Please help me with GRE score selection

[magicpen897]

Hello everyone,

 

I want to apply to master's Computer Science program. I took the GRE three times, from June 2014 to November 2014, below are my stats:

 

1st time: V: 147 Q: 170  W: 3.0

2nd time: V: 140 Q: 170 W 4.0

3rd time: V: 153 Q:170 W 3.5

 

 

I researched many schools's master program, and I found many of them says they want a high Q and an ok W( mostly 4.0 or above). V may not be very important for CS program, but I guess a high V will still be an advantage.

 

I am thinking about the below selections, but just can't decide which one I should do. All schools don't have a cut off, and they don't have a strict policy on how to  treat multiple scores( I guess they will consider every scores) . Can anyone give me more suggestions.

 

All three scores? - three consecutive perfect scores in Q may impress them? but 3.0 W scores and unstable V scores may scare them?

 

2nd+3rd? - Still two perfect score in Q, and 4.0, 3.5 are fine W scores. But 140V may weaken me?

 

only 2nd time? - if the admission completely ignore the V part, this may be the best option, but I doubt.

only 3rd time? - if they take the average on multiple scores, this may be the best option. best V score, but if W is more important, 3.5 is not my best W score.

 

 

and is there a differences among score 170 one time, two times, and 3 times????

 

UMMMM,,, I am so tired of thinking them all day .......... can someone Please HELP!!!!!!!!!!!Thank you!!!

Edited January 26, 2015 by magicpen897

[gliaful]

If I only had to pick one, I'd pick the 3rd one. The 2nd one does have that 4.0 on AW, but 3.5 isn't much different compared to the huge increase in your verbal score 140--> 153.

In your 3rd attempt, all of your scores are above the 50th percentile -- so I'd go with that.

[magicpen897]

If I only had to pick one, I'd pick the 3rd one. The 2nd one does have that 4.0 on AW, but 3.5 isn't much different compared to the huge increase in your verbal score 140--> 153.

In your 3rd attempt, all of your scores are above the 50th percentile -- so I'd go with that.

Thank you for your advice, but some schools I apply to says stronger candidates should have 4.0 W scores, but not a strict cut off.

 

BTW 4.0 is 56% while 3.5 is only 38%.. And yeah, 140 is extremely low( below 15%).

[.letmeinplz//]

Thank you for your advice, but some schools I apply to says stronger candidates should have 4.0 W scores, but not a strict cut off.

 

BTW 4.0 is 56% while 3.5 is only 38%.. And yeah, 140 is extremely low( below 15%).

Yea it is hard to know exactly what they want in the scores. From what I've seen on admission pages V+Q is more important than the W section but I would figure your ability to analyze and write about topics is more important than knowing what 'Fastidious' means. Though the Verbal sections do have some analytical aspects to them as well so...

 

4th time maybe?

[Chubberubber]

Since you're applying for masters' programs, I'd imagine you won't be expected to write well enough to publish just yet so I'd go with the 3rd score. 

[magicpen897]

Yea it is hard to know exactly what they want in the scores. From what I've seen on admission pages V+Q is more important than the W section but I would figure your ability to analyze and write about topics is more important than knowing what 'Fastidious' means. Though the Verbal sections do have some analytical aspects to them as well so...

 

4th time maybe?

yeah, but no time for the 4th time

[magicpen897]

Since you're applying for masters' programs, I'd imagine you won't be expected to write well enough to publish just yet so I'd go with the 3rd score. 

Thank you. Yeah ,I am just a little bit worried about the 4.0W(suggested score) on some school's web page. And I don't know how they will judge the differences between 3.5 and 4.0

[Chubberubber]

Another thing is that you can make up for the 3.5 AW with a really well written statement of purpose and possibly with submimtting a good academic writing sample. That would show them that you can write well.