Help very Low AWA Score

Question

Hi all,

I have overall score of 720 (Q47, V42). But my AWA is 3. I am targeting Indian Schools: ISB, IIM A, IIM B, IIM C. I retook the exam but my overall score took a 30 point hit (690). What are the prospects with these score?

-- Profile---

Education: 
10th - 88.60%
12th - 87.60%
BE - 76%

BE in Electronics and Communication from NSIT, DU

Work Experience:

Aug. 2013 - Aug. 2018
5 years in a Railways PSU as Assistant Manager: Worked with various government sector clients like ONGC, NTPC, Railways. Managed internal telecom systems and led in house telecom projects. Contributed to business development efforts as well. Got an award for extra ordinary performance.

Aug. 2018 - Present
6 months in a Big 4 as Senior Consultant

Internships
DRDO, DMRC and NTPC

Sector Specialization - Transportation Consulting

jaykpatel21 · Answer

Hi Derek3542,
AWA is imp and getting into ISB or IIM, 4.5 is a safe score. 690 is a decent score and with good essays, you can surely get in. 
If you can tell your overall profile, it will help others for better evaluation.

Posted from my mobile device

MG4MBACrystalBall · Answer

A few thoughts on your profile and predicament  Derek3542 :
 
  The basic academic arc looks about ok/average. The GMAT shouldn't be a deal breaker though the AWA is indeed low. What did you get with the 690? The overall score is ok, but if the second time around too it is 3, might be some bit of concern. Else, it should be ok as schools tend to look at all the scores and though there is some risk, I wouldn't think that it would be a deal breaker. 
  The profile, and especially the transition into Big 4 can make for an awesome story. That would also mean going the extra mile since in some ways, you are already in a post-MBA sort of role. Read here for a story of another   railways professional who made it to ISB  . 
  Not clear if you've had any ECs to speak of? While not a big factor for Indian programs, they do matter; read  here .

Hope this helps some.

Cheers,

GeneralEducation · Answer

Hi  Derek3542 ,

I think 690 is quite a decent score in GMAT and the AWA score of 3 shouldn't affect your chances. I suggest, your next step should be working more on essay's/ SOP and proper recommendations as schools tend to give sufficient weigthage to them as well.

As far as the AWA score is concerned, it is quite well and there is no reason to retake GMAT only for the sake of AWA.

Derek3542 · Answer

Hi All,

Thanks for your replies.

MG4MBACrystalBall

This time AWA is 5.
So 
Score 1: 690, V 36, Q 48, AWA 5, IR 8
Score 2: 720, V 42, Q 47, AWA 3, IR 6

How does this change the picture?

MG4MBACrystalBall · Answer

Derek3542 , unless you think you can exceed on the GMAT score itself, just go ahead with what you have!

Help very Low AWA Score

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