Low GRE Analytical Writing Score - Is it a Problem?

AI Thread Summary
The discussion centers around a user who received a 3.5 on the GRE writing section, which is in the 25th percentile, despite considering writing a personal strength. Concerns are raised about the significance of the analytical writing score in graduate school applications, especially since the user performed well in other sections. Responses indicate that the quantitative score is prioritized, with many suggesting that the writing score is often overlooked by admissions committees. Some participants note that the scoring process involves both a human reader and a computerized program, which may lead to inconsistencies. There is also a suggestion to request a re-grading if the score seems unjustified, as the initial assessment may rely heavily on automated grading. Overall, the consensus is that while writing skills are important, they may not weigh heavily in admissions decisions compared to quantitative performance.
Phyisab****
Messages
584
Reaction score
2
I just got back my score on the writing section of the general GRE. Apparently I got a 3.5, which puts me in the 25th percentile. Now I don't mean to sound arrogant, but writing has always been a strength of mine. When I write papers, either for physics or humanities classes, they usually come back with "WOW!" across the top. I can't begin to imagine why I got such a low score on this.

Has anyone experienced something like this? Do grad schools really take the analytical writing score seriously? I did very well on the rest of the exam, have I screwed myself over?

P.S. I'm not taking the pGRE because I'm only applying to masters programs.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Yeah I also got a 3.5 on writing when I took it. I doubt physics programs care about it.

The quantitative score is the most important. You should shoot for >700 on it.
 
No one gives 2 shizz about the writing score. I know great writers who got your score and bad writers who got a 6. I think part of the score is actually based on how many "GRE words" you are able to work into your essays.
 
If you feel like you deserve more, ask for a hand re-grading. The first time they only use a computer, which can sometimes mess up.
 
That must be some computer that grades the analytical writing section...
 
Hmm what I'm reading now on the ets website says that a human reader is also always involved, though I heard a human reader only grades randomly to make sure the computer algorithm is still on track. So I dunno. Given that it only takes two weeks, I'd bet they mostly just use the computer. Not to mention the $$$

# The essay score is assigned by a trained reader, using a 6-point holistic scale. The essay response is then reviewed by e-rater®, a computerized program developed by ETS, which is being used to monitor the human reader.
# If the e-rater evaluation and the human score agree, the human score is used as the final score. If they disagree by a certain amount, a second human score is obtained, and the final score is the average of the two human scores.
 

Thread 'My Grade 11 Math mark is eating me alive. What do I do?'

I'm going to make this one quick since I have little time. Background: Throughout my life I have always done good in Math. I almost always received 90%+, and received easily upwards of 95% when I took normal-level HS Math courses. When I took Grade 9 "De-Streamed" Math (All students must take "De-Streamed" in Canada), I initially had 98% until I got very sick and my mark had dropped to 95%. The Physics teachers and Math teachers talked about me as if I were some sort of genius. Then, an...
View full post »

Thread 'What are the best A-Level options for someone wanting to do Physics?'

Bit Britain-specific but I was wondering, what's the best path to take for A-Levels out of the following (I know Y10 seems a bit early to be thinking about A-levels, but my choice will impact what I do this year/ in y11) I (almost) definitely want to do physics at University - so keep that in mind... The subjects that I'm almost definitely going to take are Maths, Further Maths and Physics, and I'm taking a fast track programme which means that I'll be taking AS computer science at the end...
View full post »

Thread 'Hepth programs in Europe'

After a year of thought, I decided to adjust my ratio for applying the US/EU(+UK) schools. I mostly focused on the US schools before, but things are getting complex and I found out that Europe is also a good place to study. I found some institutes that have professors with similar interests. But gaining the information is much harder than US schools (like you have to contact professors in advance etc). For your information, I have B.S. in engineering (low GPA: 3.2/4.0) in Asia - one SCI...
View full post »

Similar threads

Admissions Should I submit 860 PGRE?
Replies
1
Views
104
GRE Analytical Writing: Score Req. for Science/Math/Eng. Progs?
Replies
1
Views
2K
Should I Retake the General GRE if My PGRE Scores are Average?
Replies
1
Views
2K
Testing Is my physics GRE score strong enough?
Replies
14
Views
6K
Testing Is my PGRE score worth sending out?
Replies
3
Views
1K
Schools To include or not include the Physics GRE scores?
Replies
14
Views
4K
Testing To focus on general GRE Writing?
Replies
1
Views
1K
Testing GRE Results: 990 Scaled Score & 94 Percentile - Applying to Top Universities?
Replies
16
Views
9K
Maximize Your GRE Analytical Writing Score with ScoreItNow Practice Service
Replies
2
Views
4K
Admissions International Student Applying to Physics Grad Program: Can I Get Accepted?
Replies
2
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top