Worth retaking GRE for AW???

[Jolie717]

While I am not particularly surprised, I am disappointed by my AW score of 4.0 (just found out today).  AW was the one area I did not practice at all as I was more concerned with my verbal and quant scores.  However, now that I have decided to add some combined MS/PhD programs to my application list, I am wondering if my current score will hurt me.

I am a decent writer when I have time to compose my thoughts and/or have knowledge on a topic.  But  timed "surprise" topic essays are apparently not my friend.

If I decide to retake I will only have six weeks to prep.  I am pretty sure I can get my quant score up in this time as well considering I didn't spend much time reviewing the math I haven't seen in years (OK - 2+ decades, lol).  If it makes a difference I am a full time student (senior) and I would need to still maintain my current GPA, work 16 hours per week, spend time with my sons and hubby and study for the GRE all at the same time.  Again.  Ugh.

Thoughts?  Does anyone have experience raising AW in a short period of time?

[slporbust2016]

I've heard that 4 is the cut-off for some programs, and I've noticed a lot of schools with averages in the high 3s, low 4s, so I probably wouldn't retake it unless some programs that you're applying to specifically want high AW scores. I didn't study for that part either, and I wish I had prepped for it a little more, but I don't think it's really worth it to take it again. Most people know that writing a timed essay with a surprise prompt has nothing to do with writing well-researched papers. 

Are the averages for the programs you're interested a lot higher?

[eggfish]

I didn't know a 4.0 was low.  Your GPA and verbal scores are so high, I wouldn't worry too much about it.  Unless you're sure you could have done much better (and I think it's difficult to prepare for the writing section anyway), I wouldn't worry about it.  I didn't study either because I didn't really know how and didn't have time.  

[Crimson Wife]

I've been told that many schools don't even consider the AW score if the verbal is strong. It remains TBD how true that will prove, but I decided to save the $200 unless I don't get in this year.

[Jolie717]

I've heard that 4 is the cut-off for some programs, and I've noticed a lot of schools with averages in the high 3s, low 4s, so I probably wouldn't retake it unless some programs that you're applying to specifically want high AW scores. I didn't study for that part either, and I wish I had prepped for it a little more, but I don't think it's really worth it to take it again. Most people know that writing a timed essay with a surprise prompt has nothing to do with writing well-researched papers. 

Are the averages for the programs you're interested a lot higher?

It's hard to say - I'm waiting to hear back from them.  On ASHA's EdFind Purdue only lists ranges for their Masters program (my scores are within their ranges) - they don't list stats for the PhD programs.  UW Madison and University of Utah don't list their ranges at all.  When I look at the stats of those admitted into these programs on the results page (mostly masters only) there are plenty of AWs of 4 but many are higher too.  However it's impossible to know whether these scores are truly representative of all students admitted.

[slporbust2016]

I know. The stats are really hard to find, and who knows what they mean. My gut feeling is that most programs want to make sure that you have writing ability (which a 4 would show), but would be more concerned about your reading comprehension skills which would be represented by your V. The AW is a pretty imprecise test which is why the scaling system is so small. 

A 4 is 56th percentile, so it's above average. The thing about the AW is that the scores show big groups since a 4.5 is 80th percentile.