If you've been researching the GMAT® and came across references to the AWA, or Analytical Writing Assessment, you might be wondering whether you need to prepare for an essay section.
The short answer: no, not anymore. The GMAT® Focus Edition, which is the only version of the exam available since January 2024, doesn't include the AWA. There's no essay on the test itself.
But there's a catch. A few business schools, most notably Harvard, now require a separate writing assessment called the Business Writing Assessment, or BWA, if you submit a GMAT® Focus Edition score. So depending on where you're applying, writing may still be part of the picture.
Here's the full breakdown.
What the AWA Was
On the Classic GMAT® (administered through November 2023), the Analytical Writing Assessment was a 30-minute essay section that appeared at the start of the exam. You'd read a short argument, analyze its reasoning, and write a critique. The essay was scored on a 0-6 scale in half-point increments, and that score was reported separately from the 200-800 total.
The AWA was rarely a major factor in MBA admissions decisions. Admissions committees cared about your total score and your section scores far more than your AWA result. A low AWA score was unlikely to sink an otherwise strong application, and a high AWA score probably wouldn't compensate for weak Quant or Verbal performance.
That said, the AWA gave schools a standardized, proctored writing sample. Every applicant who took the Classic GMAT® had one. It served as a baseline data point that admissions teams could reference if they wanted to verify writing ability.
What Changed With the GMAT® Focus Edition
When GMAC launched the Focus Edition in November 2023, they streamlined the exam from three and a half hours down to two hours and fifteen minutes. Several things were cut: Sentence Correction from the Verbal section, most Geometry from Quant, and the entire AWA.
The Focus Edition has three sections: Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Data Insights. No essay. No writing section of any kind. The exam is shorter and more focused.
But some business schools weren't thrilled about losing that standardized writing sample. Without the AWA, admissions committees no longer had a common, proctored measure of writing ability to compare across applicants. If two candidates submitted GMAT® Focus Edition scores, there was no way to compare their writing head-to-head on a level playing field.
Enter the Business Writing Assessment (BWA)
In July 2024, GMAC introduced the Business Writing Assessment as a standalone, proctored writing test. It's not part of the GMAT® exam. It's a separate product you register for, schedule, and pay for independently.
Here are the key details:
The BWA is a 30-minute online writing assessment. You take it remotely, proctored through your computer, and you can schedule it at almost any time since appointments are available 24/7. It costs $30, which is separate from the GMAT® registration fee. You register through mba.com, and the scoring is on the same 0-6 scale that the old AWA used.
The format is similar to what the AWA was. You read a brief argument, analyze the reasoning, and write a response. GMAC developed it in collaboration with Harvard Business School, which was the first program to require it.
Who Requires the BWA?
As of now, Harvard Business School is the most prominent school requiring the BWA. If you submit a GMAT® Focus Edition score and you're invited to interview at HBS, you'll need to complete the BWA. You can take it before receiving an interview invitation, but since the BWA is only required if you get invited to interview, taking it early could end up being unnecessary.
Other schools may follow HBS's lead. As of August 2026, HBS requires the BWA for all applicants invited to interview who submit GMAT® Focus Edition scores. MIT Sloan has also announced that some candidates invited to interview will be required to take the BWA. If you're applying to other programs and submitting a GMAT® Focus Edition score, check each school's admissions page to see whether they require or recommend the BWA.
One important exception: if you took the Classic GMAT® and have a valid AWA score (scores are valid for five years), some schools will accept that in place of the BWA. HBS has confirmed this on their admissions page. So if you took the Classic exam within the last five years, you may not need to take the BWA at all.
Do You Need to Prepare for the BWA?
If you're applying to HBS, yes. But the preparation bar is reasonable.
The BWA tests the same skill the AWA did: can you read an argument, identify its logical weaknesses, and write a clear, organized response. You don't need to write a masterpiece. You need to show that you can construct a logical analysis and communicate it in writing.
GMAC offers free prep resources on their website, including a guide with sample prompts and scoring explanations. You can also purchase official practice prompts for $30. For most test-takers, reviewing a few sample prompts and writing one or two practice responses is usually enough preparation. The BWA probably isn't something you need to study for months.
If you're not applying to HBS and no other target school requires the BWA, you can skip it. The GMAT® Focus Edition itself has no writing component, and most schools don't require a separate writing assessment from GMAT® submitters.
What This Means for Your Prep
If you're starting GMAT® prep now, the AWA isn't part of your study plan. The Focus Edition doesn't include it, and prep resources for the Focus Edition don't cover it. Your time should go toward Quant, Verbal, and Data Insights.
If you're applying to HBS, factor the BWA into your application timeline. You don't need to take it until after you receive an interview invitation, but it's worth knowing the requirement exists so it doesn't catch you off guard. The $30 fee and 30-minute time commitment are small, but scheduling and completing the assessment adds one more step to an already busy application season.
If you have a valid Classic GMAT® score with an AWA result, you may be able to use that instead of taking the BWA. Check with each school's admissions office to confirm before spending money on the BWA.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the GMAT® Focus Edition have an essay?
No. The GMAT® Focus Edition doesn't include an essay or any writing section. The AWA was removed when the Focus Edition launched in November 2023.
What was the AWA on the Classic GMAT®?
The Analytical Writing Assessment was a 30-minute essay section at the start of the Classic GMAT®. You analyzed a short argument and wrote a critique. It was scored on a 0-6 scale, reported separately from the 200-800 total score.
Is the BWA part of the GMAT® exam?
No. The Business Writing Assessment is a standalone test that you register for and take separately from the GMAT®. It isn't included in the GMAT® registration fee and doesn't appear on your GMAT® score report.
How much does the BWA cost?
The BWA costs $30, paid separately when you register through mba.com. This fee isn't included in the GMAT® exam fee.
Which schools require the BWA?
As of August 2026, Harvard Business School requires the BWA for GMAT® Focus Edition applicants invited to interview. MIT Sloan has also announced that some candidates invited to interview will be required to take the BWA. Other schools may adopt similar requirements, so check each program's admissions page for the latest policy.
Can I use my Classic GMAT® AWA score instead of taking the BWA?
In many cases, yes. If you took the Classic GMAT® and your score is still valid (five years from your test date), some schools will accept your AWA score in place of the BWA. HBS has confirmed this on their admissions page. Check with each school to confirm before paying for the BWA.
How is the BWA scored?
The BWA uses the same 0-6 scale in half-point increments that the AWA used. Your score is reported separately and doesn't affect your GMAT® total or section scores.
How long is the BWA?
The BWA is a 30-minute writing assessment. You take it online with a live proctor, and appointments are available 24/7 through mba.com.
Do I need to take the BWA before submitting my MBA application?
It depends on the school. At HBS, the BWA is required only if you're invited to interview. You can take it earlier if you want, but there's no advantage to doing so unless you're confident you'll receive an interview invitation.
Want to learn even more?
If you're mapping out your GMAT® prep and application timeline, these guides will help:
- GMAT® Classic vs Focus Edition: What Changed and What It Means for You
- What's on the GMAT®: The Complete Topic List
- What Is a Good GMAT® Score?
- Is the GMAT® Focus Edition Harder Than the Classic?
- How to Study for the GMAT®: A Complete Guide
- GMAT® Cost and Fees: What You Will Actually Pay
And if you want to hear how we think about test prep strategy, check out The GMAT® Strategy podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or YouTube.