GRE Dilemma

Nursing Students SRNA

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Hi everyone. Im a recent graduate of nursing school with my BSN.(May 2005). I graduated with BSN gpa of 3.6 and a science gpa of 3.5. I have worked in a 28 bed sicu/micu and a level 2 trauma center since graduation. My goal since day 1 of nursing school has been CRNA school. My problem is the GRE. I have taken it twice with less than spectacular results. I consider myself to be intelligent but Im having difficulty in achieving what I would consider to be satisfactory results (>950). I received a 840 with 3.5 on the writing portion:( . I have recently applied to a CRNA program and that have stated on their admissions criteria that their is no specific score required. They claim they look at the overall picture. They state that a strong science gpa and nursing gpa are extremely important. I have what i believe to be good grades as stated above, however, I am nervous about my GRE scores. Does anyone have any input on this and has anyone ran into a similar situation. I appreciate all comments.

Ben,

I just took the GRE in January. I found that the Kaplan prep book was very helpful. They have practice exams and sections so that you can determine what your weaknesses are, and then focus on those areas. Also, there are many schools that don't require GREs as long as you have a gpa of 3.5 or higher -- which, it sounds like you do. Good luck!

Melissa

I would enroll to take the exam again. No offense but 840 is pretty weak and 3.5 is really average or a little above when comparing it to most applicants to CRNA programs. I would schedule it again and start studying. Go into your interview with the papers showing you plan to sit the exam again. It will show determination. If you get in with the 800 score then screw it cancel the exam. If you dont however you will need to take it again anyway. I would try to hit 1000 for a safe score.

Specializes in NICU,ICU,PACU,IV Therapy.

I agree with Nitecap, enroll in the exam again after either a kaplan home study or review course. Personally I hated the GRE and got a similar score. Currently since I wont be enrolling in any anesthesia school until 2008 I am getting my MSN online and wont have to take it again

I think a lot of CRNA programs accept the MAT as well. I have heard people say they have an easier time with that compared to the GRE because there is no math. It sounds as though a review course would be helpful for you if you take the GRE again, they go over strategies for the different types of math problems you will see and it gives you practice.

Oh I definately know where you are coming from with the GRE. I took it twice and got 840 both times! Those two times I studied with a Kaplan GRE book, Kaplan Math review, and the Kaplan Flip-O-Matic for vocab. I took it again a third time after using the Flip-O-Matic again and the Math workbook. However, on top of all that I took a GRE review course offered from my college. The course only lasted two days. Anyways, the third time was a charm, I made 1,080! I say you should definately try taking the GRE again. Try to Flip-O-Matic!

I knew I would already find a thread on this subject, I am in need of some moral support. I just took the GRE today and recieved Verbal 440 and Quant. 510, a whopping 950. I completed the majority of the online Kaplan course and did not realize the verbal section would be a problem, I actually thought it might be my strength. My problem is the time. I read quite well, but I am not a very fast reader, and found this a huge stress under the tight time conditions on the GRE. When taking practice tests at home that were not timed, I scored above 1000 and scored a 1060 during a timed practice test, both with verbals of at least 500. After completing most of the online course I only had time to do 2 practice tests instead of the 6 or so they wanted. Maybe this was my problem.

I am just trying to figuring out what I should do, I know I should hit at least 1000. I have a 3.74 BSN grades, good science grades, ICU/CCU exp., in the process right now of getting letters of ref. for apps. I am sending in next month...This is the one piece of my missing picture. Would it be worth my while to re-prepare and take it again next month? I do know someone who after studying more and taking it for the second time actually did slightly worse than his first score :(

Specializes in ICU, CCU & PCCU/TELEMETRY.

I'm not sure how you studied, but the first time I took the GRE, I got the Princeton Review book, which had tips on how to take the test, how to look at and read the questions, and had practice forms for the writing portion. I got a decent score the first time, I know it is mostly credited to reading the how to take the test portion of the book. If you haven't focused on that portion, it may help. I could've done better if I had studied harder, so I'm trying again next month after studying word lists/definitions, which I know was my personal weakpoint. Gotta learn more of those hard words, not used in daily language, (at least where I am from.) Lots of luck to you!! ;)

Specializes in MICU & SICU.

I think the GRE is a joke. I am with most of you here. I did not score spectacular 950's I think. I suggest try to take it one more time and try to get at least closer to 1000. With a GPA of 3.5 you should be okay depending how your other components look like on paper. I made it in to school with a GRE under 1000. I was worried about the GRE score just like you while I was applying.

Thanks all for your advice :)

Specializes in ICU, UT knoxville, CRNA Program, 01/07.

I found the princeton, Crack the GRE, book to be wonderful, it layed out exactly what to do for each type of math question. How to quickly identify your weakness's and turn them around. My best recomendation woudl be to take the practice tests timed. the timing was the single most intimidating part of the test. Practice, Practice, Practice....good luck

Brian

I am planning on retaking the GRE's next month, as I recieved a V:440 and Q:510, but I just recieved my analytical writing score and it was strong, a 5. Has anyone done very poorly on the verbal while recieving a good analytical writing score? I thought the Verbal and analytical sections would have a closer correlation. I was just wondering if anyone has gotten a strong writing score and poor verbal--what did you do to raise the verbal? I have studied Kaplan strategies and I am now looking at the Princeton Review's. Ugh, I can write a well thought and constructed essay but I guess the endless vocab. and analogies still come back to haunt me.

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