I took the computer based GRE today and I think my score is low

[wcopp001]

Hello,

 

I was at San Diego State and I took the GRE the first time.

I am a 4th. year economics major at UC Riverside.

Here are the unofficial scores:

 

152 for quantitative reasoning and 146 for verbal

overall score:  298

 

I was very surprised that my math score is 152.  I thought I was going to score at least 160.  You want to know something funny?  I passed Calculus 1 and 2. Furthermore, I took Linear Algebra, Differential equations and Multivariable Calculus and yet I received a 152.  The GRE math test felt like a magic trick math test or a Mensa Math test.

 

I am not surprised with my verbal score though.  I studied GRE vocabulary words and worked on practice GRE reading comprehension test and yet I did low.  How can I improve my GRE verbal score?

 

I do not know my score for the essays yet but I think I did well.  My college freshman composition courses did help me prepare for the essays.

 

I sent my scores to San Diego State, UC Santa Cruz, UC Santa Barbara and UC Riverside.  Is my score good enough for any of those universities?  I am thinking about retaking the GRE.  Can anyone give me advice on how to do better on the GRE next time? 

 

---Will Coppock

 

 

[Scarf in the wind]

Funny thing is, I'm applying to SDSU's Master's Psychology program. For Psychology, a GRE score that exceeds the 50th percentile in all three sections is required. I don't know what program you are applying to, but I don't think you're score is good enough to enter a Ph.D program, nor is it good enough to enter SDSU's program, but maybe SDSU's program (which I assume to be a Master's program) does not require a strong GRE score. Then again, you're verbal is quite low and it may disqualify you from being admitted.

 

How much did you study for the test?

 

As for performing better on the next attempt, I recommend Magoosh and Manhattan. Magoosh has online lessons that provide great structure and around 900 total practice questions for math (over 500) and verbal (over 400). Manhattan is another GRE Prep company that have 8 textbooks that provide many of what Magoosh overs but in a different package. I recommend both. If you are able to fit it into your schedule, Manhattan also has a book called 5 pound book of practice problems (or a title with a similar style) that provide excellent practice for the test.

[Maleficent999]

Hello,

 

I was at San Diego State and I took the GRE the first time.

I am a 4th. year economics major at UC Riverside.

Here are the unofficial scores:

 

152 for quantitative reasoning and 146 for verbal

overall score:  298

 

I was very surprised that my math score is 152.  I thought I was going to score at least 160.  You want to know something funny?  I passed Calculus 1 and 2. Furthermore, I took Linear Algebra, Differential equations and Multivariable Calculus and yet I received a 152.  The GRE math test felt like a magic trick math test or a Mensa Math test.

 

I am not surprised with my verbal score though.  I studied GRE vocabulary words and worked on practice GRE reading comprehension test and yet I did low.  How can I improve my GRE verbal score?

 

I do not know my score for the essays yet but I think I did well.  My college freshman composition courses did help me prepare for the essays.

 

I sent my scores to San Diego State, UC Santa Cruz, UC Santa Barbara and UC Riverside.  Is my score good enough for any of those universities?  I am thinking about retaking the GRE.  Can anyone give me advice on how to do better on the GRE next time? 

 

---Will Coppock

 

I took the GRE yesterday and...WHAT THE WHAT?! Those quant sections were ridiculous. I studied REALLY hard for the quant and I was getting 160+ for all my practice tests. Then they threw the experimental quant at me right off the bat and it totally messed with my confidence. It was nearly impossible but the other two sections weren't much better. I was like, IS THIS MAGIC?! WHAT AM I READING!?!? HIEROGLYPHICS?! Yeah, not pleased but I'm sociology and most schools only care about my verbal score.

Edited October 20, 2013 by KrisOfSteel

[awells27]

Unfortunately, economics is a field that requires decent scores in both verbal and quantitative.  If the GRE is giving you a problem, I would seriously be considering an extended preparation period and a Masters degree prior to any thought of PHD work.  If you observe the GRE scores for economics PHD admits in upper tier schools, they are generally above 160 for Quant and verbal.  As a masters student, your application deadlines are sometimes later and GRE scores not expected to be quite as high.  

 

1.  Magoosh (pay the 100 and deal with it).  DO not get discouraged by their practice questions - they are deliberately difficult.

2.  Manhattan - every book but the text completion and sentence equivalence.  You can make up for this by using Kaplin's verbal book, which along with Magoosh is fine.

Once you have done extensive work with Magoosh and Manhattan, the ETS prep book will seem a lot less daunting.  Then you can see how well you fare on their practice tests in the book.

3.  Manhattan's 5lb book of GRE problems, to be done after doing the individual books.

4.  Kaplin's online verbal practice sets/their math sets are too easy.

5.  After you drill basics, you MUST time your practice sets under GRE conditions (no coffee or donuts during practice).  Get the caffeine in beforehand, as I did prior to the test.

6.  Barrons book of 6 GRE practice tests if you still need more practice.

 

Some people spend months and months preparing for this test.

Edited October 20, 2013 by awells27