Should I take the GRE a third time?

[markelmarcel]

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I'm trying to weigh my options and make the best decision, and if you have an opinion or advice on the subject, then by all means please reply!

I have taken the test twice now and received the following scores

First Time
Verbal 420
Quant 640
Analytical 4.5
Total = 1060

Second Time (this morning)
Verbal 490
Quant 590
Analytical ?
Total = 1080

I attribute my high math score on the first round to the fact that I had just finished taking physics I and II so math was on my mindset. I also know I was nervous and flubbed the verbal before I had even got the score.

The second time I was much more relaxed, which was nice, but I work a full-time job as well as teach 6 exercise classes a week, so I didn't get enough time to study as I would've liked to kept up on the math...

Besides my GRE I have a very high GPA, total 3.89, Combined Science & Math 3,83, Science 3.79 and PT Core prerequisites 3.72. I also feel that I the people I have asked have written me very strong letters of recommendation.

The three main schools I am looking at say the following about the GRE...

(I put them in order of what school I would like to attend if I got the choice.)

School 1 (Pitt, Pittsburgh PA)
Minimum GRE Score: 500 verbal, 500 quant, 3.5 analytical

School 2 (Chatham College, Pittsburgh PA)
Average GRE Score for Accepted Students: 500 verbal, 500 math.

School 3 (Duquesne University, Pittsburgh PA)

A minimum composite verbal and quantitative score of 1100 is required for admission. Average accepted student composite score is 1175.


I am also planning on asking the schools how much emphasis they put on the GRE.

So, take it again? Risk it? I know I'm a strong candidate, but I don't want one small thing to allow my application to get tossed when I have so much else to offer to a program...​

 

[johncronejr]

You have met their requirement and you have a great GPA. If it were me, I wouldn't have retaken it the first time. Schools have apparently "accepted" that a score of 1000 on the GRE means that you can handle the graduate program.

The schools that I am looking at use the score of 1000 as a cut-off. They have said that it does not matter if you made 1000 or made 1200. Of course, it is your money and your time so if it makes you sleep better at night to try to get an even higher score, then do it.

 

[tokidoc13]

You might want to ask the schools if they take the highest score from both tests. For example, some schools would accept your 490 verbal and 640 quant as the scores, for a total of 1130. With that said, school 1 and 2 would accept your scores. I'm not sure about school 1- their minimum score requirement is 500 verbal. But since your grades are very high, I wouldn't worry too much. I also agree that you shouldn't retake the GREs.

 

[psu17]

If something is making you think that you can get the scores required by the programs, then take it again - take some practice tests beforehand

as far as duquesne goes, I recently met with one of their PT professors who offered to help me with my application (although I'm not applying there). The professors husband is the chair of PT at the school. She told me as far as duquesne goes, they have only a few seats in their program for students who did not go there for undergrad - she said between 5 and 15, but she also said that last year they only had 3, I believe.

When we were discussing whether or not I should retake the GRE, she told me that if my score wasn't of the minimum requirements she would suggest trying to bring it up because as far as duquense goes, the first way they eliminate applicants is by the numbers (GPA, science GPA, and GRE). They do not even consider your reccomendation letters, observation hours, or anything else until after the number elimination.
...before I even met with her I had heard that pittsburgh schools are known for focusing too much on numbers (mainly Pitt)


If I hadn't met with this professor, I wouldve said you were fine - For most schools your GPA would make up for your scores (which are not even bad) but for the particular schools you are applying to, I'm not sure
For Chatam, I think you are fine - it's more of the minimums that would concern me

Talk to the programs, you are so close to the 500 in verbal, maybe they'll look past it- If you don't retake the test, I would probably apply to another program, just in case - sadly.

 

[markelmarcel]

If something is making you think that you can get the scores required by the programs, then take it again - take some practice tests beforehand

as far as duquesne goes, I recently met with one of their PT professors who offered to help me with my application (although I'm not applying there). The professors husband is the chair of PT at the school. She told me as far as duquesne goes, they have only a few seats in their program for students who did not go there for undergrad - she said between 5 and 15, but she also said that last year they only had 3, I believe.

When we were discussing whether or not I should retake the GRE, she told me that if my score wasn't of the minimum requirements she would suggest trying to bring it up because as far as duquense goes, the first way they eliminate applicants is by the numbers (GPA, science GPA, and GRE). They do not even consider your reccomendation letters, observation hours, or anything else until after the number elimination.
...before I even met with her I had heard that pittsburgh schools are known for focusing too much on numbers (mainly Pitt)


If I hadn't met with this professor, I wouldve said you were fine - For most schools your GPA would make up for your scores (which are not even bad) but for the particular schools you are applying to, I'm not sure
For Chatam, I think you are fine - it's more of the minimums that would concern me

Talk to the programs, you are so close to the 500 in verbal, maybe they'll look past it- If you don't retake the test, I would probably apply to another program, just in case - sadly.

Thank you for the info, especially since it is specific to the schools I am applying to. I definitely think that I can get a much higher score, previous to the first time I took it when I was studying a lot my practice test was an 1180... I just think nerves got me the first time and the second time it snuck up on me without enough time to keep studying because I got a new full-time job on top of my evenings being busy with teaching exercise classes... So, I think that I can do it.

I want there to be absolutely no doubt in someone when they look at my app that I deserve to be in a program.

 

[markelmarcel]

Also, does anyone know exactly what is meant by "you may not take the GRE more than once a month"?

Is that a general if you take it in August, you may not take it in
August again, or does it mean literally no sooner than 30 days apart.

The reason I ask is, my 3 options for testing are October 23 (which would be 2 days short of 30 days since I just took it on September 25) taking off a day of work to go on October 29th or having to wait until November...

I am concerned about waiting too long with deadlines happening in December, if I do better I want my higher scores to be there in time for the deadline...

 

[johncronejr]

Regarding the "once a month", I was told that it means within the same month. I was told by my advisor hat I could take it on Sept. 30 and then again on Oct 1 for example.

 

[markelmarcel]

Regarding the "once a month", I was told that it means within the same month. I was told by my advisor hat I could take it on Sept. 30 and then again on Oct 1 for example.

Ok, that's what I was thinking. I went ahead and registered, and also emailed ETS. If they get back to me with a different story, I'll just have to suck up the $50 to reschedule the date.

 

[zhanglin9099]

Also, does anyone know exactly what is meant by "you may not take the GRE more than once a month"?

Is that a general if you take it in August, you may not take it in
August again, or does it mean literally no sooner than 30 days apart.

The reason I ask is, my 3 options for testing are October 23 (which would be 2 days short of 30 days since I just took it on September 25) taking off a day of work to go on October 29th or having to wait until November...

I am concerned about waiting too long with deadlines happening in December, if I do better I want my higher scores to be there in time for the deadline...

a friend of mine got a full score in GRE

 

[markelmarcel]

a friend of mine got a full score in GRE

This is relevant to the OP because why??

 

[pttrac]

Your GPA is great and your GRE scores meet the requirement. I don't think you have to retake it since you will probably do the same based on the first two tests. If you have everything else in line (LORs, Exp.) than I don't think you should have a problem getting an interview and perhaps being accepted.

 

[markelmarcel]

...you will probably do the same based on the first two tests.

I was sort of bummed my math went down so much when I took the test again... On the practice tests I did by myself before I took it the first time my practice scores were between 1130-1180.

I feel like 1060 and 1080 are a far cry from 1180... So, I'm a perfectionist and will try again.

I don't want to leave a doubt in the application committee's eyes that I can do this. I'm 25, I'd be 26 when I started a program (If I get in) and I don't want to waste anymore of my life, not doing what I want to do! 😛

Thanks for the support, though!!

 

[soccer31]

You can retake if that is going to make you more confident in your application, however as others have mentioned before I don't think you need to. I go to PITT and unless they have changed their requirements they dont actually require 500 on each, but a 1000 combined instead. Its been a while since I took mine, but I believe I got a 430V and 710Q and got accepted to PITT and called for interview at Chatham.

 

[Yohan]

I was in the exact same situation as the OP with test scores of 1060 and 1080. I just got done taking it a 3rd time today and got an 1130 (mostly improved my verbal score). Do I feel better? I don't know, not really. I'd feel better if it was closer to 1200 😎. The main reason I took it agian is to get the essay score above a 4.0 (I'm really bad at sitting down and trying to write an essay under the gun, I'd rather mull over it for awhile) even though lots of people have told me that most schools don't even look at the essay portion. I guess I'm just trying to give myself the best possible chance to get accepted.

 

[markelmarcel]

I go to PITT and unless they have changed their requirements they dont actually require 500 on each, but a 1000 combined instead. Its been a while since I took mine, but I believe I got a 430V and 710Q and got accepted to PITT and called for interview at Chatham.

Good to know! How do you like PITT? Pitt is my first choice because it IS Pitt and I'd love to go there, I'm going to the open house in November, so I'm excited about that...

Are the professors willing to help students out of class time? Do they have open labs in the evening for studying? How's your experience so far??

 

[markelmarcel]

I was in the exact same situation as the OP with test scores of 1060 and 1080. I just got done taking it a 3rd time today and got an 1130 (mostly improved my verbal score). Do I feel better? I don't know, not really. I'd feel better if it was closer to 1200 😎. The main reason I took it agian is to get the essay score above a 4.0 (I'm really bad at sitting down and trying to write an essay under the gun, I'd rather mull over it for awhile) even though lots of people have told me that most schools don't even look at the essay portion. I guess I'm just trying to give myself the best possible chance to get accepted.

Hey! You went up the last time! I'd like to get into the 1100's!!
I'm glad to know I'm not the only one wanting to give myself the best possible chance of getting accepted 🙂