Another PGRE post: be happy with percentile or retake?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the decision of whether to retake the Physics GRE (PGRE) after achieving a score of 980, which corresponds to the 94th percentile. Participants explore the implications of this score in the context of applying to top US graduate schools, considering the competitiveness of admissions and the effort involved in retaking the exam.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses satisfaction with their score of 980, noting it is a good score for a foreign applicant, but questions whether retaking the PGRE could improve their chances at top schools.
  • Another participant strongly advises against retaking the exam, suggesting that the current score is sufficient for competitive applications.
  • A different participant mentions that admission profiles indicate many successful applicants to top 10 schools have similar scores, implying that retaking may not be necessary.
  • There is a suggestion to take the exam again without sending scores to schools initially, allowing the participant to decide later whether to submit a potentially improved score.
  • One participant questions the assumption that they are already planning to retake the exam, indicating a misunderstanding of their intent.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants exhibit disagreement regarding the necessity of retaking the PGRE, with some arguing that the current score is adequate while others suggest it might be beneficial to improve it.

Contextual Notes

There are varying opinions on the competitiveness of the score in relation to top graduate programs, and the discussion reflects uncertainty about the implications of retaking the exam versus the current score's adequacy.

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Hello,

I will only be applying to US Grad schools next year (circumstances...), but I took the GRE this year anyway cause there was no real reason not to and it would allow me to take it without too much pressure at the time. So I just got my scores: 980, in the 94-th percentile. From what I can gather as a foreigner, this is a good score, and I am happy! But I was just wondering, suppose I try to aim for the top schools next year, is it worth re-taking the PGRE next year in the hope of getting better? I realize there is no need for this, but I am just wondering if it might help (taking into consideration the effort of going through it again), after all 94-th percentile doesn't sound that high in the grand scheme of things (considering the amount of applications the top schools probably get).

Thanks.
 
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Don't. Just don't...
 
Haha, no, I most likely won't, but because I have no idea how competitive American universities can be, I'm just checking to be sure (don't worry, I'm not masochistic); in other words, unless somebody sensible here votes "yay", I won't.
 
If you look at admission profiles at the gradcafe or physicsgre sites you'll see that most people admitted at top 10 schools have scores like that.

If you're ok with paying ETS more for the excitement of going through another exam, the safe way to do it is to take the exam without specifying score recipients. That way when you get your score you can choose to send it if you're score is any better (at 25$ a pop to each university...).

IMO, you're wasting your money.
 
IMO, you're wasting your money.
Why are you implying I'm already planning on going?

Anyway, thanks for the help.
 
*you'd be. :)
 

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