Page 1 of 1

General GRE required scores

Posted: Sun Aug 24, 2014 6:06 am
by sara12
So I took the GRE general yesterday without really studying much. My predicted verbal score was 168, but my predicted quantitative score was 165! I read that one should get 170 if applying to math grad schools since the general math sections are so easy. I screwed up two geometry problems in the first section, which messed with my score. Is 165 good enough for programs ranked between 20 and 50? I'm not looking at top 20, other than UMinn.

Re: General GRE required scores

Posted: Sun Aug 24, 2014 1:14 pm
by buzzlumberjack
I am not an expert, but I think the Quantitative part is supposed to tell something about a student who DOES NOT study math (and is not going to), they won't look at it probably (and your score is high enough anyway). They will look at your GRE Subject Test score in math and your research potential.

Re: General GRE required scores

Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2014 3:53 pm
by Catria
sara12 wrote:So I took the GRE general yesterday without really studying much. My predicted verbal score was 168, but my predicted quantitative score was 165! I read that one should get 170 if applying to math grad schools since the general math sections are so easy. I screwed up two geometry problems in the first section, which messed with my score. Is 165 good enough for programs ranked between 20 and 50? I'm not looking at top 20, other than UMinn.
Any reason for this? Lackluster MGRE? Lackluster research experience? Lackluster GPA? (or some combination thereof)

Don't let the general GRE scare you away from top-20 schools...

Re: General GRE required scores

Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2014 4:51 pm
by sara12
I'm kind of assuming a lackluster MGRE. I've been practicing all summer, but I guesstimate I'll score between a 50%tile and a 60%tile. Before I studied (without multi calc for 3 years, calc I for 4 years), I got around a 35%tile, now that I've reviewed, I'm testing at around a 60-65%tile. Seeing as I generally do worse on test day, I am guessing I'll get 50-60%tile, which is not great.

I also go to a small liberal arts school, although we are ranked top 5 nationally. So I won't have grad courses other than two senior independent studies, which will cover typical graduate material, but won't be actual grad classes. My GPA, research experience, and general GRE should be fine (assuming my low-ish GRE quant score is okay.)

The MGRE is making me not look at top 20.

Also, does it count for ANYTHING to have a high verbal/writing score?

Re: General GRE required scores

Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2014 7:43 pm
by Catria
sara12 wrote:Also, does it count for ANYTHING to have a high verbal/writing score?
The only time when verbal/writing could count, beyond a first cut, is when a school awards fellowships that are discipline-independent, in which case the general GRE counts alongside GPA and research experience. Again, V168-Q165 is just fine for that sort of stuff at not-top-20 math schools that are still in range with a 50-60%ile MGRE.

Plus, I am sure that you checked what mathematics you wish to do before deciding that UMinn is the only top-20 school you'd apply to.

Re: General GRE required scores

Posted: Mon Sep 01, 2014 8:43 pm
by sara12
Catria wrote:
sara12 wrote:Also, does it count for ANYTHING to have a high verbal/writing score?
The only time when verbal/writing could count, beyond a first cut, is when a school awards fellowships that are discipline-independent, in which case the general GRE counts alongside GPA and research experience. Again, V168-Q165 is just fine for that sort of stuff at not-top-20 math schools that are still in range with a 50-60%ile MGRE.

Plus, I am sure that you checked what mathematics you wish to do before deciding that UMinn is the only top-20 school you'd apply to.
Yes, I have checked the strengths of the various top 20 math departments. Thanks for replying. I'm interested in other math departments that are top 20, but UMinn is the only top school I know of that people with not excellent MGRE scores have gotten into (of top schools I'm interested in).