GRE Quan score was mediocre - do I retake?? Please advise

[Misty]

Hi,

So after months of studying I took the GRE today. I got a 760 verb, 680 quant. I did SO much better in practice tests - but somehow ended up running out of time on the quantitative section (still had 5 questions left at the end of the test). I was hoping to get into Berkeley MPP or UCLA MPP. While I'm above the total average score for applicants, and well above the average verbal score, my quantitative score is a 30 points short of their average quantitative score. (http://gspp.berkeley...statistics.html - admin stats for Berkeley)

I'm so unhappy. What should I do? If I retake it, won't they get both scores anyway? But If I don't retake it, I feel like i won't have a chance.

Background - I've been working in the nonprofit sector for a few years, 3.67 GPA from a good 4-year college in New York, majored in Multidisciplinary Studies.

Please advise - do I retake it or let it lie?

Thank you very much.

[Misty]

ugh, nobody wanted to reply... :-( i feel utterly rejected.

[radcradick]

IF I were you, I would NOT retake it. The general rule is to only retake the GRE if you can *significantly* raise your score....and 30 points is not significant, nor anything to fret over. Second time test takers are considered to have had practice while taking it the first time, and therefore second attempt scores are expected to be much higher. I looked at the UCB stats and I think you should be proud of yours.

Honestly I think your scores are right in the neighborhood to make you a competitive applicant. Don't feel like you don't have a chance bc honestly no GRE score will make or break you. Though, if your still intent on retaking, find out what each school does with multiple scores- takes the higher, averages, etc. Im not sure if the UC system is uniform in this, but I know UCLA will mix and match your best scores from each section.

Another thing to consider are your percentiles. I for one was not very happy with my verbal score (I did sooo much better on practice tests), but my percentile was still really high-- schools (and my recommendation writers) look at that.

Having now finished my application, waiting, and decision process- the general feeling about the GREs is that people stress and worry about them waaay too much. If you score notably higher or lower than a school's range (not their averages, but a range they don't disclose)- they will take note, otherwise it gets glanced at and they move on to the much more important aspects of your application, ie your SOP!

[Misty]

Thanks Radcradick -

That makes me feel a lot better. I don't think I could have a 'significant' quantitative jump. At most I would have been hoping to get it up another 20-30 points... I think I'll put these stupid prep books on craigslist and stop beating myself up about it. - Misty

[Nibor6000]

The score they reference is an average score - some will score higher, some lower. Do you have solid grades in the math classes that are pre-requisites? If so, I wouldn't retake it. A combined score of 1440 is VERY respectable. Move on to stressing about something else!

Edited May 31, 2010 by Nibor6000

[WorldMan]

You should retake it. If you want to end up in the school of your dream, you need every piece of your application to be perfect. Now you have a chance to make your application stronger, use it, so you will not regret about this missed opportunity down the line.

A lot of applicants score 800 on quant GRE (6%). If you want your application to be competitive, strive for the best score possible. No one from admissions will look into your classes and try to find a reason not to take your somewhat low score seriously......

[Nibor6000]

Those applicants scoring 800 are engineers, not public policy people, as I think the OP is.

Ultimately, it's up to the OP, but I don't think you need to retake it - and I usually tell people to retake it!

[Eigen]

Those applicants scoring 800 are engineers, not public policy people, as I think the OP is.

Ultimately, it's up to the OP, but I don't think you need to retake it - and I usually tell people to retake it!

You can often find percentiles by anticipated discipline, those are much more helpful in analyzing how good your score is.