BREAKING: Target Test Prep releases Brand New 2026 On Demand GMAT prep course

Redeem

Retaking the GMAT, not sure about the essays

This topic has expert replies
Post new topic Locked
Previous Topic Next Topic
User avatar
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 1
Joined: Fri Oct 22, 2010 6:41 am

Retaking the GMAT, not sure about the essays

by mulrich » Fri Oct 22, 2010 6:49 am
The first time I took the GMAT I scored a 5.5 on the essays. I'm getting ready to take the GMAT again and I'm not sure if I should retake them. I've put all my study time into improving my quantitative and verbal scores and I'm not sure if my essay score will hold up.
Would I be hurting myself if I just skipped this section when retaking the test?
Top
Source: — GMAT Essays (AWA) |
User avatar
GMAT Instructor
Posts: 97
Joined: Sun Sep 12, 2010 1:39 am
Location: Montreal, Canada
Thanked: 22 times
Followed by:20 members

by Isaac@EconomistGMAT » Mon Nov 01, 2010 7:14 pm
Hi there,

In answer to your question, no you probably will not hurt yourself. Firstly, and generally, the essays do not count for very much (unless the program asks you for a certain score). In addition, if you stick to 4 paragraphs per essays (5 paragraphs if you can handle it timewise) including an introduction and conclusion paragraph in each you should be fine. Remember that in the issue essay you should show you agree or disagree (somewhere in the introduction) and each Body paragraph should show 1 reason why you agree or disagree along with an explanation and example. In the Argument essay: No opinion! Just show that the argument is flawed and in the 2 or 3 Body/Flaw paragraphs each one shows 1 flaw in the argument followed by an explanation of that flaw and a recommendation of how it can be remedied.

All told if you got a 5.5 the first time, I suggest you practice 2 or 3 essays each and go for it!
Isaac Bettan
Academic Director
Master GMAT
https://econgm.at/EconomistGMAT
[youtube]QBNZczg84tU[/youtube]
Top
Post new topic Locked
• Page 1 of 1