Why is it . . . ?

[turkeyteacher]

. . . that Math, Science, and Engineering students are often given extra slack or leeway, so to speak, when it comes to their Verbal GRE score, but when I am looking at Ph.D programs in the Humanities/Education, they are often expecting students to be in the 50th percentile!?!?

I understand that the best Math, Engineering, etc. universities do have applicants with a high verbal score, but I am speaking generally.

I also understand that a Ph.D requires research, but not in a timed setting at a test center. It's completely different, so why is it "OK" for a Math major to be weak in Verbal while an English major must be competent in the Quantative section?

Can anyone shed any light on this situation?

[ktel]

I think it might have something to do with the fact that the verbal section usually does not accurately represent someones ability to read, write and communicate. The fact that the old GRE tested vocabulary out of context tests a skill that is not terribly important for STEM fields. I think the quantitative section is a bit stronger than the verbal section in testing it's intended skill.

That being said, a STEM major probably couldn't get away with an abysmal verbal score.

[kaykaykay]

the GRE is difficult for everyone so it is easy to use it to cut people with it- in sciences anything but 800Q for instance is bad. Compared to that social science/ humanities majors have a slack (like over 650-700 should be ok depending on the major). Also you have to consider the supply side - where there is a competition and universities can chose among many strong candidates with high scores they will do so.

Edited August 4, 2011 by kalapocska