The GMAT Issue Writing Task

Related Sites   GMAT Writing Skills  24-Hour GMAT Prep  Personal Statements     Top GMAT Books   Official GMAT Review  Official GMAT Math  Official GMAT Verbal

 
The GMAT Issue writing task is designed to test your ability to communicate your opinion on an issue effectively and persuasively. Your task is to analyze the issue presented, considering various perspectives, and to develop your own position on the issue. There is no "correct" answer.

Each GMAT Issue question, or prompt, consists of two elements:

the topic: a one- or two-sentence statement about a particular issue

the directive: general guidelines or instructions (one or two sentences) for responding to the statement

Here's a GMAT-style Issue statement, followed by the directive. The Issue statement (in quotes) is similar to several of those in the official pool. The directive is essentially the same one you'd see in any GMAT Issue prompt.
 

Simulated Issue Prompt "In any large business organization, teamwork is the ultimate key to the organization's success." In your view, how accurate is the foregoing statement? Use reasons and/or examples from your experience, observation, and/or reading to explain your viewpoint.

 
Now here's an essay response to this Issue prompt. As you read it, keep in mind:

• None of the points asserted in this response are irrefutable, because the issue is far from "black and white." It's all a matter of opinion.

• This response is relatively simple in style and language and brief enough (about 325 words) to easily compose and type in 30 minutes.

• This response meets all the official criteria for a score of 6 (the highest possible score).

Sample Response (325 Words)

Whether a particular business ultimately succeeds or fails depends on a variety of factors. In my view, while teamwork is almost always important, in most instances other factors are more pivotal to a firm's success.

The main reason for my view is simply that it accords with observation and common sense. For example, in many instances it is clearly the policy decisions of key executives that determine whether a firm ultimately succeeds. Notable cases include the turnaround success of Coca-Cola after Roberto Goizueta assumed the position of CEO and, in contrast, the Apple Computer debacle following the departure of its founding visionary Steve Jobs. Also, consider industries such as financial services, where product differentiation is difficult. It seems to me that a creative marketing ploy or the tenacity of a sales force would the key factor here. Finally, in manufacturing and mining the value of raw materials or capital equipment are surely more significant than the cooperative efforts of employees or, for that matter, any other asset.

Another reason for my view is that technical knowledge and competence would seem to be more fundamental to most jobs. Specifically, without adequate knowledge of the systems, procedures, and vocabulary used in one's department or division, an employee cannot communicate effectively with peers or contribute meaningfully to organizational goals. Admittedly, nearly all jobs in an organization require some cooperative interaction with coworkers, even jobs performed in relative isolation and those calling for a high level of technical knowledge or ability. For instance, researchers, scientists, and computer programmers must agree on specifications and coordinate efforts to meet timelines. However, some substantive knowledge is necessary to perform virtually any job, whereas the ability to work effectively with others is merely helpful.

In sum, I agree that teamwork is an important ingredient for organizational success. However, it is generally not the most important one. On balance, some other factor -- such as leadership, ambition, tangible assets, or especially technical knowledge -- usually plays a more pivotal role.