Good GRE Score?

[jm1011]

Hi everyone! I took the new GRE recently and was wondering if anyone could tell me how good my score is? I know I could have done worlds better on the writing section, but I'm not too sure if the writing section is as important as the other sections - especially with a high verbal score. It would seem that the verbal score is more important for many graduate programs anyway. I'm trying to make up for a not-so-stellar GPA so I may need higher scores regardless. 

 

Verbal: 165 / 170 (95 percentile)

Math: 158 / 170 (77 percentile)

Writing 3.5 / 6 (33 percentile, yikes!)

 

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated! Thanks!

[Monochrome Spring]

What programs are you applying too? Biology, math, polisci, etc.?

 

Your verbal is great. For any math-centric programs, your score is low. And your writing is definitely low for any program. For programs with cutoffs on the GRE, you would most likely be cut just from writing alone.

[jm1011]

Thanks for the quick response! The programs I'm looking into are more focused on polisci / anthropology / international relations. Is my math score good enough for a program that is not math centric? And yes the writing score is really bad, I know I can do well I just have to take it again. Can you mix and match scores from two different tests like you can with the SATs?

[nickel]

Thanks for the quick response! The programs I'm looking into are more focused on polisci / anthropology / international relations. Is my math score good enough for a program that is not math centric? And yes the writing score is really bad, I know I can do well I just have to take it again. Can you mix and match scores from two different tests like you can with the SATs?

 

I would say if you can take it again, do it.  I applied to similar programs in IR (more economics focused) and most of them allow you to "mix and match".  You have to submit all GRE scores but they only take the highest scores from each section.  But make sure to check with the programs you are interested in (most have it listed on their admissions website).

[jmu]

I know most anthro programs don't care about your writing score at all. Same for sociology and geography.. I imagine other social sciences are the same. To me, your scores look fine. No need to retake.

[Monochrome Spring]

Thanks for the quick response! The programs I'm looking into are more focused on polisci / anthropology / international relations. Is my math score good enough for a program that is not math centric? And yes the writing score is really bad, I know I can do well I just have to take it again. Can you mix and match scores from two different tests like you can with the SATs?

 

I think your math score will be fine if you're not looking at math-based programs.

 

I didn't mean to worry you about your writing score; just see if the programs that you are applying to have cutoffs for the writing section. A strong writing sample can offset that, and you have to take into account that it is the most subjective GRE score.

 

Most programs that I've looked at allow you to mix and match GRE scores from different tests, like Nickel said.

[Tupamaros]

Is 158Q not 74th %ile? http://www.ets.org/s/gre/pdf/concordance_information.pdf

 

For top polsci/IR programmes your math score just about makes the grade imo, but barely. If you could raise it by 3 points you'd be in more solid shape for a top school.

[midnight]

I think your Q and V scores are solid for anthro or poli sci programs, but your AW might be a problem.

 

Some schools don't take AW into consideration at all, but some do for admissions and/or funding purposes. If the anthro or poli sci programs you're applying to require writing samples, they might not care as much about AW since your actual work tells them far more about your writing abilities than a standardized writing score does.

 

Still, I'd probably consider retaking and aiming for a 5.0+--annoying, I know, but those are just my two cents.