Does the regular GRE matter for physics?

AI Thread Summary
Studying for the physics GRE is prioritized over the regular GRE, with concerns about the relevance of the regular GRE content, particularly historical dates. Graduate schools do consider regular GRE scores, primarily as a factor that can lead to rejection rather than acceptance. A strong performance on the physics GRE does not compensate for a significantly lower score on the regular GRE. While other application components matter, a low regular GRE score can negatively impact admission chances, especially when compared to other candidates with higher scores. It's advised not to neglect regular GRE preparation entirely to avoid potential drawbacks in the application process.
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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