Should one take GMAT only to raise an AWA score of 4.0?

If one tries to compensate for low AWA by writing excellent application essay, then adcom may not believe that applicant wrote the essay. On the other hand, having not so great essays will keep applicant's writing skills questionable.

How low of AWA score is too low for top schools?

gmat 760 verbal 90% (v score does not go far enough in making up for low AWA, which tests slightly different skill)

Thanks

My friend got into a reputed school with an AWA score of 4.0
You should not be worrying in my opinion

With a score of 760, and good essays, you not should think about retake. No adcom member has much time to co-relate one's AWA score with the quality of essays.

Best of luck.
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Bear in mind some universities will require you to take extra classes with a low AWA. Check Stern's page - I've seen that info there.

Don't worry about retaking. Your school may ask you to take a writing course, but that's about it. AWA score is possibly the one they care least about.

Exactly! No one cares about the AWA! I’ve been to many information sessions in which the adcoms specifically said that they know that there’s a template that everyone uses and fills in the blanks. So they don't put much significance into it. As long as it’s higher than 4 it’s ok (even if it’s less it is never a deal breaker, you might be requested to participate in some course). Do not retake because of AWA, you have a great GMAT score! Good luck!

Some other thread on this forum suggested that 4 may be a cause for concern at some top schools, and the applicant may run into "darned if you do good essay darned if you dont" situation mentioned in original post

IMO - If the essays you submit are strong, they'll know it's just an aberration.

On the contrary, if you write really good essays with a low awa score, the adcom might think you have taken expert help and its not your own work. They may reject your application straight away.

No one cares about your AWA score.

Let's say the adcom has concerns that you didn't write your essays, even though only 1% of adcoms think essays are the most important part of the application. Then they would just look at your actual GMAT essays, which are included in your score report. I'm sure that although you might not have followed the formula to get a perfect AWA (just like I didn't), your essays were intelligible and cogent. But that is worst case, most unlikely scenario. Most likely, adcoms won't be concerned at all, so you shouldn't be either.
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Hi there,

Firstly, amazing GMAT score - congratulations!

While you may have to take a course (and, as mentioned, this varies by school), at the end of the day you have a 760 and you got a 90th percentile in verbal. An admissions comm isn't going to throw away your application if you have great essays. Even if you did get professional help, it isn't as if you failed the verbal section in addition to a lower AWA score, right?

If you retake it, it's going to raise more concerns than it answers. The obvious question would be why would anyone with a 760 retake the test? Regardless if you explain it was for the AWA score.

The short answer (and good news) is that you have a great score and from here on it, just work on the apps!

Bhavik
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