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Last Updated on November 23, 2023
With so much to learn for the GMAT, many students wonder how important it is to perform well on the Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA). After all, the Analytical Writing Assessment section is not factored into your total GMAT score. Furthermore, your AWA score isn’t included in the unofficial GMAT score report you see on test day. Does the AWA score affect admissions to MBA programs, or do business schools not really care about GMAT writing scores?
It’s natural to ask these questions, but before you decide that preparing for the AWA section “isn’t worth it” or that “no one cares” about the GMAT AWA, there are some important facts to consider.
In this article, we’ll answer some common questions about what the GMAT AWA section is and why it matters. To start, let’s review what exactly the AWA section is.
- What Is the Analytical Writing Assessment Section?
- Does AWA Go Toward Your GMAT Score?
- Why Don’t You See Your AWA Score on Test Day?
- Is AWA Part of the Online GMAT?
- How Much Do MBA Programs Care About AWA Scores?
- Can I Skip AWA on the GMAT?
What Is the Analytical Writing Assessment Section?
The Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) is a 30-minute section of the GMAT exam that consists of one essay task called an Analysis of an Argument.
In the AWA section, an argument is presented to you in a short essay prompt. In an essay of any length, you must write a critique of that argument. So, you’ll do things such as:
- analyze the argument’s line of reasoning
- point out any flaws or assumptions in the argument
- discuss what evidence might strengthen or refute the argument’s conclusion
- provide alternative explanations for what the argument says
And of course, you’ll need to organize your ideas logically and communicate them clearly.
KEY FACT:
In the GMAT AWA section, you’ll have 30 minutes to write an “Analysis of an Argument” essay.
Let’s now take a look at what AWA essays are generally about.
AWA Essay Prompts
AWA essay topics are typically business-related or “general interest.” Essay prompts are often presented in the form of an excerpt from a hypothetical newspaper or magazine article, organization memo or company report, corporate or organization newsletter, or business plan, to name a few examples.
So, for example, an AWA question might present a short paragraph that is an excerpt of a memo issued by XYZ Corp’s manufacturing department. The excerpt explains why the department supports a proposal to shut down one-third of XYZ’s manufacturing plants. Your job is to find and critique any flaws in the department’s reasoning. Additionally, you would point out any further information that would be useful in assessing the validity of the department’s reasoning.
One good thing about AWA essays is that you don’t need any specialized knowledge to write them. You don’t even have to give your personal views on the subject matter. You just have to create a clear, well-reasoned response to the given argument.
KEY FACT:
You don’t need any specialized knowledge to write a top-scoring AWA essay.
Now that we have a basic understanding of what the AWA is and what AWA essays are about, let’s discuss some common questions GMAT test-takers have related to the importance of the AWA.
Does AWA Go Toward Your GMAT Score?
Only the Quant and Verbal sections of the GMAT are factored into your GMAT total score. So, neither the Integrated Reasoning (IR) score nor the AWA score affect your total score. For that reason, both of those sections are generally less emphasized by MBA admissions committees than the Quant and Verbal sections.
However, “generally less emphasized” is not the same as “totally disregarded” or “not important.” A low score in any section of the GMAT has the potential to stick out like a sore thumb on your applications. So, the fact that the AWA score does not affect your total score is not a reason to slack off on the AWA.
TTP PRO TIP:
The fact that the AWA score does not affect your total score is not a reason to slack off on the AWA.
Why Don’t You See Your AWA Score on Test Day?
Some GMAT test-takers make the mistake of thinking that, because the unofficial score report they see after they complete the GMAT exam includes only the Quant, Verbal, IR, and Total Score, the AWA is some “secondary” thing they don’t need to worry about.
However, there is a good reason why you don’t see your GMAT Analytical Writing score on test day. GMAT AWA grading is done by both a computer and a person. All of the other section scores (and the total score) are calculated by a computer alone. Since AWA essays must be reviewed by a person — who will obviously not be at the test center with you — AWA scores take longer to generate than computer-generated scores. (Read more about how the AWA section is scored here.)
So, the fact that you receive your GMAT AWA score after test day rather than right after you finish your exam is not an indication that the AWA is unimportant or an afterthought.
KEY FACT:
The AWA score is not included in the unofficial score report you see on test day because the AWA section takes longer to grade, not because AWA is unimportant.
Is AWA Part of the Online GMAT?
When the GMAT Online was first introduced, the AWA section was not part of it. However, the AWA has been part of the online GMAT for quite some time now. In fact, the in-person and online GMAT now have the exact same exam structure with the same section order options.
So, depending on what section order you choose for your exam, the AWA section will be presented either first or last in your GMAT. If you choose the default section order, AWA will be the first section you see. If you choose to complete either the Quant or Verbal section first, AWA will be the last section you see.
KEY FACT:
The in-person and online GMAT have the exact same exam structure with the same section order options, so you will see the AWA section on both versions of the exam.
So, whether you take the GMAT at home or at a test center, you’re going to face an essay task. Let’s now discuss how much MBA programs actually care about your GMAT essay.
How Much Do MBA Programs Care About AWA Scores?
Out of all of the section scores for the GMAT, the AWA score probably carries the least importance for MBA admissions. That said (and you’ll notice a theme here), having the least importance is not the same as having no importance! MBA programs DO care about your GMAT AWA score, for a few reasons. Let’s discuss each of these reasons.
KEY FACT:
The GMAT Analytical Writing score DOES matter for MBA admissions.
Reason #1: Communication Skills Matter in the Business World
It’s no secret that many MBA programs are highly quant-driven. But make no mistake: showing that you are a well-rounded student is only going to make your application more attractive to MBA admissions committees.
Where does the AWA fit in? Well, the purpose of the AWA section is to gauge your ability to clearly convey ideas in written form. That skill is of the utmost importance not only in business school but also in professional business settings. If you’re unable to coherently and convincingly get your ideas “on paper,” admissions committees may question how you’ll fare in graduate-level business classes and as a business professional.
Now, if you have impressive scores in every other GMAT section, is having a so-so AWA score the “kiss of death” for your candidacy? Probably not. However, impressive writing skills, in addition to your other skills, could be a significant asset on your application.
TTP PRO TIP:
Impressive writing skills could be a significant asset on your MBA applications, and the AWA is a key opportunity to show off those skills.
Reason #2: Your AWA Essay Should “Match” Your Application Writing
Granted, you will have far more time to think through and polish and hone your application essays than you will an argument response that you have just 30 minutes to complete on test day. However, if there is a large disparity between the level of writing in your GMAT AWA essay and the level of writing in your MBA application essays, admissions may wonder whether they’re reading the work of the same person. In other words, you don’t want admissions to entertain the thought that someone helped you write your application essays.
Rather, you want to show admissions that you have a baseline of strong skills that you can apply in any situation — that there is a solid standard your work will always meet. If you put no time or effort into preparing for the AWA section, or you assume that your application essays will be enough to demonstrate your writing skills, then admissions may wonder whether you can consistently perform at a high level.
TTP PRO TIP:
Don’t let your AWA essay be a reason that admissions wonders whether you can consistently perform at a high level.
Reason #3: You Need to Show a Strong Command of Written English
With a few exceptions, the language of business and business schools is, for the most part, English. Thus, business schools seek to ensure that their students have a strong command of written English. The AWA can serve as a key indicator of your command of English.
If, for example, you’re a nonnative speaker of English, your GMAT AWA score may be of greater significance to admissions than it would be if English were your first language. This can work in your favor, however. If English is your second language and you earn an AWA score of, say, 5 or above, that score could help you stand out among other applicants whose native language is not English.
TTP PRO TIP:
If English is your second language, earning a GMAT AWA score of 5 or above can help you stand out among other MBA applicants whose native language is not English.
Can I Skip AWA on the GMAT?
If everything you’ve read in this article hasn’t convinced you of the importance of the GMAT AWA, you may still be wondering whether you can get away with skipping the AWA.
Unless you are 100% certain that the programs you’re interested in will not consider AWA scores, you should plan to complete the Analytical Writing Assessment on any official GMAT exam you take (including your practice exams!).
If you have reason to believe that your desired programs will not take the AWA into account when evaluating your application, you should call the admissions office of each program to confirm that skipping the AWA will not affect your candidacy. Even if a program’s website states that submitting an AWA score is optional, I recommend speaking to someone in the program’s admissions office to confirm that the policy stated on the website is up to date.
TTP PRO TIP:
If you have reason to believe that your desired programs will not take your AWA into account when evaluating your application, call the admissions office of each program to confirm.
Given that the vast majority of business schools that require GMAT scores require that all section scores be submitted, including the AWA, your best bet is to make time for some AWA preparation in your GMAT study plan. Fortunately, you don’t have to spend weeks writing essay after essay in order to perform well in AWA. Looking for some tips? These 5 strategies can help you earn a top-notch GMAT Analytical Writing score.
