Hi PV7,
You can learn more about your GMAT options here:
https://www.mba.com/exams/gmat-online/g ... mat-onlineYou will have to take both the IR and AWA/Essay sections no matter which version of the GMAT you take though. Many Business Schools have publicly stated that they do not use an applicant's IR score when evaluating an application, so you likely have nothing to be concerned about. However, if you're interested in what a specific School/Program thinks about the IR score, then you should research that School directly (you might also consider contacting the School to ask).
Most Schools expect you to be able to write a decently-organized essay in a short period of time (which shows your ability to communicate effectively with written words). As long as you score at least a 4.0 on the AWA, then you should be fine at most Programs (and a 4.0 out of 6.0 is a relatively easy score to achieve). Business Schools are also allowed to read your AWA prompt - they will sometimes use that prompt as a reference point for any Essays/Personal Statements that come with your application (since some applicants hire writers to create their essays for them, your AWA can be used as a way to verify that academic fraud is not taking place). Beyond that, if you 'skip' the essay (re: leave it blank) and a School notices that, then you will have effectively told that School that you chose not to complete the Full GMAT - and I don't know too many Admissions Officers who'd be interested in accepting someone who won't do the work that everyone else did or refuses to train for what is ultimately a fairly standard component of the Test. This is all meant to say that writing the AWA is not that difficult, nor does it require a lot of effort to do properly. The overall benefits of writing the essay far outweigh the minor benefit of skipping over it.
Before I can offer you any additional advice for your studies, it would help if you could provide a bit more information on how you've been studying and your goals:
Studies:
1) How long have you studied? How many hours do you typically study each week?
2) What study materials have you used so far? What “brands” of CATs/mocks have you used?
3) On what dates (or approximate dates) did you take EACH of your CATs/mocks and how did you score on EACH (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores for EACH)?
Goals:
4) What is your overall goal score?
5) When are you planning to apply to Business School and what Schools are you planning to apply to?
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
Contact Rich at: Rich.C@empowergmat.com 
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31 Jul 2022, 04:36
