I think I accidentally mis-reported my GRE percentiles. HELP!

[Tuck]

I took the GRE in the very first month of the new scoring system. I got a 170 on verbal (perfect score, 99%), 156 on quantitative, and 5.5 on analytical writing (96%).

 

The first crop of data that was released (and my initial score report) indicated that 156 on the Q was 74th percentile. This is what I entered on all my applications for speech-language pathology clinical MS programs. They were due Jan 15 - Feb 1, and I am awaiting decisions.

 

I recently looked at my official score report, and now that more data has been gathered on the new test, they are saying that 156 on Q is 68th %tile. The ETS website about score concordance information has two downloadable documents about the verbal and quantitative section:  http://www.ets.org/gre/institutions/scores/interpret  The PDF file available there shows a Q score of 156 as being 68th %tile, but the Excel spreadsheet still shows it as being 74th %tile.

 

My fear is that the schools I applied to are going to look at my applications, see that I entered 74th percentile, then look at my score report, which I assume says 68th based on when I ordered it, and conclude that I intentionally misrepresented my score.

 

I've thought of writing a letter to each department explaining this and including printouts from ETS, but I don't want to draw negative attention to myself or appear disorganized right out of the gate.

 

What would you folks do in this situation?

Edited February 7, 2013 by tuckerma

[jmu]

I wouldn't worry too much. Everybody I've talked to has said that they hardly look at GRE scores, if at all, and your scores are great. If the rest of your app is as strong as them you should do fine. If it's really bothering you I would say email the various graduate secretaries but don't stress about it.

[VBD]

Last year, I did this accidentally too, actually same percentile too. Hello quant twin! Don't worry, the schools understand that the percentile changes, as long as you didn't misreport your number score xD Relax (as much as you can while waiting). 

[TeaGirl]

I wouldn't worry about it at all. My percentiles also changed slightly from what was reported to me I did my test to what showed up on my account when I submitted my applications. GRE changes and updates their percentiles as more people do the same exam/questions and they get additional data. I'm pretty sure ad-coms and graduate schools putting together your file know very well that the percentiles change plus/minus a few points during the year.

[queenleblanc]

Mine are also different. Not much different, but what I typed in vs what is on the official report may not necessarily match when they get it. I think schools had me upload a copy of my unofficial score report, which backs up the numbers that I typed in. Like others said, with the new score system, I would bet that they are used to the percentile changing through the year.

[Tuck]

Okay, thanks for the reassurance, guys. I think I will do nothing about this.

 

The lesson here is that it's easy to let a small problem (or non-problem) become mangified in your mind when there is a lot of pressure or stress around it.