The Analytical Writing Assessment, more than any other element of GRE preparation, has benefits that extend far beyond test day. The skills, reasoning tools, and techniques you learn for the AWA may be applied to any essay or persuasive writing. These skills will help you through business school and beyond.

The AWA can be beaten. The essay topics are available for you to review beforehand. The structures for the AWA answers are simple and may be learned.

Here are some tips before we get started:

• Grammar and spelling is, by-and-large, less important than structure and content. Focus on structure and your argument formation.
  
• The E-rater's main impact is to put more value on highly structured writing and the use of "key" words and phrases that the E-rater recognizes.
  
• Take plenty of timed practice tests on a computer. Our sample essays on the site are designed for you to take practice essays and be evaluated.
  
• Do not procrastinate AWA preparation. Students tend to put off the AWA until it is too late and then they cannot adequately prepare.
  
  
  
  The AWA consists of two 30-minute sections, the Analysis of Issue essay and the Analysis of Argument essay. You will receive a grade from 1 to 6, which will be sent with your GRE scores.

The guide is divided into these sections:

Chapter 1: Introduction (this page)

Chapter 2: Analysis of Issue

Chapter 3: Analysis of Argument

Chapter 4: Improving Your Writing

Chapter 5: Getting the Real Essay Questions

Ten most common errors

You may take practice essays and send them in for grading at:

http://www.gre-test-prep.com/gre-takeessay.html

>>continue to Chapter 2: Analysis of Issue