skipping Analytical Writing on GRE retake?

[iowaguy]

Has anyone ever skipped the Analytical Writing section on a GRE retake? Pros/cons?

Why, if I scored well on the writing section on a previous GRE test (but let's say, I want to improve my Verbal and/or Quant scores) would I want to waste an hour of time & mental energy by writing another 2 essays? (assuming I received a good writing score previously).

Hypothetically, to look at an extreme, let's say I scored a 6.0 in writing, but wanted to re-take the test to improve my Verbal/Quant. When re-taking the test at a later date, is it kosher to just skip the writing and have it show up as an incomplete? I could then send in my original GRE test (showing the 6.0 writing score) and also my subsequent GRE test (showing the higher Verbal/Quant scores but showing an incomplete for Analytical Writing).

Thoughts?

[pemdas]

it's like putting a tie onto your night costume, provided the last time you were dressed in suit for business meeting?

score select is an option to isolate your previous scores - if you show your score from the last exam why you do retake?

you gain advantage by skipping AWA and AdComs will think you are "too smart" for studying in their program

don't skip anything - complete the test in its entirety

[TakeruK]

Just to be clear: You won't be able to submit only your AW score from first test date and only Verbal + Quant scores from second test date. Even with ScoreSelect, you have to submit all scores from the same test date. So if you submit both test scores, they will see that you didn't complete the AW section on the second test date.

I think you know this though and are asking if it's okay for schools to see the Incomplete in AW because you got 6.0 in the last test. But remember that many applications will ask you to self-report scores. They will ask for AW, V, and Q scores and ask you for your reference number and test date. You will be forced to report all the scores from the same test date -- so you will have to choose between the good AW and bad V/Q scores or good V/Q and incomplete AW score.

In addition, I think not giving 100% effort here will reflect poorly on you as an applicant.

[emmm]

I agree -- it makes you look sloppy/lazy/insecure.