How important is a good quant score when you're applying for a history grad program?

[maelia8]

I JUST took the GRE yesterday and don't know my writing score yet, but based on practice tests and my feeling at the test I expect about a 5 or 5.5. I scored a 167 verbal (97th percentile), but only 148 quantitative (very low percentile). I looked at the average ranges for the top ten history grad programs , several of which I am applying to, and most prefer at least a 152 on the quantitative section. It is worth it for me to retake the GRE just to bring it up the quant 4 or 5 points when my verbal was on the high end for the ranges at the programs I'm applying to? Is it possible to just retake the math and not the other sections? How important is meeting the average range for quant scores when you're applying to a history program anyway?If it helps to know, I barely studied for verbal but studied math intensively for three weeks (knowing it to be my weakness), and felt about as well-prepared as I ever do for a math test (which is NOT very). I always end up guessing on a few questions and having little or no time to go back and rework questions I wasn't sure about.  I wanted to ask for opinions on retaking or not because I have to sign up immediately if i want to get the scores sent for a Dec. 1st deadline.

Edited October 21, 2013 by maelia8

[ProfMoriarty]

If the schools say so, it's probably important to them even if it's a history program. Does the history dept have these preferences or are you looking at the general graduate school requirements?

Unfortunately, you cannot re-take a single section of the GRE, you would have to re-take the entire exam. But don't feel discouraged, you're not too far below the preferred Q score. Also, bear in mind that this is only a small part of your application. If your Letters if recommendation and statement of purpose are strong, they can make up for that. I know a lot of people advise against "making excuses" for weak parts of your application, but some statement of purpose guides I've read actually recommend you BRIEFLY talk about your weaknesses.

You ARE a bit pressed for time to re-take, and you would most likely have to do it immediately to allow for ETS delays. About two weeks for the scores to show up and another two for them to be reported to the schools.

[antigone56]

Although some people say that schools look unfavorably upon a student taking "just one section" of a test as a re-take, I've done it before, and I know the school accepted that one section re-score along with my old scores on the other sections.  I think it's pretty clear to them what you're doing when you do that -- that is, in your case, trying to up your quant score and not worrying about the others (with which you're already satisfied).  A school that would say "oh, but he didn't take the other sections at the time he improved his quant to a 152" is kinda strange.  I don't doubt others who say that some schools raise an eyebrow at that, but I think it's a dumb thing to do.  Sure, you're at a "less test fatigue" advantage when you take only one section, but still, what does it matter?  The point is, you were able to score well.  Why do they care that you weren't test-fatigued enough at the time you did it?  

Edited October 21, 2013 by antigone56

[maelia8]

If it really does take two weeks to get the scores and two for them to be sent to schools, then I don't think that I can retake it anyway because I have to wait 21 days before I am allowed to take it again ... I guess what I really want to know is, is it likely that I would be rejected from a history program due to my slightly low math score, even though my verbal and writing scores were phenomenally good, I had a 3.9 GPA within my major and 3.85 overall, I received the highest possible grade on my undergraduate honors thesis, and have done several competitive internships related to that major? Or would it be likely to affect funding I receive if I do get in?

[ProfMoriarty]

Really, the rest of your profile makes you a competitive candidate. If your LORs and SOP are equally as impressive, I really doubt they'll reject you solely because of the Quant section then again, based on people's experiences here, I'd say admissions committees are just weird.

[Guest Gnome Chomsky]

If it really does take two weeks to get the scores and two for them to be sent to schools, then I don't think that I can retake it anyway because I have to wait 21 days before I am allowed to take it again ... I guess what I really want to know is, is it likely that I would be rejected from a history program due to my slightly low math score, even though my verbal and writing scores were phenomenally good, I had a 3.9 GPA within my major and 3.85 overall, I received the highest possible grade on my undergraduate honors thesis, and have done several competitive internships related to that major? Or would it be likely to affect funding I receive if I do get in?

You should be close even if you have to wait 21 days. 21 days from yesterday is November 10. 14 days before your deadline is November 17. You can squeeze it in there. 

 

Just to add a few things based on your post:

 

*You say most schools "prefer" scores of 152. Does it explicitly state that they prefer 152 or does it say they require it? That can be important. If a school explicitly states a minimum cutoff, then they probably won't even look at the rest of your application if you don't meet the minimum cutoff. 

 

*You ask if it would be worth it to retake just to raise it 4-5 points. Well, based on my previous comment, if they clearly state that 152 is their minimum cutoff, then you really have no choice. 4 points might not seem like much but it could be the difference between acceptance and rejection if they're strict about their cutoffs. 

 

*You say you barely studied for the verbal and studied intensely for 3 weeks for the math. Well, that means you probably don't need to worry about verbal again and can still score around a 167. Also, a 148 is not an awful score for non-math people. It's about the 50 percentile. I've seen lots of liberal arts people with scores in the mid-130s. If you studied intensely for 3 weeks and got a 148, then you should be able to study intensely for another 3 weeks and get at least a 152. 

 

Hope my comments help. 

Edited October 21, 2013 by JoeyBoy718

[Seeking]

You can write to the department and ask about their policy - if they don't mention it as a requirement but just "prefer it" - if 152 is their cut-off and whether a lower score will result in the rejection of the application and how much influence the Quant score has on the application process. This will give you a sense of whether you need to re-take it. If it's not the cut-off, you can still get in with the rest of your application package which is quite impressive.

[maelia8]

So I checked the fine print on several of the admissions websites, and none of them said there is actually a minimum - they just showed an average spread for admitted students so that applicants have something to measure themselves against. Taking this into consideration, I think it will probably be alright if I just stick with the scores I have and hope that my other strengths (in areas that are actually relevant for studying history) will be enough to pull me through