The first step in the evaluation process ignores all but your combined Quantitative/Verbal score—the one on the 200–800 scale. It’s this score, along with your GPA, that B-schools generally use to evaluate applicants during their initial screening. In other words, if your GPA and combined GMAT test score, considered together by whatever formula the school uses, falls below a certain level, the school rejects your application without considering other factors—such as your GMAT test Analytical Writing score, letters of recommendation, personal statement(s), and work experience.
Once you’re past the first cut, the school will take a closer look at your GMAT Analytical Writing score. If you’ve scored very high in GMAT Analytical Writing—perhaps 5 or 6—the admissions committee might rank you higher among its remaining applicants despite a relatively low GMAT Verbal score. (This is where the individual Verbal score can become a factor in the admissions process.) In reality, though, applicants with lower GMAT test Verbal scores typically score poorly on the Analytical Writing as well. What’s more, in this case an outstanding personal statement would not accomplish much toward redeeming your application, because too many applicants obtain help in writing their personal statements. In other words, the personal statement is not a reliable indicator of your writing abilityin gmat , or you verbal skills generally.