When should I take GRE?

First option, in case you need to retake.

You also need to look at what GRE scores/parts your schools are requiring. There are a couple of schools that only look at the writing score. Other schools require a minimum of x score on the reading and a minimum of x score on the math. While still others want a combined score of say, 300 for the math and reading.

So, look at what your schools are requiring in regards to the GRE and tweak your study plan accordingly.

Good luck!

The higher score the better but what they require is 40 percentile but does not say which one(s) they look at more. Do you by chance what score should I get to be above 40 percentile?

I am having hard time to decide when to take GRE. The lastest I plan to apply is beginning of January. I have two options for myself:

1. Take GRE at the end of November, however I only started to study this week which means I only have 3 more weeks to study. The benefit is if I need to retake, I can retake it at the end of December. I work full time and class on class, but I plan to spend the rest of my time on studying for GRE

2. Take GRE at the end of December and spend almost two months to study.

To those who already took GRE, would you please advise me which way I should go for? I know it will cost me more if I need to take it twice and saving money is preferred but not a must. Even if I have to spend more money but end up with a higher score, I will be more than happy too.

I would say take it in november. 1 extra studying will not make much of a difference unless ypu study everyday on that whole month. Try to google it. I have read somewhere that your score will not improve significantly unless you put in a significant amount of time. From personal experience, 1 month did not make a difference when i took it for the 2nd time. The only difference was my essay score, it improved. But not because i studied much for it. It improve because this time around, i actually know how to write the way they wanted it. Basically, i had little clue on how to write the essay during my first take. Good luck.

The higher score the better but what they require is 40 percentile but does not say which one(s) they look at more. Do you by chance what score should I get to be above 40 percentile?

It really depends on how the others did in x months prior to when you took the test. See the GRE website for the section "Understanding your Scores." Here is a section for the Scores (the point system).

Just do the best you can!

Highly recommend preparing for it. I spent several months (not every day) preparing and did very well the first time. If you are good at math, you won't have to prepare much for that section....it's not much more than high school level, if that. Your vocabulary needs to be VERY good. That is where I spent the most time studying.