Most students struggle with time management—crafting a well-organized essay in just 30 minutes requires practice. Others find it difficult to identify logical fallacies in the argument or structure their critique clearly without simply summarizing the prompt. Many test-takers also underestimate the AWA's importance, not realizing that admissions committees use it to verify that your application reflects your actual writing ability.

Most students see meaningful improvement with focused preparation—typically moving from a 3-4 to a 5-6 with consistent practice and feedback. The key is working through multiple practice prompts, understanding the argument structure framework, and receiving detailed critiques on your essays. A tutor can identify your specific weaknesses (whether it's organization, identifying fallacies, or time management) and create a targeted study plan.

Start by spending 2-3 minutes identifying the argument's main claim, evidence, and logical assumptions or gaps. Spend the next 20-22 minutes writing a structured essay that introduces the flaws, provides specific examples, and concludes with how the argument could be strengthened. Save the final 3-5 minutes for proofreading. Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who can teach you this framework and help you practice under timed conditions.

A tutor reviews your practice essays to pinpoint patterns—whether you're missing common fallacy types, struggling with time allocation, or writing unclear analyses. They can model strong essays, teach you to recognize argument structures quickly, and provide real-time feedback on multiple drafts. For students in Staten Island preparing for the GMAT, this targeted feedback accelerates improvement far more than studying alone.

Most students benefit from writing 15-25 practice essays over 4-8 weeks, spacing them out to allow time for feedback and revision. Start with untimed essays to focus on argument analysis and structure, then gradually add time pressure. A tutor can help you create a realistic study schedule that fits your timeline and ensures you're practicing the right way—not just writing more essays, but learning from each one.

The secret is developing a reliable process: spend 3 minutes analyzing the argument, 22 minutes writing, and 5 minutes editing. With practice, you'll recognize common fallacy patterns instantly and have templates for organizing your response, which frees up mental energy for strong analysis. Tutors can help you build this muscle memory through timed practice sessions and teach you which details to prioritize when time is tight.

Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors who specialize in GMAT preparation and can work with your schedule and learning style. You'll discuss your current skill level, target score, and timeline during an initial conversation, then get matched with someone who has proven success helping students strengthen their analytical writing. Tutoring is personalized to your needs, whether you need foundational argument analysis skills or fine-tuning for a high score.