Good total GMAT score but low AWA

Question

Hi All,

I took the GMAT a month ago and got 750, but AWA was very low - 4.0 (20th percentile). I'm not a native speaker and I have engineering degree from an Ivy League college (very technical background). My goal is Top 5 US schools (e.g. HBS, Wharton, etc.) or a couple in Europe (i.e. LBS, INSEAD).

Should I retake the test? I'm confident that my AWA will improve and total score will not be too low, but I may not get 750 again

Any opinion / advice will be helpful!

ManhattanReview · Answer

I would not re-take the exam but need to realize that your margin or error in your application has been used up. This means that you are going to have to present an outstanding application, complete with compelling essays and recommendations. This is especially true if you are able to present extremely strong essays and this is one way to compensate for this score. Also, if you have time, you might consider taking some sort of writing class (on-ilne is OK) and make sure that you get an "A". Lastly, make sure that your recommenders give you high evaluation marks in the writing section of their recommendations.

Good luck.

Kimberly Plaga
Senior Admissions Consultant
Manhattan Review

Call for a free candidacy assessment.

Good luck.

Kimberly Plaga
Senior Admissions Consultant
Manhattan Review

Call for a free candidacy assessment.

hanpin17 · Answer

Thank you, Kimberly, for your advice. It sounds like I would need to do a lot (taking a class and making sure my recommenders comment on my writing skills) to cancel the poor AWA score. Would it be easier for me just to take the GMAT again?

Thanks!

sarahrs · Answer

Good score on your GMAT. Don't worry about the AWA some business schools don't consider that part of the score. Don't waste your time and money in resitting, move on to the next part of the application, essay writing.

Will need to prove you can write through your essays and recommendation letters. You have a good amount of time to get them to a good standard.

Good luck
Sarah

Posted from my mobile device

wouldbecrazy · Answer

AWA, IR are completely ignored by many schools. Don't worry too much. Goofing up your 750 score is much higher than a slightly better AWA in your retake. It is much easier and risk free to do a stellar TOEFL and IELTS to negate any effect of low AWA (if any)

AskAnshul · Answer

Straight Advice: Don't even think of taking the GMAT again.

You have a great score and AWA is really not the most important factor. I assume that you otherwise have good writing ability, so you can demonstrate that in your application essays. If you do that, Adcoms should be ready to ignore your low AWA. Don't let your AWA distract you and focus on your applications now.

All the best.

splash · Answer

4 is not that low, IMHO.

Admissionado · Answer

Not at all. I had one client recently with a 750 and a 2 and he still got into a top 10 school. Don' fret it dude, your GMAT score rocks!

hanpin17 · Answer

Thanks, everyone, for your advice. I decided not to take the test again and instead focus on the essays.

Good total GMAT score but low AWA

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