Standardised Tests: GRE
Get acquainted with types of GRE requirements, preparation tips, score reporting strategies and addressing low GRE scores through other components of your application.
In the previous post, you learned about the process of using Excel sheets to organise university requirements, such as the number of Letters of Recommendation (LoRs) and types of essays, as well as program details like curriculum and university labs. You also gained insights into strategic communication with the admissions team, considering time differences and conducting prior research before asking common questions. Additionally, the importance of creating application IDs, entering demographic details, and identifying any additional requirements not mentioned on the admissions website was discussed.
This article delves into another crucial aspect of the application process: standardised tests. The article will be divided into two parts, with the first part focusing on the GRE and the second part addressing TOEFL/IELTS requirements.
If you're anything like me, the thought of standardised tests such as the GRE, TOEFL, or IELTS can cause anxiety. However, it's completely normal to feel this way as it can serve as motivation to prepare well and perform your best on exam day.
To help alleviate some of your anxiety, I will discuss the following aspects related to standardised tests, specifically the GRE:
Is it necessary to take the GRE?
How should I prepare for the GRE?
How do I report my scores to the university?
What should I do if I have a low GRE score?
GRE: To take or not to take?
For many quantitative programs in the US, having a prerequisite knowledge of the GRE is important. Additionally, some programs emphasise a high quant score on the exam, while placing less emphasis on the verbal or essay scores. However, the good news is that many universities have now eliminated the GRE requirement for their master's programs. Once you have shortlisted your universities, it's advisable to visit their admissions portal and check the specific GRE requirements. They generally fall into the following categories:
GRE Required for all applicants: In this case, you must take the exam, so it's important to start your preparation early.
GRE Required (but can be waived): If you have completed a degree in economics, statistics, mathematics, engineering, or any other quant-heavy field, you may be able to waive the GRE requirement if your grades meet the university's waiver criteria. Additionally, extensive work experience (usually a minimum of 5 years) may qualify you for a GRE waiver. However, these waivers are not guaranteed, so it's recommended to apply for one without assuming you will qualify.
GRE optional but recommended: Here, you need to consider two scenarios:
Case A: If you don't have a quantitative background and lack experience in quantitative research or a related field to showcase your mathematical skills, your application may be compared to someone with a similar profile who has demonstrated quantitative abilities through the GRE. In this case, the committee is more likely to offer admission to the applicant with the stronger quant profile.
Case B: If you have a quant background and your application is being compared to someone with a similar profile and application strength, but they have submitted a competitive GRE score. If there is only one spot remaining, the GRE score may act as a tiebreaker, potentially giving the advantage to the other applicant. (Note that this is not always the case but can be a significant deciding factor).
It's important to consider these extreme scenarios when making a decision. However, in real-world scenarios, both cases may receive admission if other aspects of their applications are strong. Since you may not know where your application stands in terms of strength, it's better to take every opportunity to maximise your chances of admission.
4. GRE optional: In this situation, the university is unlikely to assign significant weight to the GRE score and will compare profiles based on other indicators. The GRE may only demonstrate your quantitative abilities, but it may not be a decisive factor.
5. GRE not needed: If the program explicitly states that the GRE scores are not required, you can celebrate as you won't need to take the exam.
The following table summarises the above categories:
Please keep in mind that these are general guidelines, and individual university requirements may vary. It's crucial to thoroughly research the specific requirements of each university on your list to make informed decisions regarding the GRE.
Approaching GRE Preparation
When it comes to preparing for the GRE, abundant resources are available online and through various organisations specialising in GRE training. While I won't delve into the specifics of exam preparation, I can offer you some valuable tips based on my own experience:
Play to your strengths: Identify your strengths and weaknesses in different GRE sections. For example, I knew that I struggled with the verbal section due to difficulties in memorising words and analysing reading passages. On the other hand, I had a strong foundation in math and excellent essay-writing skills. By focusing on my strengths, I was able to excel in those areas. It's important to strike a balance between improving your weak spots and capitalising on your strengths.
Home test vs. test centre: Unless absolutely necessary, avoid opting for the home test. Some universities explicitly state that they do not accept home test scores. You don't want to invest time and money in a test that might not be recognised by your target institutions.
Familiarise yourself with the exam pattern and duration: Sitting for a 3.5-hour long test can be mentally challenging. To build endurance, practice solving mixed problems from various prep books, timing yourself, and switching between math and verbal sections. Additionally, allocate time to practice essay writing at the beginning of your mock exams to train yourself to shift thinking modes smoothly from writing to analysing verbal questions.
Replicate the testing environment during practice: Whenever possible, simulate the test environment to acclimate yourself to the real exam conditions. Schedule your mock exams for the same time as your actual GRE test. Practice in a quiet room, sitting at a table and chair. Use a pencil instead of a pen, as pencils are provided in the exam. If feasible, use blank sheets of paper. Avoid having water or snacks nearby, keep your phone on silent mode, and adhere to the designated break timings. Use the calculator on your laptop for mathematical calculations instead of relying on your phone. While recreating the exact exam-like setup may not be possible for everyone, do your best to create a similar environment. Remember, even if you can't replicate it perfectly, it's okay—you'll still be fine.
Utilise your mock examinations to gauge your performance: To gauge your performance and enhance your preparation for the GRE, it's crucial to give as many mock examinations as possible. However, it's equally important to analyse your performance after each test. Review the questions you got wrong and solve them again, identifying strategies to approach the solutions more efficiently. At the same time, don’t take a mock test 3 days before your examination. If your score is suddenly low due to anxiety or for other reasons, you don’t want to lower your morale before the exam.
Take mock test scores with a pinch of salt: Take mock test scores with caution, as they may not accurately reflect your performance on the actual GRE. The official GRE test is adaptive, meaning the difficulty level of the next section is determined by your performance in the first scored section, be it verbal or math. However, free and paid mock tests do not replicate this adaptive feature. Consequently, your scores on these tests may be inflated or lower than expected based on the overall difficulty level. Therefore, it's advisable not to solely rely on mock test scores. While mock tests provide a certain level of similarity to the GRE questions, the official ETS tests are the most accurate representation. You can access three free tests from the official website, two of which can be taken online. The third test is an adaptive exam that requires downloading software onto your computer. Be sure to explore these resources once you've booked your GRE exam slot.
On the day of the exam, don’t panic: There will be several protocols at the centre. In my last GRE exam, I saw one person being denied entry into the exam hall because of issues with name variation in the admit card vs the photo ID. This scenario scared me a lot. However, it is important to maintain your composure. Easier said than done, but you have to try your best. In the exam, if you encounter a series of challenging problems that you can't solve, don't panic. Move on to the next question and focus on the ones you can solve. Remember not to dwell on what you don't know and stay focused on the questions at hand.
PS: if you need some free material to prepare for GRE, do reach out to me and I can further recommend some mock tests as well as lend you some e-books.
Reporting Scores to the University
There are two ways you can report your GRE scores:
Right after completing the exam, you will have the option to send the scores to four universities of your choice. It's important to use this option only if you are satisfied with your score. Please note that this method of score reporting is free of charge. Additionally, keep in mind that you can only view your verbal and quant raw scores at this stage, as your essays have not been graded yet.
After your official score is generated, you can send your scores to the universities of your choice for a fee of approximately $30 per university.
If you have taken the GRE only once, by default, your first set of scores will be sent to the university in both cases. However, if you have had multiple attempts, you can choose to send one or more scores as well. It's important to note that some universities require you to submit all the test scores you have taken in the past, and they will consider the highest score achieved in each section. This can be beneficial if your previous attempts yielded good scores in a particular section that you were unable to replicate in your latest attempt.
Addressing a Low GRE Score
It is possible that even after several attempts, you may not achieve a highly competitive score in one of the sections. In my case, this was true for the verbal section, while my quant score was quite high. Since my program was quant-heavy, this worked in my favour. There are a couple of ways you can address a low GRE score in your application:
Ensure that the other components of your application are exceptional, especially if the GRE score is required or recommended.
Utilise your essays to discuss the low GRE score, but do so strategically. Simply stating that you have a low GRE score because you struggle with standardised examinations will not suffice. Instead, highlight your strengths. For instance, if you have achieved a strong verbal score, emphasise your command of language, writing abilities, and qualitative research skills, while expressing your intention to balance these strengths with the development of quantitative skills. Something like - "With a major in sociology I am adept at critically analysing qualitative information even from dense academic texts and through the XYZ program, I hope to compliment my existing skillset with newly acquired prowess in statistical data analysis.”
Consider asking one of your recommenders to address your low GRE score. These tests may not accurately reflect your true language or quantitative capabilities due to various reasons, such as being a slow calculator, a slow reader, or struggling to memorise word meanings. A low GRE score does not necessarily indicate incompetence in quantitative subjects or an inability to comprehend course materials at the master's level. You may simply need more time and support to excel. Since your recommenders have worked with you or taught you, they can speak about your strengths in ways that are not solely reflected in your GRE score.
In summary, while the GRE can be a stressful component of your application journey, it does not solely determine your readiness or the level of skills you possess. Therefore, it is essential not to devote all your energy solely to GRE preparation, as it may leave you with insufficient energy to focus on other crucial aspects, such as writing compelling essays, preparing your CV, and strategising your Letters of Recommendation (LORs) with potential referees.
Key takeaways: What’s the point?
You may not always be required to take the GRE. However, if the score is required or recommended by the university, it is advisable for you to take the exam and report the score.
Depending on your previous academic background and work experience, you may be able to waive the GRE in required cases. University requirements for waivers may differ, so it's best to check with the university for the terms and conditions.
While preparing for the GRE, play to your strengths in either the verbal or quantitative sections and allocate your focus accordingly.
To get accustomed to the 3.5-hour examination, recreate the environment of a GRE exam room to the best of your ability during practice. This includes strictly timed tests, no distractions, no food or drinks, and using a pencil instead of a pen.
Make effective use of mock tests. Analyse your performance, review and resolve questions you answered incorrectly, and track your progress. However, don't solely rely on mock scores as they may not accurately reflect your actual test performance.
If you are confident in the raw scores you received on your GRE test, you can send these scores for free to four universities from your chosen list free of cost. To send official scores at a later date, a fee of approximately $30 will be incurred.
Additionally, note that some universities consider the best score in each section if you've taken multiple GRE tests. In this case, it may be best to submit scores from previous exams that collectively add up to a competitive score for you.
If you are unable to achieve a good score, you can focus on bolstering other components of your application. Creatively highlight your strengths to compensate for the low GRE score. Requesting your recommenders to address your low GRE score and emphasise that it does not reflect your true academic potential can also be helpful.
What’s next?
Apart from GRE, another essential standardised test is the English language requirement through TOEFL or IELTS exams. In the next part, we’ll learn about various factors to consider before you choose to give either of these examinations if at all you are required to appear for them. Learn about how to waive these requirements, save your money and also save time!