Most successful test-takers spend 3-5 minutes planning their essay, 20-22 minutes writing, and 2-3 minutes reviewing. The planning phase is critical—mapping out your argument analysis and identifying 2-3 key weaknesses in the prompt prevents rambling and keeps your essay focused.

A tutor can help you develop a repeatable planning template and practice under timed conditions so 30 minutes feels manageable rather than stressful. For students in San Francisco preparing for business school, this disciplined approach often transfers to stronger time management throughout the entire GMAT.

The AWA isn't about persuasive or creative writing—it's about analytical critique. You're given an argument and must identify logical flaws, unsupported assumptions, and weak evidence, not argue your own position. The GMAC graders care about clear reasoning and structured analysis, not eloquent prose.

Many students struggle initially because this format feels unfamiliar. Tutors can show you the exact framework test-makers reward: state the argument, identify specific weaknesses with concrete examples, and explain why each weakness matters. This analytical approach is learnable with targeted practice.

The biggest mistakes are: (1) summarizing the argument instead of critiquing it, (2) pointing out weak points without explaining why they're logically problematic, (3) using vague language like "this is wrong" instead of precise analysis, and (4) running out of time and submitting incomplete essays.

Other frequent issues include failing to identify assumptions the argument relies on, not connecting weaknesses to the conclusion, and writing off-topic content. Expert tutors can spot your personal patterns through practice essays and help you avoid these pitfalls before test day.

Most test-takers benefit from writing 8-15 full timed essays under realistic conditions. This gives you enough repetitions to internalize the format, identify your weak areas, and build confidence. Quality matters more than quantity—writing 15 essays without feedback is less valuable than writing 6 essays and getting detailed analysis on each.

Varsity Tutors connects you with tutors who review your practice essays, mark specific weaknesses, and provide concrete feedback on argument analysis and structure. For students in San Francisco with busy schedules, tutors can also customize a focused practice plan that fits your timeline.

Identifying logical weaknesses is a skill that improves with targeted practice. Start by learning to spot common fallacies: overgeneralization, assuming causation from correlation, circular reasoning, and unsupported leaps in logic. Then practice labeling them in real GMAT prompts.

A tutor can teach you a systematic approach: first identify the argument's conclusion, then trace backward to find every assumption it relies on, then ask "what would need to be true for this assumption to be valid?" This method works consistently across all AWA prompts and helps you write more confident, precise critiques.

Look for someone with strong GMAT experience who understands the specific rubric used to score the AWA section. They should be able to explain why certain essays score higher, provide detailed feedback on your practice work beyond just grammar, and help you develop your own consistent approach to analyzing arguments.

Varsity Tutors connects you with expert tutors experienced in GMAT preparation for students in San Francisco. The best tutors combine knowledge of test strategy with the ability to teach you the reasoning skills that transfer beyond the test itself—skills valuable for business school coursework.