Should I retake the GRE?

[Anna Pavlova]

I got a 5 in writing and a 160 in verbal. I'm applying to top schools for Art History, and I'm an international student. (My quant score is very poor, but I will not have time to improve it and it is less significant for my discipline). Thanks! 

[DogsArePeopleToo]

There was a conversation on a topic like this a while back:

 (They use the old GRE scales, but you can probably get an approximate sense of things)

Magoosh also did a blog post on the GRE scores of people who intended to do art history and people who got admitted into a program in the field. Admittedly, data on the first category is far more reliable than the data about the second one. But you can take a look for yourself: http://magoosh.com/gre/2013/gre-scores-for-arts-and-humanities-programs/

On some level, your TOEFL scores might also be a factor if you're an international student. I'd imagine with your Verbal and AWA, you probably have something above 100, perhaps well above.

Hope this helps.

[DogsArePeopleToo]

Also, as you know, it depends on what program you're applying. Here's a contrast:

This is UT Austin:

For those admitted to the MA program in fall 2012, the average total score (combined verbal and quantitative scores) on the Revised GRE is 317; the average Writing score is 4.75. Successful applicants to the PhD program average somewhat higher. The GRE score is a supporting part of the application; applicants are not denied or offered admission solely on the basis of their GRE score.

And this is Columbia:

For the GRE, prospective students should aim to score at least a 167 on the verbal, 160 on the quantitative reasoning and a 5.5 on the written essay.  Applicants are advised to take their GRE test (and TOEFL or IELTS if required) in sufficient time to ensure that the scores arrive by application deadline. (These are scores to aim for not hard requirements.  Applicant should aim to get as close as possible or over recommended scores.  If scores are slightly lower than those recommended it does not automatically disqualify an applicant’s application.)