AWA nightmare! How can I do better?

[Mocha001]

Hi folks, I love this forum. I really appreciate your comments.

I took the GRE in Oct. I got 3.5 on AWA. ( I am not a native speaker.)

I was super disappointed. I am used to practice technical writing since I study statistics and that is just a style.

Now, here comes the GRE writing. I believed that I did not do so bad on the second section.

The first section was the problem. I got a topic which was pretty confusing and I did not really get it.

Now, I want to retake it in Jan or Feb. I have a co-worker who used to be a school teacher, and he said he can help me to

write a typical college composition paper.

How do you folks prepare for the particular section?

Should I randomly start writing everyday? I have heard that reading a lot of good books help. But, as you can tell, I am not able to

prepare for this test years. I have two months and half.

Anyone would like to share???

[anonacademic]

I believe that the ETS stores all of its writing prompts (don't get too excited - there are at least 200+) on its website for us to read and practice on. Here's a link (scroll to the bottom for links to both writing sections' prompts).

I'd consider purchasing a GRE study guide (I'm satisfied with my Barron's Guide) and reading everything on the ETS website in order to better gauge what they're looking for. And of course, practice, practice, practice. See if you can't get a native speaker to look over some of your attempts, to make sure you're on the right track.

How have you done on your TOEFL? A strong score there (and in the verbal section of the GRE) may help offset a weaker writing score. (Emphasize "may help" - that's just an educated guess.)

[Strangefox]

I am not a native speaker myself and I have 3.5 AW and everybody keeps telling me not to worry about that. Make sure that other parts of your application are superb and that you have good TOEFL scores.

If you are going to retake GRE in February or January, does that mean that you won't be applying for Fall 2011? I hope it's not only because of the AW score!

[Mocha001]

Well, since I got my BA from university in the US, I do not have to take TOEFL.

I took it for 5 years ago and I got 600.

I care more about the GRE verbal and AWA since it is what school really looks at.

This is what I heard. Even though you have a high score on TOEFL, your poor GRE verbal score still affects.

So I want to retake it and bring my verbal score around 600.

[Mocha001]

I am still applying for Fall 2011. I applied for UCSB and the deadline is Dec 1st. So I cannot retake it for UCSB. I do not think I will be accepted because it is way too competitive.

I am also applying for two other schools and their deadlines are the end of Feb and beginning of March. So I still have some time to improve.

[anonacademic]

Well, since I got my BA from university in the US, I do not have to take TOEFL.

I took it for 5 years ago and I got 600.

I care more about the GRE verbal and AWA since it is what school really looks at.

This is what I heard. Even though you have a high score on TOEFL, your poor GRE verbal score still affects.

So I want to retake it and bring my verbal score around 600.

Absolutely no offense meant - I am acutely aware that I can only speak and write in English - but I can see where you're running into difficulties with the writing section from this post. I am not especially knowledgeable about ESL learning techniques, but what I've instructed my ESL students to do is look through our textbook's special section that is geared specifically for them. These students are good writers, but to a native speaker it's immediately apparent that English is their second language - and one they don't have a complete grasp of. This section, specifically geared toward overcoming the vicissitudes of English grammar that native speakers take in stride but completely (understandably) stump ESLers, has helped them immensely.

I'd spend some time with an ESL textbook (or at least a chapter of a grammar handbook dedicated to ESL learners) - do the exercises, have someone look them over. Also, make sure your writing sample is in top shape - if committees know you're writing in a second (or third...) language, they may overlook the discrepancy between a well-written sample and a timed (and pointless, IMO) GRE exam. Don't have someone edit your sample for you (even just for grammar). You'll need these skills in your graduate program and beyond.

And again, like my first post said, look through the ETS's prompts, and read a test-prep book - both will help you familiarize yourself with the types of questions asked and the best ways to answer them.

Hope this helps!

Edited for clarification!

Edited November 13, 2010 by Chumlee