The Princeton Review uses a LiveGrader tool to help students prepare for the Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) essays on the GMAT. Can you tell us a little bit more about this tool and how it works?

The best way to prepare for the GMAT essay is to write one and have it graded by an expert, using the same guidelines that are used for the real GMAT.

All Princeton Review classroom, online, and tutoring students can submit their GMAT essays which will then be graded by one of our GMAT experts.

Not only will our expert grader score your GMAT essays, but he or she will also provide personalized feedback that will help you maximize your score on the AWA portion of the GMAT.

Frequently Asked Questions about GMAT Essay LiveGrader(SM)

How is my GMAT essay graded?

After you submit your GMAT essay, one of our expert graders will score it using the same guidelines that are used for the GMAT. Essays will be scored holistically, which means that your GMAT essay will be judged as a whole, not just on the basis of particular traits.

Who will grade my GMAT essay?

A trained and certified Princeton Review expert grader will grade your GMAT essay. Our experienced graders know what makes a strong GMAT essay; many have graded thousands of essays.

Do I have to write about a specific topic for my GMAT essay?

Yes. The essay "prompts" ask you to write on specific topics; one will ask you to analyze an argument, the other will ask you to analyze an issue. Your GMAT essay must address the issues presented in the prompts.

GMAT essays written on any other topic will receive a score of zero.

How are the GMAT essays different from the essays I wrote in school?

Unlike many essays you write in school, you'll only have 30 minutes, and you won't be able to use reference materials. Graders won't be expecting perfection; they will be judging your GMAT essay for what it is: a first draft. Furthermore, the person grading your GMAT essay will only spend 2-3 minutes evaluating your writing.

When I use LiveGrader(SM), will I receive just a score, or will I get comments too?

Your GMAT essay will be given a score ranging from 0-6. LiveGrader(SM) will also provide you with personalized feedback. Your report will tell you what worked well on your GMAT essay and how you can improve it to earn a higher score on the real GMAT AWA.

How do I get my score?

We will e-mail your score and personalized feedback within 3-5 days after you submit your GMAT essay. You can also access your score on the website, once it has been posted.

Does The Princeton Review offer a money-back or increased score guarantee?

We guarantee your satisfaction. The Princeton Review Promise:

Satisfaction Guarantee: If you are not satisfied, regardless of how much your score improves, you can continue to work with us for up to a year for free.

OR

Money Back Guarantee: If, after taking our program, your score doesn’t improve, you may receive a tuition refund.

Can students try Princeton Review prep courses or other offerings for free?

Throughout the year, The Princeton Review schedules free events for the GMAT and other standardized tests for admission to college and grad schools. In fact, this May, The Princeton Review has scheduled a GMAT Math Boot Camp at locations nationwide. Students who attend the GMAT Math Boot Camp will receive a $100 discount towards a Princeton Review GMAT course, if they sign up within 30 days of the event. Students can get more information on this event by calling 1-800-2REVIEW or visiting The Princeton Review online.

Why should students choose your GMAT prep programs over other GMAT prep courses?

We achieve success through our Methods, Teachers, and the Results our Program delivers. We achieve Results by caring for our students and creating a personalized experience for each of our students. (This caring comes through by the teachers we recruit, our training, and quality assurance before our teachers step foot into a classroom. This caring also comes through in the service we provide to our customers and the Methods and Materials, which are researched and up-to-date.)