GMAT Essays (AWA)

I am on my last leg of the GMAT prep, and have just started my AWA prep. I would appreciate if someone can clear my doubts.

1. How important are spellings and typos on the GMAT. Do I need to keep a watch on them everytime I type?
2. I have been brought up on British English, and by habit, I tend to write, say, "colour" rather than "color". Will such a spelling be considered a mistake?
3. In analysis of issue, is it ok to take the middle ground? Can I highlight the pros and the cons of the choices in front of me, rather than explicitly selecting any of them? For e.g., if a question wants me to analyse "responsibilty for preserving natural environment belongs to public, not to the govrnment" - can I discuss saying both are equally responsible?

Hi Nick,

To answer your questions:

1. Spelling and grammar are important, but a couple minor mistakes won't hurt your score. Just make sure that you leave a couple minutes to proofread and catch any major errors.

2. You won't be penalized if you use British vs. American English.

3. It's best to pick a side and stick to it on the analysis of an issue. I always write my essays this way and always score a "6". I also tell my students to write their essays that way and they almost always gets 5s or 6s. It's probably possible to get a 6 while addressing both sides, but I have proof that arguing one side only can get you a 6!

Good luck!