Retake?? Geology

[waycoo]

I recieved my scores earlier this month - 160 (86%)V, 156 (74%Q), and 3.5(29%) AW. I'm interested in geophysics and geodynamics, and I'm a math minor. I feel like 156 for Q is pretty piss poor for that, so I'm thinking about retaking. At the very least, I could improve my AW score. I should note that I didn't finish a single section, both quant and verbal. I left 2-3 questions blank in each of the four sections or guessed on them, and I got cut off mid-sentence on the conclusion of my second essay. However, I've always had trouble finishing tests, so I don't know if I would be able to do any better if I did it again. What do you think? How much could my Q score improve by simply being able to finish? Most geology adcoms look at the Q score and ignore most everything else, and there is no subject test. I'm applying for fall 2012.

Edited November 26, 2011 by waycoo

[LateAntique]

I recieved my scores earlier this month - 160 (86%)V, 156 (74%Q), and 3.5(29%) AW. I'm interested in geophysics and geodynamics, and I'm a math minor. I feel like 156 for Q is pretty piss poor for that, so I'm thinking about retaking. At the very least, I could improve my AW score. I should note that I didn't finish a single section, both quant and verbal. I left 2-3 questions blank in each of the four sections or guessed on them, and I got cut off mid-sentence on the conclusion of my second essay. However, I've always had trouble finishing tests, so I don't know if I would be able to do any better if I did it again. What do you think? How much could my Q score improve by simply being able to finish? Most geology adcoms look at the Q score and ignore most everything else, and there is no subject test. I'm applying for fall 2012.

Whether you retake it is contingent upon a few things. Do you have enough time between now and your application deadlines to put in a good amount of studying and retake the GRE? If not, then I wouldn't bother. You should really only retake it if you have enough time to invest in studying/preparing. Secondly, it may not even matter. If the other parts of your application are strong, you may be fine.

[Kitkat]

I think that LateAntique is right, in that it depends on how the rest of the application looks. There is the fact that you most likely will not be able to take, and have schools receive the scores in time for their deadlines.

Yes, your score is low for the field, especially since you are going for the physics end of it, which generally wants it more. Even I was told to get a higher Q score, and I am going to paleobiology and sedimentology. It was mainly for the more competitive programs. So one thing I am wondering about is which schools you are looking at. If you are not looking at the top 25, or not many, then it is less of an issue. But have you done any research? How good is your GPA? How good is your fit to the programs you are applying to? What are your LOR's like? If those are all good, then that can easily balance out the GRE. I would think if the rest of your application is good, then the GRE is going to be more a factor for fellowships. In that case, I would talk to programs to see if you can retake it and see if you can get a higher score.

[waycoo]

Not many top 25s, no. Most of my deadlines are mid January. I have a 3.42 and some research, one GSA presentation, not related to geophysics though.

[Kitkat]

Well since you seem to have the time for it, I would say try to retake it by mid to late Dec. At most it takes about 2 weeks to send out the scores. Yes, getting the AW up would be good, you shouldn't spend too much time on that. Most programs I have looked at, as long as you get a 4.0-4.5 your fine. But I think that your biggest issue would be the quant score as you know. I would say that in that case, just give yourself a lot of time trying to answer quant sections within the set time that they give you on the test as practice.

Your background is solid, but not spectacular, as far as the basics go. It's not going to keep you out, but if you can, raising your quant score might help you out, making it slightly stronger.