GMAT 730, AWA - 4.5(39%) - Grounds for Retake? - The Beat The GMAT Forum

GMAT 730, AWA - 4.5(39%) - Grounds for Retake?

Expert replies

gmat_gupta86: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 6; Joined: Tue Sep 04, 2012 1:10 amFollowed by: 2 members

by gmat_gupta86 » Fri Nov 02, 2012 7:23 am

Hi aspirants,

I got a 730 on the GMAT, 8 on IR but just 4.5(39%) on the AWA.
How important is AWA to schools, especially Asian Business Schools?

Please help!!

Like this post

Source: Beat The GMAT — I just Beat The GMAT! | Fri Nov 02, 2012 7:23 am

ivyctor2010: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 254; Joined: Thu Aug 23, 2012 9:42 amFollowed by: 13 members; Thanked: 46 times; GMAT Score:740

by ivyctor2010 » Fri Nov 02, 2012 4:43 pm

It does carry some weightage but your main GMAT score is good so no worries now, concentrate on essays and make them awesome.

Ivyctor Mobile App packed with school selection, scholarship, application management and alumni connect
Download https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... .app&hl=en

Like this post

mohankiran.p: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 7; Joined: Sat Oct 01, 2011 3:40 pm; Thanked: 2 times; GMAT Score:740

by mohankiran.p » Fri Nov 02, 2012 5:47 pm

I agree with the post above. Unless your split between verbal and quant is really lopsided (something like 60 vs 95 percentile), there is no reason why you should consider a retake.

Moreover, I know someone with a 4.5 AWA who got into a top MBA program in the US - I'm talking about THE top 10 - and I also know someone who has skipped AWA completely but secured an admit at INSEAD (both of them scored 720+). Having been through the process twice, I personally don't think you should invest time again on GMAT. Use it instead to improve other parts of your application - essays, extracurriculars, opportunities at work etc..

Hope that helps. All the best!

Like this post

FLUID: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 39; Joined: Thu Nov 01, 2012 7:52 pm; Thanked: 7 times

by FLUID » Fri Nov 02, 2012 8:38 pm

Hi Gupta,
I think 730 is pretty decent GMAT Score. MBA Application is just not GMAT. I personally know few of my friends who made it to Top Business schools in US like Wharton/Haas/UCLA with 720 to 750 score. I believe you need to concentrate on below aspects to make your application strong.

1. Leadership skills at work and outside
2. Volunteering
3. PreMBA courses to understand all about MBA
4. Good letters of recommendation
5. Good Essay

Good Luck

Thanks,

"Take Risks in Your Life.
If you Win, you can Lead!
If you Loose, you can Guide!".

Like this post

Bschool2013: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 105; Joined: Sat Sep 24, 2011 6:16 amFollowed by: 3 members; Thanked: 21 times; GMAT Score:700

by Bschool2013 » Mon Nov 05, 2012 12:56 pm

Your 4.5 is good enough. The AWA is basically a pass/fail portion part of the test. If you're 4.5 and above, that's good enough for the Adcom. 4.0 and below makes them start to wonder who wrote your essays.

In other words, a 6.0 is not going to enhance your candidacy - it just doesn't matter enough.

Congrats on the 730!

Like this post

soumensmail: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 1; Joined: Wed Aug 08, 2012 7:43 am

by soumensmail » Tue Nov 06, 2012 1:23 pm

Congrats!!

A Booth adcom officer once told me in information session that they don't even look at AWA scores if >4 because they know that the electronic essay rater can be tricked.

Now AWA can play a role only if you are tied with someone on all counts including the interview. There is a very minor chance for that.

In fact one of my friends who got a AWA=4(1st attempt) was questioned by AdCom in Yale since he attempted GMAT again after scoring 720. He got 730 and AWA=5.5 in 2nd attempt. They thought there could be more efficient use of time because all scores get reported.
Hope this helps!!

Like this post

Post new topic Post Reply

• Page 1 of 1

GMAT Course Reviews

559 reviews

1168 reviews

431 reviews

359 reviews

147 reviews

5/5

5 Star (560 Reviews)

"Target Test Prep is the closest to the official version of the GMAT exam, about 99% accuracy in terms of the quality and quantity of information. The course has excellently created singular sets of focused lessons and tests for every possible topic that one could come across in the official GMAT exam."

"The TTP course maximizes the efficiency of the time you spend studying. It will take time and effort but I could almost guarantee that if you complete the course exactly as it is laid out you will get an amazing score. They also have a very responsive team willing to help with any questions you might have."

"TTP has two things that I think no other test prep company offers: A teaching approach that reinforces understanding and an attitude that will give you the mental preparedness needed to succeed on the test. TTP gives you a deep understanding of the concept you need to know while teaching you how to think."

Write a Review