Retake GRE or Take Quantitative Prerequisite Courses?

[lottesnk]

"In three weeks I'm scheduled to take the current ("old") GRE. My practice CAT scores won't budge, and i've been studying for two months. I understand the material, but when I take a timed practice test I get befuddled. Since high school I've had test anxiety on standardized exams, so ideally I want to take the GRE only once (who wouldn't?).

The dilemma is if I take this current exam in three weeks, I won't be prepared enough. If I re-schedule my test date, that means studying for the revised GRE -- a completely different format and supposedly harder trickier. However, I feel that taking economics and math courses this fall could better prove my quantitative abilities.

Please advise: Should I spend my time this fall studying for the revised GRE, or should I take 1-2 prerequisite classes? What do you think makes a stronger applicant -- a stronger GRE score or good grades in prereq classes?

THANKS!!"

[cunninlynguist]

You've obviously done your research and grasp what's expected of serious candidates at excellent programs. For now, I would advise you to simply continue to concentrate on GRE preparation; the prerequisite courses are a great idea, and conceivably a better way to demonstrate that your quantitative skills are sufficient for the programs (unlike geometry without context), but don't let your confidence waver before you've taken the test. Taking the prerequisite courses to mitigate an inadequate quantitative score shouldn't pervade your thoughts while you're sitting in front of that computer screen trying to score as high as possible.

However, if indeed your Q score is poor, then by all means look into the courses. I'd contact your programs of choice and blatantly describe your situation and ask for their input. For instance, I agree with you: doing well in actual coursework applicable to future graduate studies should lessen the impact of your score, but the admissions committee may feel differently. I also tend to think that spending your fall preparing a re-take - in the midst of writing your SOP, securing LORs, and everything else that applying to grad school entails - could be a poor use of your time. In addition, the scores will not be sent as quickly and you may endure some stress regarding deadlines (ETS isn't the quickest or most reliable).

Stay positive for the moment and perhaps explore different strategies. Since you understand the material, you may just need a good tactic or two to feel comfortable and then your score will better represent you. Three weeks is a significant amount of time. Good luck, and keep us updated!

[fishpoo]

I would highly recommend just studying for the "old" test for the following reasons:

1) Historically, scores drop on avg some 30% with the implementation of a new "version" of a test.

2) You're time is limited, so just TRY with the old one. Really, I think you'll regret more if you never take the "old" test and bomb the "new test", than if you were bomb the old test - You can always retake the new test.

3) I was getting 500s on my practice tests, and scored with with a 700+ on my actual GRE. It's possible to dramatically improve your score.

Kaplan has a couple of speed courses (couple days), but I don't know how effective they are - I didn't take an prep courses. I would HIGHLY recommend the following to prep books to independently study from:

- http://www.kaboodle....ation-paperback - you MUST get the 2008 version of the book. The 2009 one is way different and does not provide the clean crisp explanations as the 2008 book does.

- http://www.amazon.co...s/dp/1889057592 --- SERIOUSLY GOOD.

Best wishes

Edited July 4, 2011 by fishpoo

[fishpoo]

Oh yea, i can't speak for your schools, but for mine having a high GRE score made it possible to be awarded scholarships (my schools typically had a min GRE bar for scholarships). I never took a econ course. Studying for the GRE totally paid off for me.

I would highly recommend just studying for the "old" test for the following reasons:

1) Historically, scores drop on avg some 30% with the implementation of a new "version" of a test.

2) You're time is limited, so just TRY with the old one. Really, I think you'll regret more if you never take the "old" test and bomb the "new test", than if you were bomb the old test - You can always retake the new test.

3) I was getting 500s on my practice tests, and scored with with a 750 on my actual GRE. It's possible to dramatically improve your score.

Kaplan has a couple of speed courses (couple days), but I don't know how effective they are - I didn't take an prep courses. I would HIGHLY recommend the following to prep books to independently study from:

- http://www.kaboodle....ation-paperback - you MUST get the 2008 version of the book. The 2009 one is way different and does not provide the clean crisp explanations as the 2008 book does.

- http://www.amazon.co...s/dp/1889057592 --- SERIOUSLY GOOD.

Best wishes

[lottesnk]

Thanks for your responses! It's really encouraging to hear your positive thoughts. I will continue to study for the current version. If I don't feel confident and comfortable the week before the exam, then I will reschedule. Although, I am leaning towards taking the revised GRE in late Sept or Oct, which buys me more time to study. I really just don't want something like circles inscribed in squares hindering me from getting accepted and awarded scholarships. Will keep you posted come fall!

And I am will def. contact admissions coordinator to discuss my concerns. Thanks, again!

Edited July 8, 2011 by josephine2012