Top MBA programs are increasingly looking for candidates with strong skills in data analysis, critical thinking, and effective communication. The GMAC™ Business Writing Assessment (BWA) is a new tool designed to help applicants showcase their writing abilities, offering a chance to stand out in a competitive admissions process.
What is the BWA?
As AI tools like ChatGPT become more common and the GMAT Focus Edition has removed its essay component, the BWA has emerged as an important supplement to MBA applications.
BWA Structure and Scoring
- Format: A 30-minute timed exercise requiring you to critique a brief argument.
- Content: Arguments cover topics related to both business and general interest. No prior knowledge of the topic is necessary.
- Objective: Your task is to evaluate the reasoning and evidence in the argument, not to present your personal views.
- Scoring: The assessment is graded on a scale of 0 to 6, and results are available within 3-5 days.
- Submission: You can send your score to participating MBA programs at no extra charge.
Key Features of the BWA
- Timed Analysis: It assesses your ability to think critically and write effectively within a time constraint.
- Flexible Scheduling: The test can be taken online at your convenience.
- Minimal Preparation: Typically, candidates only need 2-4 hours of study time to prepare.
- Quick Results: Scores are returned promptly, allowing you to plan your application timeline.
- Global Availability: The BWA is accessible worldwide for a consistent fee of $30.
Who Should Take the BWA?
If you’ve taken the GRE or the GMAT 10th Edition with a valid Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) score, you may not need to take the BWA. However, top programs like Harvard Business School (HBS), Columbia Business School (CBS), and MIT Sloan now require or recommend the BWA for some candidates, particularly those who have taken the GMAT Focus Edition, which lacks a writing section.
School-Specific Requirements
- Harvard Business School (HBS): HBS emphasizes the importance of writing and will require an official writing assessment. You can meet this requirement with a GRE, GMAT 10th Edition, or language test score. For those submitting the GMAT Focus Edition, HBS may request the BWA at the interview stage, but it can also be taken earlier.
- MIT Sloan: Applicants who submit the GMAT Focus Edition or receive a test waiver may be asked to take the BWA. However, those with a GMAT 10th Edition or GRE AWA score will meet the writing requirement.
Many applicants now consider the GRE over the GMAT Focus Edition to avoid the BWA altogether. There's speculation that other business schools may adopt similar requirements.
Conclusion
Although the BWA might add extra steps to your MBA application process, it provides an opportunity to demonstrate your writing proficiency, a key skill for business leadership. Understanding the structure of the BWA and preparing strategically can strengthen your MBA application and improve your chances of success.
Registration for the GMAC™ Business Writing Assessment opens this week, with free and paid preparation materials available.
For more information or a free MBA application evaluation, contact MBAandBeyond today.
