Under 600 verbal

[Timshel]

So, I retook the GRE this morning and I am devastated by my score. When I took it 3 years ago (before my Masters), I got a 550V. So naturally I concluded that I needed to retake it before applying to PhD programs. Well, when I took it together, I only got a 560V. Now I'm not sure what to do. Is it even possible to get into a PhD program with a 560V? Is there any anecdotal evidence? I'm wondering if I should just try to take it again, the newer version next month. I am hesitant to do that because I feel like if I can't improve my score in 3 years, how can I improve them in 3 weeks? Plus, a lot of programs want your scores by December 1st, and if you take the new test, they don't release your scores until like November. I could really use some advice here because I seriously feel like a 560 is pretty much guaranteeing that I will not be able to get in anywhere, and I feel like I have basically ruined my shot of getting in this year. Please help!

[Two Espressos]

So, I retook the GRE this morning and I am devastated by my score. When I took it 3 years ago (before my Masters), I got a 550V. So naturally I concluded that I needed to retake it before applying to PhD programs. Well, when I took it together, I only got a 560V. Now I'm not sure what to do. Is it even possible to get into a PhD program with a 560V? Is there any anecdotal evidence? I'm wondering if I should just try to take it again, the newer version next month. I am hesitant to do that because I feel like if I can't improve my score in 3 years, how can I improve them in 3 weeks? Plus, a lot of programs want your scores by December 1st, and if you take the new test, they don't release your scores until like November. I could really use some advice here because I seriously feel like a 560 is pretty much guaranteeing that I will not be able to get in anywhere, and I feel like I have basically ruined my shot of getting in this year. Please help!

A 560V is a lower score, but it won't break your application if your LORs, personal statement, and writing sample are excellent. I would spend extra time perfecting your statement and writing sample, as these are the most crucial aspects of your application and can certainly make your application stand out, even with a lower GRE score. Granted, I'm still an undergraduate, but everything I've heard/read/researched seems to point to this.

[lyonessrampant]

560 really is pretty low for a verbal score when you're applying to English programs. Like the previous poster said, spend a TON of time on your writing sample and personal statement. Also, if you've got a high Analytical score, that might help offset the Verbal. Further, if you haven't taken the subject test yet (or have) and get (got) a good score on that, it might help. Basically, I think you need to apply broadly. For most elite programs, there is a cutoff used to sort applications into the automatically rejected and to be considered more thoroughly piles. GRE scores also help with university-wide fellowships, so know that your funding might be affected. For all programs you're interested in, I would recommend contacting the grad secretary of the program and asking candidly if they have a GRE cutoff. Be sure to see if the cutoff is TOTAL score (in which case you might meet it if your Quantitative is high) or Verbal only. If they tell you they have a cutoff, I wouldn't waste the money applying there. A lot of schools, though, either won't have a cutoff or are more open to the other factors in your application. Contacting the programs will help you figure out which is which. Good luck!

[stillthisappeal]

You should be able to use the results board on the Grad Cafe to get a sense for where you would have the best shot with those scores. The verbal section is tough, but it is possible to crack it with enough studying. I recommend studying for the newer test and taking it in a few months. Think about how you are studying and try to pinpoint where you have the most problems. One strategy that worked for me was using vocab words in written sentences. By the time I took the GRE, I had mountains of scrap paper, note cards, and a lengthy word file full of vocab words. I also feel like I benefited a lot from practice tests. Ultimately, you want to get to the point where test-taking is automatic.

I found this forum incredibly helpful: http://www.urch.com/forums/gre/

[lyonessrampant]

If you have a strong vocab, your score might be better on the new test anyway, especially if the analogies were areas where you might have lost points. The analogies go away and the vocab is in sentence context (more clues) and reading comp.

[runonsentence]

Anecdotally: I'm an awful standardized test taker (or at least that's what I'm telling myself, hah). I had two schools actively courting me with acceptances last application cycle, but my GRE scores were actually below the official cutoff for both programs. My highest score was a 570.

It's possible my scores hurt me—I had only three acceptances out of 10 apps—and I didn't apply to super elite programs. I also had a decent analytical writing score, which could have helped overcome my low score.

But honestly, the GRE is the last part of the application I'd spend time on if I was on a time budget. If you have the spare time (and cash!) to study up and retake, by all means, do everything you can to improve your application. But while I wonder if my scores would have improved had I tried re-taking after I'd finished my master's degree, I'm rather cynical about the GRE and chances of improving scores. As someone mentioned earlier, polishing up your SoP and writing sample (which are much, much more important portions of your application anyway) is the most important thing you can do for your application packet.

Edited July 12, 2011 by runonsentence

[ZeeMore21]

If it is at all possible, I would urge you to retake the GRES and try to score at least a 600. Although schools may not come up front and say they have a cut-off, it is likely that they do expect a certain range when it comes to Verbal scores. For the school that I got into, the professor that I spoke to before I had applied strongly urged that I get at least a 600, although the department website never gave a cut-off to applicants. At that time, I had a 490 verbal score from undergrad and was planning on just keeping it, but the professor thought it would be best for me to retake the exam. I did and got a 620 the next time around, which was a relief.

I think that if you can get at least 600, you will definitely have peace of mind...it will be nice to come up with a great application and not have to worry whether or not a school will penalize you for a score. I personally think that the GREs is nonsense, but given the high amount of applicants trying to get into humanities doctorate programs, I guess admissions committees need some kind of quantitative guideline that will help them sort through hundreds of applications. I'm sure the expectations of high verbal scores will only increase in relation to the growing numbers of applicants.

If retaking the GRE is not feasible, then I would say that the rest of your application package has to be flawless in all honesty. A 560 isn't terrible, but it may raise some eyebrows, so you should plan on making sure you make up for the score through an excellent personal statement and writing sample.

Edited July 13, 2011 by ZeeMore21

[Timshel]

Thank you so much for all of your comments. To be honest, I am shocked and devastated that I got such a low score. I mean, the first time, when I got a 550, I was just an undergrad. I thought that since I have since my gotten my Masters, I would have been able to improve it by more than 10 points! I have a 4.0GPA undergrad and 4.0GPA from grad school, too. I have presented at conferences and was given the outstanding graduate student award for graduating at the top of my class where I got my Masters. I really have no idea how I could have scored so low AGAIN on the verbal. I'm really leaning toward taking it over, towards the end of August, but it's the new test, and now I'm terrified I could do worse since it's a different type of test. Plus, should I be concerned about getting the scores out in time? The website says that if you take it by September 8th, they will mail out the results the first week of November. Is that going to be cutting it too close for December 1st deadlines? I

Edited July 15, 2011 by Timshel

[lyonessrampant]

I wouldn't worry about the deadlines. Most schools will still take the November subject test and that comes out way past Dec 1. Good luck!

[Phil Sparrow]

Well, this might be a dumb question...but did you study or take any pratice tests? The GRE tests you first and foremost on test-taking strategy, not actual knowledge.

[Timshel]

Well, this might be a dumb question...but did you study or take any pratice tests? The GRE tests you first and foremost on test-taking strategy, not actual knowledge.

I did a little, but I guess not as much as I should have. I memorized approximately 150 words that I didn't already know, and I took a few practice tests. I guess I was stupid to think that 3 years and a Master's degree would make me able to get 5 more questions correct on the verbal test.

If I retake the new version at the end of August/beginning of September, that gives me a lot of time to study, so do you, or anyone reading this, have suggestions? Of the 150 words I memorized, only 1 was on there. Should I try to memorize even more, or should I try different strategies? Does taking tons of practice tests really help? At this point, I'll take any suggestions.

[ZeeMore21]

I did a little, but I guess not as much as I should have. I memorized approximately 150 words that I didn't already know, and I took a few practice tests. I guess I was stupid to think that 3 years and a Master's degree would make me able to get 5 more questions correct on the verbal test.

If I retake the new version at the end of August/beginning of September, that gives me a lot of time to study, so do you, or anyone reading this, have suggestions? Of the 150 words I memorized, only 1 was on there. Should I try to memorize even more, or should I try different strategies? Does taking tons of practice tests really help? At this point, I'll take any suggestions.

To be honest, I wasn't that consistent when it came to studying for the GREs...I was in school at that time so I didn't get that much time to study. However, I did devote the summer to studying as much as possible. I'm sure I could have studied more though! I spent a lot of time studying vocab words...whether using Kaplan's GRE flashcard on my Ipod, or writing out flaschards using Barron's huge gre word list. I did make sure to practice analogies and sentence completions.

I think what really boosted my score was the combination of learning the process of elimination (POE) in addition to studying as much words as I possibly could. No matter how much you practice analogies and sentence completions, if you come across a word you are completely unfamiliar with come test time, you have a problem. Also, POE is more useful when you have some familiarity with the vocabulary....can't really rule out words you don't know. It really does come to the vocab....I would study flashcards, read extensively (i.e. read sites like The Nation and the New York Times Book Review, interesting novels, essays, etc...), and sign up for the :"Word of the Day" at a dictionary website. Be as creative as possible when it comes to studying vocabulary and use multiple techniques so learning words becomes fun and interesting.

Lastly, I would not put ANY work into studying the math section of the GRE. I'm sure others might disagree with me, but I would put 100% of your effort into studying for the verbal section, as this section is the most important for graduate committees. In this way, you are not taking away time from studying for the verbal by filling your brain with unnecessary math formulas : )

Edited July 15, 2011 by ZeeMore21

[Vertigo23]

I did a little, but I guess not as much as I should have. I memorized approximately 150 words that I didn't already know, and I took a few practice tests. I guess I was stupid to think that 3 years and a Master's degree would make me able to get 5 more questions correct on the verbal test.

If I retake the new version at the end of August/beginning of September, that gives me a lot of time to study, so do you, or anyone reading this, have suggestions? Of the 150 words I memorized, only 1 was on there. Should I try to memorize even more, or should I try different strategies? Does taking tons of practice tests really help? At this point, I'll take any suggestions.

How did you score on the practice tests? In instances where you lost points, was it because of vocabulary deficiency or something else? Phil Sparrow is dead on: a test is a game, and you need to focus on beating it. Poor performance doesn't mean you're a bad person, or your MA is worthless, or whatever. It means you haven't figured the game out--you haven't studied it on its own (arbitrary and irrelevant) terms.

[Timshel]

How did you score on the practice tests? In instances where you lost points, was it because of vocabulary deficiency or something else? Phil Sparrow is dead on: a test is a game, and you need to focus on beating it. Poor performance doesn't mean you're a bad person, or your MA is worthless, or whatever. It means you haven't figured the game out--you haven't studied it on its own (arbitrary and irrelevant) terms.

On the practice tests, I was scoring between 590-660. I think part of the problem is that I have test anxiety, but another part of the problem is that I literally just wasn't getting words that I knew/studied. I guess I will just have to study more. I am going to sign up to take the new version. I'm hoping I will have better luck or else I'm screwed.

[HaruNoKaze]

Timshel,

To get into the MA program I'm in now, I needed a 100 point combined increase in my original GRE score (to equal 1000 total or higher) and I had two weeks to make that 100 points happen. I read The Princeton Review Crash Course for the GRE 3rd edition, which my College of Arts and Humanities counselor recommended, I used the Kaplan vocab flashcards that you can buy off ebay or amazon. I also compared those word lists with the PR GRE 2010 study book, and a Barron's GRE study book. The first time I took the GRE I got a 475v, but didn't get accepted anywhere lol. After one school told me to get a combined 1000, I made the appointment, studied for two weeks using those prep books/cards, and make a 510v. A score like that is still really low, but I only had two weeks to study before all my MA options were out the window. Moral of the story: I increased my score by 35 points in two weeks, and maybe I could have done better, I dunno. But that's what I used in a pinch to get me accepted. I'm already studying for the new GRE, months in advance, with hopes to really do well this time. If I took it now (like this morning) and made less than a 600 like on my practice tests, I'd post on the forums, get trashed, then tomorrow morning register for the general GRE again, even if it means I'd have taken it four times. lol. That makes me sound so lame.

Edit: dude, my bad. I looked at my GRE report of scores... I got a 460v the first time. Even worse! lol

Edited July 21, 2011 by HaruNoKaze

[Protagonist]

Ah, I feel you now. I was doing quite well on practice tests (scoring consistently higher than 600) and when I sat down to take the test today, I was surprised at how many of the words I knew and had studied for. I thought I did pretty well.

Then my score came up and I got a 570. Total bummer. Probably going to retake it, but I have no idea how the new format will be. I'm not a good test taker, I know this is going to be the weakest part of my application, but I at least wanted a 600, and I was so close.

[truckbasket]

Of the 150 words I memorized, only 1 was on there. Should I try to memorize even more, or should I try different strategies?

You're going to need way more than that. I think the Kaplan flash cards kits are about 500 words, and frankly, I don't think that's even enough. I'd start with those, though and then hit the Barron's lists. There are good resources online for this, but yes, you need a lot more than 150. Hand-write your own flash cards if possible and go through them two or three times a day, removing the ones you're remembering. Revisit the ones you think you know now and again, but focus on the ones that cause you problems. Also pay attention to word structure and root derivation (it's part of the GRE cracking strategy) as that helps hugely. The first word on my test was "ambrosial," which was not on any of my flash card lists (it's on them all now!) but wasn't hard to figure out through context and the POI strategy.

Aside from that, you need to be able to attenuate your writing skills to the level of, say, a twelve-year-old in order to impress the robot that grades the writing section. It's essentially looking for five, uninspired and formulaic paragraphs that hit specific sentence structures with a smattering of poignant quotes to show that you've read something at some point in your life. Oh, and apparently, it rewards for quantity of words over quality.

But the best skill you can take into the GRE is speed-reading and the ability to concentrate and sidestep intentional traps. When I took the test, my "experimental section" was from the new format's verbal part -- and it was ridiculously easy. I can only assume that they were still fine tuning because the sentence completions were laughable and the reading comprehension passages were rarely more than one paragraph as opposed to the page-long Ikea furniture assembly instructions that I was made to read.

But yes, you'll most likely run into some cut-off problems if you can't score a little higher. However, again, it's just not worth the stress as there are far more important things to this process that are as (if not) more challenging. The GRE plays a small role, but without it you'll need to find another way to keep the committee's eyes on the rest of your material. There are definitely mixed feelings about doing so, but some investigative e-snooping and making contact with a POI might cause them to hang onto your app a little longer than they previously might have. (I say this because I've heard first-hand compelling reasons why you both should and shouldn't make extensive contact.)

I really have no idea how I could have scored so low AGAIN on the verbal.

Wait, so you're saying you don't do well reading illogical and frustrating text on a shitty computer screen in an uncomfortable cubicle while under ridiculous and inhumane time constraints? Jeez, what's the matter with you?

Edited July 23, 2011 by truckbasket

[Protagonist]

I memorized about 500 words and nearly all the words that popped up on my analogies and antonyms were words I knew. I'm extremely surprised I scored so low. I thought I had gotten perhaps 5-6 questions wrong. Maybe the reading comprehension slipped out of my grasp or I made some stupid mistakes.

Too bad my experimental section was math, I was hoping for verbal in case I had to retake, which I do.

[Timshel]

I memorized about 500 words and nearly all the words that popped up on my analogies and antonyms were words I knew. I'm extremely surprised I scored so low. I thought I had gotten perhaps 5-6 questions wrong. Maybe the reading comprehension slipped out of my grasp or I made some stupid mistakes.

Too bad my experimental section was math, I was hoping for verbal in case I had to retake, which I do.

I am going to take the new version at the beginning of September. I figure it can't get any worse. I bought the Princeton Review flashcards and I plan to memorize all of them. I also bought a book by them with 1,000+ practice questions, and they seem easier to me than the previous type of test. I do better with words in context because it helps me eliminate ones that aren't correct. I'm really hoping that I will do better with this version, but like I said, it can't get much worse, and if for some odd reason it does, since my past two scores were basically the same, I think schools would just chalk it up to the new version. I really do feel, though, that it can't get any worse.

[runonsentence]

Aside from that, you need to be able to attenuate your writing skills to the level of, say, a twelve-year-old in order to impress the robot that grades the writing section. It's essentially looking for five, uninspired and formulaic paragraphs that hit specific sentence structures with a smattering of poignant quotes to show that you've read something at some point in your life. Oh, and apparently, it rewards for quantity of words over quality.

This. Oh, this.