Old score vs new scores

[kestrelcry]

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So, I'm taking the GRE again - the last time I took it was in 02. I've heard that, generally speaking, your scores don't tend to change that much between 'takes', so I thought I'd take a gander at my old and outdated score to give myself an idea of where I'd be at. But there are three scores rather than the two that most people are talking about on here, a verbal, a quantitative, and an analytical (not writing - analytical writing hadn't started yet). So how do I figure it all? Do I just ignore the Analytical part and just take the V/Q parts into account?

 

[KillerDiller]

Most programs have a spot on the application where you can still report the old analytical scores. However, GRE scores are only good for five years, so you will probably have to sit for the newer version anyway. Sorry.

 

[socialcog]

The older analytical version was replaced by an analytical writing section where you must write 2 essays. One 'issue' essay in 45 minutes where you argue a position and employ your reasons for your position, and an 'argument' essay in 30 minutes where you are asked to analyze someone else's argument--pointing out where the argument is flawed and what needs to change in order to strengthen the argument.

It's scored on a 6 point scale in .5 increments. It's value during the admissions process varies and is questionable.

I have heard that ETS may do away with it as they are making major changes to the test in November of 2007.

 

[WaitingKills]

Verbal and Quantitative are the most important. So when you hear people talk about "i got 1240, I got 1600, I got 980" etc... it's just the V and Q combined. The writing score should be somewhat important to you, but it definitely isn't as important to most school as V and Q.

 

[WaitingKills]

I have heard that ETS may do away with it as they are making major changes to the test in November of 2007.

The changes aren't happening anymore, yay!!!

 

[kestrelcry]

Most programs have a spot on the application where you can still report the old analytical scores. However, GRE scores are only good for five years, so you will probably have to sit for the newer version anyway. Sorry.

Oh I for sure have to retake it - I resigned myself to that ages ago - I just wanted to kind of have an idea of around where I might score and was wondering if I should be factoring in my old analytical scorea at all, but since I don't need to - that makes it easy. And yeah, like WaitingKills said, no more changes. Kind of ironic since you know they spent thousands doing research on how to possibly change it before they decided not to. Too bad they didn't spend the money on figuring out how to get scores out faster instead. 🙄


And while we're on the subject of the GRE - would it be pure insanity or merely slight decompensation to take the subject and general tests four days apart? I've never taken the psych before - I'm taking it on nov 3rd, obviously, and I started studying yesterday with a kaplan book and a gleitman intro psych text - good to know I've carted that thing back and forth across the country for a reason. Last time I took the GRE I got a 710 on the verbal and a 640 on the quantitative, and I don't think I studied much. Obviously, I need to pick up the quant score some. I was thinking about taking the general on the 7th of november and studying for both all the way along - am I being totally foolhardy in your opinions?

 

[RayneeDeigh]

I was thinking about taking the general on the 7th of november and studying for both all the way along - am I being totally foolhardy in your opinions?

It's definitely do-able if you're determined. I wrote the GRE while also studying for four senior undergrad exams in the same week, and they all came out fine. I had no social life for about 2 months beforehand, but such is life. lol