Comments | applyingtograd: Should I do another BA?

yes_just_lovely in applyingtograd

Should I do another BA?

Dec 05, 2009 23:16

I'm the person who posted a question on here yesterday about my low GRE scores (in the 300 range for both V&Q). I've been spending a lot of time thinking about why I did so poorly after spending so many months preparing. I took into consideration everything you all mentioned (test anxiety, English not a first language, poor preparation, learning ( Read more... )

education, second ba, gre

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kleis December 6 2009, 05:03:14 UTC

I'm not sure what you should do, but I understand your line of reasoning. If ETS says that what their tests gauge is the sufficient and successful amount of knowledge garnered in an undergraduate education, and if graduate programs accept this rationale by requiring the GREs for all applicants, then it seems that by ETS' reasoning, your undergraduate education did not provide you with sufficient training or critical thinking skills. But I think ETS is wrong about this ( ... )

yes_just_lovely December 6 2009, 05:05:38 UTC

Your suggestion about taking a practice test with a friend is a wonderful suggestion. Thank you! I appreciate it.

kleis December 6 2009, 05:15:48 UTC

Good luck with everything!

yes_just_lovely December 6 2009, 05:35:41 UTC

Thank you, and best wishes to you.

esmeraldus_neo December 6 2009, 05:57:58 UTC

My apologies if I have missed this, but did you take any practice tests before? I thought I remembered from your first post that you had.

I found the Princeton Review book helpful. Mine came with a software disc of practice tests that were much like the real exam, lacking only the analytical writing component.

It sounds to me like your test-taking strategy is what needs work, and kleis's suggestion of looking over the test with someone who scored well--someone the exam considers a normative thinker, if you will--sounds extremely sensible.

Beyond that, if you can get into an MA, your performance there may help you. You may not have to take the GRE to get into your MA program, and can defer the test, and continue to prepare. You will have to take it to get into your chosen Ph.D., but if your scores are still lower than you would like, your graduate record may then speak for you.

yes_just_lovely December 6 2009, 06:24:32 UTC

Thank you. Yes, I did take many practice tests, but thank you for the suggestion. I am considering applying for other MA programs that do not require the GRE and during my time there, work towards figuring out how I can improve my GRE scores to get into a PhD. I don't know. I hope it all works out in the end.

Thanks.

ieatpotatos December 6 2009, 17:03:22 UTC

I think this plan is very well founded. Good luck!

sahiya December 6 2009, 07:39:59 UTC

I think this is a great suggestion.

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