Taking the GRE for a second time

[cquin]

Tomorrow I will take the GRE for the second time and I'm in full-blown panic mode. I'm convinced that I will actually score lower this time than I did during my first attempt. Is it true that schools will always look at and consider the higher of the two scores? Will it reflect poorly on me if my second set of scores is worse than my first set?

[Helpplease123]

I don't think so...quite a few schools i've applied to have actually asked for your highest score in each area (regardless of what test it came from)

[Rachel B]

Adcomms do look favorably on improvement, but I haven't heard of them looking unfavorably on a decrease. But even if you improve on one section, particularly your AW and Verbal since you're applying to English programs, it could greatly benefit you.

This may help you more: http://www.powerscore.com/gre/help/multiple_scores.htm

[Hopin'-n-Prayin']

From the buzz that I have heard, each school has its own policy regrading multiple tests. Some look at the most recent, some look at highest, some look at improvement (I do not know if this infers they also look at un-improvement)...

[cquin]

Thanks for the replies, everyone! I'm happy to report that my verbal score improved a fair amount (went from roughly 86th percentile to 94th percentile) and my math score stayed just about the same (not really concerned about that since I'm in the humanities ). Now to wait for the dreaded writing score...eek.

[LCBucky]

Thanks for the replies, everyone! I'm happy to report that my verbal score improved a fair amount (went from roughly 86th percentile to 94th percentile) and my math score stayed just about the same (not really concerned about that since I'm in the humanities ). Now to wait for the dreaded writing score...eek.

Ah, nicely done! My quantitative scores the second time were a whole lot better. And, the good news is I also improved my writing! So i'm sure you did just fine!

[MartianQ]

I'm retaking it December 27th. Just wanna confirm this, when you take the test now you get to see the final scores for the Q and V at the end right? No more estimates?

[cquin]

I didn't see the word "estimate" anywhere. The screen simply said "Here are your scores:"

So I take that to mean, yes, these are the final scores.

[LCBucky]

They claim the scores they give you at the end of your test is an 'estimate' but the majority of the people I have talked to say their score ends up being dead on.