Improving only one section on retake

[sherpa07]

I don't necessarily need to retake the GRE for the programs I'm looking at, but I may want to to increase my funding chances. So here's my question: if I retake the GRE and only improve on one section - say, Verbal - but remain the same or even slightly reduce my score on Quant/AW, how might admissions committees view this?

I remember in undergrad, with the SAT, colleges claimed to take the highest score from each section a candidate had ever scored. I took the SAT three times, and scored erratically - sometimes I'd improve Q, other times I'd improve V. In the end, I was accepted to a top college, so it was fine, but I never scores amazingly on all three sections at one time.

Would this be the same with the GRE? Alternatively, do admissions committees look down on retakes altogether?

Also, if it matters, I'm applying to MPA/MPP programs..

Edited April 3, 2012 by sherpa07

[IRToni]

From what I hear: Adcoms generally take the average of each sections. In addition, retaking it more than 2 times is frowned upon. If you were to only improve your Verbal and not your Quant, it might just not be worth it, because unless your verbal is really bad, it doesn't really matter for MPA/MPP programs.

[sherpa07]

Yea, after posting this, I looked through some program websites to see what they said. I didn't find much, but UMichigan Ford School said something to the effect of, "we look at retakes holistically," don't take averages and don't take the highest score.

Both of my scores could improve, though. But would it look bad if I didn't improve on anything on a second retake? Could I cancel a second score after its reported?

Any other advice on retaking is appreciated!