What constitutes a "good" GRE Subject Test score?

[SilasWegg]

I took the GRE Subject Test last year and got a 590. Some of my advisors have told me a 600 is the cut off for many programs. What do you make of that? I've heard that for most programs the test is just a formality and other aspects of the application are far more important. Yet it seems reasonable that there would be some sort of baseline regarding the test scores. Also, if there is a 600 cut off, is a 590 or even a 580 too far off the mark? Basically, what constitutes a "good" GRE Subject Test score?

[Dr. Old Bill]

Well, the higher the better, of course. But from all I've read on Grad Cafe, as well as through emails and PMs from current and soon-to-be graduate students, one can still get into a top tier school with a low GRE subject score. I've read / heard that some schools just view various aspects of the application as "checklist completion" items -- in other words, it doesn't matter how well or how poorly you do...it just matters that you do it. And frankly, this reflects reality. Some people just plain suck at standardized tests, while others are able to memorize a lot of superficial details without having the ability to utilize those details in a real-world setting.

 

All of this is a circuitous way of saying that you probably shouldn't worry yourself too much about getting a 590, so long as the rest of your application (especially the WS and SOP) is strong. If there are cutoffs, they're certainly not published or widely known, and it's all but impossible to know which schools / programs employs a tacit cutoff policy. And finally, while this is sort of a "you can't fire me...I quit!" consolation, you probably wouldn't want to get into a program where they valued a standardized test so highly, would you? (That line of thinking is a bit specious, but it's a little comforting nonetheless...).

[queennight]

Well, the higher the better, of course. But from all I've read on Grad Cafe, as well as through emails and PMs from current and soon-to-be graduate students, one can still get into a top tier school with a low GRE subject score. I've read / heard that some schools just view various aspects of the application as "checklist completion" items -- in other words, it doesn't matter how well or how poorly you do...it just matters that you do it. And frankly, this reflects reality. Some people just plain suck at standardized tests, while others are able to memorize a lot of superficial details without having the ability to utilize those details in a real-world setting.

 

All of this is a circuitous way of saying that you probably shouldn't worry yourself too much about getting a 590, so long as the rest of your application (especially the WS and SOP) is strong. If there are cutoffs, they're certainly not published or widely known, and it's all but impossible to know which schools / programs employs a tacit cutoff policy. And finally, while this is sort of a "you can't fire me...I quit!" consolation, you probably wouldn't want to get into a program where they valued a standardized test so highly, would you? (That line of thinking is a bit specious, but it's a little comforting nonetheless...).

Wyatt this is such positive advice, and I sincerely echo it. I personally haven't completed my English Subject Test (will be writing in October of this year) but I am sincerely hoping that the score doesn't matter quite as much as other aspects of your overall application. This being say, a good score can never hurt you. Some schools do in fact stipulate cut-off/general averages (UCLA, Harvard, etc.) whereas others (Duke, for instance) don't even require it or don't even mention a general average to aim for (ex. Stanford).

[littlepigeon]

To these really helpful posts, I'll just add that Harvard's "Guidelines for Admission" page states that a score of "at least 650" on the Subject Test is a "positive addition to the application." Harvard (and a few of the other "highest-tier" programs) require both the General and Subject GRE, but all of those at which I've looked so far make it clear that neither of these scores will in any way determine an applicant's admission or non-admission. And as has already been said, a lot of really good programs don't even require the Subject Test (some are even getting smart enough not to require the General test anymore, I think!). All in all, I'd say that if you can manage a score of 600+, you'll be doing yourself a favor; if not, though, I seriously wouldn't stress about it too much.

Edited July 29, 2014 by felibus