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GMAT AWA 2023: Score, Percentile, Method of Scoring, Importance of AWA Score, A good AWA score

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Rituparna Nath

Content Writer at Study Abroad Exams | Updated On - Apr 5, 2023

The analytical writing assessment in the GMAT exam examines the test-takers’ capability to rationalize the reasoning behind the given argument and produce a critique. The candidate’s ability to rationally think and provide supporting ideas to the essay is evaluated. AWA GMAT score is calculated in a different way than the verbal and quant sections. 

GMAT AWA Score Calculator

The AWA GMAT score is calculated based on the single analytical essay written by the candidate. It is measured on a GMAT AWA score scale of 0 - 6 and checked by both a machine algorithm and a human rater. The evaluation is done by an electronic device that evaluates the essay based on the structure and linguistic factors. If there is a huge difference between the algorithm score and the human score, the second round of checking is conducted.

GMAT AWA: Score and Percentiles

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

GMAT AWA Percentiles vs GMAT AWA Scores

The GMAT AWA percentile score is the percentage of candidates you performed better than. for instance, if you’ve scored a 4.5 AWA score, then you’ve performed better than 43% of the test-takers who took the exam. The GMAT percentile score is not static and keeps on changing based on the number of test-takers every year.

GMAT AWA Score: Marking Criteria

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

  • The relevance of the issues written 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 through writing;
  • The supporting ideas and evidence placed;
  • The ability to make full use of the standard English

GMAT AWA: Score Descriptors

The GMAT score points are marked following the marking criteria stated above. Each AWA score denotes the performance level of the test-taker.

Point What does it indicate?
Point 6 Outstanding
Point 5 Strong
Point 4 Adequate
Point 3 Limited
Point 2 Seriously Flawed
Point 1 Fundamentally Deficient

What is a Good AWA score on GMAT?

Out of all the sections of GMAT, the AWA score is considered the least important when considered to GMAT verbal and quant. Even if the candidate secures a 6 in their GMAT AWA, that does not indicate a possibility of them getting through the admission process, it may only provide an overall positive impression. Though there are business schools that don't entertain an AWA score of 4 or alike. A low GMAT AWA score raises questions about the candidate’s knowledge of English, vocabulary, and grammar and will leave the application cornered.

An AWA score of 5 can be stated as a proper score that will not hinder the candidate’s application. The GMAT practice papers in this regard help the candidates to score high.

Does the GMAT AWA score matter?

The AWA GMAT score is considered the least important in the GMAT overall score. But this doesn’t let the candidates consider it as not important. Business schools through the AWA score evaluate how well that person can communicate, and communication serves as an integral part of the B-school curriculum. along with the communication, they also study the level of critical thinking and analyzing capability.

As the candidates taking GMAT are aspiring to be future leaders in the corporate world, communicating with different people on a daily basis is considered normal. GMAT AWA is proof of how competent they are in doing that.

FAQs

Ques. Does AWA affect GMAT score?

Ans: The GMAT composite score consists of the verbal and quant sections. Therefore, the AWA score doesn’t affect the GMAT directly.

Ques. Is 4.5 a good AWA score?

Ans: If the candidate scores a 4.5 then they are in a safe position for applying in universities.

Ques. How long should the GMAT AWA essay be?

Ans: GMAT AWA is the only section that is not MCQ based and allows 30 minutes to write the essay. there is no minimum or maximum word count provided.

Ques. How can I prepare for GMAT AWA?

Ans: First start with forming an analysis of the arguments and secondly practice hard.

Ques. Is AWA 2.5 good?

Ans: It is advised to score around 5 in AWA for a positive overview of your application.

*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.

Ask your question

Answered Questions

BS

Bhavya Singh

18 Mar 21ISB Hyderabad

Several factors affect the chance of a candidate getting a seat in ISB Hyderabad. Not only the GMAT score, but also the application profile, essays, and performance in the interview combined together decides whether a candidate should get a seat or not in such an elite institute. The points listed below are some important aspects to consider for admission to such institutes.

  • There is no fixed cut-off for ISB Hyderabad, as declared by the institute. There are examples of people with a GMAT score of 720 not getting a seat from the interviews. On the other hand, there are candidates with a score of 700-710 but are successful in getting a seat in ISB Hyderabad.
  • GMAT score is not the only criteria for getting a seat, but the door to get an interview call. The quality of essays written by the candidate, his/her application/ profile, and the performance in the interviews are also considered.
  • For candidates with an average profile, a GMAT score of 720+, along with a complete application and a good essay can be considered to have high chances to receive an interview call. After having a call, the rest depends on how the candidate will perform in his/her interview.

This is the overall scenario for admission in ISB Hyderabad, for a student with an average profile.


MN

Mahak Nigam

30 Jun 22Master of Business Administration Degrees & Finance, Aditya Institute of Management Studies and Research

More than 140 Business Schools in India accept GMAT scores. Here is a list of popular B-School that accept GMAT scores.

IIM Ahmedabad (PGPX) IIM Bangalore (EPGP) IIM Calcutta (PGPEx)
IIM Indore (EPGP) IIM Kozhikode (EPGP) IIM Lucknow (IPMAX)
XLRI Jamshedpur MDI Gurgaon IMT Ghaziabad
IIFT Delhi FMS Deli ISB Hyderabad/Mohali

Many other reputed B-School across the country also accept GMAT scores.


AV

Arvind Verma

30 Jun 22Studied at Indian School of Business

ISB Hyderabad accepts both examination scores. So, you can opt for either of GMAT or GRE. Your chances of selection or rejection will remain the same. Go through the examination pattern and syllabus and choose the one in which you feel that you will be able to score better. Ultimately having a good score is what matters during admission. As per the recent trends, ISB Hyderabad cutoff for GMAT is 600, while for GRE it is 311. 


AS

Aditi Sen

12 May 21PGDM from Institute of Management Technology, Ghaziabad (2019)

There are many business schools in India that require GMAT scores at the time of admission.

Some of the top business schools with requiring GMAT scores in India are:

Institute Name

GMAT Score

ISB, Hyderabad & Mohali

730 or higher

S.P. Jain Institute of Management and Research, Mumbai

550

IIM Ahmedabad

711

School of Management, NMIMS Mumbai

600

IIM Bangalore

710

Great Lakes Institute of Management

600

IIM Calcutta

701

XLRI Jamshedpur

710

IIM Lucknow

680

IMT (All campuses)

720

IIM Indore

700

ICFAI Business School (Hyderabad & Mumbai)

700

IIM Kozhikode

700

A few other institutes include - MDI Gurgaon, FMS Delhi, Sunstone Business School Noida, ISB Indore, and more.


NM

Nishad JK Makol

10 Mar 23PGDM Marketing & Consulting, S. P. Jain Institute of Management and Research (2017)

I see that you already have more than 50 months of work experience. My suggestion for anyone with such work experience is to opt for the 1-year PGPM Program rather than the 2-year PGDM Program. Keep working for another year and earn your fee for the 1-year program. This way you will save time. Money and even be spared from investing additional efforts when the same could be done in lesser time. The cutoff for both the programs is

Program

Cutoff

PGPM

660

PGDM

85 Percentile