Will my abysmal quant scores keep me out of a top English PhD program?

[marzipandas]

I know people must ask this question on a daily basis, but I keep combing through the archives and finding questions that only match 80% of my criteria. I'm too neurotic about my chances of getting into a top-notch English PhD program to not ask this! So, my quant scores on the practice tests are just awful, around 450-500. It's embarrassing.

Comments

[eclecticrove]

Yeah, on the practice tests (official GRE ones) I was testing at 700+V, 300Q. So, I studied math like whoa (there's a math book just for GMAT/GRE math that is great. GRE for Dummies is excellent, too). Come test day, I got mid-600V and 700+Q. Oops. Make sure you review everything, but I really think they low-ball you on math come the actual test.

That's just the testing side of it, though. I'm sure some English applicants will come along who can reassure you as to the rest.

[magnoliastorm]

that happened to me too! i did so poorly on the quant and then studied like crazy for the math part and then the second time did worse on the verbal and MUCh better on the quant. ridiculous.

[kahlan_amnell]

Hum, unlike the last commenter I found that the official practice tests (PowerPrep) were fairly accurate predictors of my score.

Anyway, you shouldn't worry too much about your quant score. As long as you meet any minimum scores that the graduate schools require, English departments probably won't pay much attention to your score on that section.

[midnightglobe]

learn the basic geometry stuff. triangle and circle formulas mostly. knowing that will allow you to get a reasonable quant score.

i did what eclectirove did, and i ended up with a 690v and a 770q. so don't overdo the math.

flascards for the geometry formulas should help bring your s core up to the reasonable range.

[apwoh]

Your quant score shouldn't matter at all for getting accepted, especially if the rest of your app is good. Your SOP, writing sample, and GPA are much, much more important. My professors, who have been on Ad Comms, told me they don't even consider GRE scores usually, and one of them said she takes it as a good sign when someone has a low quant score! The only thing it might possibly affect is your qualification for university fellowships. Some of them have score minimums, but the ones I've seen have been really low. Like 1200.

[ravenword]

I understand that quant is not predictive of ability to do well in an English program, but taking it as "a good sign" when someone has a low score makes no sense... unless they don't want students to be able to calculate how pathetic their stipends are.

[apwoh]

Um, she was kind of joking. Like someone who is good at math would be bad in English.

[sporkgoddess]