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Hi everyone, first time posting a thread here. Wish it were under happier circumstances.
I just got back from taking the GRE. 500-something verbal and quantitative. Quant I've always been bad at, but verbal I got 600's on the practice tests so that one surprised me.
I don't know what to do. I've been studying for it for 2 years. I've taken numerous practice tests, I've gone through all sorts of books, I've even looked at a math book. I'm just not a logical person, I'm a bad standardized test taker, and I tend to experience extreme test anxiety (I was shaking by the last section).
This was my first time taking it so I can retake it, but I'm not sure if that's going to help my score. I know that I have no hopes of getting in anywhere with a 1000, so I don't know what to do. I've wanted to go into clinical PhD programs since 8th grade, and I've strived to meet every requirement, but this GRE is just killing me. Should I just give up and accept that maybe I don't have what it takes? I don't know what else I can possibly do for preparation; I don't have any Kaplan or Princeton Review centers in my city, and I've used every prep book under the sun. But it still seems that I'm not good enough. I mean, there are people who can just walk in with no preparation and get 700's, and I can't even get 600's after 2 years of studying.
My sister and mom are suggesting that maybe I go for my Masters first, but I don't see how that would help my GRE scores. I have a good GPA, research experience, etc, but I can't get the GRE scores that I need.
I could really use some advice. I don't know what to do. I'm so lost, and devastated. I don't want to give up my dream just because of some stupid test, but I know that I won't be competitive with my scores. Yet I don't know how to raise them, either.
I'm going to stop now because I'm just repeating myself. Sorry, I'm really upset right now and therefore not in the best frame of mind.
Thanks.
I just got back from taking the GRE. 500-something verbal and quantitative. Quant I've always been bad at, but verbal I got 600's on the practice tests so that one surprised me.
I don't know what to do. I've been studying for it for 2 years. I've taken numerous practice tests, I've gone through all sorts of books, I've even looked at a math book. I'm just not a logical person, I'm a bad standardized test taker, and I tend to experience extreme test anxiety (I was shaking by the last section).
This was my first time taking it so I can retake it, but I'm not sure if that's going to help my score. I know that I have no hopes of getting in anywhere with a 1000, so I don't know what to do. I've wanted to go into clinical PhD programs since 8th grade, and I've strived to meet every requirement, but this GRE is just killing me. Should I just give up and accept that maybe I don't have what it takes? I don't know what else I can possibly do for preparation; I don't have any Kaplan or Princeton Review centers in my city, and I've used every prep book under the sun. But it still seems that I'm not good enough. I mean, there are people who can just walk in with no preparation and get 700's, and I can't even get 600's after 2 years of studying.
My sister and mom are suggesting that maybe I go for my Masters first, but I don't see how that would help my GRE scores. I have a good GPA, research experience, etc, but I can't get the GRE scores that I need.
I could really use some advice. I don't know what to do. I'm so lost, and devastated. I don't want to give up my dream just because of some stupid test, but I know that I won't be competitive with my scores. Yet I don't know how to raise them, either.
I'm going to stop now because I'm just repeating myself. Sorry, I'm really upset right now and therefore not in the best frame of mind.
Thanks.