Got a question about taking GRE and when to submit scores.

[deckeda]

I'm interested in a Fall program that has an admissions deadline of this February. So I figure I have some time to study a bit more and take the GRE ...

My question is, if I take it (for the first time) next month, should I refrain from sending it to any schools at test time in order to find out first if I've somehow flubbed it? Paying the extra fee later to send scores might be worthwhile? I'd think that by designating where scores get sent the day you take the test requires a bit more confidence than I may have, especially since it will be my first time taking it.

One school says on one page they expect a score of "400" (whatever that means) but on another page they say a "low score" isn't gonna knock you out of contention.

Overall I have bigger things to worry about if I attempt to enter a Graduate program next Fall but wanted to get at least this much right.

[NewtonMP2100]

well, would it matter greatly if you do get "rejected"...?

.....since the school's requirement seems to be unclear, I would spend now and just send to the program you are interested in....also, sometimes the school may be flexible. Even if you don't get the cut-off score, depending on the school, they may also factor in other things, such as your work experience, etc. I know some who did mediocre/low and they still got into the program.....

If having the school know that you flopped [ that is should you flop ] would be detrimental to you, then wait and pay the extra later........


Also, NOTE the time schedule for your application and when the scores are sent out.....sometime they may conflict. It is better to take the test as early as you can before you plan to enter the program......should the scores be released after the admission cut-off then you have to wait for the following semester to enter.......

[deckeda]

If I take the test next month I would hope the scores reach the target before Feb ... if the normal timeline is longer than that I'm screwed regardless because even waiting another year (until next Fall to begin) is already longer than I'd like to get started in something.

[Janit]

Is the thinking that you could take it a second time and only send the second score if you have flubbed the first one?

If so you need to check on whether they will send only one score. It could be that any request would send ALL scores of that test, past and present. My vague recollection from many years ago was that this might happen.

If so, then there is no gain to waiting. The option to wait is probably intended more for those who are not yet sure which schools they will be applying to.

Best to verify.

[rz]

When I took them, I think 400 was the bare minimum score... like if you signed your name and handed it in blank. When I took them, there were 3 sections: verbal, qualitative and quantitative. 800 was a perfect score in each section. I got a 790 in both qualitative and quantitative. Don't remember what I got in verbal (probably somewhere in the 600s), but didn't care since I was going for an ME in engineering.