In the Analytical Writing Assessment, the test taker will be presented with
two essay topics and they have to type their responses using the computer
keyboard. The Verbal and Quantitative sections contain computer adaptive multiple-choice
questions.
The timing information of each sections are :
| |
Questions |
Timing |
| Analytical Writing Assessment |
| Analysis of an Issue |
1 topic |
30 minutes |
| Analysis of an Argument |
1 topic |
30 minutes |
| Optional Rest Break |
5 min |
| Quantitative |
| (Problem Solving and Data Sufficiency) |
37 questions |
75 minutes |
| Optional Rest Break |
5 minutes |
| Verbal |
| (Reading Comprehension, Critical Reasoning,
and Sentence Correction) |
41 questions |
75 minutes |
| Total Time (with breaks) |
4 hours (approx.) |
Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA)
It is the essay sections consists of two parts (i) Analysis of an issue and
(ii) Analysis of an argument. The computerized testing system will select
the topic for issue/ argument randomly from a large pool. There is no choice
for the candidates to choose among topics.
AWA is designed to examine a candidate's ability
i) to argue effectively and persuasively for a position on an issue, using
sound reasons and relevant supporting examples
ii) to present their ideas in a cohesive and organized manner
iii) to reason critically, analytically, and logically
iii) with the English language (diction, word usage, and vocabulary)
iv) with the conventions of Standard Written English, including grammar and
syntax (sentence structure)
For Analysis of an Issue, you will need to analyze a given
issue or opinion and then explain your point of view on the subject by citing
relevant reasons and/or examples drawn from your experience, observations,
or reading.
For Analysis of an Argument, you will need to analyze the
reasoning behind a given argument and then write a critique of that argument.
Quantitative Ability
Problem Solving questions and Data Sufficiency are the two segments of Quantitative
ability. Both types of questions are intermingled throughout the section and
require knowledge of arithmetic, algebra and geometry.
(i) Problem Solving - These questions are designed to test
mathematical skills, understanding of mathematical concepts, and the ability
to reason quantitatively and to solve quantitative problems.
(ii) Data Sufficiency - It is designed to measure the ability
to analyze a quantitative problem, to recognize which information is relevant,
and to determine at what point there is sufficient information to solve the
problem. Each Data Sufficiency question consists of a question and two statements,
labeled (1) and (2), which contain additional information. You must decide
whether the data given in the statements are sufficient for answering the
question.
Verbal Ability
Verbal Ability contains three different sections like sentence correction,
reading comprehensive and critical reasoning in which all the questions are
intermingled. This section measures your ability to read and comprehend written
material, to reason and evaluate arguments, and to correct written material
to conform to standard written English.
(i) Sentence Correction : It is designed to gauge a candidates
command over English language and the conventions of Standard Written English,
including grammar, syntax (sentence structure) and diction. Among the five
versions of a sentence, they have to choose the best example of proper grammar
and effective expression.
(ii) Reading Comprehension : This section is intended to
measures a candidates ability to understand, analyze, and apply information
and concepts presented in written form. Reading Comprehension passages are
accompanied by interpretive, applied, and inferential questions. They are
presented as a series of four distinct sets, each set including three (or
four) questions. All questions in one set pertain to one particular passage.
Each passages are up to 350 words long, and they discuss topics from the social
sciences, the physical or biological sciences, and such business related fields
as marketing, economics, and human resource management.
(iii) Critical Reasoning : Questions in this sections are
designed to examine the candidates ability to understand, critique, and draw
reasonable conclusions from arguments. Each argument is presented as a brief
one-paragraph passage. The materials on which questions are based are drawn
from a variety of sources.
