How important is it to prepare for the GRE? Admissions committees look at your GRE score to determine if you have the academic ability to succeed in graduate school. An outstanding GRE score won't necessarily get you into the school of your choice but a low score will probably keep you out. If you scored poorly on the GRE, consider taking it again. Admissions committees usually focus on your most recent score.
How should you approach the GRE?
The GRE is a standardized test; therefore, it has standard ways of approaching it: question type strategies, time-management techniques, etc. Understanding the format of the exam and the ways you can use it to your advantage can significantly increase your score. Because of the intensity of the GRE and the competitiveness of today's grad school admissions environment, we highly encourage you to prep formally for the exam (obvious reasons aside). The structure that preparation provides can help you build the skills, techniques, and confidence to score your best.
What GRE Score Do You Need?
What you consider a good score should depend on your own expectations and goals. You should keep in mind what scores top graduate schools consider as competitive. Information on average test scores at different schools and programs is readily available. Research the schools on your list. Find out what their average GRE scores are and then develop a preparation plan to achieve it.
The GRE serves to support your undergraduate grades and helps admissions officers compare your record with those of students from other schools. If your grades are lacklustre, an outstanding GRE score can help you make the case that you are really capable of higher academic performance than your grades illustrate. For an older, non-traditional student, GRE scores can attest to the fact that you still have the necessary academic and thinking skills. The GRE Subject Tests are meant to demonstrate your knowledge of the subject you plan to study in grad school.
In addition, many US graduate programs base financial aid packages on the GRE, especially on your total score, including fellowships and teaching assistantships. Numerous state and federal financial assistance programs are based in part on the GRE. Some schools will even waive application fees for students with high GRE scores.
