too low gre, should I retake it?

[Peter Peter]

Hello, I applied to many Phd programs and am waiting for the result.

I got V 150, Q 153, A 4.0. I know it is pretty low. I have a 3.8/4.0 GPA (under), 4.2/4.3(master). I have good recommendation, work experience, and writing sample. 

I read many comments that GRE score is not really important. Even so, I feel my GRE score is too low to admit the top 20 schools.

Should I retake the exam? 

[JWalters]

If you have the resources ( time, money) to study for a better score, you should retake it. People will say lots of things, and they may be correct, but you are the one who has to live with the results of your choices in the end. My GRE math score wasn't great, but I committed to studying to improve it. I went up a little bit, but the more important thing is that the score I submitted was the best possible one that I could earn at the time. I won't have to wonder, " Gosh.. if only I'd gotten a better score, maybe I would have gotten into that school".

[sociopolitic]

I agree with @JWalters. I think that in general, adcomms are likely to prefer seeing 155s in V and Q as a sort of threshold to pass. That said, I think plenty of people who don't meet that threshold get in; the rest of your application materials just become MUCH more important. 

Are you an international student, by chance? I've heard that GRE scores are weighted more heavily in considering the applications of international students (though I can by no means confirm this), so it might be more worthwhile to retake it if that's the case. 

[NYCStudent]

2 hours ago, Peter Peter said:

Hello, I applied to many Phd programs and am waiting for the result.

I got V 150, Q 153, A 4.0. I know it is pretty low. I have a 3.8/4.0 GPA (under), 4.2/4.3(master). I have good recommendation, work experience, and writing sample. 

I read many comments that GRE score is not really important. Even so, I feel my GRE score is too low to admit the top 20 schools.

Should I retake the exam? 

I'm in the same boat as you. Great GPA from a top undergrad flagship, 4.0 grad GPA, good writing sample/LORs....but the GRE is definitely my weakest part. If you go back and read the AdComms thread, it sounds like GRE is actually weighted pretty strong and is used as a way to narrow down candidates early on. That was not the news I wanted to hear, but it sounds like that's the reality.

[high_hopes]

10 hours ago, Peter Peter said:

Hello, I applied to many Phd programs and am waiting for the result.

I got V 150, Q 153, A 4.0. I know it is pretty low. I have a 3.8/4.0 GPA (under), 4.2/4.3(master). I have good recommendation, work experience, and writing sample. 

I read many comments that GRE score is not really important. Even so, I feel my GRE score is too low to admit the top 20 schools.

Should I retake the exam? 

If you are currently waiting for results on pending applications, don't worry about re-taking the GRE just yet. See what happens with your applications and if you are not accepted to any schools, then yes, perhaps re-taking it later this year is a good idea. But try not to worry about this aspect until April or May -- right now it is out of your control.

[Peter Peter]

Thank you very much, all!

I am waiting my result, but I am thinking about retaking the exam soon before the decision is made. I am wondering if I can boost my possibilities to get in by submitting a new score. As I know some decision is made until March, I was thinking about retaking it. What do you think??

[Noegenesis]

On 1/17/2019 at 8:46 AM, Peter Peter said:

Thank you very much, all!

I am waiting my result, but I am thinking about retaking the exam soon before the decision is made. I am wondering if I can boost my possibilities to get in by submitting a new score. As I know some decision is made until March, I was thinking about retaking it. What do you think??

Retaking it will increase your chances. Definitely give it a try.

[Anxiously Hopeful]

On 1/17/2019 at 6:16 AM, Peter Peter said:

Thank you very much, all!

I am waiting my result, but I am thinking about retaking the exam soon before the decision is made. I am wondering if I can boost my possibilities to get in by submitting a new score. As I know some decision is made until March, I was thinking about retaking it. What do you think??

Since you are free right now, you can definitely prepare better and give the exam. This is going to save your time later if God forbid you did not get in this year, and it is also going to relieve your mental stress, which is the worst.

All the best!!!