GRE and degree advice needed.

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Michael4422

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I'm 38 and starting a new career. I'm looking at becoming a PT or PTA but have concerns about the GRE for PT admissions. My math scores on the GRE will be very low, though my verbal and written should be fairly high. My undergrad BA is 3.5 and I have a 4.0 for one year of prereqs (for a BS in Nursing, which I've decided against). I'm above average in intelligence and it really frustrates me that when I look at these quantitative GRE examples I have no clue. It's not that I'm out of practice. I'v just always struggled with math.

Maybe tutoring or practicing will help, but I feel like maybe I shouldn't even bother with the GRE and just get the PTA. Will bombing the quantitative portion of the GRE will be my achilles heal if I apply?

I could use a little advice. I'm little down about this whole GRE thing. I've managed to avoid it until now!
 
I'm 38 and starting a new career. I'm looking at becoming a PT or PTA but have concerns about the GRE for PT admissions. My math scores on the GRE will be very low, though my verbal and written should be fairly high. My undergrad BA is 3.5 and I have a 4.0 for one year of prereqs (for a BS in Nursing, which I've decided against). I'm above average in intelligence and it really frustrates me that when I look at these quantitative GRE examples I have no clue. It's not that I'm out of practice. I'v just always struggled with math.

Maybe tutoring or practicing will help, but I feel like maybe I shouldn't even bother with the GRE and just get the PTA. Will bombing the quantitative portion of the GRE will be my achilles heal if I apply?

I could use a little advice. I'm little down about this whole GRE thing. I've managed to avoid it until now!

Hi, Michael4422. I'm 28 and also starting a new career path.

It's pretty normal to have test anxiety when it comes to the GRE. I'm assuming you haven't taken it yet, but it's common for people to improve on their scores if they retake it.

Have you been looking at GRE prep books and/or online resources? I found them pretty helpful. I'm convinced people can improve their scores by a significant amount just by focusing on the types of questions asked as well as learning test strategies like eliminating wrong answers.

When I took my GRE this past summer, I sometimes had to simply focus on eliminating answers I confirmed were wrong in the math section. Even though I scored pretty well in the quantitative section, it didn't feel like a breeze to me by any means.

I say don't let your fears/insecurities over the GRE determine your career path. It's one test, and while it might be stressful to think about and prepare for, you can do this! You might even surprise yourself. You can always retake the test if necessary as well.

As a side note, a handful of PT schools don't look at the GRE. That limits your school options though.
 
I'm 38 and starting a new career. I'm looking at becoming a PT or PTA but have concerns about the GRE for PT admissions. My math scores on the GRE will be very low, though my verbal and written should be fairly high. My undergrad BA is 3.5 and I have a 4.0 for one year of prereqs (for a BS in Nursing, which I've decided against). I'm above average in intelligence and it really frustrates me that when I look at these quantitative GRE examples I have no clue. It's not that I'm out of practice. I'v just always struggled with math.

Maybe tutoring or practicing will help, but I feel like maybe I shouldn't even bother with the GRE and just get the PTA. Will bombing the quantitative portion of the GRE will be my achilles heal if I apply?

I could use a little advice. I'm little down about this whole GRE thing. I've managed to avoid it until now!

Don't automatically rule yourself out from pursuing PT just because you fear the math section of the GRE. You have no way of "knowing" that your quantitative score will be low, so why not just take a leap of faith and go for it?
 
I'm 38 and starting a new career. I'm looking at becoming a PT or PTA but have concerns about the GRE for PT admissions. My math scores on the GRE will be very low, though my verbal and written should be fairly high. My undergrad BA is 3.5 and I have a 4.0 for one year of prereqs (for a BS in Nursing, which I've decided against). I'm above average in intelligence and it really frustrates me that when I look at these quantitative GRE examples I have no clue. It's not that I'm out of practice. I'v just always struggled with math.

Maybe tutoring or practicing will help, but I feel like maybe I shouldn't even bother with the GRE and just get the PTA. Will bombing the quantitative portion of the GRE will be my achilles heal if I apply?

I could use a little advice. I'm little down about this whole GRE thing. I've managed to avoid it until now!

The GRE isn't everything. Different schools give credence to difference statistics; lots of schools prefer grades well above GRE. There are a few out there that don't even require the GRE.
 
I agree with everyone else. There is a lot more to your application than the GRE and, who knows, you might end up doing really well! You won't know for sure how you will do on the test until you take it. Definitely go for it if PT is something you want to do.

I was in the same boat as you. I was really nervous about the GRE and I have never been good at standardized test math (though I don't really have issues with regular math). I worked through a prep book, doing well enough on the practice exams that I was happy but never getting stellar scores. Come test day I got a 780 on the math section. You just have to give it a shot! 🙂
 
As was already mentioned, some schools do not even require the GRE for admission.

Secondly, you don't really know what your quantitative scores will be until you actually take the exam. I thought my verbal skills would be superior too, but I ended up doing better on the quantitative. I also dislike math and the practice problems I looked at were so confusing. The problems on the test however weren't nearly as bad I as thought they were going to be.

I don't think that there's any doubt that you should try it, at least. Be aware though you need to give yourself time to study for it (at the very least a month). There are free online resources, such as practice tests/problems, and there are also books available.
 
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My first quantitative score was a 350 and I thought I was reasonably prepared. NOT! Afterwards, I took a $450 course at Sherwood which provided a structured plan for 6 weeks and held me accountable. In addition to working 40 hours a week, I put in 15 hours studying the ETS GRE book, websites (mygretutor, 800score.com). Six months after taking the first exam I retook the test and scored a 650 on the quantitative! Hopefully this helps you feel more positive about your potential outcome.

"A postive anything is better than a negative nothing."

As for most things worth having in LIFE it takes patience and effort.
 
I don't understand. Math on the GRE is pre-Algebra!! There is also minimal actual calculation involved because there is no calculator allowed. Folks this is math that you all learned in 10th grade in high school! Yes you haven't touched it in a while, but it will be so intuitive and fast upon review. OP you should have more confidence in yourself on the Quant section. Don't go in thinking "my score is going to suck" because you will make your wish come true with that kind of defeatist attitude.

The material is not difficult, and you will destroy it if you put in the dedication and time! A little confidence will go a long way 👍
 
I don't understand. Math on the GRE is pre-Algebra!! There is also minimal actual calculation involved because there is no calculator allowed. Folks this is math that you all learned in 10th grade in high school! Yes you haven't touched it in a while, but it will be so intuitive and fast upon review. OP you should have more confidence in yourself on the Quant section. Don't go in thinking "my score is going to suck" because you will make your wish come true with that kind of defeatist attitude.

The material is not difficult, and you will destroy it if you put in the dedication and time! A little confidence will go a long way 👍
Telling, or implying, that someone is stupid if they don't get it is not helping.
Secondly, there is more than just algebra on the test.
Lastly, on the new GRE a calculator is involved.
 
Telling, or implying, that someone is stupid if they don't get it is not helping.
Secondly, there is more than just algebra on the test.
Lastly, on the new GRE a calculator is involved.


First of all, that was not my intention so I sincerely apologize. I was trying to send the message that the material is very doable since the OP was throwing in the towel at the very thought of studying for it. OP, try your best, don't give up, & good luck!
 
Telling, or implying, that someone is stupid if they don't get it is not helping.
Secondly, there is more than just algebra on the test.
Lastly, on the new GRE a calculator is involved.

Correct: Revised GRE allows calculator---not yours--theres is on the computer---it is higher than pre algebra....check out the samples on the ETS/GRE site. I used a princton study book. Took test in May and Aug of this year. Questions are not simply calculation and choosing a multiple choice response.Do a little each day.....work your way through it. Practice builds confidence!! You can do it........
 
I did learn algebra in 10th grade and got an A. By the way I completed algebra in 1992 (10th grade). It is now 2011 do the math, if you don't use it you lose it, and I don't use it in my profession. Thanks for the additional insight Neophyte!
 
I'm in your same situation. Jelly, some of us are not straight out of undergraduate, so to imply that the math isn't difficult is subjective. I haven't done this math in 10+ years!!!!

Since it has been so long, you may need someone to help you breakdown the material. I would get a tutor or take a review course for extra help

Good luck and you can do it!!!!
 
or ask a recent high sch or college grad. My mom needed my help for her teaching qualification exam............not the GRE but may be cheaper help than paying for tutoring, throw a few bucks towards the student. They might work for food 🙂
 
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