When to take the subject test

[Timshel]

So now that I have finally admitted to myself that I am going to have to take the subject test, I can't decide if I should take it in October or November. I get a little nervous about the November deadline because some of the schools I am applying to have a December 1st deadline, but the October one makes me feel like I don't have enough time to study because I have a LOT of studying to do, and I plan on retaking the GRE in September, which I am trying to study for, first.

Advice, thoughts? What are others doing?

[Neuronista]

I'm taking the subject test in October. I've done the general GRE before, but I need to retake it. So I'm planning to that after I take the subject test.

I feel somewhat more relaxed about the general GRE (because I've studied for it before and I know what it's like), that's why I think I'll take it later to focus now on studying for the subject test. But at the same time I don't want to take the subject test too late (November) so that I can have a least some time to review for the general GRE.

Just asking: why did you decide to take the subject test? Is it an admission requirement or just "optional"? In my case, most of the schools I'll be applying to only state that it "highly recommended but not required". But because I've had an unsuccessful application season last year, I thought maybe taking a subject test would improve my profile and increase my chances. But at times I wonder whether it's really worth it.

[truckbasket]

Here's my conspiracy theory of the day, given that I'm no big fan of the ETS:

When you take the subject test in October, the results are made available mid-November -- mere days after the date of the second subject test. While it's understandable that the ETS would double up on testing dates at this time because it's the application season, I can't help but wonder how many people take the test in October, freak out that they totally borked it, and instantly sign up for a retest in November as precaution because they won't find out their October scores in time. (Keep in mind that this thing is basically a big Scranton and would theoretically take seconds to score.)

But yeah, this is probably my cynical mind running wild as the ETS always has a student's best interests in mind and would never think of doing something so nefarious just to get another $140.

[Grizbert]

I'm taking it November 12 because I cannot get off work on the one October date in my area. It'll have to do.

[indalomena]

I'm going to take it when I can afford to pay for it so expensive! Hopefully October, but I have no time to study ... AARGH!

[Timshel]

I'm just torn because I'm nervous November is too late for December 1st deadlines but I'm also nervous I won't be ready for it yet in October.

[ThePoorHangedFool]

I'm taking the subject test in October. I've done the general GRE before, but I need to retake it. So I'm planning to that after I take the subject test.

I feel somewhat more relaxed about the general GRE (because I've studied for it before and I know what it's like), that's why I think I'll take it later to focus now on studying for the subject test. But at the same time I don't want to take the subject test too late (November) so that I can have a least some time to review for the general GRE.

Just asking: why did you decide to take the subject test? Is it an admission requirement or just "optional"? In my case, most of the schools I'll be applying to only state that it "highly recommended but not required". But because I've had an unsuccessful application season last year, I thought maybe taking a subject test would improve my profile and increase my chances. But at times I wonder whether it's really worth it.

I'm sure you're already very aware of this, but the revised GRE that replaced the previous format just a week or so ago is slightly different in terms of the overall content tested, the "presentation" of said content, and the capabilities allowed test takers (although depending on your strengths and weaknesses, "slightly" could potentially be "substantially"). Unless this is old news to you, I'd personally recommend some form of study book/guide/practices that cut out portions not used in the revised version (such as antonyms) and are updated to accommodate features including, for example, the provided calculator during the quantitative sections (at least I was told it's provided, meaning that a digital calculator appears on the computer screen itself if you take the exam electronically...I'm admittedly uncertain about paper-based tests, but I'd assume the testing center will give testers some basic calculator? ....Anyone?).

Please don't think I'm deriding you in any way; I simply couldn't discern from your post whether or not you're already familiar with the details concerning the revised GRE.

------

Regarding the subject test, I'm literally taking it solely because a handful of programs to which I'm applying demand it from all applicants. If I manage not to drop the ball completely when I take it and somehow earn a score I'm not ashamed to report, I'll send it to the schools whose instructions for how to apply coyly state that their adcoms don't "require" it, the implication being that they gladly still accept scores from those who want to submit them (as opposed to the couple that fervently say not to send scores from subject tests).

I don't know which from which specific subject test Pharmacy programs typically request scores, but as far as the Literature subject test is concerned, it's essentially the biggest chunk of bullsh*t in existence, at least in terms of its actual ability to gauge an applicant's ability to succeed in graduate-level programs. If you looked at a practice exam from ETS you'd see what I mean; the questions insist upon answers that stem from a comprehensive list of "Author/Notable Work(s)/Main Character(s) in Said Work(s)/Period Written." In other words, it assumes 1) the memorization of the entire Anglo-American canon on top of an equal amount of outlying trivia from other prominent works (modern, etc.); 2) at least a basic knowledge covering theory and criticism, in addition to major relevant names and essay/book/chapter titles (also which writer from X school is reacting to which other writer from other X school, etc.); 3) oh right, and given that the test uses passages FROM the works in question, it would be a wise idea to, like, read them.

Sorry for the rant; I hate everything about how the subject test is constructed, and would rather submit supplementary SoPs written as Petrarchan sonnets to every program for which I'm applying than take the Lit subject exam.

So there.

[ThePoorHangedFool]

FOR EXAMPLE (copied and pasted directly from the current online practice test ETS has available for the Lit in English subject exam):

Questions 27-29 refer to the excerpts below. You may find it

helpful to read the questions before you read the excerpts.

( A ) Methought I stood where trees of every clime,

Palm, myrtle, oak, and sycamore, and beech,

With plantane, and spice blossoms, made a screen;

In neighbourhood of fountains, by the noise

Soft showering in mine ears, and, by the touch

Of scent, not far from roses.

( B ) Nor where Abassin kings their issue guard,

Mount Amara (though this by some supposed

True Paradise), under the Ethiop line

By Nilus’ head, enclosed with shining rock,

A whole day’s journey high, but wide remote

From this Assyrian garden, where the fiend

Saw undelighted all delight, all kind

Of living creatures, new to sight and strange.

( C ) And in the midst of all, a fountaine stood,

Of richest substaunce, that on earth might bee,

So pure and shiny, that the silver flood

Through every channell running one might see;

Most goodly it with curious imageree

Was over-wrought, and shapes of naked boyes,

Of which some seemd with lively jollitee,

To fly about, playing their wanton toyes,

Whilest others did them selves embay in liquid joyes.

( D ) So twice five miles of fertile ground

With walls and towers were girdled round:

And there were gardens bright with sinuous rills,

Where blossomed many an incense-bearing tree;

And here were forests ancient as the hills,

Enfolding sunny spots of greenery.

( E ) Here waving groves a chequered scene display,

And part admit, and part exclude the day;

As some coy nymph her lover’s warm address

Nor quite indulges, nor can quite repress.

There, interspersed in lawns and opening glades,

Thin trees arise that shun each other’s shades.

27. Which lines occur in a description of the Bower of Bliss?

28. Which lines occur in a description of the Garden of Eden?

29. Which lines occur in a description of Xanadu?

Edited August 8, 2011 by ThePoorHangedFool

[Timshel]

I guess I'm just curious if it is understood that schools will accept the lit scores after december 1st if everything else is turned in, or if I should contact the places individually.

[Neuronista]

I'm sure you're already very aware of this, but the revised GRE that replaced the previous format just a week or so ago is slightly different in terms of the overall content tested, the "presentation" of said content, and the capabilities allowed test takers (although depending on your strengths and weaknesses, "slightly" could potentially be "substantially"). Unless this is old news to you, I'd personally recommend some form of study book/guide/practices that cut out portions not used in the revised version (such as antonyms) and are updated to accommodate features including, for example, the provided calculator during the quantitative sections (at least I was told it's provided, meaning that a digital calculator appears on the computer screen itself if you take the exam electronically...I'm admittedly uncertain about paper-based tests, but I'd assume the testing center will give testers some basic calculator? ....Anyone?).

Please don't think I'm deriding you in any way; I simply couldn't discern from your post whether or not you're already familiar with the details concerning the revised GRE.

Thank you so much for your advice. I am aware that the format of the GRE has changed and that there are a lot of modifications going on. What I meant is that since I've done the exam before, I have a general "feel" for it and how it's like, if that makes any sense. I already know a lot of test taking strategies and what's it like to try to be accurate and fast at the same time for example. Nonetheless, I'm definitely going to study for the general GRE too. I already bought guides and practice books for the revised version and I do need to go over them and practice a lot in order in improve my score, which is the whole point of retaking the test in the first place.

But since the subject test is entirely new to me (I'll be taking the biology subject test, BTW), I'm spending more time and focus on it (at least for the time being).

As for paper-based GRE tests, I've read somewhere on the ETS website that they will provide the test-takers with basic handheld calculators (people will not be allowed to bring in their own)

[ThePoorHangedFool]

Thanks for clearing that up so neatly; I didn't at all want to appear as though I was under a misconceived assumption, but have this problem where I take everything far too seriously... You're definitely right, though, about that "feel" of familiarity one usually gets just by taking a particular test even once; the revised GRE will cause basically the same emotions and anxieties in test takers as the former version did. Although, at least from my perspective, any calculator that works at all will exponentially (hah) improve how I approach the quantitative sections. I ended up scoring literally 300 points higher on the quant. portion of the GRE I took last fall than what I'd been consistently hitting in the multiple practice tests I'd half-heartedly sort of at least attempted mostly. It was probably the best effort in successful random guessing made in the history of time (I say this with no exaggeration, as I honestly didn't ever know how to work 3/4 of the problems in every practice test I took, and still don't, for that matter).

I've actually been coming to the grim conclusion that I never truly learned how either to add, subtract, multiply, or--God forbid--divide fractions, nor was I taught how to do anything with the square root of any number higher than 4 other than to draw the big angle thing exactly how my teacher drew hers. Also, if someone can give me a legitimate circumstance, other than when taking the GRE, that I will ever need to know anything about either of those topics, I will edit/proofread his or her writing sample, or an SoP, or something to that effect that by its nature scorns the very existence of maths.

[BelleOfKilronen]

I guess I'm just curious if it is understood that schools will accept the lit scores after december 1st if everything else is turned in, or if I should contact the places individually.

I'd call the Grad Admins for the departments, Timshel, just to make sure. Chances are that they will accept it, but it'll make you feel better to know for sure.

As for choosing the date, you might want to take a practice test if you haven't already and decide based on how you do. (Find one here.) You may find that you do pretty well on it, in which case you might want to keep the studying to a relative minimum and just get the thing out of the way. I know that there are folks who would disagree, but I really, truly believe that 1) the Subject Test is the least important part of your application, and 2) dramatically improving a decent score is much more of a time (and mental energy!) commitment than it's worth.

I hope that helps. And good luck!

[cquin]

I guess I'm just curious if it is understood that schools will accept the lit scores after december 1st if everything else is turned in, or if I should contact the places individually.

When I applied last year, I had a similar issue. I called all of my schools with early deadlines and they told me they were fine with receiving GRE scores late, as long as all of my other application materials were received on time. So most likely it won't be an issue with you. If you really want to set your mind at ease, then I would give the schools a call and explain.

[Neuronista]

I know that there are folks who would disagree, but I really, truly believe that 1) the Subject Test is the least important part of your application, and 2) dramatically improving a decent score is much more of a time (and mental energy!) commitment than it's worth.

I hope that helps. And good luck!

This make so much sense to me too. Now, the programs I'm planning to apply to all state that the subject test is "highly recommended" but not a requirement. I've tried to apply last season with no success, I believe basically because both my GPA (3.30) and GRE scores are nothing near one would call "high". Since I cannot change my GPA at this point, my new plan for next season (fall 2012) is to try to improve my general GRE scores and take the subject test.

Do you think a decent score on a subject test would make up for a less than stellar GPA?

[runonsentence]

Not sure, PhDPharmacist; in our field, both the GRE and GPA are likely the least important part of the applicant's package. The writing sample, SoP and LoRs are most important. I'd tentatively suggest that the same might go for you. Perhaps a low GPA could be balanced by a high GRE, but really it's probably other components of your package that would outweigh both.

[bdon19]

27. Which lines occur in a description of the Bower of Bliss?

28. Which lines occur in a description of the Garden of Eden?

29. Which lines occur in a description of Xanadu?

aljksdkjf;laksj;lkdjf;lkajs;ldkjf;lkajs;lkdj;fkja;slkdjfl;asjdf

THIS was my least favorite question ever. Along with the question (on one of my practice tests, I'm not sure which one) that had me identify which poem referred to Venice, London, and Jerusalem.

Oh, and when they make me identify the difference between William Carlos Williams and Wallace Stevens. That makes me want to...I'm not sure. But something terrible.

[Timshel]

aljksdkjf;laksj;lkdjf;lkajs;ldkjf;lkajs;lkdj;fkja;slkdjfl;asjdf

THIS was my least favorite question ever. Along with the question (on one of my practice tests, I'm not sure which one) that had me identify which poem referred to Venice, London, and Jerusalem.

Oh, and when they make me identify the difference between William Carlos Williams and Wallace Stevens. That makes me want to...I'm not sure. But something terrible.

I had that same identification. William Carlos Williams and Wallace Stevens are VERY different, but I know what you mean. There were SO many names and pieces I haven't even HEARD of, and I have my Master's. There also seems to be a LOT of poetry, which is also stuff I don't know much about.

I went to a school that allowed you to do a personalized track that catered to your interests, and mine are contemporary american, so if you gave me a test on just American lit since 1865, I could easily get 100 percent!

[bdon19]

I had that same identification. William Carlos Williams and Wallace Stevens are VERY different, but I know what you mean. There were SO many names and pieces I haven't even HEARD of, and I have my Master's. There also seems to be a LOT of poetry, which is also stuff I don't know much about.

I went to a school that allowed you to do a personalized track that catered to your interests, and mine are contemporary american, so if you gave me a test on just American lit since 1865, I could easily get 100 percent!

Hahaha I know I always kick myself because I feel like I should be able to tell the difference between the two, but put their names together and I blank out.

I wish we could take subject tests in our areas of interest. But, alas, the canon is still important to some people. I'm only kind of kidding.