Does the regular GRE matter for physics?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the relevance of the regular GRE in the context of applying to graduate schools for physics. Participants explore the weight of regular GRE scores compared to physics GRE scores and their impact on admissions decisions.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express a lack of interest in studying for the regular GRE, suggesting that their focus should be on the physics GRE instead.
  • One participant asserts that while good regular GRE scores may not guarantee admission, poor scores could lead to rejection from graduate programs.
  • Another participant emphasizes the importance of not performing poorly on the regular GRE, indicating that it could negatively affect admissions chances.
  • A hypothetical scenario is presented comparing two applicants with similar physics GRE scores but differing regular GRE scores, raising questions about how admissions committees might evaluate them.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree that while the regular GRE may not be the primary focus, it still holds significance in the admissions process, particularly in avoiding low scores. However, the extent of its impact compared to the physics GRE remains contested.

Contextual Notes

Some assumptions about the admissions process and the relative weight of GRE scores are not fully explored, leaving the discussion open to interpretation based on individual experiences and institutional policies.

dipole
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I plan to begin studying for the physics GRE no later than the beginning of August, but I hardly have any plans on studying for the regular GRE. After three years of physics I really can't imagine memorizing history dates and whatever other crap is on the regular GRE.

Do grad schools really look at your regular GRE scores and use them to reject people?
 
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dipole said:
I plan to begin studying for the physics GRE no later than the beginning of August, but I hardly have any plans on studying for the regular GRE. After three years of physics I really can't imagine memorizing history dates and whatever other crap is on the regular GRE.

Do grad schools really look at your regular GRE scores and use them to reject people?

Good gre scores won't get you in but bad ones will keep you out of grad school. Also, the gre doesn't test you on historical dates.
 
Don't completely bomb it.
 
Let's say you get in the 90th percentile on the Physics GRE but the 50th on the regular GRE. You apply to X grad school. Another person who also is in the 90th percentile in Physics but is in the 60th percentile on the regular GRE also applies to X grad school.

Who does the grad school choose?

Obviously there are other factors but getting a low score on something that they actually look at isn't usually a good idea.
 

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