Bombed the AWA? How? I'm so perplexed.

Expert replies

sunman: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 165; Joined: Thu Feb 17, 2011 5:05 amFollowed by: 9 members; Location: San Diego, CA; Thanked: 14 times; GMAT Score:750

by sunman » Fri Oct 12, 2012 5:27 am

Hi guys,

I have a question, anybody is welcome to comment, but if we have any former adcom types, it will be especially helpful:

My official GMAT scores just came out and I'm pretty concerned about it.

24 September 2012

Verbal 44 / 97%
Quant 48 / 78%
Overall 750 / 98%
AWA 4.0 / 20% (?????)
IR 8 / 92%

This is a load of crap. I remember what I wrote during AWA, and it was a well constructed, well written argument. I didn't gaffe it off or anything like that. I've never, ever, ever failed to score below 6.0 on AWA. I mean, look at my verbal scores for goodness sakes - it's obviously a strength of mine.

Look at my previous scores:

27 January 2012 42 / 96% 47 / 73% 730 / 96% 6.0 / 90% ~ / ~
05 December 2011 41 / 93% 47 / 73% 710 / 92% 6.0 / 90% ~ / ~
04 November 2011 40 / 90% 46 / 71% 700 / 90% 6.0 / 90% ~ / ~

So yeah, I'm really ticked off. What's going on? I wish I could appeal this. I know some people say that AWA doesn't really matter, but 20th percentile? That's a really bad black eye.

Will this damage my chances at top tier business schools?

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has" - Margaret Mead

Source: Beat The GMAT — GMAT Strategy | Fri Oct 12, 2012 5:27 am

Jim@StratusPrep: MBA Admissions Consultant; Posts: 2279; Joined: Fri Nov 11, 2011 7:51 amFollowed by: 266 members; Location: New York; Thanked: 660 times; GMAT Score:770

by Jim@StratusPrep » Fri Oct 12, 2012 6:26 am

Don't worry about that number. Your score is solid and schools will not judge your application on that number.

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Brent@GMATPrepNow: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 16207; Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2008 6:26 pmFollowed by: 1268 members; Location: Vancouver, BC; Thanked: 5254 times; GMAT Score:770

by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Fri Oct 12, 2012 7:31 am

Given your other scores, a 4.0 is strange. If it's bugging you, you may want to get the essay rescored.

From the mba.com website:

If you have reason to believe that your score for the Analytical Writing Assessment portion of the GMAT test is not accurate, you may request that your essay be rescored using the Essay Rescore Request Form.

Here's the link to the form: https://www.mba.com/~/media/Files/mba/NE ... t_Form.pdf

I hope that helps.

Cheers,
Brent

Brent Hanneson - Creator of GMATPrepNow.com

sunman: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 165; Joined: Thu Feb 17, 2011 5:05 amFollowed by: 9 members; Location: San Diego, CA; Thanked: 14 times; GMAT Score:750

by sunman » Sat Oct 13, 2012 4:51 pm

Brent@GMATPrepNow wrote:Given your other scores, a 4.0 is strange. If it's bugging you, you may want to get the essay rescored.

From the mba.com website:

If you have reason to believe that your score for the Analytical Writing Assessment portion of the GMAT test is not accurate, you may request that your essay be rescored using the Essay Rescore Request Form.

Here's the link to the form: https://www.mba.com/~/media/Files/mba/NE ... t_Form.pdf

I hope that helps.

Cheers,
Brent

$45?????

That's a friggin scam.

And 6 weeks to do it?

Yeah ok, no thanks.

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has" - Margaret Mead

GMAT/MBA Expert

Brent@GMATPrepNow: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 16207; Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2008 6:26 pmFollowed by: 1268 members; Location: Vancouver, BC; Thanked: 5254 times; GMAT Score:770

by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Sat Oct 13, 2012 4:55 pm

sunman wrote:
Brent@GMATPrepNow wrote:Given your other scores, a 4.0 is strange. If it's bugging you, you may want to get the essay rescored.

From the mba.com website:

If you have reason to believe that your score for the Analytical Writing Assessment portion of the GMAT test is not accurate, you may request that your essay be rescored using the Essay Rescore Request Form.

Here's the link to the form: https://www.mba.com/~/media/Files/mba/NE ... t_Form.pdf

I hope that helps.

Cheers,
Brent
$45?????

That's a friggin scam.

And 6 weeks to do it?

Yeah ok, no thanks.

Hey, don't shoot the messenger.
I don't have anything to gain from you spending $45. I was under the impression you were looking for options.

Cheers,
Brent

Brent Hanneson - Creator of GMATPrepNow.com

sunman: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 165; Joined: Thu Feb 17, 2011 5:05 amFollowed by: 9 members; Location: San Diego, CA; Thanked: 14 times; GMAT Score:750

by sunman » Sat Oct 13, 2012 5:04 pm

Brent@GMATPrepNow wrote:
sunman wrote:
Brent@GMATPrepNow wrote:Given your other scores, a 4.0 is strange. If it's bugging you, you may want to get the essay rescored.

From the mba.com website:

If you have reason to believe that your score for the Analytical Writing Assessment portion of the GMAT test is not accurate, you may request that your essay be rescored using the Essay Rescore Request Form.

Here's the link to the form: https://www.mba.com/~/media/Files/mba/NE ... t_Form.pdf

I hope that helps.

Cheers,
Brent
$45?????

That's a friggin scam.

And 6 weeks to do it?

Yeah ok, no thanks.
Hey, don't shoot the messenger.
I don't have anything to gain from you spending $45. I was under the impression you were looking for options.

Cheers,
Brent

Sorry Brent, that was not directed at you, it was directed at GMAC/Pearson VUE. I've grown to really hate them, especially at the outsourced tech support guy who was extremely rude to me while I was attempting to reschedule my GMAT when I returned from Afghanistan.

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has" - Margaret Mead

GMAT/MBA Expert

Brent@GMATPrepNow: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 16207; Joined: Mon Dec 08, 2008 6:26 pmFollowed by: 1268 members; Location: Vancouver, BC; Thanked: 5254 times; GMAT Score:770

by Brent@GMATPrepNow » Sat Oct 13, 2012 5:08 pm

I can understand your frustration.

Best of luck,
Brent

Brent Hanneson - Creator of GMATPrepNow.com

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