Mastering GMAT Essays and Short Answers: Your Gateway to Business School
The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) is more than just quantitative and verbal reasoning. For many top business schools, the Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) essay and integrated reasoning (IR) section's short answer questions are crucial components of your application. They offer a unique window into your critical thinking, analytical skills, and communication abilities – qualities essential for success in business.
The GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA)
The AWA presents you with a prompt describing a situation or argument. Your task is to analyze this argument, identify its flaws, and construct a well-reasoned critique. This isn't about agreeing or disagreeing with the premise, but about dissecting the logic presented.
Integrated Reasoning (IR) Short Answer Questions
The Integrated Reasoning section tests your ability to analyze data from multiple sources and formats, including tables, graphs, and multi-source reasoning problems. While the AWA is a single essay, IR features four question types, some of which require concise written answers or selections from dropdown menus that function as short answers.
Why These Sections Matter to Business Schools
Business schools are looking for candidates who can not only crunch numbers but also think critically, communicate persuasively, and make sound decisions under pressure. The AWA and IR sections are designed to evaluate these very skills.
Think of your GMAT essay and IR responses as your first 'case study' for the admissions committee. They reveal how you approach complex problems and articulate your solutions.
A strong performance in these sections can differentiate you from other applicants, especially when your quantitative or verbal scores are similar. It demonstrates your readiness for the analytical rigor and communication demands of an MBA program.
Strategies for Success
To excel in the AWA and IR sections, focus on understanding the underlying logic, practicing with diverse prompts, and developing efficient analytical and writing habits.
The GMAT AWA essay requires a structured approach. A common and effective framework is the "ACE" method: Assess the argument, Critique the assumptions and evidence, and Explain how to improve the argument. For IR, focus on understanding the data visualization types and practicing quick interpretation. For example, in Table Analysis, learn to quickly sort columns to find trends or outliers. In Graphics Interpretation, identify the axes, units, and the overall trend before answering. For Multi-Source Reasoning, learn to cross-reference information efficiently. The key is to break down complex information into manageable parts.
Text-based content
Library pages focus on text content
To analyze and critique a given argument, identifying its flaws and suggesting improvements.
Table Analysis
Key Takeaways
The GMAT AWA and IR sections are integral to your business school application. They assess critical thinking, analytical skills, and communication prowess. By understanding their purpose and practicing effective strategies, you can significantly enhance your overall GMAT score and present a more compelling application to your target schools.
Learning Resources
Official overview from GMAC, the creators of the GMAT, detailing the AWA section, scoring, and what to expect.
Official GMAC explanation of the Integrated Reasoning section, including its four question types and their purpose.
A detailed blog post offering strategies and tips for approaching and writing a high-scoring GMAT AWA essay.
Tips and advice from Kaplan Test Prep on how to tackle the Integrated Reasoning section effectively, including practice strategies.
A comprehensive guide to structuring your GMAT AWA essay, including common logical fallacies and a sample essay.
Official practice questions for the GMAT Integrated Reasoning section, allowing you to test your understanding and skills.
A PDF document from GMAC that explains how the GMAT, including the AWA, is scored, providing insights into what graders look for.
While not GMAT-specific, this Wikipedia article provides a clear explanation of common logical fallacies, essential for critiquing arguments in the AWA.
A video tutorial that breaks down the GMAT Integrated Reasoning section, explaining each question type and offering strategic advice.
The official GMAT preparation guide from GMAC, which includes dedicated sections and practice questions for both IR and AWA.