.Remember that the GRE is not an intelligence test. Some of us are not standardized test takers, happen to have math dyslexia, as well as test anxiety. Thus, ACT/SAT/GREs can be exceptionally harder for a large part of the population purely because of the testing format/content, not because they are less intelligent or able as those that score "highly." .
There is a big difference between not doing well for a host of reasons unrelated to intelligence; however with a combined score of 700, I would be looking for a pulse. You are half right, according to Conrad (1977) the GRE taps developed abilities and not raw intelligence. Unfortunately it's hard to develop those abilities without the requisite intelligence as a basis for this development. These abilities predict real world outcomes and correlate tightly with g which is an intelliegence construct (Kuncel, Hezlett, & Ones, 2004).
Further to suggest that a "large" part of the population suffers from test anxiety, math dyslexia, and are not socialized to standardized testing seems to lack a certain amount of face validity and requires some specific elucidation on your part (if that is your claim here).
Further others would argue that you can predict IQ from GRE scores, but I am not personally pushing it that far.
http://http://www.psych.utoronto.ca/users/reingold/courses/intelligence/cache/1198yam.html
Finally, to take the other side of the argument, even if the GRE is not an intelligence test, who says that intelligence is the holy grail of clinical psychology admissions? Possibly the GRE taps other more important constructs that predict not only graduate school success but the ability to be a competent therapist independent of intelligence.
.I apologize for slightly overestimating Joe's score. I'm trying my hardest to do well on this exam, so commenting sarcastically is really not appreciated. I'm simply stating that people take for granted the scores they get, and I was gently trying to point out that it can be worse than an 1120. I have looked at other people's scores now and heard them complain about scores a little above or below a 1200- had I known that people would be scrutinizing my math on SDN, I wouldn't have said anything!.
Let's move on, (I am not scrutinizing your math now) your argument here is full of inaccuracies. Powers & Kaufman (2004) published a study that runs contrary to your thesis here stating, "For instance, there was no evidence that ‘‘deeper-thinking'' students are penalized by a standardized multiple-choice test like the GRE General Test. Correlations of depth with GRE scores were near zero (except for a slight positive correlation with GRE verbal scores). Nor was there any indication that more creative students do less well on the GRE General Test than do their less creative counterparts."
.It's easy to see such a score and make a comment that is less than polite; however, please remember that there is a person behind that score that happens to have feelings. I put myself out there because I wanted to offer comfort, and it's not an easy thing to admit to getting the score that I did. I know perhaps better than anyone how horrifying it is to not get the score you feel you deserve and worked for. People that do not score highly on the GRE are not necessarily eliminated from the competition. Doing poorly on the GRE is not always the end of the road and does not make you the smartest (or dumbest) person in the world. GPA, external experience, and your LORs are just as important as your GRE score. .
Now I understand that there is someone behind the score, and for whatever reason you did poorly. I feel bad that you did that poorly, however the most likely reasons for such a poor performance are quite often not anxiety or other testing related factors. Often a lack of developed skills that the GRE taps or a lack of preparation is what contributes to a poor score. Certainly you could be one of the few that had anxiety or other issues, but it's the test takers (your) responsibility to request testing accomodations through ETS.
Actually, no, they are not all equally important. It would be extraordinary to get in with a 700 GRE and a 4.0 GPA, without some really extenuating circumstances. Unless you clear the GRE/GPA hurdle your application may in some circumstances never see the light of day or be evaluated seriously (Mayne, Norcross, and Sayette, 2006).
.Joe, definitely retake the exam if you feel it is necessary. More than likely you will improve your score rather than worsen it, but an 1120 is not necessarily going to eliminate you immediately from consideration. Generally most program cut offs are 1100 to 1200 from what I hear. Remember though the above factors I mentioned are also important in addition to your GRE score. I've talked to several professors who know of students that got into programs based off of their LORs and external experience. If you focus too hard on this, you risk neglecting the rest of your application. But then what do I know? I'm just the 'guy who can't add correctly'. "That guy probably sleeps in a cave and carries around a large club and says 'ugh'! Look at the size of his cerebral cortex!"
Best of luck to all of you, .
.Sincerely,.
.the guy (who is really a woman) who can't add correctly, but amazingly managed to string these sentences along that comprises this awesome post..
It's an awesome post right until you start looking at the facts. It's well constructed and shows clear thinking, then neglects the available research. The hard data shows that the majority of students who get into programs have excellent GPA's, GRE Scores, LOR's and experience (Mayne, Norcross, and Sayette, 2006).
Mark
PS - My apologies for getting your gender wrong... wouldn't have happened if I had gone to Harvard.
😉
