Last Possible Day to Take the GREs?!

[ClinicalGal]

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Hi All, I am clearly DREADING retaking my GREs... so i would like all the study time i can get... anyone have an opinion as to the last possible day i should take them? So that there is enough time for scores to get to schools by Dec. 1st. I was thinking mid-Nov - is this pushing it??

Thanks!! 🙂

 

[mplsgirl]

I was wondering the same thing. I plan on retaking the GRE on October 30, but since the subject test is only 2 weeks prior to that, I would like to push my retake of the general back as much as I can, to allow ample time for preparation!

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

I believe the GRE people suggest at least 4 weeks to get your scores sent, though this can vary depending on the time of year, etc. It also depends on your program, as some have a firm deadline of Dec. 1st for EVERYTHING, while others may say, "your application, and have your scores sent". I'd say contacting each program and inquiring about how strict they are with when they receive the scores.

*edit*

It looks like you have more time. Back when I took them, the computer based tests were just starting to be used, so they suggested 4 weeks.

If you take the computer-based General Test, you can view your unofficial Verbal and Quantitative scores at the test center; however, because of the essay scoring process, you will not be able to view your Analytical Writing scores at that time. Verbal, Quantitative and Analytical Writing scores on the computer-based General Test will be sent to you and the institutions you designate within 10 to 15 days of your test administration.

If you take the paper-based General Test, you will not view any scores at the test center. Verbal, Quantitative and Analytical Writing scores on the paper-based General Test will be sent to you and the institutions you designate within four to six weeks of your test administration.

 

[AlairaK]

I'm not sure when the test dates are exactly, but I would REALLY recommend not pushing the limit at all.

For all the money they charge, the ETS is AWFUL AWFUL AWFUL...let me reiterate, AWFUL about sending scores in a timely manner.

And they don't send them all consistently. Of the 12 schools to which I applied, one or two received my scores within a week, others did not receive it for nearly 6 WEEKS! It seemed to be geographically located (i.e., schools farther away from the ETS headquarters received the scores MUCH later), but this is just my personal observation.

In fact, there was even one school that did not receive my scores until one day after the application deadline in December, when I took my test in October.

I really wouldn't push it at all.

 

[psybee]

I'm not sure when the test dates are exactly, but I would REALLY recommend not pushing the limit at all.

For all the money they charge, the ETS is AWFUL AWFUL AWFUL...let me reiterate, AWFUL about sending scores in a timely manner.

And they don't send them all consistently. Of the 12 schools to which I applied, one or two received my scores within a week, others did not receive it for nearly 6 WEEKS! It seemed to be geographically located (i.e., schools farther away from the ETS headquarters received the scores MUCH later), but this is just my personal observation.

In fact, there was even one school that did not receive my scores until one day after the application deadline in December, when I took my test in October.

I really wouldn't push it at all.

i applied to schools in the same area i lived and STILL had horrible problems with ets. one school, i had to send to 3 times!!!! regardless of when you take the gre, i recommend sending a copy of the scores they send YOU with your application. I included a letter with my application listing each thing I had included, and that unofficial copy was one of those items. no need to explain why i was including it, we (admissions folks and applicants) all know ets is the dmv of standardized tests.

 

[ClinicalGal]

Thanks for everyone's input on this! I am thinking i'll take it latest Nov 1st, this way ETS will have exactly 1 month to send all the scores... In order to do this, do i need to have all the school's codes WITH ME for the GREs to enter them directly there, rather than afterwards? Anyone know?

 

[psybee]

Thanks for everyone's input on this! I am thinking i'll take it latest Nov 1st, this way ETS will have exactly 1 month to send all the scores... In order to do this, do i need to have all the school's codes WITH ME for the GREs to enter them directly there, rather than afterwards? Anyone know?

you can't bring any paper in with you to the test, so you have to do it on screen, i think.

 

[bludreamz]

Thanks for everyone's input on this! I am thinking i'll take it latest Nov 1st, this way ETS will have exactly 1 month to send all the scores... In order to do this, do i need to have all the school's codes WITH ME for the GREs to enter them directly there, rather than afterwards? Anyone know?

For the CAT, you can look up and send up to 4 (can't remember exact number) school codes on the computer for free. If you want to send more after the test, you have to pay a fee (plus, I think you have to wait to get official scores in the mail if you want to send scores after the test.. but I could be wrong. I think there's more info on the website).

So no, you don't have to bring or memorize codes (Use that space in your head for some GRE vocabulary words).

 

[nycpsychloy]

For all the money they charge, the ETS is AWFUL AWFUL AWFUL...let me reiterate, AWFUL about sending scores in a timely manner.

ETS is AWFUL!!!😡😡😡 In my experience - the ETS person at the study site I took the GREs at entered in my SS# wrong into their system... once I found this out, no one would fix it and it took me over a day to get a hold of someone of some sort of stature to listen to me (mainly because the customer service people refused to transfer my call to their higher ups and the website only has the customer service phone number!) I'd give yourself an extra month and take the tests before the end of October.

Good Luck!!!!

 

[lucyguard]

Yes, ETS is awful. They somehow managed to split my scores (general and subject) into 2 different files, as if I were 2 different people. It took me a month to get it corrected. I'm not kidding, 1 month and hours of wasted time on the phone with them. Then I had to resend my scores to all 10 schools and by then it was already December, so needless to say I was freaking out.

You have to pay $15 for each additional school if you want to send your score to more than 5 (if I remember correctly) but make sure they have ALL of your scores before sending it so the same thing doesn't happen to you!

🙂