Should I Retake the GRE for Engineering Grad School Applications?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around whether a participant should retake the GRE for applications to engineering graduate schools, specifically in Materials Science. It includes considerations of GRE scores, the impact of other qualifications, and varying departmental expectations regarding GRE performance.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Exploratory

Main Points Raised

  • One participant scored 660 in Quant and 530 in Verbal and is uncertain if their scores are competitive enough for engineering programs, particularly in Materials Science.
  • Another participant notes that different universities and departments weigh GRE scores differently, with some departments placing little importance on the verbal section and others preferring a minimum of 700 in Quant.
  • Some participants suggest that retaking the GRE could be beneficial, especially if the participant can manage their time better during the test.
  • A participant mentions that the last questions of the GRE may not significantly impact the overall score, emphasizing the importance of performing well on the initial questions.
  • Another participant shares their experience of scoring 670 in Quant and still gaining admission to decent schools, suggesting that other qualifications may compensate for a lower GRE score.
  • There is a discussion about the perceived difficulty of the GRE verbal section, with some participants believing it is not heavily weighted in STEM applications, while others suggest it still requires some attention.
  • One participant expresses uncertainty about the importance of the verbal score in STEM fields, prompting further discussion on its relevance.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the importance of GRE scores, particularly the verbal section, and whether retaking the GRE is advisable. There is no consensus on the necessity of retaking the test or the weight of the verbal score in graduate admissions.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention varying departmental policies regarding GRE scores, which may influence the decision to retake the test. There is also uncertainty about how different components of the GRE affect overall admissions outcomes.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals preparing for graduate school applications in engineering or related STEM fields, particularly those concerned about GRE scores and their implications for admissions.

Goalie33
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Hi,
I am beginning to get ready to apply to graduate schools and I had a question.
I just took the general GRE and scored 660 Quant, and 530 Verbal. Now, I have been told that engineering programs (I'm applying to Mat Sci) expect near perfect Quant scores. So should I retake it? A little background:
Undergraduate degree: Materials Science and Physics (double major)
6 semesters of research experience
6 publications
3.7 GPA
I should have pretty good letters of rec. from my research advisers over the past few years.

Should I retake it or will my other qualifications help? I mismanaged my time and had to guess on the last 5 quant questions because I only had 1 min left. I didnt take time because I didnt know how to do the problems, I was just too careful I think.

Thanks
 
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Its a tough call because different universities/departments weigh it differently. My department doesn't even look at the verbal section because it is useless. They don't care too much about the quant either but they do prefer you to have at least a 700. But that is just the department I am in. The department I was in for undergrad cared a lot about the GRE. I don't know why but they did.

Retaking it certainly wouldn't hurt anything. You don't want to be in the situation of not retaking it then not getting into the program you wanted and wondering if was your GRE.
 
Thanks, I think I will retake it. I really just need to budget my time- I got 660 and I didn't even finish about 20% of the test (the tough thing is I spent my time checking and rechecking my answers- I just need to trust myself a little more). Thankfully, I didn't send my scores anywhere once I got the; so nobody will ever see those scores.
 
Um, the last 5 questions don't even matter. It's the first 10-15 that really determine your score. If you screw those up, the computer gives you easier problems and you can't expect to do decently.
 
Goalie33 said:
Thanks, I think I will retake it. I really just need to budget my time- I got 660 and I didn't even finish about 20% of the test (the tough thing is I spent my time checking and rechecking my answers- I just need to trust myself a little more). Thankfully, I didn't send my scores anywhere once I got the; so nobody will ever see those scores.

I believe you have to send all of your scores no matter what. So they will see your other scores. But if you do better then 2nd time they won't care. It only will matter if you take the test a ridiculous number of times.
 
Meh. I got a 670 quant on the GRE the first time (or was it a 660, I can't remember) I took it (had to guess on a lot of questions at the end) and still got into some decent schools with funding. The rest of your stats look good despite your gre score so I think you still have a chance at some good schools.

I would however retake it. I retook it a couple years later and got a 760 quant and did not even really study for it, but my verbal score went down. Go figure. I still had to guess on the 10 10 because I ran out of time and I still got a 760. The first questions have a far larger effect on your score than the later questions, so make sure you take your time on the first questions.

GRE quant isn't really too bad if you just relax when taking it, especially for a physics major. GRE verbal is brutal though, imo. That's what you really need to study for.

However, one think to consider is I applied to engineering grad programs, which are less competitive than physics grad programs, generally. But for physics grad programs the subject GRE is more important than the general GRE.
 
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GRE verbal is brutal though, imo. That's what you really need to study for.

I was under the impression the GRE verbal isn't weighed heavily at all by grad schools in STEM fields -- quite the contrary. Am I mistaken?
 
Angry Citizen said:
I was under the impression the GRE verbal isn't weighed heavily at all by grad schools in STEM fields -- quite the contrary. Am I mistaken?

I don't think you are mistaken. While you certainly don't want to just blow it off I don't think the verbal part is really worth studying for. The most you should do is take a few practice tests so you are aware of what it is like.
 

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