Low AWA Score! Need advice :(

[kishan07]

I took GRE exam this October and got 325 (q-164, v-161). But my awa score came out to be really poor. I've got only 3. I feel like I'm totally lost.

Do I have any chance to get admission in medium level grad schools?

Please guys, I need some advice. Should I retake GRE?

[awells27]

What is your field?  On the PHD level, most programs look for a 4 or higher.  If you are applying for a Masters degree, your other scores are fine for middle tier, which makes the writing score unfortunate.  If you are in any writing intensive program, I would do a retake.  Then again, if you are a non-native English speaker, this could weigh in on admissions decisions.  Need more information about what degree you are seeking and what schools you are applying to.  

[PeakPerformance]

I would only consider retaking the GRE if you had 4 weeks time to seriously work on your writing and you were going to work with a tutor or take a course. Writing is one of the most difficult areas to raise your score, in part because weak writers do not necessarily recognize and understand the weaknesses in their own writing. You need good feedback on your own essays from a qualified tutor/instructor and you need good samples/models.

Edited October 22, 2013 by PeakPerformance

[clandry]

I would only consider retaking the GRE if you had 4 weeks time to seriously work on your writing and you were going to work with a tutor or take a course. Writing is one of the most difficult areas to raise your score, in part because weak writers do not necessarily recognize and understand the weaknesses in their own writing. You need good feedback on your own essays from a qualified tutor/instructor and you need good samples/models.

I've heard the opposite-that the AWA is the easiest to raise. 

I've seen excellent writers score very poorly on the GRE AWA. 

Edited October 22, 2013 by doubled

[Scarf in the wind]

I took GRE exam this October and got 325 (q-164, v-161). But my awa score came out to be really poor. I've got only 3. I feel like I'm totally lost.

Do I have any chance to get admission in medium level grad schools?

Please guys, I need some advice. Should I retake GRE?

 

I disagree with awells27. I think you're other scores could get you into a high level Master's program, but your AWA score will definitely hold you back.

 

If possible, I recommend retaking.

 

However, please state what your field is.

[PeakPerformance]

In response to Doubled's post above....

It depends on what the person's writing and critical thinking skills are to begin with. A score of 3 suggests that there is not just one but rather a number of significant problems that need to be addressed: reasoning skills, development of ideas, organization/structure, mastery of language.

Many "good" writers may do poorly on the AWA because of the time constraints; others may have the mechanics of writing down well but lack strong critical thinking skills. The very fact that there are "good" writers who do poorly on AWA would support that it is not necessarily that easy to raise one's AWA score: if "good" writers are having a hard time doing well on the AWA, what makes you think it is so easy for weak writers to do well?

Edited October 23, 2013 by PeakPerformance

[awells27]

I think the number one reason for scoring low on the AW, if one is a good writer, is not scrupulously following the guidelines.  If one writes poorly, that is difficult to address within a month, but with adequate writing skills, people often still overlook crucial things on the essay that ETS is evasive about revealing.

 

 Analyze an Issue

 

1.  Providing some sort of context in your intro to the analyze an issue.  You cannot just state your opinion; you have to place your position within a larger context.  

 

2.  Supplying the basis of your argument in the intro"  I contend x for reasons a, b, c, and d."  

 

3.  Connecting paragraphs smoothly.  

 

4.  Giving four body paragraphs that support your argument.  Size matters in this essay.

 

5.  Using nuance.  Give some degree to which the ETS argument could be plausible.  Or, two paragraphs where the argument is legit, and two where it is not.  Depends on how absurd the argument is.

 

6.  Providing implications for your argument in the conclusion.  What does your position imply for the larger picture?  People constantly ignore this in their conclusion, and they lose points.  

 

People ignore these details constantly when doing the AW.  They are suggested in Barrons and Manhattan books.  Manhattan I believe keeps stats on what types of essays received high scores.  

 

The second section on the argument is more basic.  Find four assumptions which, if ending up implausible, will weaken the argument.  List them in the intro.  Expand each in the succeeding body paragraphs.  If assumptions prove incorrect, what might be the result?  Then mention periodically how each assumption, if turning out legit, will strengthen the argument.  Don't just lambaste the argument.  The conclusion is purely for summary, although you might mention how all arguments require extensive research in order to authenticate or invalidate them.  

 

Using approximately 3 GRE vocab words correctly  in each essay also helps.  

 

6.  

[awells27]

Four body paragraphs is not needed at all.

 

My issue essay had 2 weak body paragraphs, but both were supportive of one main idea --> scored a 5

 

My argument essay had 2 strong body paragraphs.  Just find as many dubious statements as you can and keep speculating.  I honestly think format doesn't even matter for this essay...they just want to see if you have strong insight.  Result --> 6

 

5.5 total score

To say something is not needed at all does not account for the variability of the graders.  You were likely fortunate as to who graded your essay.  On average, longer essays receive better grades.   Of course, with more content on your issue essay you  would have increased your likelihood of scoring a 6.  Guidelines are for the purpose of maximizing the possibility of scoring high.  Just because one person scores high with two body paragraphs does not imply that outcome for the majority.  

[zzzboy]

I'm not saying that longer essays aren't generally more favorable, I'm just saying that substance is obviously the most important.

 

The essays are a real time crunch, so it would be foolish for someone to forgo substance and clarity to hastily add an extra paragraph or something.

 

I do agree that the standard 5 paragraph essay for the Issue task is the way to go.  Having 3 distinct examples makes for a good essay.  But if you are pressed for time and haven't started a third body paragraph or can't think of a third example, it's fine...just improve your other two body paragraphs.

 

For the Argument task, I think format is of very little importance.  I'm quite sure you could write a single, long paragraph and easily get a 6 if it's well thought-out.  I'm not encouraging this approach, but it's just important in this task to find and discuss as many assumptions/fallacies as possible.

Edited October 23, 2013 by zzzboy

[awells27]

     Given the time constraints, those who struggle with these essays should be practicing an essay under timed conditions probably every other day.  On test day, this should feel just like what a person has been doing for a number of weeks.  I was also uncertain about format for the second section, so I kept it as standard as possible.  I think the reason conforming to a proven format is good is because if your writing is average, showing an awareness of mechanics should net someone at least a 4.   For those who write well, it reduces the problems inherent in OCD graders with inflated egos.  Since this thread is for someone struggling with the AW, I'm hoping that everyone's suggestions will help improve their score above a 4.  

Edited October 23, 2013 by awells27

[zzzboy]

Agreed.  The best way for OP to improve is to keep writing essays under timed conditions and get familiar with as many GRE topics as possible.