To analyze it requires you to evaluate a given argument according to specific instructions. You need to focus on the logical soundness of your arguments. However, It is important for essays to present ideas and arguments clearly and persuasively. Excellent writing skills are an important aspect for both essays. It is important to know certain conventions to score decent in AWA essay. Let’s see what are these:

Avoid Redundancy in sentences

This one of the most important rules of writing. ‘Repetition’ will not only spoil your writing  but also create a dubious meaning of  paragraph even how smart you are in sentence structuring. Also avoid using too simple sentences for GRE essay. Write little complex sentences to impress GRE readers.

Never put Grammar on back seat

Correct grammar lets you convey your thoughts correctly. Brush up basic tenses from time to time. Learning different forms of verb is equally important. I will suggest make a chart of these and hang it in your living room. Be careful while using different parts of speech (correct writing conventions of nouns, adverbs, etc.). If your essay is grammatically incorrect then GRE Readers will conclude that the essay’s logic, structure, etc., are also incorrect. Correct spellings and Punctuations are equally important.  Be Aware!

Use your word power effectively

Correct choices of words reduce the length of sentence and make the whole thing fast to read. It also demonstrates your proficiency over English language in front of GRE readers. So, instead of writing ‘there was a strong feeling of patriotism’ use word fervid.

Same time be careful in word selection, do not use a word just for the sake of using it also it should be appropriate according to context. Idioms and phrases are helpful in effective writing.

Transition words are must

Words like ‘However’, ‘Nevertheless’, ‘consequently’ highlight your analytical abilities, do use them generously. Also include phrases like, firstly, secondly, etc. This will help you in producing lucid writing. These words are so appealing that the GRE readers can not miss them.

At Last, also keep in mind the time limit, many students grow vague when time is running out. In Revised GRE time limit for both essays will be 30 minutes. Also, be careful to compose a to the point essay. Same time, do not let yourself slip into dogmatism. Remember GRE Readers look highly upon the judicious individual. Be creative and organize either you elaborating your stance for issue essay or analyzing a give stance for argument essay.

Shipra Srivastava

Tips for revised AWA section:

Practice is the key

Regardless, how well your writing skills are, spend plenty of time in practicing writing essays. Generally, ETS chooses these two essays from huge range of subjects, be it humanities, fine arts and so on. Your task is to demonstrate intricate thinking and effective writing. This can be achieved only through regular practice. You must work on extensive vocabulary, grammar and punctuation skills for better scoring.

Time Management

You have to understand the topic for both essays, plan a response and compose an essay in 30 minute each. So it is important to manage your time well. Minor mistakes like occasional spelling or grammatical error can be exempted from GRE readers, but persistent errors will definitely affect your score. So it is advised to finish you essays a few minutes before the allotted time so you will have enough to review your essay for cursory errors.

Before starting to write read the issue statement well

It has been observed many a time students do not read the issue statement well as a result they compose diverted essay from the topic given. So it is advised to analyze the issue statement thoroughly considering all the possible perspectives then only brainstorm over the topic. To score better it is important to construct compelling arguments which supports your evaluation for issue statement.

Basic facts about GRE scoring

Even revised AWA will have a composite score (collective of both essays) on 0-6 scale. Each essay is evaluated by 2 GRE readers. Scores are awarded on an overall composition of essay as there is no separate marking for specific parts of essay. All important aspects like ideas, organization, sentence structure, or language are taken into account while assigning the final score. A few affective lines or any distinctive feature in particular section will not help you scoring better.

Kindly leave your comments beneath this article in the feedback section.

Shipra Srivastava

Team Learnwordlist.com

Money in comparison with ‘Time’

Time is money means money is equivalent to time as time is important so is money. Eg. I can not spoil my time gossiping after all Time is money.

Fast buck means somehow, quickly earned money. Eg. Do not try to earn fast bucks using foul means.

Money and ‘Importance’

Put your money where your mouth is means support that you believe in (like plan) by putting money. Eg. If you are really interested in helping unprivileged then put your money where your mouth is.

Money talks means money is powerful, we can make our work done with money. Eg. Even if this is complicated, she will make her things done after all money talks.

Money as ‘Waste’

Money burns a hole in a pocket means you are eager to spend money, normally in a wasteful way. Eg. You don’t save single penny. If money burns a hole in your pocket then you will have nothing left for anything.

Money and ‘Trade’

Cash on the barrelhead means purchasing with cash (no credit). Eg. Though, leading stores offer many attractive discounts they do not give credit. Every thing is cash on barrelhead.

Cold hard cash means cash, not check or any other form. Eg. I paid for my new audio system in cold hard cash.

Miscellaneous

Foot the bill means to pay Eg. My father is footing the bill for my education so I am making sure not to waste my father’s precious money. I am studying hard.

Idioms can work as add-on in order to ornament your piece of writing. The best way to retain them long is to use them in your day to day language. Idioms and proverbs play a vital role in boosting your scores in AWA section. So learn them with full zest and win the accolades of GRE AWA Readers!!

Shipra  Srivastava

Team Learnwordlist.com

Look at the following sentences:

1. Turn to the left. You will then see the building.

2. Peter took his food. He went to school.

Instead form these sentences in following manner:

1. Turning to the left, you will see the building.

2 . Having taken his food, Peter went to school.

“When doer of actions is doing two action simultaneously then form these types of sentences by ‘verb + ing’ ( example 1) and when doer of action has done the second action after finishing the first action then form these kinds of sentences by ‘having + verb 3 form’ (example 2 ).”

1. The moon had set. New day has arrived.

2. The deal was signed .All were happy.

Instead form these sentences in following manner:

1. The moon having set, new day has arrived.

2. The deal having being signed, all were happy.

“When doers of action of both sentences are different and it seems from there verbs that second action has fallowed the first action then form sentence this way.”

1. He failed many times. He hopes to score well.

2. She reached the office.Then she finished her work.

3. You helped me. Otherwise I can not do this.

Instead form these sentences following way:

1. In spite of having failed many times, he hopes to score well.

2. After reaching office, she finished her work.

3. I can not do this with out your help.

“When you are joining two contradicting sentences then use ‘inspite of’(example 1), if there is ‘then’ in sentence use ‘after’ to join sentences(example 2) .If there is ‘otherwise’ then use’ but for’ or ‘ without’(example 3) to join sentence” .

1 Somebody has broken the chair. I do not know him.

2 He has done something. No one knows it.

3. He has gone to which place. I do not know it.

Instead form these sentences in following way:

1 I do not know who has broken the chair.

2 No one knows what he has done.

3 I do not know where he has gone.

“Use ‘who’, ’what’, ’where’ in place of ‘somebody’,’ something’, ‘some place’ respectively to join sentences.

Some common errors in sentence formation:

1. Grammar and punctuations errors.

2. Spelling mistakes.

3. Improper capital letter usages.

4. Improper joining of sentences.

Do bear in mind that if you are habitual of making short, simple sentences then you need to start working on forming complex sentences because this will give you an edge for AWA section. Do not use colloquial language in the AWA essay. Along with these pay attention on above mentioned errors as well. If master all these skills then nothing can stop you in scoring well in AWA section.

Do share with us your views on this blog in a feedback section below this blog.

Wishing you success ahead!!!

Regards,

Shipra Srivastava

Learnwordlist.com

This section requires to brush up your calligraphy. Strong writing skills are important to score good in this section. This section judge whether you can present critical analyze of the given topic.

In the analytical writing section of GRE student is presented with 2 essays.

o     An argument Analysis essay.

o     An issue essays.

To attempt both section there is a fixed time frame. For argument analysis section you will have 30 min and for an issue segment you will have 45 min. Do remember both segments are compulsory. Among the three sections of GRE an analytical writing section always appears first. You will have to compose an essay and record your response using the word processor built into the GRE because handwritten responses are not permitted.

Procedure to choose topic.

Students have to choose from the pool of topics .Well here are some sample topics that are taken from GRE website.

“The study of an academic discipline alters the way we perceive the world. After studying the discipline, we see the same world as before, but with different eyes.”

“It is dangerous to trust only intelligence.”

“Technology creates more problems than it solves, and may threaten or damage the quality of life.”

Issue essay will present with choice option (you will choose from 2 given topic).but analyze section will come up with no choice option. Don’t jump on topic take your time analyze topic thoroughly before start writing. Choose topic about which you can write well. You should not be lack of ideas on chosen topic otherwise this will make your task arduous.

Argument analysis essay

Before start writing keep in mind you have 30 min to compose an essay for this section. Those of you who are from non humanities background this section could be little difficult to handle because you need to create a critical analyze of given topic. However, you can come up with your personal views on topic but keep remember your main task is present critical analyze. In analyze argument section student is present with brief passage in which student have to create claim backed by examples presenting evidences in support of your statement. So first create claim then analysis the claim in parts. You have to make Sure whether there is any evidence that support the claim. Now simply you need to write the body of paragraph explaining your claims. You need to provide the explanation whether provided evidence regarding claims are week or strong and what extra need to be provided. Finally write the summary paragraph. High scores goes to test-takers who write clear and well reasoned essay.

Issue analyze essay

In this section you need to present your views on given topic. To compose an essay you can start with keyword from the topic and let that word work as catalyst. Now grab your pen and write down all the association related to that word. You can incorporate that associations in your essay. You should write both reasons for and against for the topic.It is important to provide example supporting both sides of the issue. It is ok to present your personal views for topic but just don’t overdo it. First form the claim on given topic then explain your claim with examples. Now write the body of essay. You need to spend bulk of time writing the body of essay. Finally write down the summary or conclusion part.

Scoring pattern for essay

You will be judge on 0 to 6 scale .Your score will be awarded by 2 GRE readers. It is very important to score good in this section ,if your total GRE score is 1300 and you have score only 2.5 in AWA section then it will not look good .Higher AWA section tells that student is focused and of superior intelligence. However, if you are aiming for an engineering programme you clearly don’t need to aim so high.

Some general writing tips for both essays

o     Don’t overdo in embellishing your text language with too many fancy words.
o     Don’t get pressurize but you should remember about time limit while writing.

o     If you write short simple sentences then practice to write little complex sentences and demonstrate a good command of vocabulary.
o    Don’t try to increase the length of essay having this notion that long essay s help you in scoring well. This is wrong, rather well defined essay can do magic for you.
o    Keep a close watch on your grammar and punctuations.
o    Use transitional phrases such as “first,” “therefore,” and “because,” to help identify concepts between and within the paragraphs.
o    Be particularly concerned with structure of essay.
o    Brainstorm words or images about your topic.
o     Finally it is very important to practice .Pick up one topic on daily basis and write your thoughts regarding the topic. This practice will finally save you at final day.

I hope that above mentioned information will be useful in writing analytical section of GRE. If have some other idea to improve writing skills for AWA section then share with us.
Please feel free to ask your questions and post comments below.
Good luck for your GRE Exam!!!
Shipra Srivastava
Team LearnWordList.com

Hence, the GRE is a Computer Adaptive Test (CAT) that adapts to the students’ perceptional requirements.

When the first question of GRE appears on the screen, you will not fall into abysmal depression. The first question that appears will be just ‘moderately’ difficult. That means most of you will be happy answering it for you are almost sure of the answer. As they say well begun is half done, you will carry this positive, stress-free feeling through out the exam.

In case you are unable to answer a tough question, the subsequent question posed to you will be considerably easier. This way the entire exam will be tuned to suit your requirement. In simpler words the exam keeps you feeling better time and again. Isn’t that amazing!

A judicious preparation for the exam will certainly pay rich dividends. A very high score in GRE is something that is not unusual. It is like you have the bag of luck and awesome future in your own hands. You alone can open it. Right?

To err is human! Let us not forget this famous aphorism. Despite unlimited advice and relentless hard work one might fail to get what one pines for. That doesn’t mean one becomes pessimistic and stops looking at the rosier aspects of life. Certainly not! GRE exam can be taken at least five more times in a year. That is until you get a score that satisfies you thoroughly. Isn’t that once again amazing! And what else, the GRE test score is valid for a period of five years! Awesome!

Students keep asking me what a GRE Subject test is. The GRE Subject test is offered for a few specific programs like Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, English Literature, Mathematics, Physics, and Psychology. Most of the grad schools value GRE General Test score only as a criterion for admission. However each grad school has its own philosophy. As a diligent student you can contact the admission board directly for more information on subject GRE.

However you want to tell the admission board that you can run for their School an extra mile. And you are passionate about being an alumnus there; the Subject GRE offers you just the right platform. The score of the GRE Subject test ranges from 200 to 990.

There is also a Paper Based GRE Test, conducted in the areas where Computer Testing paraphernalia is not available. There will be an extension of time frame by 45 minutes in the case of a Paper based GRE and naturally you cannot take the Paper Based GRE round the year. It is limited to a certain time frame. The Subject GRE exam too is conducted in the Paper Based Test centers thrice a year i.e. October, November and April. Immediate Paper Based tests for GRE are available on 23^rd November and 4^th December 2009.

I guess we are now equipped with quite a few inspiring facts about GRE. Without delaying anymore you can start your preparation. I tell always: a final minute preparation could be both stress generating and devastating. Hence give yourself adequate time to understand GRE section-wise and then prepare accordingly.

In a nutshell:

1. GRE is a Psychometric Examination
2. GRE continues to keep your spirits high throughout the test!
3. A student can take GRE five times a year, once in a month!
4. Paper Based GRE Tests are available exclusively in areas where there is a paucity of Computer Systems
5. A Subject GRE cuts the student above the rest in competition
6. A good score in GRE and a subsequent admission into a reputed grad school changes the life of a student for the better and forever!!

Have you got even more interesting aspects of GRE to share with us? Please do comment here and let the world know them!!

Wishing you Success!!

Anu Veluri

Manager- Learnwordlist.com