Worth retaking?

[upgrayyed]

I took the GRE a couple months earlier. By some stroke of luck, I found myself with the flu morning of. I went ahead and took the test anyway, and predictably had trouble focusing. Ended up getting a 160 Q and 165 V. I'm applying to top geophysics programs for next cycle and am a bit worried about the verbal -- is a retake worth it, or have I past the threshold at which scores are going to affect me? I've heard people saying that as long as I am 158+ for Q, programs aren't going to drop me for low test results, but is that actually true? 

[Scarf in the wind]

That's a great score! I doubt it's worth retaking the test and blowing $150. Your verbal is superb. Focus on other aspects of your application, and good luck.

[emmm]

If you are worried about your 165V, why aren't you worried about the 160Q? I think the scores (both) are decent. Good luck!

[DerpTastic]

I'm not sure who told you that you need to be in the top few percent for verbal and not the top twenty for quant in geophysics, but I'm not sure I'd take their advice. xP

 

The verbal is very high and you don't need to worry about it. I think 160 in quant is probably decent enough that you'll be okay, although I'm not sure about top programs. I would think the average for most schools is probably around 165 or so. The gre is really only one small part of your application, and I honestly wouldn't worry as much as you are.

Edited December 25, 2013 by DerpTastic

[Queen of Kale]

I am in your field and applied with very similar scores and was very successful with my apps.  And, coincidentally, I met two people on my interviews with the exact same scores as me - so these must be pretty standard/average scores for accepted applicants at top 20 programs.  The few people who have disclosed their scores to me in the program I am now enrolled in (which isn't something we talk about but once in a while it comes up) also have similar (or lower) scores.  I would not fixate on retaking the test unless you bombed the written component.

 

Edited to add - GOOD LUCK!

Edited December 25, 2013 by Queen of Kale