i suck

[powerlifterty16]

scores finally showed up. The 156 verbal and 150 quant were as expected, but I got a 4.0 AW.....maybe I should give grad school a second thought.....and no im not a bad test taker im actually an AMAZING test taker..so maybe just incompetent...although in my defense, the test employee distracted me, but she didnt really distract me that much on my aw section just a little...msotly on the other section...oh well. I guess Ill become a janitor.

[Cesare]

Stop being a drama queen and study! It is possible to raise GRE scores. The AW section is ridiculous in my opinion (got 5.5 first time and 4.5 the second), but the quant and verbal can be raised. Don't give up. You don't have much time if you want to apply this cycle, so my advice to you is to get all of the Manhattan books and Magoosh and study all day (if possible) and throw in 1-2 practice exams (once you completed some of the books) each week. 

[Anne00]

Don't give up. Retake the test. I just got my official scores and aside from verbal (167, which is what my program cares about), they were not pretty.

 

I got a 4.0 on the analytical writing portion as well. I just can't do what they want in 30 minutes. If your grad application gives you an option to submit a writing sample, do it. I think the school would put more stock in the sample in front of them than in an unseen timed test that is reviewed in 3 minutes or less.

 

Do the programs your interested in require both a high verbal and math? Knowing my program only highlighted one in the application process, I used my limited time to focus on that. Maybe the same is true for you. If so, you can retake the test next month and use the next 4 weeks to focus on the score that needs to be raised.

 

As I said, my program required a high verbal, so I aimed for that. I bought the 500 flashcard vocabulary and memorized the words and their definitions. Then I took multiple practice verbal tests and tried to learn from my mistakes. My math on the other hand was very low (147) as I haven't had a math class in over 10 years and only use the basics. I imagine though math would be the "easiest" score to raise because there is no subjectivity in the answers. Either you get it right or you don't. However, that means you have to study (and remember) the equations for the test. You can actually print out an 80ish page math workbook from ETS - GRE. If I had more time, it seemed like it would be quite useful in learning math concepts and equations from scratch.  

[awells27]

The previous post is worth reading a second time, as I would have sacrificed a few math points to get a higher verbal score.  Actually, for a student without a masters degree, a 4 on the writing is not out of the ordinary.  I can help you with formatting your essay and how to practice, as you continue preparing for the test again.  Meanwhile, like Anne 00 said, find out what percentile ranges in each category your admissions committees are normally looking for.  For God's sake, get that 5lb book already, as multiple people on this forum have attested to its usefulness.  And for verbal, if you combine Magoosh, Kaplin online practice sets, and Barons 6 GRE tests book (their online is questionable), your score should improve.  Everyone's suffering right now, I have 8 SOPs to complete, a massive writing sample, and professors I have to keep reminding about my LORs.  Sometimes it takes 2 years to get all this together so hang in there.  

Edited October 18, 2013 by awells27

[powerlifterty16]

im pretty fed up with ets..they said they are not going to give me a free retest. They said because I chose to not cancel the scores I accepted my fate. that is BS. I chose to accept my scores because I felt in spite of the distractions I still did ok. I also paid money for the test, and studied so no way was I jsut going to cancel, especially when i doubt any resolution would have come from it...then i would have been totally fucked.

 

I'm not interested in the 5 pound book...i have enough to read with the 8 manhattan books, and I also have tons of problems in there to do, and it's too much as it is.

I feel hopeless aboutt he testing center...and like it will be a waste to take it again even at a new one. I also feel like I pissed ets off and ill get a super hard test =(.

 

Im going to apply to a masters program in addition to the phd. I have a strong SOP, and 5 letters of reccomendation, as well as a 3.64 gpa, which while not top notch is still alright imo.

[powerlifterty16]

I did study for this test, maybe not full effort, but i did study...and im fed up with the test center. I am filing a small claims case.

[pears]

If you're really dedicated to going into a grad program & having strong GRE scores, you should be using your time to put in your "full effort" to study, instead of taking it to court (which, I strongly suspect, will be a waste of time & money on the part of both parties involved) because you're having trouble accepting that you are the one who has the greatest control over your test results.

 

Is it horse-poop that ETS forces you to choose to cancel your scores before you see them? Yes, obviously. This is something anyone who's taken the GRE has dealt with & been frustrated by. But you knew that was the policy before taking the test, & if you didn't, ETS makes that quite clear in their publicly listed policies, & you chose to "accept [your] scores because [you] felt in spite of the distractions [you] still did ok." I'm failing to see how it's logical to take the testing center to small claims court; they wouldn't be in business if they truly fostered an environment so distracting their patrons couldn't successfully take tests that play a large role in what their futures hold.

 

At the end of the day, it's not the test center's fault you performed poorly. They're not the ones being tested; you are. Study harder, take the test again at a different center, and hopefully you'll get a score you're satisfied with next time that reflects your renewed, more dedicated efforts. If you are as good a test-taker as you say, the added effort should show the next time around.

[Cesare]

I think everyone understands your frustration with the GRE/ETS. When I took my examine the screen froze and skipped 2 questions (for me). No doubt that negatively affected my quant score, but I sucked it up and retook it. I didn't even bother with ETS. It is a large and powerful beaucracy. Not worth it for me to waste my time complaining. The hardest thing to do is to look at oneself for ones failure, but it is the only way to succeed. Learn from this experience and move on. 

[powerlifterty16]

I think everyone understands your frustration with the GRE/ETS. When I took my examine the screen froze and skipped 2 questions (for me). No doubt that negatively affected my quant score, but I sucked it up and retook it. I didn't even bother with ETS. It is a large and powerful beaucracy. Not worth it for me to waste my time complaining. The hardest thing to do is to look at oneself for ones failure, but it is the only way to succeed. Learn from this experience and move on. 

I also am scared I can't improve. What if I put more effort in and do worse...I mean I was under the impression 156/150 was avg for a master's degree.

I am sorry about yur test as well, I would be outraged if that happened.

[powerlifterty16]

If you're really dedicated to going into a grad program & having strong GRE scores, you should be using your time to put in your "full effort" to study, instead of taking it to court (which, I strongly suspect, will be a waste of time & money on the part of both parties involved) because you're having trouble accepting that you are the one who has the greatest control over your test results.

 

Is it horse-poop that ETS forces you to choose to cancel your scores before you see them? Yes, obviously. This is something anyone who's taken the GRE has dealt with & been frustrated by. But you knew that was the policy before taking the test, & if you didn't, ETS makes that quite clear in their publicly listed policies, & you chose to "accept [your] scores because [you] felt in spite of the distractions [you] still did ok." I'm failing to see how it's logical to take the testing center to small claims court; they wouldn't be in business if they truly fostered an environment so distracting their patrons couldn't successfully take tests that play a large role in what their futures hold.

 

At the end of the day, it's not the test center's fault you performed poorly. They're not the ones being tested; you are. Study harder, take the test again at a different center, and hopefully you'll get a score you're satisfied with next time that reflects your renewed, more dedicated efforts. If you are as good a test-taker as you say, the added effort should show the next time around.

I wouldnt ssay i scored poorly, i just didnt do really well. I'm not upset that I accepted the scores, I'm upset that they won't allow me to do a retest at no cost to me. I feel that if I wasn't distracted I would have gotten atleast a 158/152 and with my other application points that would have been fine for me to take the risk and see if  i got in.

[StatsNerd]

I think everyone understands your frustration with the GRE/ETS. When I took my examine the screen froze and skipped 2 questions (for me). No doubt that negatively affected my quant score, but I sucked it up and retook it. I didn't even bother with ETS. It is a large and powerful beaucracy. Not worth it for me to waste my time complaining. The hardest thing to do is to look at oneself for ones failure, but it is the only way to succeed. Learn from this experience and move on. 

 

This, seriously.

 

Also, I've been following your posts. You make a lot of excuses, and you didn't start really studying until just a few weeks before the test. A lot of people study hard for months and months... It is actually not uncommon to start studying a full year before you plan to take the test.  If you are serious about pursuing a doctoral degree, it's just what you have to do sometimes. You also seem rather uninformed on the whole application process (again, from other posts I've read from you) and a little entitled. My advice would be to take the next year to study up on this whole process, develop a solid GRE study plan you can stick to, and then apply next year once you are in a better place to do so. 

 

Also, you seem to get defensive when anyone suggests you retake the test to improve your scores. We're only being honest because you're asking for our advice. Your scores are not bad but they also are not very competitive for psych PhD programs. 

Edited October 18, 2013 by StatsNerd

[pears]

I wouldnt ssay i scored poorly, i just didnt do really well. I'm not upset that I accepted the scores, I'm upset that they won't allow me to do a retest at no cost to me. I feel that if I wasn't distracted I would have gotten atleast a 158/152 and with my other application points that would have been fine for me to take the risk and see if  i got in.

 

It is very clearly stated in ETS' policies that they don't do free re-scores. Knowing them, I wouldn't be surprised if they still charged a test-taker who fainted or became extremely ill mid-exam. If you study hard enough, & if again, if you're as good a test-taker as you say, minor distractions are a complete non-issue when you've consistently studied hard & made an effort to understood the material.

 

Personally, I think many less than stellar things about ETS & the GRE, but I think most GRE takers are aware that standardized entrance exams are a game you have to learn how to play with regard to your own strengths & weaknesses, & the amount of effort you put into "playing the game" will be reflected in your scores. Writing is my strength, & math is not, but I studied a bit at a time for months before the test. My verbal score was great, math score was stronger than expected, & my writing score was marginally better, relatively speaking, than my math. I did very well because I figured out what I could do within the time allotted, & what I couldn't, & then studied my rump off to make sure I understood those "cusp" concepts that were unclear at first, that were non-issues by the time I took the test.

 

Stop looking for external sources to blame, learn how to accept responsibility for your scores, put in the effort needed to get the scores you want, & try again at another test center. If nothing else, you will find it extremely difficult to thrive in a graduate environment if you fail to see your grades, critiques, etc. as a direct result of your own efforts. You're going to have a hard time of it if you storm into a professor's office, waggling a finger at them because they distracted you or were somehow grading unfairly, every time you get something below an A.

[Cesare]

I also am scared I can't improve. What if I put more effort in and do worse...I mean I was under the impression 156/150 was avg for a master's degree.

I am sorry about yur test as well, I would be outraged if that happened.

There are too many "what ifs" in life. Years from now you may ask yourself "What if I did study a little extra? Could I have scored higher?" Instead of asking what if, just do. 

I've always suffered from self doubt and I am sure everyone does to some extent, but what I've learned from my own experience is that if you don't have confidence in yourself no one else will. My own self doubt has ruined me more than any skill that I may lack. 

[Lisa44201]

You're doing a whole lot of blaming other people when stuff doesn't go according to plan. The grad school application process is stressful, I know, I've done it (twice), but you need to take responsibility. Whose fault is it going to be if you don't get in? Are you going to blame it on a letter writer, especially if you opted to not see it? (As in, I knew that prof said to opt out of looking at it so he/she could write a bad reference! And everyone on Grad Cafe must be collaborating with that professor, because they all said the same thing!).

Let me give you a clue: grad school is work. Lots of work. If you don't do well on a test in grad school, you work your a** off twice as hard, you don't complain that you were distracted, or it was unfair, or anything else. Especially in psych - there is no easy subfield of psychology. Get a grip. If you want it, you work for it, you don't whine for it.

[awells27]

I also am scared I can't improve. What if I put more effort in and do worse...I mean I was under the impression 156/150 was avg for a master's degree.

I am sorry about yur test as well, I would be outraged if that happened.

Stop the madness.  What if this, what if that?  The fact you won't get the 5lb book because you have enough to do already is evidence of not trying to do everything in your means to improve your score.  What will you do if you're in a PHD program and you're asked to teach one semester when you are buried in research?  You need as many types of GRE type questions to do under timed conditions as possible.  Stop blaming others, even if they are partly to blame.  If it is too much to prepare correctly for the GRE before apps are due, consider turning in apps next year.  If you are set on this year, do the ultimate sacrifice and stop pondering what could go wrong.  

[powerlifterty16]

I appreciate all the responses. I know you guys are looking out for me.

it was not a minor distraction. She was spraying the tables around me the whole test, and im allergic to some cleaners..it was a HUGE distraction. I also said many times that I started studying in january for a month, then stopped, and restarted around a month or two ago, but I doubted that I studied updated material, and bought the manhattan books.

Im not willing to do the ultimate sacrifice im not going to lie. I dont have a goal of a 170 verbal and quant. Im just going for middle tier or slightly better schools, and im also applying to masters programs. If  i could get 161 verbal, 156 quant, that would be fine for me. I am definitley not waiting until next year. I think it's better to apply now, and see if  iget in as opposed to waiting for next year. Most of my application is pretty strong. I have a sop that was proofread by a few professors and given standing ovations(not really but you know lol)

 

I think going through all 8 manhattan books and doing the problems will def help raise my score a few points.

 

also i wasn't asking for a rescore. Even though you guys may not think my scores were that great I was happy to get atleast 150 on both. I didn't want these scores canceled, but  i wanted the opportunity to get a retest at no charge due to the many distractions. I don't think that is ubsurd.

 

Not everyone has the same amount of desire to study endlessly. To be honest, i barely opened a book through undergrad(here comes the comments of how  i won't survive in grad school, even though i was told  i wouldn't survive in junior high, highschool, and college lol).

[antigone56]

What kind of testing center lets its employees spray tables while test-takers are testing?  

 

Jeez, at the place where I tested, it was the epitome of respectful.  They even had these heavy-duty earmuffs you could put on to block out all outside noises.  I had them on for about 1/2 of the test.  

 

Anyway, sorry to hear about you being unhappy with your scores.  If you're applying only to Master's programs, though, your scores might be quite acceptable.  If it's both PhD and Master's, the scores might be only "okay" for PhD programs.  I guess it depends on where you want to go.

[repentwalpurgis]

Allergies suck.  Cleaners suck.  Distractions suck.  Standardized tests are the pits.  Oh, um, and wait...this whole application process sucks!  I don't want to harangue, but, these are all of the problems and more you'll run into, not only in applying to grad school, but...surely throughout the entire process of attending!  Nobody is going to sympathize with you, let alone give you 200$ for being peeved about an employee with cleaner.  You have to learn that these problems exist and that nothing is going to happen to change them!  Ever!  If I'd stuck with my freshman attitude of "I want to kill the person who is sneezing or coughing in the library while I'm studying"...then, um, I wouldn't have gotten very far.  I learned to work through my distractions (and I'll never stop being distracted!) and take them as they come (even if god forbid they crop up during a standardized test, but shit, they're gonna).  It sounds like you have a lot of anxiety problems to work through - I used to feel quite similarly to the emotions, anxieties you mention.  Which isn't to say I'm better.  But...I just gotta say that you're going to need a lot of luck if you keep up with the "woe is me" attitude throughout the entire application.  And barely opening a book is a terrible prerequisite to achieve anything worth your while in grad school.

[awells27]

Allergies suck.  Cleaners suck.  Distractions suck.  Standardized tests are the pits.  Oh, um, and wait...this whole application process sucks!  I don't want to harangue, but, these are all of the problems and more you'll run into, not only in applying to grad school, but...surely throughout the entire process of attending! 

harangue = high frequency GRE word

[clandry]

powerlifterty16, your posts are, indeed, quite strange. 

[Scarf in the wind]

harangue = high frequency GRE word

 

Agh! Don't remind me. Doth phrase blinds me, away with thee.

 

Okay, I'm done with my piss poor attempt at playing a Hamlet character (don't deride me, I said piss poor).

 

Powerliftery16, please know there is no way you suck more than me! That is not possible. Would you like to know how much I studied for the test for my initial attempt at the GRE? I studied for 7 months. I took a Princeton Review course that taught me very little with instructors who only know how to spout vapid slogans and techniques without showing me how to solve the problem. Okay, that's over 1 grand wasted. I then spent months studying for the test in preparation for the exam date. However, this proved to be a fruitless endeavor as I was stricken with the worst cold or flu I have ever experienced as I was rendered bedridden for about 10 days. before the test. I was unable to get any studying done during that time due to my throbbing head ache. On test day I was rendered stupefied that I had no choice but to cancel my test scores. I then studied for another 6 months hoping I wouldn't get sick. Test day comes and I perform less than mediocre. I receive a 560 for Quaint (this was before ETS revised the test to its current state), and a 480 for Verbal. With a range of 200 to 800, I received a score of 480. I was beside myself. How the hell did I do so bad at Verbal after I spent hours, and I do mean hours studying vocab words. More importantly, I was surprised by my Quaint score. It was higher then expected. 

 

I apply to the programs and I get admitted to my preferred school. However, upon visiting said school I find it not to my liking (it was a Master's program), and decide to reserve the right to abstain from entering for a year (I forgot the phrase schools and students use, so I hope that sentence makes sense). I then decide I would like to enter another sub field and realize my scores from my previous attempt at the GRE were woeful. I then devote 7 months to studying for the GRE. I first started with Princeton Review's Cracking textbook. I studied for about 2 months until realizing the material did not, in any way, prepare me for ETS's textbook, nor did it prepare for ETS's Powerprep practice test where I received a 150 for verbal, and 149 for Quaint. I then resigned myself to failure before discovering this website and reading glowing reviews posted by other forum goers for Magoosh and Manhattan's respective products. I decided to buy said products to better myself. Another gamble, yes, but I felt it was a necessary one. This followed 4 months of agonizing studying where I poured through the books, performed practice questions, and went back to the same material that became new to me, adding to my ever growing frustrations. My practice scores were all over the place. A week before the test I took one last practice test where I received a score of 157 for verbal, and a 147 for Quaint. This discouraged me greatly and I was ready to resign myself to another failed attempt at the test. However, after composing myself, I decided to study as much as possible during the days I had left and poured through materials that covered areas I was weak at and areas that I had not devoted as much time as I should have. On test day, I did not have a great sleep and worried I would fail, despite my attempts at reassuring myself with "positive thoughts". During the test, I was a wreck. I worried I was failing, that I should just cancel after the test is done, that my heart was palpitating while I performed practice problems causing me to feel every heart beat, that another test taker was really cute and I would like to talk to her after the test...all of these thoughts went through my mind while I took the test every second of the way. Heck, when I opted to take my scheduled 10 minute break I forgot how to count 10 minutes and nearly started late as I only had 30 seconds remaining before the program resumed with the test. After completing the test, I had to ask myself that oh so dreaded question - "Do I cancel or accept my scores?" I decided to accept as I needed to see my actual scores to determine whether I would need to retake. I saw my scores and my mouth fell agape. I was shocked that I had done as well as I had hoped I would with a score of 159 (verbal) and 153 (Quaint). Those were my official scores after spending months on the test. One could even say years. That was the culmination. Powerliftery, you scored around the same area as I did with very little studying. Don't you think, if you applied yourself, you would exceed the scores you've received? It stands to reason that you would do great, and there's nothing wrong with attending a Master's program if that is what's necessary to assist in achieving your career goals. Many people who enter academia and go on to work in Ph.D programs are not necessarily smarter, they were just more willing to jump through the necessary hoops to get where they are now. We all just have to jump through those hopes to achieve success in whatever field we'd like to enter ( and for us, that's Psychology).

 

I will leave with this one video link to cement my initial point above -

 

I had a GPA of 3.1 in my undergrads due to a number of reasons. I have research experience, but have spent most of my life unemployed. I studied for the tests while being unemployed. I have no job right now. No girlfriend (I've never had a girlfriend, and will never have one unless I get admitted to a school away from home), and very few friends. Powerliftery, you cannot suck more than me so, please, "a little respect. For I am Constanza, Lord of The Idiots!"

[repentwalpurgis]

harangue = high frequency GRE word

My studying has finally paid off!

[powerlifterty16]

Allergies suck.  Cleaners suck.  Distractions suck.  Standardized tests are the pits.  Oh, um, and wait...this whole application process sucks!  I don't want to harangue, but, these are all of the problems and more you'll run into, not only in applying to grad school, but...surely throughout the entire process of attending!  Nobody is going to sympathize with you, let alone give you 200$ for being peeved about an employee with cleaner.  You have to learn that these problems exist and that nothing is going to happen to change them!  Ever!  If I'd stuck with my freshman attitude of "I want to kill the person who is sneezing or coughing in the library while I'm studying"...then, um, I wouldn't have gotten very far.  I learned to work through my distractions (and I'll never stop being distracted!) and take them as they come (even if god forbid they crop up during a standardized test, but shit, they're gonna).  It sounds like you have a lot of anxiety problems to work through - I used to feel quite similarly to the emotions, anxieties you mention.  Which isn't to say I'm better.  But...I just gotta say that you're going to need a lot of luck if you keep up with the "woe is me" attitude throughout the entire application.  And barely opening a book is a terrible prerequisite to achieve anything worth your while in grad school.

it got me a 3.64 gpa, so I'll stick with it.

distractions in the real world or the library are one thing, but if i'm paying money, and investing time into a test that is paramount to my future, and I'm also driving 40 minutes to take it at a PROFESSIONAL testing center, you better believe I will complain when shit like this happens.

[powerlifterty16]

scarf in the wind, thanks for the long post, and im glad everything worked out for you

[powerlifterty16]

I guess ill retake the test, november 15ish. I was actually supposed to be halfway done with the manhattan books already....started reading them on monday, but  i got a cold this week and decided to not study because i prob wouldnt absorb the info...so im starting back at them on monday. have 7 more to read..then have to make sure  i know all of the magoosh cards that  i had previously studied.

 

What scares me, is  i got pretty easy topics for aw and still got a 4....if  i get harder subjects im in trouble.