I just finished taking my GRE. They show you your scores (minus the essays) at the end. I bombed it. Completely. Horribly.
I got a 570 on the Verbal - over 100 points less than I'd been getting on the practice exams. On the math part I got a 460 which is pretty close to what I was getting on the practice exams. I was surprised I got that high on the math - so much of the questions I did an educated guess on. The verbal though really, really upsets me.
An average score is 575 - so both my scores are below average. I dont know if its even worth it at this point to even send in an application to grad school.
I knew I wasn't going to be able to get the math much higher, but I was hoping that my verbal would be high enough to make it a good overall score.
Maybe my essay scores will be enough to help.
All I know is that I've blown through a couple hundred dollars, plus spent numerous hours preparing for this test - and it feels like it was a total waste of time money and energy.
Upset with myself
March 31st, 2009 at 08:58 pm
March 31st, 2009 at 09:13 pm 1238533997
If at first you don't succeed, try try again.
Honestly, it must be pretty hard to study for such a test when you have been out of school mode for many years. I am relieved GRE is not a requirement for most accounting grad classes. Either because I am a CPA (we get passes on like, everything - notary, real estate license, GRE, you name it) or if it was because I was an accounting undergrad. Either way, ugh. Doesn't sound fun!
That's why I took my CPA license test immediately out of school, and took the 16-hour test in 3 parts (3 different sessions, each 6 months apart) as allowed. I don't understand the people who attempted all 16 hours at once. I wasn't even going to try to make it harder than it had to be. I'd probably fail today.
Yeah, you don't get any perks for passing it all your first try. Likewise, you don't get knocked for not passing GRE the first time.
I still cross my fingers for you - you never know. how long for test results?
March 31st, 2009 at 09:49 pm 1238536172
March 31st, 2009 at 09:55 pm 1238536544
I think you have a couple of choices - if you have your heart set on a couple of places, then looking at the average acceptance scores gives you an idea.
If you have your heart set on working with an individual (this is common in the sciences), if that individual wants you, that desire is worth at least a 100 points.
Grad school is full of stories of people who test extremely well in the GRE's then leave in three months. And full of stories of people who score in the low average yet get their grad degree. The GRE can't test for creativity or determination - the ability to get out of bed and try something for the 7th time after bombing out 6 other times.
March 31st, 2009 at 10:38 pm 1238539134
Now I just have to figure out who to ask for recommendations. Having been out of school since 1997 for all intents and purposes, it will be interesting finding people. I probably need to contact the school to find out what is acceptable for references. Hopefully I can use my best friend T who knows me as a teacher/coworker and friend.
March 31st, 2009 at 10:41 pm 1238539304
Now I just have to figure out who to ask for recommendations. Having been out of school since 1997 for all intents and purposes, it will be interesting finding people. I probably need to contact the school to find out what is acceptable for references. Hopefully I can use my best friend T who knows me as a teacher/coworker and friend.
& The other two scores will take 10 - 14 business days (for the essays)
March 31st, 2009 at 11:47 pm 1238543270
Anyway, I'm sorry it did'nt turn out the way you had hoped, but I am glad you scored high enough to continue on with your plan without having to retake the test!
April 1st, 2009 at 12:03 am 1238544203
April 1st, 2009 at 01:50 am 1238550640
April 1st, 2009 at 02:46 am 1238553980
April 1st, 2009 at 03:03 am 1238555039
You're right, the GRE is just a part of the package. Part of why I was really hoping for a high score was for possible scholarships - and I think also I wanted really good scores to prove to myself that I really can go back to school and do well.