Math GRE subject test for phd computer science?

[pty1196]

I am planning to apply phd computer science. I will graduate with master of CS soon.

Will taking Math GRE subject test really help for this application?

My idea is that because I will have master of CS, by taking Math GRE subject test => it can show that I have really strong math skill.

[the poisoned pawn]

I double major in math and CS and also took the math gre (though I didn't report the score), so I can give you some advice here. Math GRE will surely help your application a lot especially your field of research is close to theory.

But prepare for a lot of topics like topology, real analysis, abstract algebra, ... Math GRE does not require a deep knowledge in any particular area but it will cover a lot of areas (in other words, a little bit of everything). A lot of these topics are mainly studied by math majors.

So, studying for it will take a lot of time. I would suggest you put research in a higher priority than the Math GRE. If you take a lot of math courses and have good grades, it is already a proof for your math's maturity.

[newms]

I agree with the poisoned pawn. You don't need to take the Math Subject GRE (you don't even need to take the CS subject GRE for most, if not all, schools) and your time would be much better spent focusing on research opportunities.

[barber5]

As others said, there are definitely better things you could be doing with your time. If you were interested in doing theory, I suppose it could help, but nearly as much as getting some good research done.

[BKMD]

It depends on your area of interest. It can definitely help your application in some cases. A lot of CS students have a weak math background and they have a lot of catching up to do if they study, say machine learning or signal processing in grad school. Not many people take subject GREs, so I know if our committee were to see an application with a very high math score (subject) then that would at least make the application stick out. And anything you can do to make your application stand out will help.

That being said, I wouldn't report your scores unless you do >90%. If you do mediocre it might even hurt you.

And as others said, a GRE score won't make up for other parts of the application that are crucial (research). But, all things equal, it will help.

[zep]

you don't even need to take the CS subject GRE for most, if not all, schools

Does anyone have a list of which CS PhD programs require a subject test? UC Berkeley is the only such school that I've encountered so far.

[continued]

It depends on your area of interest. It can definitely help your application in some cases. A lot of CS students have a weak math background and they have a lot of catching up to do if they study, say machine learning or signal processing in grad school. Not many people take subject GREs, so I know if our committee were to see an application with a very high math score (subject) then that would at least make the application stick out. And anything you can do to make your application stand out will help.

That being said, I wouldn't report your scores unless you do >90%. If you do mediocre it might even hurt you.

And as others said, a GRE score won't make up for other parts of the application that are crucial (research). But, all things equal, it will help.

Almost all the students that do >90% on the Math subject GRE are foreign and have taken twice as many Math classes as American students. Scoring >90% is not necessary for any program - math, cs, or otherwise - as far as I can tell.

[tkulk]

I checked UC Berkeley's requirements. Only GRE general test is required

Edited September 30, 2011 by tejasdkulkarni

[mewtwo]

Yale's PhD program claims to require the CS GRE, though apparently you can still apply without it (at a disadvantage).

[velua]

My background: Math major, was math grad student for a few years, dropped out (this will be the red flag on my apps), applying to CS Master's (not really interested in Ph.D. at this point) this fall. Good undergrad GPA (like 3.7, not the 3.9 superstars who get into the top programs), but little research experience, and none in CS. I'm confident I can get into some decent midrange programs with just the regular GRE, but would acing the Math subject test (i.e., 850+, or at least 800+) be beneficial at all to improve my chances a tiny bit at some of the top programs?

Let's say with an interest in algorithms specifically. I'll likely be taking a couple CS classes in the fall to fill in the remaining gaps in my background, but I wouldn't be so busy that I couldn't prepare for the test, even if I somehow managed to get a little research experience in the fall.

...and would they care or even know about the Putnam? I took it back in college a couple times and got a 20. Not enough to get on the Putnam team at the top schools, but still somewhat impressive.