The Lowdown On The New Business Writing Assessment
MBA candidates applying to Harvard Business School in the 2025 admission cycle using the new GMAT exam, will also be required to take the new GMAC Business Writing Assessment if they are invited to interview.
The Business Writing Assessment (BWA) is a proctored, scored, 30-minute writing assessment taken online. The assessment aims to measure a candidate’s ability to analyze and critique arguments effectively. Specific knowledge of the assessment topic is not required.
The Graduate Management Admission Council—owner and administrator of the GMAT exam—is launching the pilot BWA after a handful of business schools approached GMAC about the need for an objective tool to assess candidates’ written communication skills given the rapid adoption of AI tools to support writing samples and essays that are supplied during the application process.
The Business Writing Assessment is being piloted for the 2025 b-school admission cycle and currently only Harvard Business School has made it a mandatory requirement for admission after an interview invitation is issued based on a GMAT score submission.
The Business Writing Assessment (BWA) is a proctored, scored, 30-minute writing assessment taken online. The assessment aims to measure a candidate’s ability to analyze and critique arguments effectively. Specific knowledge of the assessment topic is not required.
The Graduate Management Admission Council—owner and administrator of the GMAT exam—is launching the pilot BWA after a handful of business schools approached GMAC about the need for an objective tool to assess candidates’ written communication skills given the rapid adoption of AI tools to support writing samples and essays that are supplied during the application process.
The Business Writing Assessment is being piloted for the 2025 b-school admission cycle and currently only Harvard Business School has made it a mandatory requirement for admission after an interview invitation is issued based on a GMAT score submission.
The lowdown on new GMAC Business Writing Assessment
What is the Business Writing Assessment?
The Business Writing Assessment is a concise, 30-minute, online writing task, designed to evaluate candidates’ abilities to analyze and critique arguments effectively. The arguments include a range of topics relevant to both business and general interest. Specific knowledge of the assessment topic is not required.How will the Business Writing Assessment be evaluated?
Each assessment is evaluated using a standardized rubric, scored in one-point increments on a scale of 0 to 6.How long will it take to get a Business Writing Assessment score?
Within three to five days of completing the Business Writing Assessment, candidates will receive their score and can then send their results for free to participating schools. If a candidate isn’t satisfied with their results, they have the option to request rescoring of their BWA for a fee, or may take the assessment again.How much will it cost to take the Business Writing Assessment?
It will cost $30 USD globally, with an additional $8 fee if a candidate schedules or reschedules within 72-24 hours. (No scheduling/rescheduling/cancelling is allowed within 24 hours.) Candidate score sending is free.In which countries is the Business Writing Assessment available?
The test is available online, globally.If I have registered for the GMAT, do I have to register for this separately?
Yes, the essay will follow a separate registration and scheduling process. You will need to register via MBA.com.Which schools currently require the Business Writing Assessment?
Currently only Harvard Business School is requiring the additional essay from GMAT exam takers. The GMAT is the most commonly submitted test score among Harvard applicants—69% of the Class of 2025 submitted GMAT scores with their application.Will there be prep materials available for the Business Writing Assessment?
Yes, ahead of the assessment’s launch, there will be official GMAC prep materials available shortly via MBA.com.Where can I find more information?
Information on the BWA will be added here. As mentioned, currently only HBS is making the BWA a mandatory requirement for shortlisted candidates, although other schools may follow suit. It is always recommended that you thoroughly check your chosen schools’ websites before submitting your application in case of any changes.