Is English your first language? I ask because the AWA score tends to matter more for those whom English is not their first spoken language. In general a score below 4.5 can raise some red flags - especially for non-native speakers. At the very least, be sure your essays are impeccable since this will be your only other opportunity to demonstrate your written communication skills.

Best,

Stacey

Thanks Stacey for your comments.

English is not my first language. But should I take a retest to improve my AWA score or can my essays, if well written, can compensate for the AWA score. I also doubt whether schools would gauge my written communication skills through my essays as they may beleive that I would have asked/hired somebody to do it for me - Please suggest if this is a possibility and also should I take a retest?