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Award-Winning GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment Tutors

Matthew

Certified Tutor

8+ years

Matthew

MBA
Matthew's other Tutor Subjects
GRE Quantitative
GRE
GMAT
GMAT Quantitative Reasoning

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.

Education

Northwestern University

MBA

Duke University

MBA

Test Scores
GMAT
760
Diana

Certified Tutor

9+ years

Diana

MBA
Diana's other Tutor Subjects
GMAT
GMAT Verbal Reasoning

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 ...

Education

Georgetown University

MBA

San Diego State University

MBA

Test Scores
GMAT
720

Certified Tutor

10+ years

Blair

Undergraduate Degree
Blair's other Tutor Subjects
SAT
ACT
GMAT
Business Analytics

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 undergr...

Education

London Business School

Undergraduate Degree

Princeton University

Undergraduate Degree

Test Scores
GMAT
760

Certified Tutor

11+ years

Carl

Undergraduate Degree
Carl's other Tutor Subjects
LSAT
GRE
GMAT

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 assu...

Education

Yale University

Undergraduate Degree

University of Georgia

Undergraduate Degree

Test Scores
GMAT
770

Certified Tutor

8+ years

Mark

MS
Mark's other Tutor Subjects
GRE
GMAT

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 th...

Education

Duke University

MS

Test Scores
SAT
1510
GMAT
710

Certified Tutor

5+ years

Al

BS
Al's other Tutor Subjects
GMAT

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 T...

Education

Tulane University of Louisiana

BS

Test Scores
GMAT
730

Certified Tutor

10+ years

Aaron

Current Grad Student, Mechanical Engineering
Aaron's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Calculus 2
Calculus
Algebra

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 e...

Education

The University of Texas at Dallas

Bachelors, Mechanical Engineering

Duke University

Current Grad Student, Mechanical Engineering

Test Scores
SAT
1530

Certified Tutor

6+ years

Mimi

Masters in Education, Education
Mimi's other Tutor Subjects
Middle School Math
Calculus
Algebra
Elementary School Math

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 su...

Education

Harvard University

Masters in Education, Education

Dartmouth College

B.A.

Test Scores
SAT
1560

Certified Tutor

10+ years

Nina

Masters in biostatistics
Nina's other Tutor Subjects
Statistics Graduate Level
Statistics
Calculus
Algebra

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 ...

Education

Columbia University

Masters in biostatistics

Northwestern University

Bachelor of Arts in biological sciences (focus in neurobiology)

Columbia University in the City of New York

Current Grad Student, Biostatistics

Test Scores
SAT
1550

Certified Tutor

Reid

PHD, Education
Reid's other Tutor Subjects
Pre-Algebra
Middle School Math
Calculus
Algebra

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...

Education

Harvard University

PHD, Education

Wesleyan University

Bachelor in Arts, Sociology

Test Scores
ACT
32

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Liz

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +41 Subjects

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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Christopher

AP Calculus AB Tutor • +51 Subjects

I am a rising sophomore at Harvard College and am about to declare as a Mechanical Engineering concentrator, working towards a Bachelor of Science degree. I've always enjoyed sharing my knowledge with my peers and those around me and have done so in both formal and informal settings. I've been a tutor for both Math and Spanish programs in high school and enjoyed the strides I made with students. I am willing to tutor any subject I have a background in, but am strong in mathematics, the sciences, Spanish, history, writing, and ACT prep. I enjoy teaching mathematics most due to the joy I can see in children once they master a topic and can answer even pointed questions meant to stump them, and maybe even put their knowledge to real world use. As a tutor, I like to give a strong foundation to orient my student, and then gradually grant them more freedom and independence until they can feel themselves grasp the concept, pointing out pitfalls or common errors along the way; teachers who used these methods on me always left the most lasting impressions. Outside of my studies, I really enjoy listening to music, both old favorites and new interests, reading classics, and gaming/playing basketball with my friends. Hobbies: writing, art, books, reading, gardening, music

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Clara

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +31 Subjects

I am tutoring I tend to ask my students to try to "teach" me concepts they are struggling with, or walk me through a problem that is challenging them, so that any conceptual mistakes or assumptions they are making become clear. In addition, I am a firm believer in never providing the answer to a specific problem, but instead empowering students to work toward it by asking directed questions and teaching them to use their resources.

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Solange

Calculus Tutor • +31 Subjects

I'm Solange - a recent graduate from Harvard where I studied Sociology & Women's Studies. I've been tutoring for eight years now, and have worked with a wide range of ages and in a wide range of subjects. Some of my specialties are college prep/test taking II worked in the admissions office on campus); social sciences; and literature/writing. Hobbies: books, hiking, reading, music, writing, art

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Michelle

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +28 Subjects

I am proud to be a part of Varsity Tutors! I am originally from San Antonio, TX; I completed my undergraduate education at Rice University in Houston where I received a bachelor's degree in Biochemistry and Cell Biology. Currently, I am in my second year of medical school at Baylor College of Medicine.

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Charles

AP Calculus AB Tutor • +25 Subjects

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! Hobbies: art, books, running, reading, music, writing

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Justin

AP Calculus BC Tutor • +48 Subjects

I am an aspiring applied mathematician, with particular interest in image processing and climate science. I graduated in May 2017 from Washington University in St. Louis with a bachelor's in physics and mathematics, and am beginning a PhD program in September 2017 at the University of Chicago in Computational and Applied Mathematics. I've tutored introductory physics students for three years and enjoyed it thoroughly, as a chance to help other students while revisiting fundamental concepts to enhance my own knowledge. I'm eager to continue reaching out and helping students of math and physics to succeed and, furthermore, to appreciate the beauty and power of these subjects.

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Isabella

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +27 Subjects

I am a graduate of MIT. I received my Bachelor of Science in Mathematics with minors in Management Science and Ancient and Medieval Studies. Since graduation, I have started my PhD at Georgia Tech in Operations Research. Throughout my career I have TA'd several math and computer science courses at the college level. I have also taught at summer programs for gifted middle school and high school students. I am passionate about tutoring kids in math and science because I think that a strong foundation in STEM at an early age can set the tone for their future. In my spare time I like to engage in athletics, and was a Division 1 rower in college. Hobbies: reading, swimming, writing, books, music, running, art

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Andrew

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +26 Subjects

I am comfortable tutoring math subjects up to multivariable calculus and differential equations, as well as college physics. Hobbies: books, music, art, reading, writing

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Ingrid

Pre-Algebra Tutor • +51 Subjects

I am exploring my creativity by pursuing a double major in Asian Languages and Cultures with a focus in Korean, studying abroad in South Korea as a Benjamin A. Gilman Scholar, leading workshops that teach 3D printing and CAD for undergraduate students as the president of 3D4E, advocating for the first-generation and low-income student community as the Outreach Chair of the Quest+ Scholars Network, and getting involved with the Society of Women Engineers' outreach committee. I currently hold a work-study position as an administrative clerical aide in the Institute of Sustainability and Energy at Northwestern and was an undergraduate researcher in the John Rogers Lab. As I look forward with aspirations of applying to graduate school, areas of research in biomedical engineering and biotechnology that I am particularly interested in include biomaterials, pharmaceuticals, and drug delivery systems. Outside of the classroom, I enjoy learning on my own and sharing my experience and knowledge with my peers and other students. I hope to make use of my experiences with academics and learning in high school and so far in my undergraduate career in order to effectively tutor students who may be experiencing the same struggles in learning that I also experienced.

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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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