DETAILED GUIDE FOR GMAT AWA SECTION: 5 SAMPLE PROMPTS
GMAT AWA Samples
Are you aspiring to get into the best B-schools to pursue a business and management course? One must definitely attempt a GMAT exam to achieve a position and get into top-notch universities. GMAT exam refers to the Graduate Management Admission Test. The GMAT test involves various modules and Analytical Writing Assessment is one of them.
What is GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA)?
The GMAT AWA section is known to test the ability to effectively discuss or critique an argument that is demonstrated. There will be some misconceptions used in the prompts that you have to address. Get yourself familiarised with the flawed arguments given below to quickly identify them as you write your essay:
Sample Prompt 1
The following statement appeared in the health section of a magazine regarding trends and lifestyles:
Presently, Aspartame has become the most commonly used artificial sweetener. People using this are better off consuming sugar. Aspartame is known as a contributor to weight gain rather than weight loss. For example, consuming high levels of aspartame has been shown to trigger cravings for food as it depletes a chemical that registers the sense of being full. Furthermore, studies suggest that sugars once consumed after at least 45 minutes of continuous exercise actually enhance the body’s ability to burn fat. There is also a chance of losing the benefit of calorie-burning if the aspartame-sweetened juices are taken after exercise. People consuming aspartame are more likely to not achieve their dietary goals rather than sugar-consuming people.
Discuss if the argument is well-reasoned or not. Analyze the reasoning and the evidence in the given argument. Consider what questions underlie the thinking and what can be alternative reasons that can weaken the conclusion. Discuss the evidence that strengthens the argument and makes it sound logical.
(Read More: How to Write a Great GRE Argument Essay in Simple Steps?)
Sample Prompt 2
The following argument was displayed in the opinion column of a financial magazine:
“Middle-aged consumers devote about 39 percent of their expenditure to department services and store products. The younger consumers devote only 25% of their retail expenditure to department store products and services. There might be a drastic increase in the number of middle-aged people within the next decade. Furthermore, the stores can take advantage of this trend and should begin to replace some of those products intended to attract young customers with products that attract middle-aged consumers. “
Discuss if the argument is well-reasoned or not. Analyze the reasoning and the evidence in the given argument. Consider what questions underlie the thinking and what alternative reasons can weaken the conclusion. Discuss the evidence that strengthens the argument and makes it sound logical.
Sample Prompt 3
The following statement appeared as a part of the business marketing plan:
“Over the past five years, the sales of organic food products in this country have tripled over. We must expand the divergence and start selling items such as orange juice and organic eggs in addition to the regular product line. With the recent increase of articles questioning the purity and safety of milk and other food products, customers will be more likely to purchase our organic products. And for a successful expansion, we should hire the chain of health-food stores as our vice president for marketing.
(Read More: What are the benefits of taking the GMAT?)
Discuss if the argument is well-reasoned or not. Analyze the reasoning and the evidence in the given argument. Consider what questions underlie the thinking and what can be alternative reasons that can weaken the conclusion. Discuss the evidence that strengthens the argument and makes it sound logical.
Sample Prompt 4
The following statement appeared in a memorandum published by a large city’s council on the arts:
“According to a poll conducted city-wide, 15% more residents are said to watch television programs about the visual arts than the poll conducted past five years. During these past years, the count of people visiting our city’s art museums has increased by a similar percentage. Since the corporate funding is in favour of public television, where most of the visual arts programs appear, is now being threatened with severe cuts and we can also expect a decrease in the attendants at our city’s art museums. Therefore, some of the city’s funds for supporting the arts should be reassigned to public television. “
Discuss if the argument is well-reasoned or not. Analyze the reasoning and the evidence in the given argument. Consider what questions underlie the thinking and what can be alternative reasons that can weaken the conclusion. Discuss the evidence that strengthens the argument and makes it sound logical. Performing better in such arguments section may improve your chances of getting a high score on the GMAT, which paves you to Ivy League College for an MBA.
Sample Prompt 5
The following is part of a business plan created by the management of the Mega mart grocery store:
"We have added a pharmacy section to our grocery store and our total sales have risen by 20 percent this year.’’ Clearly, the customer’s main concern is regarding the convenience afforded by one-stop shopping. The surest route to increase our profits over the next years is to add a clothing department along with an automotive supplies and repair shop. We should plan to add new departments and services, such as a garden shop and a restaurant in the subsequent years. Being the only store in the area that offers a wide range of services will give us an advantage over other local stores and services. “
Discuss if the argument is well-reasoned or not. Analyze the reasoning and the evidence in the given argument. Consider what questions underlie the thinking and what can be alternative reasons that can weaken the conclusion. Discuss the evidence that strengthens the argument and makes it sound logical.
We hope that the Sample prompts given above have helped you in preparing for the GMAT Analytical Assessment Writing. It is better to take a GMAT Coaching nearby to enhance and improve on the GMAT exam.