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Mathematics GRE Subject Test 18 April 2015

Posted: Sat Apr 18, 2015 5:28 pm
by vandesir
So... anybody take the GRE subject test today?

Re: Mathematics GRE Subject Test 18 April 2015

Posted: Sat Apr 18, 2015 5:42 pm
by p-adic
I think I answered 53 or 54. A few were guesses between 2 or 3 choices. Any guesses on what that would be, no higher than 850 (assuming I got nothing wrong, which is unlikely)?

Re: Mathematics GRE Subject Test 18 April 2015

Posted: Sat Apr 18, 2015 5:53 pm
by MathCat
p-adic wrote:I think I answered 53 or 54. A few were guesses between 2 or 3 choices. Any guesses on what that would be, no higher than 850 (assuming I got nothing wrong, which is unlikely)?
I didn't write it today, but when I did, I estimated around 53-54 right to be in the range of 800. It is impossible to say for sure, because there is scaling for the "difficulty rating" of the particular test.

As I recall, I answered 52 or 53 questions on the October test. I was certain about almost all of my answers, around 5 were informed guesses between a couple of choices. I scored 800.

Re: Mathematics GRE Subject Test 18 April 2015

Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2015 1:26 am
by scream
I managed to answer all 66 problems but I have found out that on at least 4-5 problems I made silly mistakes. Maybe I was too obsessed with solving all the problems. I am not certin if there are more problems with incorrect answers.(FYI, I took it in east asia. So if you wrote in U.S.A, maybe the exam would be different)
Does it really take 6 weeks for scores to be reported?

Re: Mathematics GRE Subject Test 18 April 2015

Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2015 9:26 am
by p-adic
Around 6 weeks refers to the May 29 date I think. Scores should be available for you to see on May 18, and probably even a little earlier if you want to get on the phone and give them another $12.

Re: Mathematics GRE Subject Test 18 April 2015

Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2015 1:17 pm
by MathCat
Yes, they list a date when scores are available to you on the webpage. They're released right at the beginning of that day EST: so 00:00 EST on a 24 hour clock.

Re: Mathematics GRE Subject Test 18 April 2015

Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2015 2:08 pm
by DMAshura
Answered 65 out of 66 questions. I know that there are four that I answered that I for sure got wrong due to careless errors. Any estimates what that might yield?

Re: Mathematics GRE Subject Test 18 April 2015

Posted: Thu Apr 30, 2015 4:33 pm
by p-adic
Does anyone know when scores are available by phone, and if one can get them if one took the test on standby? I don't have a registration number, and it doesn't appear on my online GRE account thus far (I only ask because I'd rather not spend $50 to reschedule my general GRE for after the 18th).

Also, is it too early to report scores to schools next month (when I take the general GRE)?

Re: Mathematics GRE Subject Test 18 April 2015

Posted: Sat May 16, 2015 1:46 pm
by earthpae
anyone got score yet???==

Re: Mathematics GRE Subject Test 18 April 2015

Posted: Mon May 18, 2015 5:20 am
by p-adic
Ugh, still nothing. I took it standby, but when I called them to find a test center, they assured me my score would be put online on 5/18 along with everyone else's. We'll see.

Re: Mathematics GRE Subject Test 18 April 2015

Posted: Mon May 18, 2015 10:25 am
by 1mathboy1
I got 820 (83rd percentile). Is that good or bad?

Re: Mathematics GRE Subject Test 18 April 2015

Posted: Mon May 18, 2015 4:15 pm
by MathCat
1mathboy1 wrote:I got 820 (83rd percentile). Is that good or bad?
You're in the top 17% of people who wrote the math GRE in the last year (or longer, I forget the period they use). Considering most of those people want to go to grad school, that's a great score. Congratulations. This score will look good on an application (it is high enough for even the top 10 programs, but of course the rest of your profile matters too).

Re: Mathematics GRE Subject Test 18 April 2015

Posted: Mon May 18, 2015 5:14 pm
by 1mathboy1
MathCat wrote:
1mathboy1 wrote:I got 820 (83rd percentile). Is that good or bad?
You're in the top 17% of people who wrote the math GRE in the last year (or longer, I forget the period they use). Considering most of those people want to go to grad school, that's a great score. Congratulations. This score will look good on an application (it is high enough for even the top 10 programs, but of course the rest of your profile matters too).
Thanks. It seems like the most important factor to getting into a top grad school is letters of rec, and perhaps the next most important factor is rigor of coursework/institution (including your grades). But in general, your GRE scores and GPA seem to be like filters. No one is wowed if they are extremely good, but a low GPA or GRE score will hurt you. I am aiming for a top 10 school (btw my undergrad institution is within top 10), so I was wondering if I needed to get a higher score. Hopefully its good enough.

Re: Mathematics GRE Subject Test 18 April 2015

Posted: Mon May 18, 2015 5:30 pm
by MathCat
1mathboy1 wrote:
MathCat wrote:
1mathboy1 wrote:I got 820 (83rd percentile). Is that good or bad?
You're in the top 17% of people who wrote the math GRE in the last year (or longer, I forget the period they use). Considering most of those people want to go to grad school, that's a great score. Congratulations. This score will look good on an application (it is high enough for even the top 10 programs, but of course the rest of your profile matters too).
Thanks. It seems like the most important factor to getting into a top grad school is letters of rec, and perhaps the next most important factor is rigor of coursework/institution (including your grades). But in general, your GRE scores and GPA seem to be like filters. No one is wowed if they are extremely good, but a low GPA or GRE score will hurt you. I am aiming for a top 10 school (btw my undergrad institution is within top 10), so I was wondering if I needed to get a higher score. Hopefully its good enough.
Most of the top 10 programs suggest scores of 80th percentile or higher. If the rest of your application is competitive for a top 10 program, I think this score will not hold you back. What you said about filters is true, I believe. Research experience also helps. Generally one can get stronger LORs if they've done more than just take a class with that prof. However, it is not required to have research experience to get into a good program.

Re: Mathematics GRE Subject Test 18 April 2015

Posted: Mon May 18, 2015 8:30 pm
by mikhailgaerlan
My GRE score comes with a story if you're interested. If you want to skip the story I put a TLDR at the end.

I went to bed around 1 AM last night which is usual as I am just finishing playing League of Legends with my friends. I get on my phone and catch up on my YouTube subscriptions and The Meta Picture as I always do before actually falling asleep. 2 AM rolls around before I finally decide to actually fall asleep which is normal for me... except last night I had a little difficulty falling asleep. I've had nights where I struggle to fall asleep so still nothing terribly unusual. I remember seeing 3:17 AM on my phone as the last thing I saw before falling asleep...

"The house looks beautiful," I tell my wife. The two-story house was covered in a neutral, yellow tone and surrounded by tall, bushy trees as tall as the house with light green leaves. "Can we see the backyard?" I ask the realtor. "Sure," he replies with a nod. "Right this way." We go around to the back of the house, and I notice some of the paint peeling off one of the corners of the house. "I'll be right back, excuse me," says the realtor, and he enters the house. "Come look at this honey" I say, as my curiosity tells me to peel back some of the paint. "What's this?" my wife says. I see a few crossed-out numbers etched into the wood behind the peeled-back paint. I look up at the rest of the house, and I notice all of a sudden the whole house is black, and I see a sign that says "Crematorium," but before I can scream the realtor bursts through the wall and attacks me with vampiric teeth. As his teeth sinks into my neck, I finally let out a scream "AHHHHHHHH!"...

I wake up, paralyzed from the fear to move at first. I lie in bed for a few minutes trying to adjust my blanket so that I am fully covered, my mind still racing from the nightmare. Finally, the adrenaline wears off, and I calm down enough for me to reach the phone. 5:28 AM. I had been asleep for no more than a couple hours. I decide to watch some YouTube videos to forget my nightmare. Just as I open the YouTube app, I receive an e-mail with the subject line "GRE Examinee Score Report." I freeze. Oh no. I wasn't expecting the score for another couple weeks. I log-in and get my GRE score. 630 (44%). Disappointment and the same inadequacy that I had felt when I had received the last of my college acceptance (rejection) letters ran through me as I realize my nightmare was just a premonition to the living hell that I will now endure.

I searched the internet "Is 630 a good GRE score?" and I found this website. I wanted to post something immediately, but I figured I was probably too tired to post anything. I read through some of the previous application profiles since I will be applying to mathematics graduate schools this fall, and I was unsure if they made me feel better or worse. I figured I will know when I apply myself and finally managed to fall back asleep. Several hours later, here I am back to post my story.


TLDR: I woke up from a nightmare right before I received the e-mail that scores had been posted: 630 (44%).

Re: Mathematics GRE Subject Test 18 April 2015

Posted: Mon May 18, 2015 8:58 pm
by ibr
My score was 740, which corresponds to 69%. Is it reasonable? I'm planning on taking the test again on October.

Re: Mathematics GRE Subject Test 18 April 2015

Posted: Tue May 19, 2015 4:34 am
by p-adic
ibr wrote:My score was 740, which corresponds to 69%. Is it reasonable? I'm planning on taking the test again on October.
Good enough for top 25-30 schools I'd say. Probably a little low for anything in the top 20.

ETS wants me to wait 7-10 business days for them to combine my standby results with my already existing GRE profile. What exactly is the extra $50 you pay when doing standby testing for? Don't think that should take longer than 5 minutes, especially when they send me an email telling me my results are available.

Re: Mathematics GRE Subject Test 18 April 2015

Posted: Tue May 19, 2015 9:37 pm
by Mezox
Got 97th percentile again. I know it's a good score but I'm still kinda disappointed that I couldn't improve it.

Re: Mathematics GRE Subject Test 18 April 2015

Posted: Wed May 20, 2015 12:16 am
by p-adic
What a terrible score. You should definitely take it again in the fall and give ETS some more money.

Re: Mathematics GRE Subject Test 18 April 2015

Posted: Wed May 20, 2015 12:45 pm
by functorial
I have heard a rumor (from a current grad student, but still a rumor) that UCLA's real cutoff is 60%, although they say that they expect around 80% on their website. I don't know whether that applies to other top programs. 70% means you'd need some other way of demonstrating competence...but that's true even if you got a 97%.

Re: Mathematics GRE Subject Test 18 April 2015

Posted: Thu May 21, 2015 3:24 am
by joga
I really want to post this for everybody who seem worried with the math gre score. I had a terrible Math Gre score of 620 and was accepted to a few Top 10 Programs ( one can check my profile in the following 2015 application profiles ). I am genuinely not being a braggart but the point I am trying to make is Math GRE is not the deal settler which people though know do not realize. My recommenders also said that they do not worry too much about these scores.

I have a friend who had a 790 odd score i think and made it into stanford nyu chicago and mit for fall 2013. He like me is an international too chose NYU to work with a specific algebraic geometer at NYU.

I post this for people who intend to give math gre again. My claim is that one should make a very serious application. A top ten program according to me involves a lot more mathematics than math gre. Especially for american students is that if you have a decent math gre score in the 700's then one should spend their time in strengthening their application over preparing for math gre again. It involves a lot of time to prepare for math gre and study and prepare for a high score on a standardized test. it is in no way bad but a 800 plus score might not swing the odds in your favor in getting an admit, the summer can be spent on learning a new machinery and the student can work very hard on a problem. And i quote one of my advisors " If you work hard something will come out of it ". This will develop a good rapport between you and the advisor and he can write a recommendation which will surely get you a strong admit.

Another vital aspect of the application process is making a proper selection of universities. One should make a proper selection of universities given ones interest. If you have a very strong back ground in birational geometry and algebraic geometry and you are geared pursue that are then applying to a top ten place like MIT is a bad choice or complex algebraic geometry at Yale. ( MIT does not seem to have a strong algebraic geometry group currently - This is totally my belief and people are free to be critical ). It is certainly well understood that recommendations make up almost 70% of your application if not more. If you have independent work on the arxiv your recommenders mentioning them will almost certainly ensure the adcomm reads or glances through your work. I made my choice of universities using 3 pillars which i arrange in order - (1) does the research of department suit my interests (2) will their interest suit mine (they are independent factors) (3) Reasonable assessment of situation ( Like i did feel my chances at harvard a place of my interest was very very low and chose against applying to it)

But I have to reserve my thoughts - i did not get accepted to chicago, ucla and northwestern and i have been conveyed that a 620 could have been a reason. I am international though and well not everything works out.

Re: Mathematics GRE Subject Test 18 April 2015

Posted: Thu May 21, 2015 6:32 am
by CA_dreaming
Mezox wrote:Got 97th percentile again. I know it's a good score but I'm still kinda disappointed that I couldn't improve it.
Why would you take it again? No serious math program in the US would draw a distinction between 97th percentile and a higher score. It just seems like a way to waste your time and money when you could be doing something more interesting.

Re: Mathematics GRE Subject Test 18 April 2015

Posted: Thu May 21, 2015 6:50 am
by mj_indefinite
Does it make a difference in terms of MGRE cutoff to be applying for applied math programs rather than pure maths?

Re: Mathematics GRE Subject Test 18 April 2015

Posted: Sun May 24, 2015 7:32 pm
by math_stu
Mezox wrote:Got 97th percentile again. I know it's a good score but I'm still kinda disappointed that I couldn't improve it.
I don't think that schools care about the difference between 97 and 100 %. When I did it two years ago, I got 91% and was still accepted to all the schools I applied for (including several top 5 schools).

Re: Mathematics GRE Subject Test 18 April 2015

Posted: Mon May 25, 2015 9:36 am
by p-adic
Whee, I may have to wait more than 2 weeks past the 5/18 date for my score since today is a holiday. :roll: Hopefully closer to 7 business days than 10...

Re: Mathematics GRE Subject Test 18 April 2015

Posted: Wed May 27, 2015 10:56 am
by p-adic
770, 75%. I attempted maybe 52-54 questions I think. Maybe I got 45-47 right? Dunno. Wish they'd put the raw score online too.

Not sure if I'll retake in September to try to break 800, but it's a pretty good score anyway.