What to do when you get a low GRE score?

Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) is a standard test which forms a part of academic selection process in most universities across the globe. This may sound very intimidating to you. The very name GRE makes one say, " You need to work hard to get a good score". You will seldom hear someone telling you that GRE is a piece of cake.

If you are one of those who want to pursue higher studies, like MS/MBA, GRE scores will be the deciding factor to allocate you a seat in most of the universities, especially, if you want to go to USA, UK and most universities in Australia, some in Germany, to name a few. Not to forget the fact that it is considered at some places for scholarships.

You must be regretting the bad score, but we agree that GRE is a tricky examination. It begins by giving you an average question, based on your answer, gives you either a difficult or an easy 'next' question. Hence, if you have this feeling that you did answer most of the questions correctly and yet ended up with a low score, then you need not be surprised. It is what happens with most of them. It is because of the way the exam is, as explained.

Do not be disheartened and sad... there is more than one way to do things you are destined to! So read on to find out the ways...

Things to do when you have a low score:

* Re-take:
GRE can be re-taken once every 21 days. If the score is too low, then it's recommended that you take it again. But be sure to learn all the formulae and concentrate on the reading comprehension part, where you can score well. Now that you already have an experience of how the exam is going to be, you will be able to do better than you had done earlier.

* Re-search and Re-list:
There are some universities that give GRE a priority. If these universities were on your list for application, you have to re-search and re-list. There are many good universities which see other things beyond GRE scores. Find them and apply to them.

* Re-consider:
You might have started off on a high spirit, confident that you would get into those top universities; don't worry if that isn't possible. Re-consider the universities which you had given no priority to. These may not be all bad. There are many good universities which are specialisation specific. The banner doesn't matter, gaining the knowledge does. So consider them, apply to them.

* Re-look:
Re-look at the benefits of going into a university which isn't bombarded with too many students where there is a high possibility of you being lost in the league. In the smaller, progressing universities, there are sure and high chances of getting scholarships, accommodations in the university, part-time jobs etc. For the same things at an Ivy league university, you should "win the race". If your whole student life is full of competitions at every nook and corner, then when will you ever get to feel like a student?

* Re-hope:
There is still some hope, in case you have not re-taken the exam and are not willing to go to universities other than those which you have already dreamt of. This includes a very good SOP (Service Of Purpose), good academic scores, convincing LOR (Letter Of Recommendation), some credentials to add on that you aren't really poor at studies and you deserve to be at the university.

* Re-convince:
This is for those who can't think of any universities in the world other than those in the USA. If there is a situation where your scores are bad and there is no way you are going to an "unknown" university and you are not in a position to re-take the exam, then you might just want to move base to some other country.

You have re-convince yourself that you have a better chance of learning elsewhere. Understandable, that once you have made up your mind it will be difficult to convince yourself for something else. But, remember that every country has its own set of good universities. For instance, Canada offers the same kind of education which a university in USA would. The only difference is the climate and location. But, shouldn't your focus be on gaining the knowledge and learning instead of bothering about the countries? Consider universities in Canada or a few in Germany or other places where GRE is not considered.

So, do a bit of permutation and combination. Your decision now should not result in you regretting later. Think in all aspects, consult those who might have "been there done that". Discuss with your family about what should be done. Most importantly, discuss with your own-self. Pick the best option. Go ahead with your higher studies. A low score in GRE must not be a "full stop" or a detour to your better future. Go with the alternatives, but never give up.

With that we wish you a better luck. This is what we had to say, if you have anything to add/ suggest please do here: