low GRE scores

[giuseppe44]

Here is my story. I'm bad with standardized tests, the GRE is the first one I took in my life, and probably I was not preparing it the right way (3 week preparation, somewhat intense the last one). I took the GRE yesterday and a got 146V 156A, an unpleasant surprise considering I was doing about 4 points more in each section when practicing (which is still not stellar but again, I'm bad at this kind of examinations).

 

1) I don't really care about the English part since it is not my first language and I also have to do the TOEFL at some point. Actually adcoms don't care either I believe.

 

2) The programs (see below) I am applying to do not have cutoffs and value the entirety of the application package.

 

3) The rest of my application is very competitive. Bachelor degree in one of the best engineering schools in Europe (2nd best in BEE/BME), EPFL. Exchange year at Cornell University (GPA 3.8). Currently doing a Master's there and have a high GPA (somewhat translates to a 3.75 on the US scale, which is in the top 5% of my class). Strong recommendation from EPFL and Cornell faculty, including one from a very famous professor in the field I plan to do my PhD (did a research project with him). Good SOP (in the process of writing it). Currently in Cambridge MA doing research for a non-profit.

 

So here is my question: should I retake the GRE? Does it really matter? The truth is that I am not good at these tests and we all agree that they do not evaluate how good you will perform in grad school.

 

I personally know I will not score much higher than probably 160A/152V. I'm just bad at this kind of stuff, I was very slow at then exam.

 

Considering my background and academic/research skills I have been advised by my professors (EPFL and Cornell) to apply to schools like: BU, Duke, UCSD, Cornell, basically schools in the top 20. PhD program in BME.

[bsharpe269]

I highly recommend that you retake it. For BME, you really should try to get better than 160Q. Even though adcoms dont care all that much about english but they still do at least want to see greater than 150 and probably even greater than 155.

 

The rest of your application is great so I would try to study some more. I used magoosh to study which really helped me. Since your practice tests were higher then I suspect you also got some test anxiety. I experienced this on my first try at the GRE too and when I focused on retaking it and staying calmer, my score instantly went up alot.

[giuseppe44]

Thank you bsgarpe269! I also used magoosh and I did all the questions. There is nothing I don't know in math, it's just the exam format that I am not comfortable with at all. I will indeed study practice some more and retake the GRE (it actually cost as much retaking it than sending scores to the universities I want…).

 

I'm just confused on how much it really matters and how much I should scarify my time for it.

Edited September 21, 2014 by giuseppe44

[bsharpe269]

You have a great profile so if you can get at or over 150V, 160Q then I think you will be fine. I dont think you need a top score but you also dont want your score to move your application to an automatic rejection pile.

[tuckbro]

Just a suggestion that may help you decide if a retake is needed -  I recommend using the results search tab on this site and looking at who gets interviewed at the schools you in which you are interested and who gets accepted.  You will see a pretty clear pattern.  For instance, at my schools, the pattern was over 95th percentile in Quant scores and 3.9 GPA.