<p>I got a very poor score in GRE Analytical Writing section, so I have been browsing around to see how the score could affect admission decision. So far the answers seems contradictory. So anyone know the answer to these issues? Please don't just quote hearsay, unless it is from a reasonably reliable source, and even better if you have a weblink.</p>
<p>-High tier schools will automatically weed out low analytical writing score, usually by a machine or a staff not even in the graduate committee?
-Essays written will be sent to the school in official report? And might be read by the committee (esp. if no writing samples are required)?
-Some scholarship depend on getting high score on all section, including analytical writing?
-ETS have a vested interest in giving low score?
-Nobody ever get a better score by asking for rescore?
-The score are mainly marked by computer, with human only providing minimal input/minimal influence on final score? Thus any unusual essay structure would produce a low score?
-Score are strongly correlated with length of essay?
-Human scorer are random grad student with only a few minutes per essay?
-The score do not weight much/are not cared at all in non-humanity program?
-A low score will be marked a red flag of plagiarism/other dishonesty if there is a significant discrepancy with verbal section or other part of the application (such as SOP or GPA)?
-Low score would prevent one from getting TA-ship?
-Top school will use any reason to eliminate equally good applicant, even if it is something completely inconsequential such as analytical writing score in a STEM field?
-Low analytical writing score invalidate TOEFL/IELTS score?</p>
<p>Thank you. Any help would be appreciated.</p>