GRE General Score Question -- Should I retake it?

[Silviu]

Hello! I just had my general GRE and I got 158 on the verbal part. How good/bad is it? I want to apply for a phD in physics, should I retake it? I got 170 for math and I am talking about graduate schools as MIT and Caltech. Thank you!

 

[jedishrfu]

Here's some stats to consider:

https://magoosh.com/gre/2016/mit-gre-scores/

It seems that your verbal part is a bit low but since your math is higher then it might fly. Often though they will want to look at your transcripts and other factors as well. What other things do have that might influence them? original research? some publications? special skills? awards? Don't forget to include them in your application.

Your best bet s to talk with someone at MIT about it to see what they say and you should apply no matter what.

 

[dkotschessaa]

You should know what the requirements are for whatever school you are applying too. I imagine for MIT and Caltech they'd be on the high side.

 

[member 428835]

I got into a top 10 school for mechanical engineering with a 157 verbal. My roommate got the same. I don't think you need to retake. I actually asked our admission department and they said it's all up to professors, and as long as you're not "too low" you're fine. So if you want to know for sure you can talk to specific potential advisers.