Should I retake GRE and how to improve?

[hallally]

I took the GRE last year and didn't do well: V- 440 (46 percentile), Q- 490 (25 percentile), and W- 3.0 (10 percentile). Now granted I had way too much on my plate at the time: I was taking 20 credits at the time, applying to 5 grad schools, in my senior year, my mom was battling cancer, I was sick with the flu, had been up all night the night before with my daughter who was also sick, etc! It was a horribly stressful time and if I could go back I absolutely wouldn't take on so much. So I took the GRE about 1 year ago, applied to grad schools, and got into all but my #1 choice. I deferred entry to all 3 schools until next Fall so that I will be able to get a G.A. and also so I can reapply to my #1 choice school. In my favor, I have a great essay (several Professors have read it and given me suggestions), 3.9 GPA, and glowing recommendations. I also have direct experience in the field to which I am applying. I believe I have learned a lot about myself and what I really want in a graduate school/program since last applying and I have explained that in my essay.

Now my question is: do I retake the GRE? I am certain I can improve my W to at least a 4.0 but am unsure about the Quantitative. I would like to improve my Q to the 40th percentile at least. It would be nice to improve my V to the 50th percentile but the school I am applying to likes to see scores in the 40th percentile and above (although I know someone who had BAD scores and still got in).

I am just afraid that I will retake it (spend $130) and barely improve at all.

How can I improve my Q significantly? I am not stupid: I have had all A's in my math courses, I just hate standardized tests! I have Kaplan and Barrons GRE prep books. Any other suggestions? Should I get a tutor? Please help!

[brassgod]

There is a lot of room for improvement on your GRE scores. However, I don't know if you can get an adequate test date with enough time study this late in the year. I recommend you get the Nova GRE Math Prep Course book.

I am just afraid that I will retake it (spend $130) and barely improve at all.

You should download the PowerPrep software from ETS and do an assessment to see where you're at.

[db2290]

I really think that you should retake the test, for the following reasons:

- if you are a native English speaker (I am just making the assumption you are), then a 440 Verbal (46 percentile) will look worse - bear in mind lots of the test takers are likely to be international students and therefore if you exclude them your percentile is likely to be lower.

- I think scores at that level can be quite easily improved without too much work. Taking a 700 to an 800 is far harder, for example, then taking a 400-600.

Before I studied hard for the thing, I got about 500s on Powerprep and afterwards got 760 quant and 680 Verbal. My maths was (still is) poor. I suggest doing practice question after practice question for the quant - you soon come to realise that the questions are basically the same after a while, with different figures. This also helps you with timing in the actual thing. As for verbal, flash cards worked for me (I had an iphone app of GRE words which I used every spare minute).

HOWEVER - You obviously have a good application otherwise and you did quite well in the last application season so it's up to you. It would be a shame if an otherwise great application was let down by GRE scores, of all things! Just my two cents