Should I retake the GRE? Looking for some honest opinions

[freddieee]

I took the GRE yesterday, here are the results: Q:800 V:550 (AWA - TBA... but I felt both essays were fairly good, and I expect perhaps 5+ or so).

My question is, should I retake the exam?

Obviously, I am very happy with the quant. results, but I fear the verbal will have a very bad impact on admission (not to mention financial aid issues).

My aim is a top 12 (based on econphd overall ranking) program. If that matters for anything, I am an international student whose English is not his first language (will take the TOEFL soon, and expect to get a very high score).

Please let me know what y'all think.

Thanks!

P.S: When answering this please disregard all other application components (assume they are very strong).

[DismalScientist]

If you re-take the GRE, then there is a chance that you might get a lower quant (and at the worst case scenario, a lower verbal as well). The perfect quant score is more important than an improved verbal score. I honesty don't see you being rejected or being denied financial aid because of a 550 on the GRE verbal. So, if I were you, I would focus on the more important aspects of your profile (like your math background). You can also submit a very good writing sample if at all you feel that your verbal score requires mitigation.

[TruDog]

Gosh, you're fine, especially for being an international student. You obviously are quite good with English, judging by the proper usage of y'all.

[SquareSquare]

DismallScientist got it right. There is a chance that you won't get another 800 and that won't be too good.

On the other hand, if you are confident with quant AND think that you'll ace verbal next time AND have enough cash AND can wait a month before you retake GRE... you'll be better off retaking.

Spending sometime on perfecting your previous written work will be best if you dont meet those conditions.

[sonicskat]

You got the perfect quant score, and a better score on verbal than I even did...and english is my only language...and I'm a writing tutor!! You guys really know how to put me in my place.

I wouldn't worry about it, especially with a good TOEFL score

[kkitkat]

I think 500s is about average for econ applicants and admits so I wouldn't worry about it too much (in fact I wouldn't worry about it at all ). Make sure your TOEFL is good and that your SOP is well written and that's it.

[buckykatt]

No, don't retake it. The 800 wuant is vastly more important than improving an average verbal score.

[wallaby36]

I understand how you might feel right now. You might think that improving your verbal score might increase your chances of getting in at a top school. However, heed my advice. I am too an international student and took the GRE two times last year. My results were 800/570/4.5 and 800/520/5.0
I took it twice because I wanted to improve my AWA score. In hindsight I don´t think it was the best decision. Even though it might have helped me a little I think it was just a waste of time and money. You shouldn´t be concerned about your AWA score that much and, ESPECIALLY don´t worry about your verbal score. What you got is good enough. You´d better focus on the other parts of the application that carry more weight (i.e. letters of recommendation)

[commando]

just take the toefl if you are not comfortable. the 800Q score is the decider.550V is normal even in the top programs. if your other creds are great then you have no worries. i dont really know how if you retook it and got 600V and say 780Q it will affect your apps, but I dont think it will be positive in the least.

[bne600]

No don't retake the exams. If you do you take the risk of lowering your quants score. I always say the verbal is not important for phd economics and my view has not changed one bit from that. So the answer is simple. Dont retake the exams.