General GRE Tomorrow: Skip Analytical Writing sections?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the decision of whether to skip the Analytical Writing section of the GRE in order to preserve mental stamina for the quantitative sections, particularly in the context of applying to physics graduate programs. Participants share their perspectives on the importance of the writing section and its perceived relevance to graduate school admissions.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that skipping the Analytical Writing section could help preserve mental capacity for the quantitative sections, especially since some physics graduate programs may not prioritize the writing scores.
  • Others challenge this idea, questioning the validity of skipping the essays without consulting graduate schools and emphasizing the importance of demonstrating basic reading and writing abilities.
  • One participant argues that the writing section is manageable and that a strong quantitative background should make the math portion easier, implying that both sections can be handled effectively.
  • Several participants express a strong belief that if a student cannot handle the writing section, they may not be suited for the demands of graduate school.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally disagree on the value of skipping the Analytical Writing section, with some advocating for its completion and others supporting the idea of prioritizing quantitative performance. No consensus is reached regarding the appropriateness of skipping the essays.

Contextual Notes

Some arguments depend on individual experiences and perceptions of graduate school expectations, and there is a lack of definitive sources or consensus on the policies of specific graduate programs regarding GRE scores.

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What's your take on preserving stamina/maximum mental capacity for quant and skipping the essays? I hear physics grad programs don't care at all, some don't even take the scores. Thoughts?
 
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Do you have a legitimate source that says that this is okay? Have you talked to graduate schools about this and hear them say they recommend it? If not, don't do it.

If you don't have the mental capacity to spend 60 minutes writing an essay AND be able to answer trivial math questions, you are not cut out for graduate school.
 
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They don't care much unless you get a score that calls into question your basic reading/writing abilities. What you are suggesting is just plain stupid. Write the essays, it's not that hard. I didn't even know the format of them when I went into the test, but having taken standardized tests in high school, I was fine.

Also, as someone who has majored in physics, it shouldn't be hard at all to get a good quantitative score since you should know most of the material cold. Sure there are some things you haven't used since high school but those are very easy to relearn. A large portion of the test is ridiculously easy. I'm talking about basic algebra and reading charts.
 
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Dishsoap said:
If you don't have the mental capacity to spend 60 minutes writing an essay AND be able to answer trivial math questions, you are not cut out for graduate school.

This.
 
Beautiful answer, so let me quote it yet again:

Dishsoap said:
If you don't have the mental capacity to spend 60 minutes writing an essay AND be able to answer trivial math questions, you are not cut out for graduate school.

Seriously, what will you do in grad school if you have to do something which you find boring, and which requires a good deal of mental capacity? Skip it?
 
I took the exam 5 days ago. Do the writing section. It's not hard.
 

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