Low GRE score

[Yucca1]

Hello,

I need your advice. I took GRE yesterday (Verbal 570, Quantitative 690). I made a big mistake with writing section and I think I will receive 3 or 3.5.

I have already taken GRE six times in last two years and I don't know if I should take it again. I am planning to apply to PhD in applied linguistics (I am not a native speaker of English, but I received my MA from US institution) Please give me some advice. Thank you very much!

[Yucca1]

Smalglife, thank you very much for your reply. I thought that programs would see only the highest score (one of the prep book said so...)

Do you think schools will see me as a less compatitive candidate if I ask them about low GRE score?

Thank you.

[Yucca1]

I thought that programs would see only the highest score (one of the prep book said so...)

Sorry, I meant "I thought that programs would take only the highest score"

[theatrehippie]

I thought that programs would see only the highest score (one of the prep book said so...)

Sorry, I meant "I thought that programs would take only the highest score"

I may be misremembering, but I believe that's the case if you take the test twice. Any more than that, and they begin to average your scores. Though schools may have different policies on that...

[Argonaute]

I thought that programs would see only the highest score (one of the prep book said so...)

Sorry, I meant "I thought that programs would take only the highest score"

I believe that different universities have different policies when it comes to looking at multiple GRE scores from an applicant.

And regarding your situation, taking the GRE six times is a very expensive and stressful thing to do. My cumulative score is actually lower than yours, although I am from a different field. I don't know much about the requirements for your program but if I were you, I will focus on strengthening the other parts of my application instead of having another round of the dreaded GRE.

[Milo_10011]

I believe that different universities have different policies when it comes to looking at multiple GRE scores from an applicant.

And regarding your situation, taking the GRE six times is a very expensive and stressful thing to do. My cumulative score is actually lower than yours, although I am from a different field. I don't know much about the requirements for your program but if I were you, I will focus on strengthening the other parts of my application instead of having another round of the dreaded GRE.

My recollection was that the schools, pretty much, get to see whatever they want to. You have the choice to invalid the test before you leave the testing center -- and back in the paper days you had several days to think it over -- but that's the extent of your control. Otherwise, people would, literally, take the test a dozen times until they finally hit their stride and scored fantastically. I'm sure the GRE people would be happy with that, but probably not the universities.

[ringo-ring]

I read that schools, apart from just GRE score by itself, appreciate progress - so if your score was very low from the beginning but then it gradually became better and better with each try - it will look very good on your application. In such case, they will probably look only at the latest, highest scores.

[chaospaladin]

I may be misremembering, but I believe that's the case if you take the test twice. Any more than that, and they begin to average your scores. Though schools may have different policies on that...

What schools average GREs?

[Tdearr]

Hello,

I need your advice. I took GRE yesterday (Verbal 570, Quantitative 690). I made a big mistake with writing section and I think I will receive 3 or 3.5.

I have already taken GRE six times in last two years and I don't know if I should take it again. I am planning to apply to PhD in applied linguistics (I am not a native speaker of English, but I received my MA from US institution) Please give me some advice. Thank you very much!

As a few other people have mentioned above, different schools can view scores in different ways. The report that schools will receive from ETS when you apply will include all of your scores from the last five years -- the schools will see those scores. Whether or not the schools choose to use that information is up to them. However, it is our understanding that schools can be put off by too many tests. I would definitely recommend that you stop taking the exam and go with the scores you have received from your previous tests.

If the writing section is your big concern then don't fret, that section is the least important for most applications. Luckily, you get to demonstrate your writing ability in the essays that you include as part of your application. The admissions committee will be able to see your true writing ability in these essays, but they can't see your Verbal and Quant ability there. If you are very concerned about your test scores, call the individual departments and ask them advice (it is best to get information from a direct source when you can). You don't necessarily need to share the specifics of your case, so don't worry about them reacting poorly to a call. You can always call and talk to them without using your name and see what they have to say.

I hope this is helpful advice.

Best Regards,

Taylor Dearr

[Yucca1]

Thank you very much for your post!! I really appreciate your advice!!

After reading your posts, I decided not to take GRE any more. My concern is writing score. I took GRE about 1.5 year ago and my writing score was 4 (it is my highest score). I am thinking about submitting a short letter to ask them to consider this score when they determine my performance on writing section. I hope this is not a bad idea...