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

[sunman]

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?

[Jim@StratusPrep]

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

[Brent@GMATPrepNow]

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

[sunman]

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.

[Brent@GMATPrepNow]

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

[sunman]

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.

[Brent@GMATPrepNow]

I can understand your frustration.

Best of luck,
Brent