Should I Retake the GRE's?

[Slots]

Hi there. I know this question is often posted on this website, but I'm having a tough time deciding what my course of action should be. I earned a 158 on verbal, 144 on quantitative and a 5 on the AWA. My advisor thinks I should retake the exam to try to aim in the 90th percentile for verbal (at the moment, I'm in the 80th percentile). A few months before she suggested I take the exam again, she told me that Composition and Rhetoric programs do not place much of an emphasis at all on the GRE's. She expressed that if I got into the 150's I would be fine, so I'm a little confused about what to think! Retaking the exam wouldn't hurt me, but is it worth my time (and anxiety)? So I suppose I'm experience a conflict between my reason and my emotions. This could be compounded by extra stress that's going on in my life. I was considering first looking at specific programs (I haven't started doing that yet, although I know that I want to study Composition and Rhetoric) to see their GRE requirements, but I thought to gauge everyone's opinion here first. Is retaking the GRE's even a question? Should I just do it, or would you suggest otherwise? I have read previous posts about this topic, which has prompted me to post my question here. Thanks for reading!

[Dr. Old Bill]

I would do it.

Standardized exams suck. I don't think I'm hyperbolizing when I say that nobody likes them as a benchmark for grad school. The problem is that the GRE general is indeed used that way, and while it is correct that other factors in your application weigh heavily, there's something about the starkness of a number that makes for an easy snap assessment.

158/80th percentile on the verbal is a "fine" number, and in most fields it would be good enough...but bumping it up to the 160s (and/or the 90th percentile) will help to erase any of those snap judgments. When I was talking to my advisor (who routinely sits on admissions committees) about grad school applications a few weeks ago, I asked her how important adcomms see GRE/GPA etc., and she said something along the lines that it doesn't matter much...because everyone's numbers are excellent. The subtext of this is, of course, that those who don't have competitive numbers will invariably stick out. Again, not necessarily something that can't be overcome by other strong elements to your application, but the takeaway is this: if you can do anything to improve your overall application, and the overall picture of the academic you, do it. Retaking the GRE once will cost you $200, four hours of test time, and several hours of study time...but if you can bump up your verbal score by a few points (or ten percentage points), it will give you peace of mind as you're waiting during the seemingly inexorable period between application submission and the gradual trickle of acceptances and rejections.

For what it's worth, I've taken the GRE general three times in the past 2.5 years. My best verbal happens to be from my first sitting of the test, despite studying hard and taking (and doing very well on) countless practice tests prior to the other two sittings. My verbal is 162, which puts me right at the 90th percentile, but I don't regret retaking the test both times, simply because I was wanting to give myself more peace of mind with a higher score. In my heart of hearts I know my score shouldn't hurt me -- I have an excellent vocabulary, which is on display in my Writing Sample -- yet there is still a part of me that passively considers taking it a fourth time. Which would be ridiculous. But in a highly competitive process wherein admission offers are made to under 10% of applicants, anything you can do to help yourself in the long run should be done (in my opinion, of course).

Good luck!

Edited August 15, 2016 by Wyatt's Terps

[klader]

Are you applying for an MA or PhD?

FWIW, I was in your shoes last year (as an MA applicant) with a different distribution of scores - 151 V, 151 Q, 5 AW. I ultimately decided not to retake it because, for me, I didn't have that much time to study harder and, when I thought about it, half the programs I was applying to didn't even require it, which made me think that the rhet/comp field generally doesn't care that much about it.

However, I do think that I missed out on a special research award because my scores weren't high enough for the grad school, so I do regret that. I think fellowships for PhD students in particular might put some weight on GRE scores. If I had more time (like you do, I'm guessing), I would retake it. But if you end up not re-taking it or if you do retake it and score about the same, I really don't think it'll be *too* big of a deal. I got into 3/4 programs that required the GRE with my score, so it didn't make too much of a difference for me. But, YMWV.

Edited August 15, 2016 by klader

[Slots]

Thank you both for your answers--I'm considering them carefully! I've reached out to some programs I plan on applying to see what they think. So far, I've received one reply which pretty much stated that my scores are solid, but it wouldn't hurt to retake the exam, leaving me with the question: I know it doesn't hurt to retake the exam, but is it worth my time if my scores are solid? At some point in the near future, I will decide on whether or not to retake the exam (I can easily see myself doing it, although I know in my heart of hearts I do not want to). Btw, I am applying for master's programs but might continue onto PhD programs, although I do not know yet if I will. 

[charlemagne88]

I'd say, It really all depends on your GPA, your LORs, and statement of purpose. If you think these will be competitive, then I wouldn't retake the test -simply because the test sucks, and it's an unnecessary additional $200 each time you take it. (Keep in mind all the application fees you'll be paying and charges to mail transcript(s). Applying to 8 programs cost me ~$700). I had similar scores as you, a good GPA and great LORs -(I was told by my writers that they sang my praises) and a bomb statement of purpose and I got accepted. I don't think committees really put much stock into GRE scores, unless there is only one spot remaining and they're determining between two applicants with exactly the same credentials. 

 

There was a AMA a few weeks ago from a person who regularly serves on an admissions committee and he seemed to suggest that GRE scores do not matter that much unless they're bad. Anything above 150 is fine (imo) and 5 on the writing portion is great. You'll be fine. 

[verjus]

(Slots, I hope you don't mind that I'm jumping on your coattails here.)

How important is the AW score in English PhD applications? I just got my GRE scores back and was shocked by my AW score (4!). I know that I had a bad case of testing nerves, but I didn't think that I did that poorly. Is this bad enough to hurt my application? I can write under timed circumstances and under pressure -- but apparently not on that one day.  I'm happy with my scores otherwise (167V, 166Q), so I would hate to have to retake it. Ugh, I hate tests.

[Caien]

On 8/17/2016 at 11:14 PM, charlemagne88 said:

There was a AMA a few weeks ago from a person who regularly serves on an admissions committee and he seemed to suggest that GRE scores do not matter that much unless they're bad. Anything above 150 is fine (imo) and 5 on the writing portion is great. You'll be fine. 

Any chance of a link to the AMA charmlemagne?

Edited August 24, 2016 by Caien
typo

[charlemagne88]

On 8/24/2016 at 5:49 AM, Caien said:

Any chance of a link to the AMA charmlemagne?

Here you go!
 

 

[Caien]

On 26 August 2016 at 4:24 AM, charlemagne88 said:

Here you go!
 

 

Thank you!

[Warelin]

26 minutes ago, Caien said:

Thank you!

As a side note, it's important to realize that the person answering questions is in Sociology, which has different criteria expectations than English. Sociology PHDS aren't the ones teaching students English while they pursue their degrees. I think your scores of 158 will be fine for 3-4 and some of tier one schools. I think a 150 would struggle for a spot in even a tier 4 school.

[Slots]

Hi everyone! I just want to thank everyone for their comments! I retook the GRE's and my scores significantly went up! I am now at a 163 verbal, 148 quantitative, and a 5 AWA