Low Subject Test Score
Low Subject Test Score
So I got a 730 (60th percentile) on the subject GRE. I also had zero time to study due to work, taking some classes outside of work (and I scored very well on the exams of these classes), moving, and got into a car accident 36 hours beforehand and was diagnosed with a concussion after the test. Is it worth it to explain any of this in my application? Unfortunately, my top 2 choices require the GRE and I believe for the most part I have a strong application - graduated with honors in math from a top tier uni with good GPA, have a bit of research experience (1 REU, applied comp research in another field, and research project that I recently presented at a conference and we plan to submit to a journal as well - I honestly wouldn't say any of these are HUGE experiences but I have at least dipped my toes into math research), rec letters from very famous mathematicians from more than just my undergrad uni. I feel pretty terrible about this score and don't know what to do. I'm worried that even if I do explain some of these circumstances, they committee may not look favorably on this and see it as excuses. I know I could do better if I take it next year but I don't want to delay applying based on this test alone. All in all I'm wondering: 1) how much are my chances at a tier 1 school impacted by this score? my top 2 choices are tier 1/top of tier 2, and one of my rec letter writers is from one of these schools. 2) would you bother to explain a bad gre score on your application?