Most students struggle with time management—crafting a well-structured, error-free essay in just 30 minutes is demanding. Others find it difficult to identify logical flaws in the argument quickly or organize their thoughts coherently under pressure. Many also underestimate the importance of grammar and clarity, not realizing that schools view the AWA as a direct sample of your written communication ability.

Score improvement depends on your starting point and effort level, but most students see meaningful gains within 4-8 weeks of focused practice. With personalized 1-on-1 instruction, you'll learn to quickly deconstruct arguments, identify common logical fallacies, and write under time constraints—skills that transfer directly to test day performance.

Your first session focuses on assessment and strategy. You'll work through a sample AWA prompt to establish your baseline, discuss your target business schools and their AWA expectations, and learn the framework for analyzing arguments effectively. From there, your tutor will create a personalized study plan addressing your specific weaknesses—whether that's argument analysis, essay structure, or pacing.

Practice essays are essential—they build both speed and confidence. Most students benefit from completing 15-25 timed essays during their preparation, working through the official GMAT argument pool. Your tutor will guide you through this process, providing detailed feedback on each essay so you're not just writing more, but writing smarter with each attempt.

Anxiety often stems from uncertainty—not knowing what to expect or feeling unprepared. With personalized instruction, you'll practice the AWA repeatedly under timed conditions, making the format familiar and manageable. Your tutor will also teach you stress-management techniques specific to essay writing, like how to quickly outline your response and move forward confidently even if a sentence isn't perfect.

Look for tutors with strong GMAT scores (ideally 700+), proven experience teaching the AWA section, and familiarity with business school expectations. Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who understand both the technical requirements of the section and the strategic thinking needed to succeed—they'll help you write essays that impress admissions committees.

Group courses move at a fixed pace and offer generic strategies; personalized 1-on-1 instruction adapts to your specific challenges. For students in Baton Rouge preparing for the AWA, this means your tutor focuses entirely on your argument analysis speed, your essay structure, and your writing style—not on material you've already mastered. You'll also get immediate, detailed feedback on every practice essay rather than waiting for a group review.