Subject GRE scores

[saladi]

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Hi!
I just took my Bio GRE and was wondering what a decent score would be to get into a PhD program..... any information will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks! 🙂

 

[kermitdfrog]

I wouldn't worry too much about your subject test score. Ideally if you could get in the 70-80% you would be in good standing. Percentile, not the score is important with the subject test. Several programs don't require a subject test, some like it so that you can apply for outside funding (i.e. fellowship competitions and the like), and others may use it, but to what extent really depends on the people reviewing your file.

For the general test you want at least a 1000, and depending on the school and program that could go up to the low 1400s. The subject test is probably the least important part of an application if it is required. I would concentrate more on other aspects of your application like LORs, personal statement, additional essays, general GREs, grades ect. Take a look at some of the programs you are thinking of applying to, as their web pages will probably give you a GRE range or competitive score for their program.

The test might be used to choose between two very similar applicants if it came down to it, but if you don't do too well don't think that it would keep you out of top programs, because it won't. However, this advice is coming from someone doing the MD/Ph.D. route so take it as you will, although I did apply straight Ph.D. also. I had one school in particular that requested a subject test and I hadn't received my scores at the time the application was due, and I still got accepted (just goes to show how unimportant they can be).

 

[housecleaning]

...and depending on the school and program that could go up to the low 1400s. The subject test is probably the least important part of an application if it is required. I would concentrate more on other aspects of your application like LORs, personal statement, additional essays, general GREs, grades ect.

In general I would agree with Kermit. But I'm curious which schools want to see low 1400s? Any verification would be great, as I'll likely be applying with scores like these shortly.
thx

 

[kermitdfrog]

In general I would agree with Kermit. But I'm curious which schools want to see low 1400s? Any verification would be great, as I'll likely be applying with scores like these shortly.
thx

There are a few and the more into engineering/CS type of fields the higher the scores you'll typically see. I know when I was applying most of the Ph.D. only programs I was looking at wanted scores in the 85% (which included both public and private schools, although 85% is slightly lower than 1400). In some programs having a high gpa/gre can make you elligible for university fellowships. Here are a couple examples from the web of scores close to 1400, but if the rest of your application is solid you wouldn't need scores in this range so don't focus on scores/GPA only, just apply and see what happens.

MIT Biology: "All interested students are encouraged to apply. The average undergraduate GPA for admitted students is 3.62, and the average GRE's are:
Verbal (650; 88%),
Quantitative (738; 87%), and
Analytical (735; 90%)."

UT Austin Biomedical Engineering:
"Applicants are required to have a degree in engineering or physics and expected to have a GPA of 3.75/4.00 in upper division or graduate coursework and GRE score of 1400 (verbal and quantitative)."

 

[housecleaning]

There are a few and the more into engineering/CS type of fields the higher the scores you'll typically see. I know when I was applying most of the Ph.D. only programs I was looking at wanted scores in the 85% (which included both public and private schools, although 85% is slightly lower than 1400). In some programs having a high gpa/gre can make you elligible for university fellowships. Here are a couple examples from the web of scores close to 1400, but if the rest of your application is solid you wouldn't need scores in this range so don't focus on scores/GPA only, just apply and see what happens.

MIT Biology: "All interested students are encouraged to apply. The average undergraduate GPA for admitted students is 3.62, and the average GRE's are:
Verbal (650; 88%),
Quantitative (738; 87%), and
Analytical (735; 90%)."

UT Austin Biomedical Engineering:
"Applicants are required to have a degree in engineering or physics and expected to have a GPA of 3.75/4.00 in upper division or graduate coursework and GRE score of 1400 (verbal and quantitative)."

thx kermit. i know berkeley is in the 80% percentile. (at least that what they advertise, although that's probably only quant.) any others? I would really like to know what Stanford wants to see. Peterson's says UCSD wants >80% "balanced" across all three. i doubt they see many with that. at least not for bio phd.