GRE scores

[hendricks]

I took the first GRE practice test a few weeks ago and got a 490q and a 630v. I retook about a week ago and got a 570q and a 660v. (I would have gotten higher on the verbal but for some reason the definition for panegyrate won't enter my brain. I hope it isn't on the real test!) I'm taking the test for real on October 6th. I'm hoping to reach a 700 on the verbal, but if I can't, how does a 660 look for an art history major? I'm applying to Northwestern and UChicago. I've had some positive corresponence with the professor I hope to work with at Northwestern, my top choice, but is the score good enough to get my application seen?

[swisnieski]

It depends on the school you want to go to, but if you want to make a good impression, shoot for 90th or even 95th percentile in verbal, which would be around the high 600s to low 700s I believe. I doubt they will look much at quantitative for an art history program.

[misterpat]

I highly doubt a program would throw out an app based on a 660v when they ideally want a 700. 660 is still 90th+ percentile, I think.

I've never seen "panegyrate." I assume it's the verb form of "panegyric," which is formal or elaborate praise, but I didn't find it in a few onlines dictionaries. Console yourself with the fact that the odds of encountering that specific word are slim.

Good luck!

[hendricks]

Thanks for the replies guys! I think that I just got a little freaked out by some of the scores I saw people posting on this site. Having read a little more about it, I am feeling better. I was 0 for 4 last round, and I am making sure I do everything I can to put forward the best application.