dlb89

I understand where you're coming from with this comment. However, I think it's incorrect to say that the verbal portion of the GRE corresponds to communicative ability in academia. The verbal section is highly peculiar in that it requires test takers to derive meaning out of context (which has been remedied by the revised GRE's focus on reading comp and elimination of out-of-context "vocab" testing), which does not fit with how humans actually understand or use the English language. Similarly, the current GRE (can't say the same for the revised format as I've yet to have the pleasure of writing it) is laden with very particular, Eurocentric assumptions about the relationships between words (i.e. the analogies section) - relationships that are not necessarily inherent to the English language, but to a particular style of thinking that disciplines like anthropology seek to destabilize. So I don't think it's fair to say that performing poorly on these sections necessarily means that you are deficient in using the English language/communicating information or whatever. Plus, some people (myself obviously included) are just plain shitty standardized test takers. I don't think the GRE is a measure of our ability to thrive in graduate studies, but I do think it is a measure as to how well you can write this particular exam.

Mal83, Thanks for the thoughtful and thorough response. First off, I'm happy to hear you got into your dream school! That must have been a remarkable feeling. As for minimum/required scores for my prospective programs: none of the schools have explicit minimums per se, but many did note that "successful applicants usually have a score in the range of 600-800 in each section," some also adding that any sub-600 scores were viewed with a suspicious eye by adcomm members. You're right about needing to beef up my quant scores. *sigh* I think I might just have to bite the proverbial bullet and write this damn test again.

Hahah, if it makes you feel any better, the extent of my geometry knowledge (or lack thereof) resulted in me placing my fingers on the computer at the testing centre and physically measuring the distance between A and C, or A and B, or whatever. Because, you know, at least trying to measure it is better than nothing at all? :| Pretty sure the man overseeing the test takers was shaking his head, heavy with chagrin on my behalf. *sigh* should have paid attention in math class.

I know exactly what you mean in terms of over-thinking. I too was scoring fairly high on the practice exams (700 range) but, come examination time, freaked out and went into instinctual mode which, apparently, does not allow me to adequately comprehend the nuances of the English language. I know the thought of re-taking the exam seems both masochistic and daunting, but you have nothing to lose by rewriting it. I will admit I felt slightly less nervous the second time around (in other words, I didn't end up vomiting 5+ times before, as was the case with round number one). Have you also thought about taking a prep class? I know they tend to be expensive, but it might be a good investment. I might rewrite the GRE (shoot me now) in October, taking a prep class before to try to quell my nerves.

Hello all fellow GRE-haters, I'm looking to hear from those of you who are coming to terms with horrible GRE scores. Better yet, I'd love to hear from those who've received poor scores AND have managed to get into top programs. I'm feeling quite discouraged and am contemplating forgoing applying to American schools* this year in light of my scores, so an uplifting pep talk would be great . I have written the GRE twice, both times to receive equally abysmal scores...something in the range of 580V;380Q (wish I was kidding, but math is not my forte), 6AW. Really, it comes down to laziness and a lack of available study time. I've been working and taking classes while attempting to prepare for the GRE, so my scores don't surprise me. Though it doesn't sit well with the rest of my application: I have a 4.0, research experience, very strong letters of reference, and have received various accolades/scholarships throughout my undergraduate career. Bah, damn you GRE! Fie upon you!!! *note: I'm a Canadian student and we folk up North are not as fixated with standardized testing as the States seems to be. No offense!

I'm in the same boat as you. I scored a 540 V, 350 Q (HORRIBLE at math), and a 5.5AW the first time I wrote the GRE. I should note that I am Canadian and we don't have standardized testing in our school system, and I'm also applying to anthropology PhD programs, so the Q score isn't of terrible importance. I am retaking the GRE next week, but haven't really had time to adequately prepare due to school/work/life. I'm hoping to up my V score to at least 600, but who knows if that will happen because, like you, I am not the best at taking standardized exams! All I can recommend is: 1. Have you thought about applying to Canadian/UK-based MA/MPhil programs that do not require the GRE? 2. And if those don't work for you, don't worry about the GRE. To echo what many people say around here on the Grad Cafe, the GRE is NOT the most important part of your application - not by a long shot. Some schools have minimum scores, so just ensure the ones you're applying to don't. Otherwise, let your strengths and brilliance shine through in your applications. Don't apologize for your GRE scores, because the GRE is BS. (Sorry, ETS). Good luck!

Thanks for the reply! Glad to hear you did better this time around...a 110 point increase is great. I'm spending about 2-3 hours each day prepping, mainly focusing on increasing my verbal score and secondarily on my quant score (I'm in anthropology...they don't care too much about quant).

Hello all, I wrote the GRE last summer and didn't receive a particularly stellar score. I'm back at it again and will be writing it for the second time in just under a month. For those of you who've written the GRE more than once, what was your experience with the second (or third, fourth, and I hope for no one, fifth!) time? My main issue the first time around was that I was horribly nervous and ended up getting quite physically ill pre-, during, and post-exam (you don't want to know, haha). Thanks in advance! I appreciate any insights you can provide me with :-)

Hi Safferz, I'm in the same boat as you. I wrote the GRE last summer and didn't get a very competitive score, so I'm rewriting it mid-July (2 days after you!). That being said, I was taking an intensive Italian course that JUST ended, so I haven't had much time to study. I just started getting back into the prep a few days ago, and I have moments where I'll start freaking out because it's SO soon. I mean, less than a month!! BUT, this is what my mantra of sorts has become: 1. If you don't do well, you can always retake it in the fall (even if it is the modified version. Apparently not that different to study for...just getting used to the format). 2. 4 weeks of study time is fine. It's not necessary to study for months and months. (Most of the prep books recommend not devoting more than 8 weeks to prep, because you can burn out) What I've found useful this time around is to really concentrate on suffixes, prefixes, and roots and memorizing the high frequency words. It's not feasible to memorize 3500 words, especially not in 4 weeks. I'm also working on my math (I'm an anthro student, so it's not super pertinent to my program), because schools look at combined scores, and usually 1200 is the magic number. My last quant score was RIDICULOUSLY low and brought down my overall score. Good luck! Let me know if you think of any useful tips for studying :-)

I'm really sorry to hear this. What about the other schools you applied to? Keep your chin up!!

I have some bad news: I contacted the grad secretary. Apparently, all accepted and waitlisted applicants have been notified. If you have not heard anything by now, you've been rejected (this includes me). Sorry guys! Congrats to those who received an acceptance

Geeze. I accepted that I was rejected because I hadn't heard anything. Now there's a slight glimmer of hope, but I'm trying to not think about this too much...

Nope, no news. I'm really not expecting to hear anything by way of acceptance. It's okay though! I'll come visit you when I visit my BF. We can have martinis after all! haha. Good luck with Yale. I'd imagine you'd get in, considering you've been admitted/waitlisted by arguably the top anthro programs in the US for the work you want to do.

Oh my god!!! Congrats!!! What did I tell you?!! I'm so happy for you, persiandoc

I wouldn't take this personally or as an indication of your chances. It sounds like it's a combination of budgetary restraints and them wanting to finalize accepted applicants earlier than anticipated. I would almost see it as a positive because you can interview with them that much sooner. Either way, I really wouldn't stress about it...wait for after your interview to do that! Good luck!