Submitting scores

[darkstar]

I am preparing to take the GRE in 4 days. When does the test ask you to enter the schools you want to submit your scores to? Does it do this at the beginning or end of the test (after you already know your results). There are some schools I am only going to apply to if my GRE is in the higher range.

 

I've taken two powerprep practice exams and gotten 159 Q, 151 V on the first and then 160 V, 158 Q on the second. I would like to apply to UC Boulder, but I probably wouldn't do that with my first score. However, I'd probably take a run at it with the second even though my quantitative is still a bit low. That's why it would be helpful to know my scores before decided where I am sending them. Thanks.

[GeoDUDE!]

you should apply anywhere you want irrespective of GRE scores, people with low GREs do get into earth science programs (though, of course, its a bit rarer). From what I remember, you do not know your scores when you submit (after the test, but before the score is calculated). Someone can correct me though, as I took it 3 years ago. 

[darkstar]

Thank you for your response. I would certainly like to be less picky with where I apply, but I have financial restrictions which prevents me doing that. Thus, I'm trying to commit my resources to a solid group of 4 or 5 schools I'm interested in where I also have the best shot at getting accepted. I really want to get into a good program this application season, as I am a non-traditional student and would like to finish graduate school sooner than later.

[prospecting]

 

I am preparing to take the GRE in 4 days. When does the test ask you to enter the schools you want to submit your scores to? Does it do this at the beginning or end of the test (after you already know your results). There are some schools I am only going to apply to if my GRE is in the higher range.

 

I've taken two powerprep practice exams and gotten 159 Q, 151 V on the first and then 160 V, 158 Q on the second. I would like to apply to UC Boulder, but I probably wouldn't do that with my first score. However, I'd probably take a run at it with the second even though my quantitative is still a bit low. That's why it would be helpful to know my scores before decided where I am sending them. Thanks.

 

You'll receive the prompt after you have completed the test.

 

you should apply anywhere you want irrespective of GRE scores, people with low GREs do get into earth science programs (though, of course, its a bit rarer). From what I remember, you do not know your scores when you submit (after the test, but before the score is calculated). Someone can correct me though, as I took it 3 years ago. 

 

You'll receive your Q and V scores right after the test, but the writing scores come in roughly 10 to 14 days later.

[geographyrocks]

I'm pretty certain that I had to designate the schools and commit to sending the scores before actually seeing what my scores were. 

[sophie anne]

You see your estimated V and Q scores before entering the schools where you want to send scores to, but you really might as well just send them to all of your "free" schools unless your scores are really abysmal. For the range that you're in, I agree with GeoDUDE that CU Boulder is probably worth a shot especially if you have an interesting background. The estimated scores sometimes change after the fact, and like prospecting said, you won't get the writing scores until up to two weeks afterwards.

 

Good luck on the test! Don't let all of the security measures freak you out too much.

 

I took the GRE in August, 2014.

[Usmivka]

You see your estimated V and Q scores before entering the schools where you want to send scores to, but you really might as well just send them to all of your "free" schools unless your scores are really abysmal. For the range that you're in, I agree with GeoDUDE that CU Boulder is probably worth a shot especially if you have an interesting background. The estimated scores sometimes change after the fact, and like prospecting said, you won't get the writing scores until up to two weeks afterwards.

 

Good luck on the test! Don't let all of the security measures freak you out too much.

 

I took the GRE in August, 2014.

This was not the case when I took the test a few years ago--like 2-3 other posters here, I was asked to choose where to submit after completing the test and immediately prior to actually seeing rough scores. A prompt specifically noted that your final score could/would change based on how others did on the same test nationally (eg they normalized your scores for difficulty relative to other test days)--this still occurs, so even if the format has changed so you can see rough scores before submitting (as seems likely from sophie anne's post), those scores are not fixed.

 

I agree that there is no reason not to use all 5 of your free score submissions. If you are limited in how many applications you will send out, that limit is most likely going to be imposed by the cost of the application, not the cost of sending scores. Submit your free scores to schools you will definitely be applying to, and if you have more slots, you can use them to for places you really want to apply to but may ultimately decide you aren't a strong applicant for.

 

Finally, both ETS and most (all?) accredited US universities offer fee waivers if you can demonstrate (or sometimes just state) financial need or hardship imposed by the application fees. I'm not saying you should shotgun your applications, but money should not be a barrier when choosing where to apply.

Edited December 9, 2014 by Usmivka