GMAT - Analytical Writing Section

The GMAT consists of three primary sections that are designed to evaluate an individual's basic reading, writing, and mathematical skills. These sections include a verbal section, a quantitative reasoning section, and an analytical writing section. The analytical writing section of the exam is designed to evaluate the individual's writing ability. This section consists of two essay questions, which includes an essay question related to an issue and an essay question related to an argument. The essay question related to an issue, referred to as the Analysis of an Issue question, will present the individual with a specific issue that the individual must write an essay about. For this essay, the individual will be asked to analyze the issue, offer his or her opinion on the particular issue, and offer examples and other support for the individual's view of the particular issue. There is no one correct answer to the Analysis of an Issue question presented on the exam and as a result the individual will be scored on his or her ability to analyze the issue and defend his or her point of view on the subject. The essay question related to an argument, referred to as the Analysis of an Argument question, will present the individual with a specific argument that the individual must write an essay about. For this essay, the individual will need to analyze the argument, determine the merits and flaws of the argument, identify other arguments that could be used to weaken or counter the argument, identify examples of information that might be used to strengthen the argument, and determine whether the argument is ultimately sound or not. There is not necessarily a single correct answer to the Analysis of an Argument question presented on the exam, but the individual will receive points for the essay based on how effectively he or she proves that the argument is well conceived or how effectively he or she proves that the argument is unsound.

There are a wide range of different issues and arguments covered in the analytical writing section of the GMAT, but most of the topics are related to general business concerns and practices, marketing, and societal concerns. However, regardless of the exact topic presented, the individual taking the exam does not necessarily need to demonstrate significant knowledge of the topic itself, but instead must show his or her ability to formulate an essay that can defend a particular view on an issue or one side of an argument.