Should I retake the GRE?

[HowIMetYourPet]

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Hey guys, sorry if this is a re-post of sorts, but I'm looking for some opinions..

I took the GRE this saturday and I got 154q, 157v (no writing score yet)

So, loaded question, but should I retake it?

I only self-studied the first time, and I know I got hung up on the probability/statistics questions, and I would take a kaplan course between now and when I would take it again...

I think I really need high GRE numbers....my cGPA is only a 3.4 so I'm thinking I need to get a higher score to make up for it (like 160.....)

What are your thoughts?

 

[Rainheart]

Not sure where you are applying to, but I got accepted with 154q, 149v and 4.0w. I got interview offers at most places I applied. Might be worth retaking only if you think you can do better again, though.

 

[HowIMetYourPet]

Not sure where you are applying to, but I got accepted with 154q, 149v and 4.0w. I got interview offers at most places I applied. Might be worth retaking only if you think you can do better again, though.

If you don't mind me asking, what was your GPA? Did you need your GRE to compensate for it?

 

[Rainheart]

If you don't mind me asking, what was your GPA? Did you need your GRE to compensate for it?

3.7- but I don't think you really need your GRE to compensate much for your GPA. A 3.4 is still pretty good in my book! I also did have a a few C's in some pre-req classes (Ochem and Physics). I had to take the GRE three times because I didn't study and thought my GPA would compensate, but I did SO poorly the first two times that it didn't matter. After I studied the third time for it, I finally got in (one cycle later, oh well!)

I guess it also depends where you want to apply and how much they weigh the GRE. My in-state school weighs the GRE 25% (VMRCVM) and I got an interview there (denied the first cycle).
Mizzou hardly looks at your GRE at all, so it really just depends as well what the schools look at.

 

[twsurfsnow]

After about 2 weeks studying, I just took my first GRE, 154 Verbal, 150 Quant were my results. I probably got a 0 writing because I just couldn't think over the tropical storm thundering outside. I took it in South Florida Thursday June 6th during the tropical storm. Anyway, my goal is to retake and get in the 160+ range. For those of you that have achieved that, how did you do it? and what materials did you use?

 

[ducktoller]

After about 2 weeks studying, I just took my first GRE, 154 Verbal, 150 Quant were my results. I probably got a 0 writing because I just couldn't think over the tropical storm thundering outside. I took it in South Florida Thursday June 6th during the tropical storm. Anyway, my goal is to retake and get in the 160+ range. For those of you that have achieved that, how did you do it? and what materials did you use?

I'm interested in knowing too! I'm planning to take a month long Princeton review course.. First time doing the gre and i got 151 verb and 157 quant on the practice gre so I was wondering what score I should be aiming at. I've also got a 3.4 gpa too so thanks for the input! 🙂

 

[gugoodoll]

After about 2 weeks studying, I just took my first GRE, 154 Verbal, 150 Quant were my results. I probably got a 0 writing because I just couldn't think over the tropical storm thundering outside. I took it in South Florida Thursday June 6th during the tropical storm. Anyway, my goal is to retake and get in the 160+ range. For those of you that have achieved that, how did you do it? and what materials did you use?

I used the following materials (bought from Amazon):

*ETS's "The Official Guide to the GRE revised General Test"
*Barron's New GRE, 19th Edition --> I thought this book gave me excellent prep for both the verbal and math sections.
*Barron's Essential Words for the GRE --> Unfortunately this book was a waste of time for me since I don't think any of the words in this book actually showed up on the GRE, but they could be of help to others.

I started studying 4 weeks or so before my test and studied 2-3 hours every night, working my way through the verbal and math sessions (saving the practice exams for last). I didn't really do any practice questions for the analytical writing (I really really don't like writing), but I got lucky on the actual exam and got questions that I could answer easily. Answering the second question (which asks you to figure out what's wrong with the scenario, or something like that...I think) involves more strategy than actual writing skills, IMO.

I'm a huge fan of making lists and schedules, so I had a daily list of what topics and sections to review each day. Starting about a week or so before the test I took 1 or 2 practice exams each night, ending with the practice exams provided by the ETS CD. (note: the CD isn't compatible with Macs so you need a PC).

 

[hygebeorht]

I didn't do a course or use books really. I glanced over the basic rules of algebra that I've forgotten over the years and took two practice tests to get a feel for the timing. Worked out well for me the last time I took the test.

I took 2/3 of my tests on the old version, which I did not like. I found the new one easier. There are apps out there that can help you study. I used one by Watermelon Express (?) for the old format. Not sure how much it helped.

 

[TooLove]

We have almost the exact same scores. I used ETS's Official Guide to the Revised GRE and some online study tools. My scores and stats are in the accepted students thread. It really depends on where you plan on applying and how they weight the GRE. It's worth making a few phone calls to admissions too because this is only the 2nd application cycle with the new scoring, so not a lot of data is out regarding what "good" scores are. The conversion charts are good to a point. But it's also worthwhile to note that any time a standardized test is changed, the scores are expected to be lower for a few years afterwards, so take those conversion charts with a grain of salt!

 

[StartingoverVet]

If you are asking the question, then the answer is yes.

You think you can do better so try again.

 

[vetkatie1208]

Hi everyone! I know there's already a few other threads about this but I am new to this site being a first time applicant and all so I'm not really sure how this works! So I took my GRE for the first time two weeks ago and just received my scores, I used books to self study and studied for about a month, a few hours every night.

I received a 157 in verbal which was 73%, a 157 in quantitative which 71% and then a 4.0 in writing which was 49%.
My cumulative GPA is a 3.79 and my science GPA is something around that too I'd say between a 3.7 and 3.8.

I have about 2000 vet experience hours mostly being from small animal practice some shadowing but most working as a tech. I am working on my large animal experience now! I also have tons of research experience and am currently doing my research on a grant from a research scholar program at my school.
I am applying to Florida and Auburn and maybe a few other schools but my main goal is Florida!

So I am just curious what you all think about whether or not I should retake the GRE (there's still plenty of time to retake its just so expensive!)? Also what my chances of getting in on my first try is?

Thanks a bunch!