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.

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Specializes in SRNA.

Sadly, I think you should memorize vocabulary until your eyes bleed. I went through the 4,000 word list in Kaplan's book and then memorized the 2,000 words that I didn't know. It was boring, but I knew (or at least recognized) all of the words on the GRE except two or three. I was very happy about that. Ended up with a 1270 - with 670 from verbal. That's a respectable score in my book and I'm glad I did the very boring studying. Good luck!

-S

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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Specializes in critical care.

ben rn 12

I too had the same problems and anxiety about the GRE. I am now in a school that requires higher GRE scores that are used as a tool to indicate passing the state boards.I still did not have the average 1250 but, the GPA and resume backed up the candidacy. I was asked about my less than stellar GRe score in my interview....WHOAH...tough stuff but it is not an indicator of my success as a health care provider. It took 2 times...I used the GRE book for dummies for quick easy tips...I wrote them down on cards,placed them on a ring and studied when ICU was slow. In addition I took a class at the university that cost $350 that meets on the weekend in every other month. The class had unlimited times to attend. There were many individuals that had difficulty with test taking but, practice made close to perfect.. Good luck!

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Specializes in Critical Care, Emergency.

i too didn't do so hot on my gre's.. (and sat's for that matter).. i don't consider it an indicator at all.. i did the RN boards in the minimum amount of questons.. (which i hope will reflect on CRNA boards as well :specs: ) -

when asked in my interview about the gre's, they asked me if my verbal score has any reflection on my ability to speak and write, for which i quickly and politely defended with a stern "absolutely not" !

i improved my science gpa, per their request, and felt i did well in the interview..

i think the entire package is really what a lot of adcoms look at and decide from..

who knows, but do all you can to make yourself look better.. eventho, a great paper person means nothing if you can't interview well !

but, don't worry, and kick A$$ !

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Dont sweat that dummass GRE. I took it once and got a score in the 800's. Dont waste your time memorizing the verbal crap. I only studied the math portion. My GPA was not even a 3.0 and i got accepted to anesthesia school on my first interview and will be starting in January. It sounds like your GPA and experience far outweigh the GRE score so i wouldnt even take that damn thing again. Hell, some schools dont even care about it, its just a formality. I personally think the GRE is a scam anyway. I would focus your nervous energy on taking the CCRN and become an instructor in ACLS. That shows them alot more than a GRE score.

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Specializes in Telemetry, OR, ICU.
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.

I took the GRE twice, but both times scored

I've heard of CRNA programs that will waiver the GRE requirement for those applicants with 3.5, or higher GPA. Before spending a lot of time on studying/ spending $$$/ & taking the GRE, again, you could research those programs that waive the GRE. Plus, hopefully in the mean time you will hear some good news.

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