Horrendous GRE score...am I screwed?!

[MyWorkIsDone]

Well, it is official-- I hate the GRE. 

I just got back from the test and my unofficial score was not what I had hoped for at all. I did alright on verbal with a 163, but got an appalling 139 on quant. I can't say it's a huge surprise, since I've always had HUGE problems with math to the point of sometimes not even being able to do simple multiplication, but it's definitely disheartening nonetheless. 

I'm a junior now, applying to PhD programs in photo history next fall. I know everyone says the verbal is more important, but won't a 139 quant count me out immediately? I know I'll definitely have to take the test again, but I'm not sure how much I can improve my math score. This was with tons of studying from books, practice tests, etc. And I can't afford those fancy prep classes either. 

However, I'm pretty confident that I could do better on verbal. I was so panicked about the math that I didn't study at all for verbal, which I know was a mistake. 

I'll stop myself before this turns into a rant. I guess I'd love to hear opinions, advice.....words of consolation.......

hah. Thanks!

[bamafan]

Even in your field, I think that is way too low. That score puts you in the 7th percentile. You probably won't meet minimum cutoffs and your apps may be automatically screened out. That's probably not what you wanted to hear, but if I were you, I'd retake it and cram hard for the math since your verbal is quite fine. All you need is practice -- honestly, half of the difficulty of the math part is just trickery in how they word things. It's not any harder than SAT math material, they just try to fool you. Just practice, practice, practice and get good at the fundamentals, and you should be able to improve your score a lot. Good luck!

Edited January 19, 2013 by bamafan

[asdf123]

I'll disagree with "bamafan" to say that a low quant score (even an abysmal one) won't automatically keep you out of phd programs in art history (perhaps this is the case for bioinformatics, which is his/her stated area).  It might send up the most minor of red-flags -- so it's of course worth doing as well as possible on the GREs -- but don't let a low score psych you out of applying for top programs.  I don't know of any art history program that automatically screens anyone out for low GRE scores, particularly low quant scores.  Focus on doing as well on the verbal and writing sections as you can, but really concentrate your energy on writing sample, statement of purpose, fostering relationships with your current professors to elicit substantial rec letters, and your gpa.

Edited January 19, 2013 by asdf123

[kunstgeschichtedude]

a 163 on the verbal is a fantastic score. i think most graduate schools combine the verbal and math, and even if they do, your score is over 300, and a combined score of 300 is perfectly acceptable. however, i do not think it would hurt to ask your POIs, or better yet graduate directors at the programs you're looking at in the fall if there is a minimum math requirement. with that being said, you shouldn't be stressing about the GRE, especially so early in the game. you have time young one

[Bearcat1]

I don't know why you voted bamafan down for trying to help you, but they're right, you probably need to take it again. Find out the cutoffs where you are applying. I think some schools have a combo score cutoff, in which case you might be okay, since your verbal is good. You can ask the graduate division, rather than the department, so the department will never know you inquired. You said you studied with books, but have you tried a book just for the math? I found the math-specific prep book I had to be much more helpful than the big name (Kaplan, Princeton Review) combo books.

A low GRE score won't technically keep you out of a program, but it could keep you from getting university funding. At schools that only accept students they can fully fund, this could translate to you being kept out of a program.

Edited January 19, 2013 by Bearcat1

[DiamondWheelchair]

I did terrible on the GRE as well. I spent a few years getting work experience to help balance that out. Also, the programs I am applying to don't kept track of GRE scores (but do require it). Does your program have min. GRE score requirement? If not you can still make this work. I would contact the program and ask some question. 

 

This reminds me of a woman I know who also did horrible on the GRE she some how managed to make an arrangement with her program where she started on academic probation and had to keep her grades up to remain in the program. 

[Seeking]

For Art History, even the top-ranking schools see the verbal scores, not the Quant and they look at the whole application while making their selection, GRE not being the most important criteria (For example, see the websites of Columbia, Princeton and Bard Graduate Center).

 

Some schools may take the Quant schools into account if funding is not automatically linked to admission. But in all cases, Verbal and Writing scores along with the writing sample, SOP and the LORs will be the more important factors than the quant score on the GRE.

 

That said, since you have time, you can see if you can prepare and get your Quant score up, without going down on your Verbal score in the re-take. If you feel it's possible, prepare well and go for a re-take. But if you feel the Quant test is really not for you, no matter how much you prepare, you can search for schools that specifically make it clear that GRE - especially the Quant score is not an important criteria for selection.

 

Some schools write it clearly on their websites. From others, you can inquire and find out as suggested above.

[midnight]

If you retake, MyWorkIsDone, I highly suggest using The Princeton Review's Cracking the GRE book for quant tips and tricks and Barron's Six Practice Tests for solid practice that is roughly the same difficulty level as the actual GRE. I leafed through a lot of review materials, and these worked the best for me (and they're cheap!).

 

My quant score was a meager 490 (~143 on the new test) the first time I took the GRE; practice and review boosted me to 150 on the new test--nothing to write home about, but not a bright red flag, either! And my verbal went up on retake, too.

[Eager]

I did not do well on the GRE.  No need to post actual scores, not well sums it up.  I called the department and asked how important it was and I was told it was "simply a requirement".  I took that as a good sign and I am mentally moving on.  I also sent an email to the assistant of the admission committee for my program (we've been emailing back and forth) and asked when I should expect to hear something.  We shall see....

[Phdoobiedoobiedoo]

I don't know where you are thinking of applying, but the University of New Mexico's Art History grad program doesn't require GRE scores for applicants. There is a photography specialist there named Catherine Zuromskis. I don't know anything about her, but you could check it out or maybe have it as a back-up when you apply to schools if you are super concerned about scores.

[catsrgods]

I might be a little late posting here, but whatever. I have an above average score in the verbal portion of the new GRE but a pretty terrible quant score. I've taken my chances and applied to whatever program I felt like with this in mind: you won't know if they will deny you unless you try. I admit my technique was a little bold, but Fortune favors the bold, doesn't she?

 

As much as I'd like to think that verbal scores are the most important, I know this isn't always the case. USC claims that unless you have high GRE scores they won't be able to fund you and if they can't fund you they won't accept you. I also know that a few schools have minimums posted for funding that INCLUDE the quant score. Since I am applying for PhD programs the funding issue is big. I cannot take out loans for a PhD since the risk is too high that I won't make an income to pay those loans back easily. 

 

If I am not successful this round, I plan to retake the GRE with serious attention to math and reading comprehension, since those are the areas I think I didn't study enough. I cannot redo my undergrad or master's GPAs, so the GRE is the only thing with some wiggle room. I told myself that I will reapply only once more after this and if I am not successful I will move on with other endeavors. Luckily I haven't put all my eggs in one basket and have enough museum experience (in registration) to move down that career path.

 

You can add Cal State Long Beach as another MA Art History program that doesn't require the GRE.