FREQUENTLY
ASKED QUESTIONS
Scroll down for answers.
Does the GRE matter?
It’s probably safe to say that the GRE, if required, always matters. Stellar GRE results can bump you into the “admit” pile and translate into fellowship and assistantship dollars; sub-par scores can plunge you into the “admission denied” pile or decrease your chances for funding.
What weight is given
to GRE scores in the admission decision?
It depends on the program. More competitive programs receive applications from many highly qualified candidates and can afford to deny admission on the basis of low GRE scores. For less competitive programs—the majority of programs—the GRE is just one of many pieces influencing the admission decision.
When in my
undergraduate career should I take the GRE?
Ideally, no later than August of the fall application cycle. Graduate school deadlines are as early as December 1. Preserve your time in fall semester for finalizing graduate school choices, completing applications and keeping up your grades, not studying GRE vocab. In the event that you under-perform, you will have a cushion of time to retake to exam.
Can
I retake the exam?
Test takers are allowed to retake the GRE one month following the last exam (see next question).
Should
I retake the exam?
Adequate preparation the first time around should inoculate you from a retake. The only reason you would retest is if you are convinced that something will have changed to warrant a higher score. For instance, you won’t be ill with the flu this time, you won’t freeze up during essay writing, you have done additional studying and know from taking practice exams (PowerPrep practice exams) that your score will be higher. Note: If your first test scores are low and then your retake scores are equally low, you have, in a sense, confirmed to the admission committee that the scores are an accurate reflection of your aptitude. In contrast, if you only take the test once and under-perform, you and your letter writers may have an easier time arguing that your test scores are an anomaly, not an accurate reflection of your ability. If you are deciding whether you should or should not retake, speak to a faculty member in your department and/or contact URGO.
Do I have the option
of sending only my best scores to graduate programs?
No. You do have an option to send solely the GRE General Test score(s) or solely the GRE Subject Test score(s). What you are not allowed to do is pick which General score or which Subject score you want sent. In other words, test scores from all the General Tests you have taken in the past five years will be included on a General Test score report (also holds true for Subject Tests on a Subject Test report).
Which section of the
GRE (verbal, quantitative or analytical writing) is most important to
the
graduate admissions committee?
It depends on your major and the program’s competitiveness. Never assume one section is more or less important until a graduate school tells you as much. Unfortunately, graduate schools don’t publish this information on their websites; however, many graduate faculty or graduate advisors will tell you if asked. Also, some students after taking a practice exam automatically--and often incorrectly--conclude that they should devote the bulk of their preparation time to bringing up the lowest section score. This may not be a wise study plan as you could be spending the majority of your time on the least important section.
What is the minimum
score I need to be admitted into graduate school?
There is no magic number that holds true for all graduate programs. In fact, few programs will publish this number anywhere on their websites or admissions literature, but you can usually find this information by directly asking a graduate professor. What you will find on many websites is the average score of the students admitted to the program in the past. If your scores are lower than that average, then you want to counterbalance them with a higher than average GPA, an exceptional personal statement, and/or outstanding letters of recommendation. Note: Every year in graduate programs across the country students get admitted to graduate programs with GRE scores lower than the average or required minimum.
Do I need to take a
subject test?
Visit the website of several graduate programs to see if a subject test is required.
If a school says that
a subject test is merely preferred should I take it?
It depends. If your score is strong, or you know it will be strong, then send it. The reverse is true if your score is low. Keep in mind that you can always take the subject test but choose not to have your scores sent. Within some departments the subject test has minimal impact on the admission decision but serves as a diagnostic tool, revealing to graduate programs what coursework incoming students have mastered.
What if I can’t
afford to take the test?
There
are fee waivers available to students who meet very
strict financial criteria outlined by GRE on their website. If
you meet the criteria, you need to obtain
verification of eligibility through