The GMAT essays are graded by a human and a computer. The human grader rates the essay on a scale from zero to six. A computer rater then reads the essay and grades it on the same scale. Because of this, human graders don't spend much time on each test. Avoid clever quotes or a sense of humor that may offend a human reader, and that will not register with the computer system. The essay should employ clear writing that is easy to follow.
You will have thirty minutes each for the AWA portion of the GMAT. One portion asks you to analyze an argument and the other to analyze an issue. For each essay, the first five minutes should be used to think about what you want to say, advises Admissions Consultants. The next twenty minutes should be spent organizing and writing the essay. Leave time to proofread and revise your essay if necessary.
Use transition words such as "however," and "for instance" in your essay. These words provide structure and help organize writing for the benefit of a human grader who is pressed for time. Be specific and do not use big words to impress, advises Mark Alan Stewart, a GMAT test tutor. Using too many big words might wave a red flag to the grader that you are trying to impress without offering much content. And, of course, watch your grammar.