Should I go for CS Subject test?

[KHein11]

Hi everyone!

I am not sure if I should take GRE CS Subject test. Here is a brief description of my background. I am a graduate from NTU (Nanyang Technological University) Singapore with degree in Computer Engineering and I got first class honors (I still cant find a way to convert it to equivalent GPA). I am currently working as a software developer for about 2.5 years and intend to go for graduate study in CS.

I plan to take GRE general test in Nov 2009. But after browsing through some schools' webpages, I found out that most of the school say GRE Computer Science test is "highly recommanded" though it is not compulsory. Then I found out from ETS web site that GRE CS tests is not available that frequently through out the year. Plus, after reading through materials from ETS, I realise that it is not an easy test.

So if I have to take the CS test, I have to start preparing now. Due to my work schedule, my current preparation for GRE general test alone takes up most of my available time slots.

So I would like to know if it is possible to get into good US universities without GRE CS test. Can someone share some thoughts? Thanks in advance.

Regards,

K.H

[CalmLogic]

I found out that most of the school say GRE Computer Science test is "highly recommanded" though it is not compulsory.

Most applicants, including most accepted applicants, don't take the exam, even at some top schools like UT Austin.

Assuming you have met the course prerequisites for most of the MSCS programs you would be applying to (which seems to be the case), then there is no need to take the exam.

(If you wanted to boost your profile, your time may be better spent working on a 2-page poster paper for a IEEE/ACM conference.)

So, at least for now, I would probably just focus on the general GRE given that you are working full-time. Then, you may just want to focus on working on your statement of purpose, which some people tend to underestimate the importance of.

[KHein11]

Originally Posted by CalmLogic

Most applicants, including most accepted applicants, don't take the exam, even at some top schools like UT Austin.
...

Thank you so much for the info and great advice. It really helps me

[tkmsr]

I have found a good link you can read this I hope this answers your question.

[tkmsr]

I have found a good link you can read this I hope this answers your question.
http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~harchol/gradschooltalk.pdf

[CalmLogic]

Yeah, in that link (Applying to Ph.D. Programs in Computer Science), they mention that if one is coming from a no-name school, then taking the GRE CS may be a good idea.

Of course, NTU is a relatively well-known school as far as international universities go.

[Enigma211]

Paper in IEEE/ACM or Computer Science GRE:

I spent some time debating about this in my mind. I eventually settled for CS-GRE eventhough IEEE paper would be more beneficial. I already have 2 papers published, hence I know that getting accepted requires substantial effort (at least in first paper) and you should have knowledge of some hard problems and potential solutions in mind. Remember research is nebulous and hence many PhD students spend years in getting paper done. As opposed to papers, CS-GRE is an exam with a well defined syllabus and may be an easier target.