Stressing over GRE scores

allnurses Guide · Jan 21, 2008

Okay. Here's the deal. I just finished my RN-BSN program in December 2007 with a GPA of 3.88. Concurrently I began my application process to graduate school with University of Akron, University of Cincinnati and Case Western Reserve. Recently University of Cincinnati advised me that with my GRE scores I would not be granted an interview. My qualitative and quantitative scores equate to 800 and my analytical score was 3.5. University of Akron granted admissions to the graduate program of nursing, still will have to interview for the Nurse Anesthesia program and there is no response from Case yet.
Should I retake the GRE's? I've even considered taking a course just to get my scores up.
I guess I am disappointed.

Usually to be competitive your combined GRE score needs to be at least 1000. I would definetively advise retaking the GRE, and doing whatever it takes to bring your scores up (more study time...GRE classes etc.).

The funny thing about the GRE is that it is known that it is not an accurate predictor of success in graduate nursing school. It is just another hoop to jump through, and there will be a lot more than that in nurse anesthesia school....most of which have little to nothing to do with nurse anesthesia....lol. Example, I am writing this as I am looking for a nonparametric research article to do a crtique on for one of my nurse anesthesia classes...

sleepergirl · Jan 21, 2008

Do scores actually improve or do would someone test in the same area another time?

AdonaiLoveable · Jan 21, 2008

Hi 7-2-7,

I agree with WTBCRNA. You'll probably really need to retake the GRE to be competitive in the application process. I also wanted to mention that even though the GRE is only a part of the application (your LORs, GPA, work experience, and any certifications are also big parts of the package), strong GREs can help your application get noticed and your score does leave an impression on people. I attended two interviews and both times my scores were commented on as being very good scores, so I know they helped me get noticed and stand out a little from some other applicants. Some programs have a GRE minimum that you must meet or beat, so you may find out if your schools have that too.

I wanted you to know that when I first began doing practice GRE exams, I was only scoring a combined 700s-800s! But by the time I had done some GRE Prep on my own, my scores steadily increased on the practice exams and I was scoring in the low 1300s on practice tests shortly before I took the real exam. I scored a combined 1320 on the real thing. Practice does makes better scores!!!

I opted to study on my own and received some help from a friend who has previously done well on the GRE and has taught courses for Princeton Review. If you don't have much time, I recommend spending some time in the bookstore and checking out each of the most popular GRE prep books (Kaplan, Princeton Review, Barrons, etc) and select one or two that best suites your learning style. I chose Princeton Review, but supplemented with Kaplan's. Also the Princeton Review website has a study guide that you can use based on the amount of time you have available before the exam date (access this portion of the website using the special number in the PR GRE Prep book if you buy it, Kaplan has a similar thing I believe). I also purchased the book containing old tests from ETS. Those old tests, plus the CD you get from ETS containing practice tests when you register were the best predictors for how I actually did on the real GRE. Princeton Review practice tests were second best, and Kaplan practice test were never a good predictor for me (my scores were always very low with them).

To work on the writing score, I used the Princeton Review model...they actually pretty much have a formula for how to create a strong standard essay. I supplemented their format with writing tips from the Kaplan book. Thats pretty much all I used Kaplan's book for. The Math and the Verbal I studied just Princeton Review methods.

If you only have a little time, it might be best to pick one book and just study that inside and out. I've heard some people learn better from Kaplan than Princeton Review and vice versa.

The classes look great too, but they seem to basically force you to go over the same things their books do. If you have the discipline to go through the books on your own, you may be able to save a good bit of money.

Good luck! I know you can break that 1000 mark if you just push yourself a bit harder!

Adonai

armynse · Jan 21, 2008

Hey 7-2-7. Unfortunately, you must retake the GRE. I don't think that any anesthesia program would consider your application with your current score...there's way too much competition for a limited number of seats and the GRE is an easy way to weed out applicants without having to consider any other factors. I agree with a previous poster who stated that the GRE has little bearing on how well you will do in graduate school. While many schools require a min overall GRE of 1000(500 verbal, 500 quant), you can realistically gain acceptance into a CRNA program with a score in the mid to high 900 range with your stated GPA. I used The Princeton Review to study for the GRE and I did very well. I also used Kaplan but only as a final review the weekend before I took the exam. Good luck... study and I'm sure that you will perform much better the second time around.

krisjazzer13 · Jan 22, 2008

Hi 7-2-7, I was in your shoes not too long ago. In 2004 I took the GRE for the first time WITH a Kaplan prep course and scored a substandard score of 820. I recently took it again this past July after studying the Kaplan GRE book w/CD for a few months and scored over 1000 w/4 on writing, so while it isn't the best predictor of success, it is still a requirement that you must have. I would recommend doing some hard-core studying for a few months (dont take a prep course; mine was a joke and I wasted $1000) and then re-take it. If you put your mind to it, you can definitely improve your score!

Becky423 · Jan 22, 2008

I'm stressing over this too. I took my GRE today and got a verbal of 470 and quantitative of 610, but my program requires 500 on both. My GPA is a 3.6. So my combined GRE score (1080) and GPA are both higher than the average of students admitted in previous years GPA (3.29) and GRE (999). I'll have excellent references and I feel confident about my analytical score.

I'm wondering if they'll let me slide in or admit me on the condition I retake it and improve my scores. It's just really discouraging because my practice tests varied from 450-700. I feel like if I had been lucky and been given a different test, I'd have done better.

sleepergirl · Jan 23, 2008

Well its time for me to get off of the pity potty, STUDY and get this done and over with. I know if I really put my mind into this I can make that score of 1000+ happen!

armynse · Jan 23, 2008

I'm stressing over this too. I took my GRE today and got a verbal of 470 and quantitative of 610, but my program requires 500 on both. My GPA is a 3.6. So my combined GRE score (1080) and GPA are both higher than the average of students admitted in previous years GPA (3.29) and GRE (999). I'll have excellent references and I feel confident about my analytical score.
I'm wondering if they'll let me slide in or admit me on the condition I retake it and improve my scores. It's just really discouraging because my practice tests varied from 450-700. I feel like if I had been lucky and been given a different test, I'd have done better.

Hey Becky. Does your school require or recommend an overall GRE score of 1000(500/500)? I would check with the school before retaking the GRE. Since your GPA is good, anesthesia programs may be more than willing to overlook the mismatch in your scores...any way you slice it you still have a score above 1000. Also, another bit of good news, statistically speaking, it is often easier to improve your GRE score by studying for the verbal section. Math is math is math...it won't change. However, you can definitely spend more time learning those big words you may never use again. I think that you're close enough on the verbal to forego repeating the GRE. Good luck...

HIMECCRN · Jan 24, 2008

I took the GRE with a little prep in 2006 and made a 940 (quantitative 590, Verbal 350). I took Kaplan review course early this year and I thought it was helpful bringing up my score. Since English is my second language, verbal did not go up that much for the second time, only to 410, but my math was 710. I was very happy with my score. Good luck to you.

japaho41 · Jan 25, 2008

I was in this same position with the GRE. I took the damn thing twice and neither was spectacular but in the end I went with the scores that I had and in the end I was admitted. So what I am saying is take it again and go with it. Don't let the GRE be the sole determinant for not applying. Yes I truly agree with above posts of the GRE simply being a hoop and not being a predictor like they claim it is. They also say that their scores are so relevent that you should not see a drastic variation in the scores that you get. Not sure about that one either.

Case Western from what I have heard may be one that simply looks at the numbers, GPA, GRE and if you don't meet the require they may not look further. That is simply my impression that it is tougher to get into than Akron.

sleepergirl · Jan 25, 2008

I was in this same position with the GRE. I took the damn thing twice and neither was spectacular but in the end I went with the scores that I had and in the end I was admitted. So what I am saying is take it again and go with it. Don't let the GRE be the sole determinant for not applying. Yes I truly agree with above posts of the GRE simply being a hoop and not being a predictor like they claim it is. They also say that their scores are so relevent that you should not see a drastic variation in the scores that you get. Not sure about that one either.
Case Western from what I have heard may be one that simply looks at the numbers, GPA, GRE and if you don't meet the require they may not look further. That is simply my impression that it is tougher to get into than Akron.

Did you do any additional prep?