Need some advice on retaking GRE, my current stats are...

[abePT]

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Undergrad: California State University
Major: Kinesiology - Exercise Science
Cum GPA: 3.66
Prereq GPA (calculated on my own, rough estimate): 3.55
-classes used to calculate prereq GPA: Chem sequence, Bio sequence, Stats, Anatomy, Physiology, Psych 1, abnormal psych; Physics sequence pending
GRE: 155V (68th percentile), 149Q, 4.0AW (59th percentile)
Hours: 60+ hrs and counting at outpatient ortho private practice, 52 hours of inpatient (Acute Rehab) observation, and 200+ hours outpatient hospital-setting oncology rehab

Not sure if I'm missing any stats... but as you can see, my Quant score is lackluster =( and thus I am at a crossroads where I have to register for a 2nd shot at the GRE BEFORE October 3 (2 schools I am applying to have this deadline). My question is, is it worth it to pay 200+ bucks for a second shot? I mean, before studying for the GRE or anything.. I took a practice test and scored abysmally (130/130); after studying with Magoosh I was projected to score 155-160 for Verbal, 152-154 for Quant.. but sadly my Quant score was below that, as evidenced by my listed scores. I hear that for most people, scores don't improve too drastically the second time around.. any advice would be appreciated. Thanks everyone.

 

[Yshai24]

How long did you study with Magoosh? Did you do all the lesson videos? How long will you have to study before the second attempt if you decided to do it?

There are a lot of variables that go into how you perform on a standardized test. I took it the first time and did good, but I only took the two practice tests from ETS. I just retook the test and scored significantly better on both sections, but I focused on weak areas and took a lot of practice tests, as well as studying all the Magoosh material. I would say, if you have the time to put in and don't have any other things to work on (essays, hours, references) then another go at it could be worth it. For me, the biggest thing I wasn't prepared for was how long the test is. I was fatigued half way through and couldn't believe I still had so much left. After taking so many practice tests and doing a good amount of reading comprehension questions (increases endurance for me), I found I was very prepared endurance wise.

 

[abePT]

@Yshai24

2 weeks. I acknowledge this is hardly enough, and since my test date (9/6/16) I have continued to study with an emphasis on Quant. The reason why I studied so little is because, to spare the details, life happens. By the time I got back on my two feet again, I realized I was late to start my PTCAS app, and began to gather everything (transcripts, LoRs, etc.) frantically; I almost have everything.

I honestly don't think that, for me, watching all the Lesson Videos in sequential order will benefit me. Instead, I will choose 20 questions, timed at 35 minutes on Quiz Mode. Then, this more accurately tells me the areas that I need to review; I then proceed to watch the corresponding lesson videos to these questions. I hope that makes sense. But I hear ya on the mental endurance aspect! It's tough to stay on your A-game for so long under those testing conditions.

Thanks for the tips though 🙂

 

[PrePT811]

In addition to the above reply, if spending (or not spending) the extra money to take another test is really that important to you, I would really consider looking into the schools you are applying to and see how they weigh your GRE scores compared to all the other stats. In general, if all the schools you are applying to do not weigh your GRE scores heavily, it may not be worth to take another. Email/call their admissions coordinator and ask. You may also want to consider schools that REQUIRE a minimum score. In some schools I have looked at, 150 for both V and Q are required. For these schools that require a minimum, I would also suggest asking if they are strict with these requirements. Good luck