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I took my first GMAT online and did not do well. I am now considering taking it in a testing center. I am opposed to the writing portion though... What does everyone prefer? Thanks!

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DisciplinedPrep · Answer

cecesmith  - I see no reason to not take the GMAT at the test-center only because you wish to skip the AWA section; please remember that the AWA is a pretty easy section, and the score is not a deterministic factor for MBA admissions. If you feel more comfortable taking the test at a test center, you should certainly do so. I recommend that you visit your nearest Pearson VUE test-center, to check the ambiance. Good luck.

GMATWhizTeam · Answer

Hi cecesmith,

If there are no problems commuting to the test center, then I suggest you to take the test at the center. You will have the option to select the order and also have two 8 minute breaks. And regarding AWA, you don't have to worry much as there is a template available on GC, which you can go through to understand how to write the essay.

Hope it helped. And if you wish to discuss about your GMAT and how to plan your studies further, you can get in touch with me using the below link.

Click here to schedule a call

madgmat2019 · Answer

One more point to DD - Do practice taking the mock tests with a mask throughout.

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ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi cecesmith,

You don't think you'll perform well on the AWA section?

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi cecesmith,

Most Schools (and Companies that would hire you) 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). There are also various 'templates' that you might choose to follow that make writing the Essay even easier. This is all meant to say that you should not be afraid of the AWA/essay; it's a standard part of the GMAT and you can train to handle 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) When did you take your 1st Official GMAT and how did you score (including the Quant and Verbal Scaled Scores)?
2) How long have you studied so far? How many hours do you typically study each week?
3) What study materials have you used so far?
4) 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:
5) What is your overall goal score?
6) When are you planning to apply to Business School and what Schools are you planning to apply to?

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Rich

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