Skipping the AWA

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bigTEX: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 4; Joined: Fri Apr 13, 2007 4:58 pm

by bigTEX » Tue May 08, 2007 2:48 pm

How crucial is the AWA? I know the score doesn't factor in actual GMAT score, but is it OK to skip it? Or perhaps answer only one of the essays?

Has anyone here skipped it or answered it partially?

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Source: Beat The GMAT — Verbal Reasoning | Tue May 08, 2007 2:48 pm

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by beatthegmat » Tue May 08, 2007 3:43 pm

You're right that AWA is scored separately from your primary GMAT score. However, it's NOT a good idea to skip this section!

Admissions committees have been known to refer to this section to judge your writing abilities/critical thinking skills. AWAs are usually more emphasized for foreign applicants, but they may still be considered for native applicants as well.

Don't risk it! It's relatively easy to do well on AWA with minimal effort. Please check out the Resource Wiki for helpful resources for preparing for this section: https://www.beatthegmat.com/wiki/

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Stacey Koprince: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 2228; Joined: Wed Dec 27, 2006 3:28 pmFollowed by: 694 members; Location: Montreal, Canada; Thanked: 639 times; GMAT Score:780

by Stacey Koprince » Thu May 17, 2007 7:30 pm

If you skip them, you will be given a score of 0. The schools will definitely notice this, will want an explanation, and may discount your GMAT score because they know you didn't spend an hour writing essays first (as everyone else did).

So, as Eric said, don't skip them. Work on beating the average (about a 4, so aim for a 4.5) but don't use the necessary brainpower to get a 6 - that will just tire you out for the rest of the test.

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night: Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts; Posts: 22; Joined: Wed Nov 21, 2007 4:30 am

by night » Sun Feb 17, 2008 1:52 pm

well.. man you paid $250 for the test! give it a try otherwise the test was not worth your money. Le's think this way = P

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Stuart@KaplanGMAT: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 3225; Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2008 2:40 pmFollowed by: 614 members; Location: Toronto; Thanked: 1710 times; GMAT Score:800

by Stuart@KaplanGMAT » Sun Feb 17, 2008 2:55 pm

Unless EVERY school to which you're applying has given you a waiver, in writing, of the AWA score, then NEVER skip it.

Schools definitely look at your AWA score. It doesn't factor as heavily as GPA, work experience or 200-800 GMAT score, but it can definitely impact your application.

In fact, skipping the AWA is one of the worst things you could do. Many schools look at the AWA as a "checklist" kind of item: they're looking for a minimum score and, if you don't hit that minimum, you're almost certainly going to get rejected regardless of your other qualifications (unless you provide an excellent reason for your AWA problems).

Further, if you're applying to very competitive programs, the AWA could very well be a tiebreaker. Schools with 2000+ applicants almost certainly will see someone with similar work experience, GPA and 200-800 score to you. If that person is similar to you except for AWA, then the AWA could decide who gets in.

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jackcrystal: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 31; Joined: Mon Aug 04, 2008 2:04 pm; Thanked: 1 times

by jackcrystal » Mon Oct 06, 2008 8:28 am

Stuart, I scored 5.0 in AWA in my previous test. If I skip it this time, won't they look at my previous score? Why should keep taking same thing over and over again?

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VP_Jim: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 1223; Joined: Thu May 01, 2008 3:29 pmFollowed by: 15 members; Location: Los Angeles, CA; Thanked: 185 times

by VP_Jim » Sun Oct 12, 2008 8:17 pm

You're applying to a competitive graduate program - do you really want the ad comm to see a big fat zero on anything? Sure, the ad comm MIGHT look at your previous score - or it might not. I don't think it's worth the risk when you've already scored a 5 so it will be pretty easy for you to do so again.

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Stuart@KaplanGMAT: GMAT Instructor; Posts: 3225; Joined: Tue Jan 08, 2008 2:40 pmFollowed by: 614 members; Location: Toronto; Thanked: 1710 times; GMAT Score:800

by Stuart@KaplanGMAT » Mon Oct 13, 2008 2:09 pm

VP_Jim wrote:You're applying to a competitive graduate program - do you really want the ad comm to see a big fat zero on anything? Sure, the ad comm MIGHT look at your previous score - or it might not. I don't think it's worth the risk when you've already scored a 5 so it will be pretty easy for you to do so again.

Excellent advice.

Also, think of the AWA as a warm up for the GMAT - a way to get your mental juices stirring without a lot of stress or pressure, since you already did well on the AWA the first time out.

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burakvar: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 4; Joined: Mon Nov 24, 2008 11:51 am

by burakvar » Sun Mar 08, 2009 7:35 am

Which one is better?

Doing AWA and getting score 2 or skipping it and getting score 0?

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kobel51: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 114; Joined: Tue Mar 24, 2009 9:19 am; Thanked: 1 times

by kobel51 » Fri Apr 17, 2009 7:31 pm

That's a great question. I think if you have no previous AWA score, then do it.

But why limit it to those 2 choices? If you know your AWA ability is around 2, then resolve to get it to 4 and then take the test

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4seasoncentre: Master | Next Rank: 500 Posts; Posts: 211; Joined: Thu Apr 09, 2009 12:17 pm; Thanked: 12 times; GMAT Score:680

by 4seasoncentre » Sat Apr 18, 2009 5:36 pm

Remember that admissions committees are subjective. Now some may respect your decision to skip the AWA in order to conserve energy for the remainder of the test, but others may judge that someone who skips the AWA has a poor work ethic. Remember, you're applying to Business School.

Also, the score will remain in the system for 5 years and you never know what you might need your scores again for. What if you decide to reapply to business school, apply for a scholarship, or have a potential employer that asks for your GMAT scores?

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fussellc: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 3; Joined: Fri Oct 07, 2011 5:57 am; Thanked: 1 times

by fussellc » Wed Oct 19, 2011 11:36 am

out of all the admissions consultants on here and no one can give a definitive answer on this? wow

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throughmba: Legendary Member; Posts: 510; Joined: Sun Sep 11, 2011 6:15 amFollowed by: 22 members; Location: London; Thanked: 122 times

by throughmba » Fri Oct 21, 2011 11:10 pm

Some questions dont get resolved directly. They get resolved in percentage. Subjective and Constrained world.

Many applicants ask : Is it right to retake GMAT just for to get 5 replacing the last 3-4. Even when they have a good verbal of 36-37.

Some will ask, as above, is it ok to leave the AWA?

Some will ask, will the last AWA be taken if they skip the AWA this time?

My answer to all of this is present your best and dont hold on to your fears. Everybody knows how competitive it is. Let the fear go the moment you start preparing. Best foot is not the fearful or cosmetic foot, its the strong foot.

"Nobody trains like you."

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fussellc: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 3; Joined: Fri Oct 07, 2011 5:57 am; Thanked: 1 times

by fussellc » Fri Nov 04, 2011 5:57 am

Who can i speak with that knows something?

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kristinam: Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts; Posts: 1; Joined: Tue Feb 28, 2012 4:34 pm

by kristinam » Tue Feb 28, 2012 4:35 pm

In the Kaplan books I read "Test takers who skip the AWA do not receive score reports". What does that mean ??? I am still deciding whether to skip the AWA but just in case I do

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