GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment Syllabus

Analytical Writing Assessment syllabus — full chapter and topic list

Expand any chapter to see its topics and sub-topics. This is the whole examinable outline for Analytical Writing Assessment in GMAT, not a summary of it.

1. 1

   Analysis of an Argument

   5 topics

   • Understanding the prompt
   • Identifying key components
   • Structuring the essay
   • Providing examples and evidence
   • Analyzing assumptions

Analytical Writing Assessment flashcards for GMAT

19 of 50 cards from the Analytical Writing Assessment deck — real questions with worked answers.

1. What is the GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) task called, and what does it ask you to do?

   It is called the "Analysis of an Argument" task. You must critique the reasoning of a given argument by identifying its logical flaws and unstated assumptions, not state your own opinion on the topic.

2. How long do you have to complete the GMAT AWA essay, and on what scale is it scored?

   You have 30 minutes to write one essay. It is scored on a scale from 0 to 6 in half-point increments.

3. How is the final AWA score determined?

   The essay is scored independently by a human rater and an automated E-rater engine. The two scores are averaged; if they differ by more than one point, a second human reader adjudicates.

4. Does the AWA score count toward the total GMAT score of 200-800?

   No. The AWA (0-6) is reported separately and does NOT factor into the 200-800 total score.

5. In the AWA, are you supposed to argue whether the conclusion is true or false?

   No. You are supposed to evaluate the logical soundness of the argument's reasoning, regardless of whether its conclusion happens to be true.

6. What is the single most important first step in understanding an AWA prompt?

   Identify the argument's conclusion (the main claim being asserted) and separate it from the evidence (premises) offered to support it.

7. Define "conclusion" in the context of an AWA argument.

   The conclusion is the central claim or recommendation the author wants you to accept; everything else in the argument is offered as support for it.

8. Define "premise" (evidence) in an argument.

   A premise is a stated fact, observation, or piece of data offered as support for the conclusion. Premises are taken as given and are not what you attack.

9. What is an "assumption" in argument analysis?

   An assumption is an unstated premise the argument takes for granted; it is a logical gap that must be true for the conclusion to follow from the stated evidence.

10. Where should you focus your critique in an AWA essay: the premises or the assumptions?

    On the assumptions (the unstated logical gaps) and the reasoning connecting premises to conclusion. You accept the stated premises as true and attack the leap to the conclusion.

11. What signal words typically introduce a conclusion in an argument?

    Words such as "therefore," "thus," "hence," "clearly," "consequently," "so," "it follows that," and "recommends/should."

12. What signal words typically introduce evidence or premises?

    Words such as "because," "since," "for," "as," "given that," "in view of," and "as shown by."

13. What are the key components you must identify when dissecting an AWA argument?

    The conclusion, the stated evidence/premises, the underlying assumptions, and the reasoning (the logical link) that connects the evidence to the conclusion.

14. What is a recommended overall structure for the AWA essay?

    Introduction (state the argument is flawed and preview the flaws), 2-3 body paragraphs (each analyzing one distinct flaw/assumption), and a conclusion (restate the weaknesses and how the argument could be strengthened).

15. What should the introduction paragraph of an AWA essay accomplish?

    It should briefly restate/paraphrase the argument, clearly assert that the reasoning is flawed (or unconvincing), and preview the specific weaknesses you will analyze.

16. How should each body paragraph of an AWA essay be organized?

    Identify one specific flaw or assumption, explain why it weakens the argument, and provide a concrete example or scenario showing how the assumption could fail.

17. What is an effective way to conclude an AWA essay?

    Summarize the main logical weaknesses and explain what additional evidence or reasoning would make the argument stronger, rather than merely repeating the introduction.

18. What is the "they-say/I-say" pitfall to avoid in AWA, and what should you do instead?

    Avoid injecting personal opinion on the topic. Instead, remain analytical and objective, focusing solely on the quality of the author's logic.

19. Name the sampling / representativeness flaw common in AWA arguments.

    The argument assumes a small, biased, or unrepresentative sample (e.g., a survey, one location, or one time period) reliably represents a whole population.

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