overcome the frustration of traffic jams and ever lasting signal lights is to call our near and dear ones while we drive. This small talk now needs to be replaced with something else!

This reminds me of a tag line “Change the way you talk!” (ZIP Phone… Don’t know whether it still exists)

PS:Something other than just Management on this blog…. I hope my readers would support me!