GRE for the 3rd time??

[soleprovider14]

Hey everyone,

I took the GRE today for the second time (first one was on Aug 17th in which I scored horribly) and got a 510V and a 660Q. I am sure that my AWA score was around a 4.5 or even a 5 this time (I received a 4.5 the first time I took the test). Since I am applying to history phd programs I am aware that a 510 is not such a good score and that it will hold a lot more weight than my quant which is pretty good for a humanities major. My questions are: do schools usually look at all of your scores and pick out the highest ones, or do they look at the latest score? For example, if I took the test once more and scored above a 600V but less than 660Q would they look at my best V and my best Q out of all three tries? Does taking the GRE 3 times look bad on one's application? Since the schools I am applying to are not ivies I am contemplating on whether I should just apply with my current scores and see what happens instead of retaking. The schools I am looking at are: USC, UC-Davis, Boston College, U of Vermont, Kent State, Bowling Green State which are not top 10 by no means. In regards to LORs, SoP, fit, grades, research etc. my application is quite strong so a relatively low GRE would hopefully not kill my application. Hence my contemplation over retaking it (for the 3rd time).

Any advice?

[JohnBom]

I believe that even if you are not applying to ivies anything less than V600 is quite low. However, I am not sure whether you have enough time to re-take and actually improve substantially. The 5 on writing also won't help you much. How did you prepare for the test this time around?

Every school has a different system for choosing the score that they ultimately consider. Calling each one of them is probably your best option.

[rainy_day]

Taking the test three times, getting roughly the same score all three times, might make you look worse, because it will only reinforce the score. Do you realistically think you could improve your score much if you retook the test? If not, if I were you, I would put all that energy into writing an incredibly SoP and Writing Sample. A strong GRE score is nice, but you are going to accepted based on your SoP and WS.

Good luck.

[soleprovider14]

I have been consistently scoring around or slightly above a 600V on all my practice tests, that is the main reason for which I am contemplating retaking it. The first time I took the test, I studied vocab very hard and memorized quite a few words (few hundred that is), roots, groups, etc. However, I basically panicked and let my nerves get the best of me. This second time, I tried to work on my mental preparedness as well as strategies and vocab again. Regarding not having enough time, I don't see that as an issue. I will be sending apps at the end of November meaning I can take the test again at the end of October. A month of focusing on verbal should be enough to at least crack 600.

I am just going to email the schools I am interested in and see how they approach GRE scores. Thanks for the help.

[misterpat]

There has to be answers for you in another thread. I'm pretty sure I've answered this question within the last month.

[soleprovider14]

After emailing a few professors and Graduate Coordinators I was assured that there is nothing wrong with taking the test multiple times, that the admissions committee will look at the best individual scores from all of the scores submitted, and to not worry about the quantitative section (which as a humanities major I was already aware of but is still good to hear).

I think that I will retake the exam and simply focus on the verbal section in my studies (to attempt to at least get a 600V, which I know I am capable of). Anyone else have any experiences with retaking the exam twice?

misterpat:

I found this quote from a previous post of yours (which I presume you were referring to): "But they aren't going to let you use the Quant from the first test and the Verbal from the second. Doesn't work that way."

Where did you find this out? Did you specifically hear this from someone or are you speculating? I am asking because as you can tell that is exactly what I am hoping will happen and from the responses I received from a few professors and graduate coordinators I am correct in thinking that the highest individual scores are looked at.

[misterpat]

Hm. Looks like I think I know more than I do. I've never seen a department website state that they take the best of your scores from each section. I have seen many say they consider all scores available. So if you define that as counting your highest from each, then they probably will. But if you mean counting only the highest from each examination, I don't (or didn't) think that was very common.

HOWEVER, since I'm now being called out (and rightfully so), I've consulted PowerScore's website: http://www.powerscore.com/gre/help/multiple_scores.htm They are of the opinion that departments fall into two main categories:

1. All scores are reviewed, and score increases are emphasized

Many schools consider your portfolio of GRE performances, but they place special emphasis on score increases. For example, the University of Michigan states:

The Admissions Committee will be given all of the applicants

[soleprovider14]

misterpat:

Thanks for the research and breakdown. I was basing my knowledge from the responses I received from specific departments (which at times were a bit vague). However, most responses fall into the 2nd category of schools which you posted. In that case, I believe I will take the GRE for the third time and focus on achieving at least a 600V since I already have a 4.5AWA (and perhaps a 5 on the most recent one) and a 660Q.

Thanks for all the help.

[soleprovider14]

Just wanted to include an update. I took the GRE for the third time yesterday and got a 580V and a 680Q. I'm very happy with my scores, and tremendously happy to be finally done with the GRE. I know the Verbal score isn't great by any means, but it is above all of the averages of the schools I am applying to, and from what I had professors tell me, I should not be too worried about it. Thanks for all the help.

[JohnBom]

Great! Congrats!