Changes to Unofficial Score

Question

Hi everyone - sorry for the very basic question. I am just beginning to start studying for my GMAT and don't have all of the information yet. I have researched that after completing your GMAT, you get an unofficial score that doesn't include your AWA score. Does this mean that your unofficial score changes from your official score, based on what you get on your AWA? For instance, if you scored a 650 on your unofficial score, could this change depending on if you nail or flop on the AWA portion? 
Thanks!

u1983 · Answer

Hello  erinbee  ..... welcome to the community. 
Don't be sorry....... we all ( even the best of us ) had our 1st day . And believe me we had far more trivial Q than yours.

Coming back to the query .... the unofficial score report consists of - Verbal , Quant , IR & Overall score. The overall portion is a result of your Verbal & Quant score. It does not even get influenced by IR score. And yes, The AWA result doesnot affect the unofficial overall score. V-Q-IR scores are determined during/at end of the exam as they are algorithm based CAT. Butr, AWA is graded twice - by machine & human - and thuis it takes 1-2 weeks after the exam to get the AWA scorte and in tern the complete official result.

Hope this helps.

erinbee · Answer

u1983  Thanks for the info! Does the "overall" portion still  only  get affected by verbal and quant even in the official report once AWA has been graded, or does the official report include each category in its overall score? Or when a school asks for a 700, that's simply the V/Q scores?

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi erinbee,

Your GMAT Score out of 800 is based on just 2 things: your Quant Scaled Score and Verbal Scaled Score. The IR Score and AWA Score are completely separate numbers (out of 8 and 6, respectively) and have no impact on your Score out of 800. While you will receive an Unofficial Score Report on the day of your Exam, those results are almost always the same on your Official Score Report (in some rare circumstances, I've heard of an Official Score varying by 10 points - for example, 600 to 610 - but again, that is remarkably unlikely to occur).

Since it sounds like you're just beginning your studies, then it would be a good idea to take a FULL-LENGTH practice CAT Test; you can take 2 for free at www.mba.com (and they come with some additional practice materials). If you want to do a little studying first, so that you can familiarize yourself with the basic content and question types, then that's okay - but you shouldn't wait too long to take that initial CAT. That score will give us a good sense of your natural strengths and weaknesses and will help provide a basis for comparison as you continue to study. A FULL CAT takes about 3.5 hours to complete, so make sure that you've set aside enough time to take it in one sitting. Once you have those scores, you should report back here and we can come up with a study plan.

I'd like to know a bit more about your timeline and goals:
1) What is your goal score?
2) When are you planning to take the GMAT?
3) When are you planning to apply to Business School?

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

AjiteshArun · Answer

The main (200-800) score comes from only the quantitative and verbal scores (quant and verbal are the only adaptive sections of the GMAT exam). The non-adaptive sections, AWA and IR, do not affect the main score at all.

erinbee · Answer

EMPOWERgmatRichC  I took the initial CAT and scored a 510 (Q33 V27). Wasn't too thrilled with it, but that was with no studying so at least I have a baseline. I was hoping to write the GMAT late this next year/early next for applications to Business School in 2020. Most of the schools I'm applying to are looking for a 650-680 to be "competitive" so my ultimate goal would be a 680-700, although that may be a little high after looking at my baseline!

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi erinbee,

This initial 510 is a decent starting Score (the average Score on the Official GMAT hovers around 550 most years). Many Test Takers spend 3 months (or more) of consistent study time before they hit their 'peak' scores, so it's important to understand that this whole process takes time. You have given yourself plenty of time before you plan to apply to School though - which is good. Since you're not facing any immediate deadlines, you can focus on the GMAT and lock in that competitive Score in advance of when you'll actually need it.

1) What study materials are you currently working with?
2) Going forward, how many hours do you think you can consistently study each week?

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

erinbee · Answer

EMPOWERgmatRichC  Yes, I originally wanted to write the GMAT at the end of December just to get a feel for my score but I'm rethinking that. I'm currently on co-op now so I was hoping to write it before going back to school in January and studying for  those  courses full-time.

Currently I have the complete Kaplan 2019 set. Up until January I will have about 10-15 hours/week that I can study. After that, it will likely drop to 5-10 when I'm back in school.

Murthykvln94 · Answer

Hello, unofficial score will not change later. Your awa might change as it will be graded bybhuman later..so your quant,verbal and IR will be same . Your Awa might change. However this will not impact your score out of 800(as awa is not part of it) which all bschools consider

Posted from my mobile device

EMPOWERgmatRichC · Answer

Hi erinbee,

There's no inherent harm in taking the GMAT at the end of December, but you would likely need more time than that to hit your Score Goal (so you could save $250 and potentially some frustration by not taking the GMAT at that time). Given the broader timeframe that you have described, the immediate question is really just about how 'efficient' you would like to be with your time before you are back in School. Right now, you could approach your studies in a more casual fashion or commit to a more structured, focused study routine (with an emphasis on Tactics, patterns and the little 'secrets' to the Exam). It's likely that you'll need at least 3 months of study time either way, but you could potentially lock-up that high GMAT Score in late January or early February (as opposed to farther on into 2019). As such, you should take whatever time you need to think about your broader timeline and goals and then we can discuss how best to proceed.

GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Hi erinbee,

To answer your second response, the overall score (out of 800) is based on ONLY your quant and verbal scores. You are provided separate AWA and IR scores, which schools also see in your official score report.

Since it appears that you are just beginning your prep, do you need any advice regarding your study plan? Also, you may find it helpful to read this article about  how to score a 700+ on the GMAT .

arthusf · Answer

hi, has any deviation been observed in the official and unofficial GMAT FE scores?

AjiteshArun · Answer

Hi arthusf,

No, not as far as I know. Is there a reason you are concerned about this?

arthusf · Answer

thanks for your response - I will tell you where I'm coming from.

I gave my GMAT FE on 17/2 and scored a 715. I still haven't rec'd my official score report. So I am quite worried.

AjiteshArun · Answer

Hi arthusf,

That's a great score. Congratulations!

Most test takers won't face any issues with test-centre attempts (online is somewhat more risky). If you took the exam at a test centre, you'll most likely receive your score within the next few days. However, you can also reach out to Pearson/Examity customer support to let them know that you haven't received your official score report.

ScottTargetTestPrep · Answer

Great score! I don't think you'll have any issues with your score though. So, you can rest easy:)

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