Advice on when to write GRE

[August2008]

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Hey everyone. I want to give myself the most possible time to prepare for the General GRE but I'm confused as to what date I should book it for. I'm in Canada, so applications here are all due December 15th. If I write the GRE around Novemeber 20th, will that be enough time for my scores to get to the schools? I read on the GRE site that it takes 10-15 days...so if I write it on Nov 20th, 15 days (and I didn't count weekends) is Dec 11. Do you think that's ok? Or should I write it a week earlier (Nov 13th) to be safe? I don't want to lost that one more week of studying, but I'm afraid it might be tight. Can I trust that the scores will get there Dec11? Do the makers of the GRE GUARANTEE it?? Any advice would be great!! Thanks guys.

 

[Ollie123]

I can't give you a definitive answer but I will say to err on the side of earlier. Mine were definitely delayed above and beyond what I was expecting (the GRE website is full of lies!!). A few extra days of studying is unlikely to make a difference.

Most schools won't care if your scores are late but if any do...I wouldn't want to take my chances.

 

[psychplease]

.

 

[WaitingKills]

10-15 days? that's odd...

I think this is a huge mistake. Expect the scores to take on average 4-6 weeks. October to December is typically the busiest time of the year for GRE writing so markers are pretty overloaded at this time. I know when I wrote last year, it was pretty much 3.5 - 4 weeks but I wrote it really late (Dec. 11th - I was out of the country) so the markers weren't as busy as they were a month or two earlier (for the written part).

I am writing again this year on November 6th. I would highly suggest that you write on your November 13th date or earlier even. I'm assuming that you are from the States.... do you have any programs in which applications are due on December 15th? (my first application doesn't have to be in till January 3rd I believe). ETS does not guarantee anything, and if they are late they are late.

The good thing is that you can report your scores to the schools that may not get the official reports on time. I am sure that you know that you get your verbal and quantitative score right away after you complete your exam, you just have to wait for your written. I believe most schools are fairly flexible with this as long as you are upfront with them and they don't have to wait till like March for your official results. I also know from applying to a few American schools last year where the deadline was Dec. 15th, they didn't even look at applications until the New Year because everyone was on school holidays and the universities were shut down.
Thankfully that may also give you a bit of a reprieve.

In a nut shell... write as early in November as you can, wait till Dec 10th or something and if you haven't gotten your scores call ETS to follow up (they may say they are in the mail), if you still haven't gotten them by the deadline (because you also get an official copy) call the school's secretary and let her know what's happening AS WELL AS email the professors you named in your application and let them know what is happening and when they can expect your official scores.

Hoped this helped a little.

Good luck with writing. Remember that the essay is roughly 90% about length 😉

 

[zeldazelda]

...The good thing is that you can report your scores to the schools that may not get the official reports on time. I am sure that you know that you get your verbal and quantitative score right away after you complete your exam, you just have to wait for your written...

This is only true if you take the exam on the computer. The OP mentioned being in Canada. Can you take the computer exam in Canada? I know in some parts of the world it is not possible...

 

[JockNerd]

Yes, in Canada you take the exam in one of the special igloos that has electricity and running water. 😛

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

Yes, in Canada you take the exam in one of the special igloos that has electricity and running water. 😛

Though you need to take it early, because they send everything by Carrier Moose, which can take some time, depending on the hockey schedule. 😀

-t

 

[Ollie123]

On the upside though, if a moose drops off your GRE scores, people WILL remember your application😉

 

[WaitingKills]

On the upside though, if a moose drops off your GRE scores, people WILL remember your application😉

That's only if the moose is able to get through our snowy tundra. We are talking November you know... us Canadians invented snow shoes in order to get through our 10 ft of snow. Sometimes, when it's really bad and the moose can't get through it, they go and hibernate with our bears.


PS. I'm Canadian Zelda and we most definitely DO have computers up here.

 

[JockNerd]

That's only if the moose is able to get through our snowy tundra. We are talking November you know... us Canadians invented snow shoes in order to get through our 10 ft of snow. Sometimes, when it's really bad and the moose can't get through it, they go and hibernate with our bears.

Yeah, Canadians typically write the GRE in April, when there's only two feet of snow. The Mounties charge less to carry the mail because they can use the dogsleds then. Eh?

 

[Ollie123]

To be fair, I think Zelda just wasn't sure if the computer requirement was for any international testing/policy and not just "do they have computers up there". Just so she doesn't think we're just being mean, at least I'm not😉

That being said, this is still too funny not to keep going.

I grew up 30 minutes from Canada so I'm like...almost Canadian? That's the part that is dying down here in Florida where no one gives a crap about hockey.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

As for the OP question....I'd probably do it a week earlier, and let it ride. Just study a bit more each day/week until then. You will be worrying about enough by then, so adding something else to the list is just going to stress you out more.

-t

 

[JockNerd]

I think that was the intent behind Zelda's questions as well. However, it's very fun to joke about Canada-awareness. During interviews, I convinced one prof that we drive on the other side of the road here, and that at the border there's a one-lane overpass to switch road sides. 🙂

The end of Nov. is cutting it close. I've heard horror stories about ETS miscalculating GREs and sending scores with a combined 500 instead of 1400 and such. And ETS guarantees nothing. NOTHING! 😛

 

[zeldazelda]

To be fair, I think Zelda just wasn't sure if the computer requirement was for any international testing/policy and not just "do they have computers up there". Just so she doesn't think we're just being mean, at least I'm not😉

That being said, this is still too funny not to keep going.

I grew up 30 minutes from Canada so I'm like...almost Canadian? That's the part that is dying down here in Florida where no one gives a crap about hockey.

Thank you. Geez, I'm not a complete idiot. I've even visited your snowy tundra from time to time...

I was just remembering that everytime I read the stuff on the GRE website it kept referring to folks in some countries not having a choice to take the GRE on the computer. Even in some countries that -- gasp -- have computers.

By the way, I took the general GRE today. I'll let you know via this thread how long it takes to get my score report.

 

[WaitingKills]

By the way, I took the general GRE today. I'll let you know via this thread how long it takes to get my score report.

I think that I too can speak for most of us that we are just having fun with you. I don't know how many times though that I've had to explain to people that Canada does not equal living in the arctic lol.

You must be stoked that your GRE is over! I hope you did well and it's all smooth sailing from here 🙂

 

[zeldazelda]

I think that I too can speak for most of us that we are just having fun with you...

It's okay. I figured as much. Besides I have a pretty thick skin. A necessary attribute in this field I think.

...You must be stoked that your GRE is over! I hope you did well and it's all smooth sailing from here 🙂

Very glad and I am pleased with the result. Thanks for the well wishes. My V and Q scores are very competitive. I'm hoping the writing score is as well. I'll know soon. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

 

[zeldazelda]

By the way, I took the general GRE today. I'll let you know via this thread how long it takes to get my score report.

Just keeping my word.

General GRE written on 9/27/07. Score report received in mail 10/12/07.

Seems quick based on things I've read on this website but maybe the time lengthens as you get closer to the end of the year.

 

[WaitingKills]

I'm in Canada, so applications here are all due December 15th.

I just noticed this... Which schools are you applying too? The vast majority of the ones that I'm applying to (I live in Canada too) are due sometime after January 1st. Either the first Monday in January, January 15, or February 15th (I think one is January 10th or 20th too). You may have more time than you think.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

Wow....Feb?! Some people already are getting offers by then.

-t

 

[WaitingKills]

Wow....Feb?! Some people already are getting offers by then.

-t

I know. It totally sucks. I think the earliest I sent out applications last year for Canadian schools was January 3rd (SFU) and the last was Feb 15th (U of R).