Award-Winning GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment
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Award-Winning
GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment
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Private 1-on-1 tutoring, weekly live classes for academic support, test prep & enrichment, practice tests and diagnostics, and more to elevate grades and test scores.
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I have tutored students for the GMAT, GRE, SAT, ACT and LSAT for more than 15 years. I love it! As I tailor my instructions toward the unique needs of each student, my goal is to improve not only the student's performance but also the student's confidence as test day approaches.

I specialize in high-level GMAT diagnostic and execution coaching for stalled high-achievers. I don't just teach content; I identify the execution, timing, and decision-making patterns preventing score improvement and build customized strategies to break through plateaus under time pressure. After years of coaching GMAT students across a wide range of score levels, I've found that many advanced students underperform not because they lack ability, but because they approach questions inefficientlytreating each problem like a new puzzle instead of recognizing recurring execution patterns quickly and systematically. I earned my MBA from Georgetown University and worked as a former Sony engineer, bringing a data-driven and strategic mindset to every session. With 100+ five-star reviews, I've guided GMAT students to break barriersnot just raising scores, but shifting their confidence and thinking. As a result, many of my students have earned admission to elite MBA programs, including UCL
I enjoy helping students by explaining concepts in ways that make sense to them, by eliciting their feedback and tailoring my approach to their individual needs, and by conveying my enthusiasm for the learning process. It's great to see the light come on and to see their progress. I have an undergraduate degree in Politics from Princeton, a post-baccalaureate certificate in Quantitative Studies for Finance from Columbia, and an MBA from London Business School. I served as an officer in the Marine Corps and have worked in a number of academic and private-sector positions. I founded and am currently running an analytics-focused consulting practice.
The GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment rewards a very specific kind of essay: tightly structured, logically precise, and written fast. Carl has taught undergraduate writing at Yale, Oxford, and Glasgow, and he breaks down Argument Analysis essays into a repeatable framework — identifying flawed assumptions, naming logical fallacies, and building counterexamples in under thirty minutes.
I enjoy empowering students by making learning fun and believe that everyone has an "inner genius" that just takes the right technique to unlock. I bring a patient and friendly approach to teaching, specializing in the sciences, technology and math, and believe in teaching students to "learn for themselves".
I have always been driven to share my own passion for learning. While I was in high school, I tutored my peers after school. At college, I continued tutoring, but I also taught a class to middle-schoolers for a semester. Now, professionally, I teach seminars on Government and Politics. I went to Tulane University where I triple majored in Mechanical Engineering, Mathematics, and Philosophy. I tutor STEM topics, government, and test prep. My philosophy of education is that everyone is unique and must have a stimulating educational environment where they can grow. It is my desire to create this type of atmosphere where students can meet their full potential. I will provide a motivating environment where students are encouraged to take risks and strive for success. My teaching style is largely as a facilitator helping students overcome their obstacles.
I'm not tutoring or buried in my textbooks, you will either find me rock climbing at the Triangle Rock Club, playing Ultimate Frisbee, working on my car, or enjoying the great outdoors (beaches, mountains, forests--you name it, I love it). On rainy weekends I enjoy tinkering with computers and old electronics, playing Pokemon, or picking at my guitar.
I am an interdisciplinary educator with an Ed.M. from the Harvard Graduate School of Education and a B.A. from Dartmouth College. My background is primarily in integrated arts learning and museum education and I specialize in visual arts, history and art history, and object-based learning. In all subjects, I take a creative, inquiry-based and learner-centered approach, designing opportunities for each unique individual to meet their learning goals.
I am a recent graduate from a masters program in biostatistics at Columbia University. I received my Bachelor of Arts in biological sciences, with a focus in neurobiology at Northwestern University. In August, I will be starting a doctoral program in biostatistics at NYU. I was a teaching assistant at Columbia University in my department and also have tutored graduate students and undergraduates privately as well. My primary areas of tutoring are math and statistics coursework in addition to math sections on standardized tests such as the GRE and GMAT. I am very passionate about helping students feel more confident and excited about math. In my spare time, I enjoy running, playing piano, and spending time with friends and family.
I am a graduate of Wesleyan University, where I received my Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with High Honors. With eight years of experience working in education, I've tutored students in math, science, history, and English, as well as helped students prepare for standardized tests. I've guided adults towards passing the US Citizenship Exam and taught English in India, where I lived for six months. Whenever I work with a student I personalize the lessons to fit their particular learning style, since I know every student is unique and having the right fit can make all the difference in making learning fun and effective. My strengths are tutoring the social sciences and humanities, as well as making math and standardized tests approachable to students that normally don't like those subjects. In my spare time I like traveling, spending time in the outdoors (climbing & backpacking), meditation, and playing soccer. Next fall I will be beginning my PhD in Education at Harvard University.
I am a junior Mechanical Engineering major at Yale, and I hope to become a Naval Aviator after college. I am also a varsity sailor, and enjoy playing music with friends when I can get some free time. I have been tutoring my fellow students throughout my entire academic career, and I would best describe my tutoring style as one that adapts to each students' needs. For example, I have always tried to frame questions in a different way so that the student can better understand the question. Some students need visual representations of numbers and systems to understand them, and others benefit more by understanding the concepts behind each formula. I prefer to tutor in math and physics, and especially with real world application problems. I hope to help students improve their standardized test scores and their understanding of the math and sciences so that they can achieve their academic goals!
I am a graduate of Washington University in St Louis, where I received my Bachelor of Arts in History with minors in Humanities and Anthropology. Since graduation, I have worked as a tutor, teacher, and director of tutors at a charter public middle school in Boston. During this time I also received my Masters in Mild to Moderate Disabilities from Simmons College. I have worked extensively with students with a range of abilities, including students with specific learning disabilities, emotional impairments, dyslexia, and ADHD. My teaching experience has given me a deep understanding of the knowledge and habits essential to academic success and has given me the opportunity to hone a variety of strategies that ensure students at each level can achieve their academic goals. While I tutor a broad range of subjects, my favorite ones are Reading, Elementary/Middle School Math, History, and Test Prep. In my experience, tutoring is the most rewarding when a student has that "aha!" moment and achieves a new level of understanding and confidence in his/her abilities. I am a firm believer in the transformative power of education, and I see my role to be that of a facilitator and coach who is there to help the student reach his/her goals through individualized support and rigorous practice. In my free time, I enjoy reading, running, practicing my Spanish, and discovering new music. I am also an avid traveler and just got back from a 3 month trip to South America. I look forward to the opportunity to work with you!
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Frequently Asked Questions
The AWA requires students to analyze an argument's logical flaws within 30 minutes—a task that combines critical thinking, writing speed, and grammar under pressure. Students commonly struggle with identifying unstated assumptions in arguments, organizing their analysis coherently, and managing time effectively while maintaining grammatical accuracy. Many also underestimate the section's difficulty, assuming it's easier than Quant and Verbal, which leads to underprepared essays that lack the structured, evidence-based critique that GMAT scorers expect.
GMAT scorers favor a predictable structure: an introductory paragraph restating the argument and identifying its main flaws, 2-3 body paragraphs each targeting a specific logical weakness (unsupported assumptions, alternative explanations, missing evidence), and a brief conclusion. The key is moving beyond surface-level criticism—instead of saying "the argument lacks data," explain what specific data would strengthen or weaken the claim. Tutors can help you develop templates that maintain this structure while allowing flexibility, so you're not wasting time deciding how to organize your thoughts under the time constraint.
GMAT arguments typically contain 2-3 recurring logical flaws: unwarranted assumptions (jumping from evidence to conclusion without justification), false cause-and-effect relationships, and overgeneralizations from limited samples. Rather than memorizing fallacy names, focus on asking yourself: "What is the author assuming here that isn't explicitly stated?" and "What alternative explanation could explain the evidence?" Targeted practice with argument deconstruction—breaking down 10-15 arguments to identify assumptions before writing—builds the pattern recognition skills that transfer directly to test day.
The 30-minute constraint requires a disciplined approach: spend 3-4 minutes reading and identifying 2-3 main flaws, 2 minutes outlining your essay structure, 20-22 minutes writing, and 2-3 minutes proofreading for grammar errors. Many students lose time by over-writing or getting stuck on perfect phrasing—GMAT scorers prioritize logical clarity and argument structure over eloquence. A tutor can help you practice this timing repeatedly with real GMAT prompts, building the muscle memory so you're not deliberating about structure on test day.
Grammar and clarity are secondary to logical analysis, but they matter more than many students realize—persistent errors distract readers and can obscure your argument. The GMAT rubric emphasizes "control of language," meaning you need clean, direct sentences that clearly convey your critique. Focus on avoiding run-on sentences and maintaining parallel structure rather than pursuing sophisticated vocabulary. A tutor can help you identify your personal grammar patterns (comma splices, subject-verb agreement, etc.) and drill them so corrections become automatic, freeing mental energy for argument analysis.
Effective AWA practice requires three phases: (1) untimed argument deconstruction to build pattern recognition of logical flaws, (2) timed full essays under realistic conditions to develop speed and structure, and (3) scored essay review where you compare your work against official GMAT examples and understand why certain critiques earned higher scores. Many students skip phase 1 and jump straight to timed writing, which reinforces bad habits. Working with a tutor who can provide detailed feedback on your logical reasoning—not just grammar—helps you understand why the GMAT rewards certain types of analysis over others.
AWA scores range from 0-6, and most test-takers score between 3.5-4.5. If you're scoring 3 or below, improvement is very achievable—typically 1-2 points within 4-6 weeks of focused practice, since many lower-scoring essays lack basic structure or argument analysis. Reaching 5+ requires more nuanced work on identifying sophisticated logical flaws and articulating critiques with precision. Realistic improvement depends on your starting point and practice volume, but students who commit to weekly timed essays and detailed feedback typically see measurable gains before test day.
Most business schools weight AWA less heavily than Quant and Verbal scores, so if you're strong in those areas, you can allocate less time to AWA. However, if you're applying to programs that emphasize writing (consulting, policy, certain MBA tracks) or if your Quant/Verbal scores are already competitive, a polished AWA (5+) strengthens your overall profile. Many students benefit from dedicating 2-3 weeks of focused AWA practice after solidifying their Quant and Verbal foundations, rather than spreading effort equally across all three sections.
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