Low quant score but high verbal. Applying to Journalism programs. Re-take GRE?

[MyUsername123]

Hi guys, 

 

I literally just took the exam. I scored a 163 in Verbal but a 143 in Quantitative. The bad Q score is mostly due to the fact I got sick during the break so took awhile to come back into the testing center, by which point the test had already resumed. 

 

Thing is, I am applying to top Journalism programs, so not certain how badly the Math score will be held against me. Should I re-take or should I be ok?

 

I'll have the writing scores in a few weeks obviously, but I feel pretty strongly about it. Was getting 5s/6s/ on practice essay exams with Princeton Review...

[awells27]

Once again, I would contact admissions offices where you are applying.   I myself would not feel comfortable with the math score, since it may show lack of effort.  The adcomms will know or care nothing about being sick during the test.  Some people can attest, however, that they have gained admittance with such a low math score.  My math score was abysmal on the old GRE, and I got into 4 master's programs, but only one offered any funding.  

 

A note about Kaplin:  It trains many formulas, which is good, but their practice sets and tests are not indicative of the real GRE.  You must use magoosh or Manhattan to get the real deal questions.  

Edited October 24, 2013 by awells27

[MyUsername123]

Yeah, I think I'll contact them. Looking at their websites, they either state there is no minimum score or "the application is looked at holistically". One simply states the candidate should have above a 160 for Verbal, but mentions nothing about Quantitative. Another stated that while there was no minimum score, the average scores for those admitted is usually 156 for Verbal and 150+ Quantitative. I hope these are good signs Quant isn't as important?

 

Yes, I was training with Manhattan and Magoosh and getting betwen 153-156 on those practice exams for Quantitative, so this was rather upsetting =/

[awells27]

How long did you prepare, and did you deprive yourself of food and drink during practice tests like you must at GRE, and did you generally practice, unless reviewing, under timed conditions?  And did you always write an essay during practice tests?  If you did all these things, it's probably more a case of mental preparation or the fact that you were sick.  It's hard to find the right balance between Magoosh and Kaplin.  Magoosh and Manhattan practice test math tend to be harder than real GRE, while Kaplin is usually easier.  I can't think of a resource that is on the mark.  ETS provides relatively little practice material.  Magoosh's math blogs are quite good.  If I were taking the test a second time, I would read every one of their math blogs.  They each have problems you can do under timed conditions with explanations.  

[MyUsername123]

I spent about 2.5 months preparing properly and used Princeton Review, Manhattan, and Magoosh. I struggle with migraines from time-to-time and as I forgot my reading glasses at home the day of the test, I think it triggered one off on the day itself. Specifically towards the end of the second half of the test. I do remember being unable to focus very well in the final Math exam and the experimental section as it was very painful to look at the screen and made me feel nauseous. This has happened once before on a practice test like two months ago, but I thought I was ok as it never happened again.

 

I talked to most of the departments (still waiting on one) and most of them said not to re-take as it'll not affect my admission chances given I have a high GPA (3.8) from UC Berkeley and the verbal was good. One said there was a very, very tiny chance it'd affect merit-based scholarships/fellowships while another said he wasn't certain, but he didn't think it would be that big of a deal, although he couldn't guarantee anything. The general consensus was to not re-take but focus my attention now on creating superb SOPs and recs....still a little concerned about it even possibly affecting merit-based funds/fellowships though...

[Seeking]

I think the Journalism candidate will be fine with the low Quant score.

 

But the Psychology candidate should improve a low Quant score as much as possible, since Psychological research partially depends upon quantitative analysis. Hence, a low Quant score is not likely to reflect well on their application. If your verbal score is good, you may re-take only the Quant score.