GMAT AWA: Syllabus, Score and Percentile, Importance of GMAT AWA for Business Schools
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GMAT AWA: Syllabus, Score, Percentile, and Importance

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Arijit Dutta

Study Abroad Content Writer at Collegedunia | Updated On - Jul 20, 2024

Highlights:

  • GMAT AWA score ranges from 0-6.
  • GMAT AWA involves questions from areas of business or technology.
  • The section of GMAT AWA involves one question of 30 minutes.
  • A fee of $45 is required for GMAT AWA rescoring service by an independent reader.

GMAT AWA allows the candidates to think critically and logically, to articulate ideas through writing. Through analytical writing assessment of GMAT, examiners check the reasoning ability of the candidate. GMAT AWA score is measured on a scale of 0-6. GMAT Analytical Writing Assessment consists of one question of 30 minutes. GMAT essay is argumentative in nature and topics are usually from business or technology. How analytically a candidate can write is being assessed in GMAT AWA section. It is often questioned ‘Does AWA score matter in GMAT?’ as it is not included in the GMAT score report. Though the GMAT AWA score is not entirely crucial for your admission procedure, the universities do consider its score for testing the flair in writing. GMAT AWA questions are considered the most important and difficult part of the entire exam. Candidates appearing for the exam are advised to undergo mock tests, solve previous year papers for a good GMAT AWA score.

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Note: The GMAT online exam has omitted the AWA section from its syllabus. Therefore, candidates taking the online GMAT exam need not prepare for it. 

What is a Good AWA score on GMAT?

GMAC always advises the B-schools to not completely target the GMAT AWA score as most of the candidates score pretty high. It is very essential to understand the GMAT syllabus before enrolling for the exam. The average GMAT AWA score is 4.48 and any score lesser than that will not be much of a delight to the B-schools. The GMAT aspirant should aim for a score higher than 4.48. 

Is the GMAT AWA score Important for Business Schools?

To speak about the use of GMAT AWA, the Top B schools in the world don't entertain a GMAT AWA score of 4 or alike and this clearly states how the AWA affects GMAT score. 4 or 4.5 scores in AWA can raise questions regarding:

  • The candidate’s proficiency in English language, vocabulary, and grammar;
  • Their application essay which will also be in question;
  • The authority might not consider the application of the concerned applicant;

GMAC though asks the universities to not depend on the GMAT AWA section blindly and consider it as a diagnostic tool in recommending or requiring additional instructions in English because it is a result of a 30 minutes test and the application letter they write for their universities is prepared with more time in hand.

For non-native English speakers, the challenging part is to prove their language knowledge in terms of writing. So, if you are in school doing the English classes and also desiring to pursue an MBA then do not forget to do these sections well.

GMAT AWA Syllabus

The GMAT analytical writing examines the test taker’s ability to analyze, critically think, and put their own views in an essay in 30 minutes' time. You must follow certain GMAT preparation tips for covering the syllabus. Here, one has to discuss the reason behind the prompt having poor arguments and work on that by:

  • Scrutinizing the given argument
  • Recognizing the motif behind an argument and placing the views accordingly
  • Drawing a structured way of presenting the answer
  • Take into account the distinct point of views
  • Pillaring the answers with proper examples and facts
  • Lastly, effective grammar usage is needed

GMAT AWA Score

GMAT AWA score is evaluated by a human at first, then a developed computer grading program named E-Rater. Being a non-native English speaker, scoring 3.5-4 on the scale of 6 is considered well. But if the difference is more than one point then another scholarly person reads it to finally assess the number. The process of checking the GMAT analytical score is based on a grading scale of 1-6 in half-point increments. According to GMAC,

  • Point 6 is termed ‘outstanding’.
  • Point 5 is termed ‘strong’.
  • Point 4 is considered ‘adequate’.
  • Point 3 is considered ‘limited’.
  • Point 2 ‘seriously flawed’ and it really is.
  • Point 1 ‘fundamentally deficient.

To calculate the GMAT AWA Score, there are few crucial factors studied by the graders.

  • The versatility of the issues displayed by the test taker along with their presentation of the argument
  • The test taker’s capability to establish facts, structure them, and finally implement them
  • The admissible pillaring reasons and examples placed
  • The ability to make full use of the stand English

GMAT AWA Rescoring Service 

Most universities have a GMAT cutoff higher than 4 as the analytical writing section provides an insight into the language proficiency level of that particular test-taker. In case you haven’t achieved a score equal to that, you can reappear for the tes. With an additional fee of $45, the candidate can avail of GMAT AWA rescoring service by an independent reader. GMAT AWA rescored value will be sent within six months of the test date. Few things to be noted about GMAT AWA Rescoring service as following - 

  • Rescoring result for GMAT AWA score will be final 
  • Rescoring can result in both a decrease or increase in the original score 
  • Revised GMAT score will be sent to both the candidate and the university 
  • Other than GMAT AWA, none of the sections can be submitted for rescoring service

GMAT AWA Average Score and Percentile

Most of the test takers have a GMAT AWA score of 5 or above in their grades, with the average GMAT analytical writing score range standing at 4.37. Let us understand the GMAT score percentile with the help of this table –

GMAT AWA Score Percentile
6 88
5.5 79
5 53
4.5 42
4 17
3.5 11
3 4
2.5 3
2 2
1.5 2
1 1
0.5 1

The main GMAT AWA topics include economics, politics, leadership, education, social issues, marketing, and the environment. GMAT AWA section is scored within 0 to 6, in 0.5 increments. It does not impact the overall GMAT score. However, candidates must attentive enough to solve this section.

FAQs

Ques. What does AWA mean in GMAT?

Ans. AWA in means Analytical Writing Assessment. It involves one question of 30 minutes.

Ques. Is 4 a good AWA score in GMAT?

Ans. A score of 4 is considered quite sufficient in GMAT AWA section. It measures the candidate’s ability to think critically and logically.

Ques. Does AWA score matter for MBA?

Ans. The AWA section does not hold much importance as compared to the other sections for admission in MBA programs.

Ques. Does Harvard care about AWA?

Ans. Harvard University requires completing the AWA section for admissions. It accepts the online mode of GMAT or GRE.

Ques. Do universities look at the AWA score?

Ans. Top universities look at overall GMAT score of a candidate. It includes the score obtained by a candidate in AWA section.

Ques. What is the highest AWA score in GMAT?

Ans. The score range of GMAT AWA is 0-6. Candidates can achieve a maximum 6 in this section.

Ques. Is 3 a bad score in AWA?

Ans. A score of 3 is considered average for GMAT AWA. 

Ques. How much AWA score is good?

Ans. A score of anywhere between 4–6 is considered good in GMAT AWA. This score will be accepted in most universities abroad.

Ques. Does AWA affect GMAT score?

Ans. GMAT AWA section is scored within 0 to 6, in 0.5 increments. It does not impact the overall GMAT score. However, candidates must attentive enough to solve this section.

Ques. How to do well on GMAT AWA?

Ans. To score well on GMAT AWA, you need to polish your thinking and writing skills. You need to concise in answering all the GMAT AWA questions.

*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.

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