Retake the GRE

[bparkm]

Hello all, I just took the GRE and would like some advice on whether or not I should take it again. I want to take it before the new test comes out, so in the next month or so if I decide to do it. Here were my test scores: V 550, Q 630. I haven't gotten my AW back yet, but I expect them to be around 5-5.5. I have a solid GPA (>3.5) from a pretty rigorous liberal arts college and pretty good research experience (I conducted original research for my senior thesis, and ended up presenting it at a conference as well as being published in an undergraduate journal).

I would like to apply to a top 20~30 grad program in sociology, do I have a realistic shot, or should I retake it? Will admissions committees look down upon me taking it twice (like the LSAT or MCAT)? It's been hard to get some advice from my professors because they aren't that well connected to the graduate world, so I'd like some honest advice. If you think my scores are way too low and I have no shot, please tell me!

Also, can anyone give me some advice on what sociology programs are well regarded? I am interested in race/racism, critical race theory, ethnic studies, in an American context. Thanks in advance!

Edited June 2, 2011 by bparkm

[EDWF]

The application process is about a lot more than your GRE score, but the score is a bit low for a Top 20 program. If you studied and prepared well the firs time, then I wouldn't take it again, b/c you'll probably do similarly. If you think you can prepare more and study harder and increase the scores then go for it. The verbal score can be around 550-600, but you really need to get the quant score over 700 to have a chance at a top program.

But then again, if the rest of your application is stellar then you never know.

[bparkm]

Thanks for the advice! I studied quite a bit for the verbal, didn't do as much on the quant part but definitely brushed up on my skills in that area. I actually did a lot better in the quant section on test day than I did on earlier practice tests. I did a little worse on my verbal section though. I'm not 100% certain I could do better on the GRE, but if I did make that decision, I want to take it before the re-structured test.

From what I've been hearing on this site, the GRE isn't necessarily something that is going to get me into anywhere, but it might keep me out of places (admissions committees need to find some way to whittle the number of applicants down, right?).

[lyonessrampant]

Hi! I'm not in your field, but the soft sciences (from what I've heard) do put a little bit more emphasis on GRE scores than the humanities. I think that your quant score is pretty low for a top 20 school. I'm in English and got a 650, so I think that taking the test again and focusing on that section would be a good idea. From my experience, you're right that a high GRE score won't get you in anywhere, but a low one can keep you out if you don't meet a school's minimum (if they have one). You should contact the schools you want to apply to and find out if they have published minimums. If they do and you don't meet them, you really should take the test again. As for how schools look at multiple scores, I don't think it really matters that much. They will usually only take a set of scores, so if you take it again and do better on your verbal and quant but worse on your AW, they'll take the lower AW since you got that score at the same time as the higher verbal/quant. Basically, you can't pick and choose scores from multiple tests. I think that if you've got a month to really focus and study for the GRE, it won't hurt you to take it again and try for a higher score. It isn't a huge part of your application, BUT it can be important for making it past the first cut (meeting minimums) and for qualifying for university-wide fellowships that are often based on scores. Good luck!

[bparkm]

Thanks for the advice. Do social science/humanities programs really look at the quantitative section that closely? Which section do you think I should focus more on this next month, verbal or quant? I did look around at websites, and there aren't many minimum cutoffs for scores, but a lot of schools did post averages and I think a lot of them were in the 600s for both scores...

[EDWF]

The quant section is generally considered "easier." So in the social sciences (i dont know about the humanities) you will have many applicants with scores in the 700s, many very close to 800. There will be less applicants will verbal scores that high, though the top top programs will most have people with over 1400s. So I would say focus on the quant, you don't want it lower than 700...imo...which is worth very little

[lambspam]

Do social science/humanities programs really look at the quantitative section that closely?

Social science grad programs are often very heavily quantitative. Sociology is as well, especially because that's where a lot of the funding and pubs are. Even if your dissertation is qualitative, your program is going to expect you to know quantitative methodology. They look as closely at the quant section as they do at the verbal, from what I've seen.

[bparkm]

That's a good point, thanks. I am thinking of going into qualitative research, but I see your point about funding and needing to have a strong quant research ability as well. I'm familiar with the test at this point, and know the "tricks" in them (at least the verbal part). Should I just be studying vocab words for verbal, and basic algebra/geometry for quant? I'm going to try and take the test at the end of the month, and need to streamline my studying a bit. I know for verbal my weaker parts are the antonyms/analogies. I'm not as sure with the quant stuff.

[Darth.Vegan]

That's a good point, thanks. I am thinking of going into qualitative research, but I see your point about funding and needing to have a strong quant research ability as well. I'm familiar with the test at this point, and know the "tricks" in them (at least the verbal part). Should I just be studying vocab words for verbal, and basic algebra/geometry for quant? I'm going to try and take the test at the end of the month, and need to streamline my studying a bit. I know for verbal my weaker parts are the antonyms/analogies. I'm not as sure with the quant stuff.

If the antonyms and analogies are your weakest section, why not just wait and take the new test that won't have either of those sections?

Sure the quant will be harder, but I think that the quant section is easier to "study" for. I got tired of trying to memorize ridiculous words like mendicant that I will never, ever use when writing papers or in daily life.

[bparkm]

I have a few concerns about the new test. First, I am going to be starting a new job in mid July, and I think I'll be much busier (my current job allows me to study for periods of time while I'm at work), and I don't want to have to spend another 2-3 months studying for the new test. Also, I'm more intimidated by the quant section, ETS makes it seem like it's going to be much more challenging. Would grad schools look unfavorably at my application if I take the current one a second time, and then a third time with the new test? I'm not saying this is what I'll do, but do you think I should wait and then re study for the new test?

[try2seeme]

I think it would be a benefit to your application if you were to retake the GRE as your scores are on the lower side. That being said, you should only retake it if you think you have the time to seriously study and improve your score for a retake. If you can't be sure of that, I would just apply with your score. Also consider as you mentioned that the new GRE will (apparently) be much harder than the old one, so if you're going to retake it, take it before August. The GRE is just one piece of the puzzle, also keep that in mind.

[GardeningGrad]

I have a few concerns about the new test. First, I am going to be starting a new job in mid July, and I think I'll be much busier (my current job allows me to study for periods of time while I'm at work), and I don't want to have to spend another 2-3 months studying for the new test. Also, I'm more intimidated by the quant section, ETS makes it seem like it's going to be much more challenging. Would grad schools look unfavorably at my application if I take the current one a second time, and then a third time with the new test? I'm not saying this is what I'll do, but do you think I should wait and then re study for the new test?

Ah, I completely understand the angst of deciding about retaking the GRE. The change in test format is nerve-wracking, too. I don't know what admissions committees at your schools of interest think about old vs. new tests. However, here are a few tidbits of advice that I wish someone had told me earlier when I was hemming and hawing over whether or not to retake the GREs:

1. Ask the administrator of the program you're interested in. Don't whine about the GREs, just say, "here are my scores - would you advise me to retake the exam or are these sufficient to allow your admissions committee to further review my application package?"

2. Get a tutor. I found one on Craigslist and coughed up the money for a focused GRE math book and four tutoring sessions. It hurt, but my score improved 100 points.

3. Remember - the second time taking the test you'll be more confident and familiar with the setting AND there's a chance you'll get an 'easy' set of problems.

4. Study every day.

5. Yes, the standardized test format is dumb. But those numbers may change your application from an "average" to a "ooo, let's look into this candidate some more!"

6. Suck it up and retake the test.

Good luck!

[jacib]

I did well on the GRE but I took months studying vocab everyday and relearning all of the triangle stuff (I had not taken a math class in like five or six years). I also took a lot of practice tests and learned the format very well. With diligent effort, it is possible to raise your scores.

As with everything, though, it's really depends on the kind of schools you want to go to. page__view__findpost__p__244943

Edited June 17, 2011 by jacib

[Sociology1988]

I would suggest taking the exam again after using the Nova GRE Math Prep Course Book (http://www.amazon.com/GRE-Math-Prep-Course-Novas/dp/1889057592). I took the exam yesterday and got a 550V and 800Q after using this book to prepare. It is VERY comprehensive and has a good amount of practice questions. Work hard and you can easily improve that quantitative score!