This article by John Richardson appeared in the University of Toronto Newspaper in 1994.
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Writing and Standardized Testing - The New GMAT
For those who hate multiple choice tests, in general, and LSAT, MCAT, GMAT, and GRE, in particular, you will be pleased to know that effective October 1994 the GMAT includes a scored writing assessment.
Let's back up a moment. The GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) is the multiple choice test that is required as part of the admissions process for MBA programs. A January 1994 article in Fortune Magazine revealed how unhappy business schools have been with the effectiveness of the GMAT. The business schools have expressed a desire for what they call a "secure writing sample." Does this request imply that the business schools think that applicants' personal statements are not written by the applicant? In any case, the GMAT has followed in the footsteps of the LSAT which instituted a writing sample in June of 1982.
The GMAT writing test is called the Analytical Writing Assessment of AWA. The AWA is a one hour test which is currently administered before the multiple choice GMAT. Test takers will be given two topics to write on and thirty minutes for each topic. One topic will require test takers to analyze an issue and the other will require test takers to analyze an argument. Each answer is given a score on a scale of 0 to 6. The score will result from the determination of four independent readers. (Probably retired teachers.) This is a score that is separate and distinct from the 200 - 800 score on the multiple choice test. (By the way in order to make room for the AWA thirty minutes will be taken off the multiple choice test. This will reduce the 30 minute multiple choice sections to 25 minutes.)
It is interesting to see what GMAT will require for an outstanding answer. Here are some of the guidelines. An out standing answer will:
- demonstrate superior facility with the conventions (grammar, usage, and mechanics) of standard written English but may have some minor flaws
- demonstrate superior control of language, including diction and syntactic variety
- develop ideas cogently, organize them logically, and connect them smoothly with clear transitions (be well organized)
- in the case of arguments: support the main point of the critique and identify important features of the argument
- in the case of issues: explore and develop a position on the issue
Sound scary? It is clear that quantitative skills will no longer carry one through the GMAT. The pendulum has swung. Now test takers with well developed verbal and writing skills will have the advantage. This is either good news or bad news depending on which category you are in.
The trend is toward the inclusion of a writing test on all of the standardized tests. At the present time the LSAT, MCAT, and GMAT have one. The GRE people say that by 1997 a writing sample will be part of the GRE. To be forewarned is to be forearmed!
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