Retaking the GRE – for some it is more like a luxury that they want to pursue with the hopes of improving their chances at the pinnacle schools or become some boosted funding, and for others information technology is a necessity because they desperately are looking to better their scores.

If you vest to one of these 2 groups, and especially the latter, then it is possible that you're full of questions. It's not uncommon to spend a few sleepless nights thinking:

Should I consider retaking the GRE? 😏

Is it worth the extra time, money and try? ⏲️💰😪

Will I exist able to meliorate my score significantly? 🤔

Should I study on my own or join an online class? 💻

And what if I score fifty-fifty lower than before? 😱

Whoa, now that's a question to continue you awake last nighttime, isn't it? 👀

You're not lonely in this

Maybe you didn't get the score you wanted. Maybe yous're certain yous didn't study at all the last time and desire to requite information technology another become. Maybe your score does not encounter your target academy'south standards.

Simply whichever may be the reason, it is perfectly alright to think of retaking the GRE. Because while you might think y'all're the only ane retaking the GRE in the entries world, that is not truthful.

Because according to this latest ETS survey, more than i in every four people around the world takes the GRE more once. 😲

Fascinating, isn't information technology? And then you lot're not alone. While you might think you're the just ane who couldn't achieve their target GRE score, remainder assured that there are at least 100,000 more like you lot around the world.

At least 25% of test takers around the world accept the GRE more than once!😲

ETS Survey

And more importantly, the vast majority of those who retake the GRE test actually see an improvement in their scores!

So, if yous're not happy with your current score, and if you lot're wondering whether retaking the GRE examination is the right affair to practise, then this guide should help you decide.

Should you lot go for a retake?

Of form, whether or not to take the test in one case again is a subjective question, and the respond might differ from 1 person to the other. Withal, this brief guide is an effort to ask you the right questions then you lot tin can make up one's mind it for yourself.

The GRE comes with a motive of testing your aptitude, analytical thinking, and exact reasoning skills. Despite what many high scores might desire you to believe, retaking the GRE is no piece of block.

Except for a small minority of test takers, nearly students cease upwardly getting scores that are beneath their targets. So, information technology is important to recall that fifty-fifty if you are putting your best efforts, you might sometimes non be able to achieve information technology at one go.

Merely if your scores are non up to the mark, then do not worry; In that location can exist a lot of reasons why you did not perform well on the GRE in the past. Merely yous always have an open window to meliorate your test scores, all you demand is to buckle up for another month or two, and just retake the GRE test!

Having said that, retaking the GRE is retaking not an piece of cake task. Yous'd have to do everything that you lot've already done, once again – the study plans, the late night practise sessions, the 4-hour total-length tests, the vocabulary flashcards, the in-depth reviews, the painful hard-striking realities, and all of the other things that yous endured just a while agone.

Ugh. Seems like a nightmare, doesn't it? No wonder why many exam takers make this decision rather grudgingly.

disappointed baby GIF

We all know that GRE test can be difficult to score for a lot of people for various reasons. And that is why ETS has a provision that allows retaking the GRE test upwards to 5 times a yr, so that you accept multiple chances to improve your scores.

Retaking the examination does not impact your applications to your dream academy as yous tin make up one's mind which score you would similar to submit in your awarding. While you are nevertheless in the mode of studying, you can retake the GRE after 21 days and piece of work on your weaknesses immediately; and in a yr y'all can take the test 5 times.

Consider These Earlier Retaking the GRE

Taking the GRE test was quite a piece of work. But when you retake the GRE, forth with the hard work, y'all might need a different approach to scoring well. To brand things easier for you to understand, here are a few things to consider before you retake the GRE. This can be a small checklist for you while yous plan your manner through.

#1: Purpose of retaking the GRE

Retaking the GRE examination means going through the same or even more hard piece of work all over once again. It demands you to invest a whole lot of fourth dimension and patience in information technology. Hence, if you desire to retake the examination, you lot accept to be very clear of your purpose to do and then.

You must first understand if y'all actually demand a retake. Yous take a target score to achieve co-ordinate to the universities you are applying for. Now what's a skilful GRE scoremay exist relative to your goals, simply it is important that yous aim actually high.

For instance, y'all want to pursue a Chief'southward degree in the top 50 universities across the U.s. that demand a good GRE score, then your target should be effectually 325.

Simply in some other cases where institutes are not that concerned about the GRE score, a 300-310 would be a skilful score.

If you haven't achieved a "good score" at your outset attempt, y'all should consider retaking the test. Merely, it is completely harmless if you are a little ambitious and you want to score more. To add to the benefits of a better score, you can even go a scholarship for further education.

If the purpose is articulate plenty in your listen, it becomes a lot easier for you lot to farther excel in the test. You effectively understand what areas you demand to work on and how to prepare accordingly.

Hence, the first footstep is understanding the need for retaking the GRE.

#ii: Pros and Cons of retaking the GRE

If you are withal in a fix in deciding whether or not to give the examination again, here is another tip. To brand information technology easier to sympathize if you need to retake the GRE, you tin can make a listing of pros and cons

Here is a general listing of pros and cons of retaking the test. Yous can add your own pros and cons to the list based on your experience or situation.

Pros:

  • You get another take a chance to improvise if yous couldn't exercise the test due to reasonable circumstances.
  • With the opportunity, you can score improve.
  • If y'all accept taken the examination multiple times, with ScoreSelect, you can decide which score to send out in your applications.
  • Retaking GRE does non have a major effect on your awarding.

Cons:

  • The test costs a lot. If you accept a fiscal hardship, you need to be very sure if it is worth.
  • You might have a time limitation. If there is a crunch in a deadline of applications, you lot might want to reconsider taking the test.
  • Information technology is of no use if you are non prepared enough for the test. Hence, you have to make sure that you study well earlier giving the exam again.
  • Giving a retest once is harmless, simply giving information technology multiple times might affect your application.

#3: Financial Aspects

In the above points, we mentioned a few limitations of retaking GRE. Simply every bit every problem has a solution, there is ever a fashion to overcome the cons.

Information technology is certain past now that retaking GRE needs to be well planned with a clear goal.

When it comes to the financial demands, you need to pay the fees of the aforementioned corporeality as you lot paid while giving it for the first time. Currently, the GRE sets you dorsum by $205. Having said that, that amounts to goose egg, compared to what you will be incurring during your Master's caste.

Moreover, call back of this as a teeny tiny investment you're making in yourself to get into a much better college, and eventually go a much college paying chore than you would take otherwise. It's no wonder most people who retake the GRE feel similar it is the best conclusion they accept e'er made. And then you tin can never go incorrect. 🙂

#4: Time Management

Understanding the timelines for retaking the GRE is very crucial. We are now aware that we tin can repeat the test afterwards 21 days. Withal, you lot need to check whether or non information technology is well before your applications deadline. If it is, you can go for a retest without any worries. Only if you get the retest slot a few days earlier the applications deadline, go for information technology only if information technology is really needed.

When it comes to time management, nosotros sometimes tend to neglect how much time we need for the preparations.

Plan a sufficient amount of time to fix before the retest.

This tin let y'all effectively improve on your scores. To decide how much time you lot will need you can checklist a few factors below;

How far are you from your target score?

How well did you score in your exercise exam?

Which areas do yous need to improve?

How much fourth dimension do you demand to ameliorate based on your studying capacity?

By answering these questions yous might get a tentative idea on how many days yous will demand to prepare. Accordingly, yous tin can utilise and book your slot for the retest. If you lot can't determine how much time you need to prepare, y'all can plan out your preparation past referring to "Plan to reach your goal" below.

#five: Expectations when retaking the GRE

At present that y'all have registered and got an appointment, it'southward time for you to start preparing. Before yous start with your studies, it is always good to come up with a plan and go on modest targets that can aid you set up for the ultimate exam. In the case of the retest, the first step is to understand which places require improvement.

You tin can get-go by checking how far are you from your target score. Y'all then subject field your score to categories of analytical thinking, maths, and vocabulary. You will now understand which category requires more than attention.

Some other like shooting fish in a barrel way to analyze your previous test is past but using the GRE Diagnostic Service. The diagnostic tells you:

  • which questions you answered are right or wrong.
  • Each question in GRE is designated a difficulty level from 1 to five. The diagnose tells you how many difficult questions you take answered correctly.
  • how much time you have spent in answering a certain question.

With this detailed analysis, information technology is super easy for you to figure out where you demand to better. Even so, this service expires afterward 6 months of the test. In case you lot are besides late, you can become assistance from the comprehensive assay at CrunchPrep.

#6: Programme to attain your goal

By now information technology will be clear to yous what areas you demand to focus and meliorate on.

With your targets articulate, y'all tin make your study schedule easily.

Since you have given the exam before, you can first figure out what topics you are well-versed with. You can keep these topics to study while you are revising or giving practice tests.

First, start by studying the topics y'all are not prepared with at all.

When you are creating a schedule, make sure that it is comfy for you and you are giving sufficient time for each topic.

While you are studying, pay close attending to what topics you are able to understand and what topics are hard for you. If your ideal ways of studying are not working, effort out some new ways to understand those topics.

If yous feel that you have studied well you can get alee with exercise tests. With these tests, you will understand your speed, and how prepared are yous. In this fashion, you can get on improving, hence, perform well.

You should also consider having a unlike approach towards studying. Hither is a very useful eighty-xx method you lot can effort out to score amend.

#7: Relax and Be Confident

Retaking the GRE examination tin can be really hectic and put a lot of pressure on you. Stressing as well much might affect your preparation and operation in the test. But don't permit panicking take your toll.

Initially, it is hard to sit in one place and study. While you are preparing, in that location will be times where y'all neglect to commit to your schedule. But information technology'due south completely fine, as long as you make up for it the next day. If you neglect to understand a sure topic, you can always motility to the next one and go back to it afterward.

Your persistence and dedication would work similar magic for scoring improve.

For a smooth preparation, avoid last moment hassles as information technology might result in a bad outcome.

If you are prepared for the test, you don't need to worry nigh anything.

All y'all need to do is relax and be confident while giving the examination. You lot are sure to achieve your target score.

Next footstep: Applying for a Retake

If you lot take thought most it long enough and have considered all the factors mentioned in a higher place, you tin go alee with applying for a retest.

This process is simple and very like to applying for GRE for the first time. The only difference is you can use the same account on ETS rather than making a new 1. We've explained this in greater detail in our post well-nigh booking a GRE appointment.

But before you book your adjacent GRE retake appointment, it would be good to sympathise if you lot're there, getting the scores you're targeting. And the all-time mode to do that is to accept a practice test.

We'd usually recommend that you lot take the gratis ETS PowerPrep tests, but considering that you might accept already exhausted those costless tests, nosotros recommend you to take a gratuitous GRE do test that gives you equally accurate results. Luckily, we have i complimentary test for you at CrunchPrep, so go ahead and take it before you accept the big plunge.

Now It's Your Plough

There tin be a lot of reasons for you to retake the GRE test. It'due south true that retaking the GRE doesn't take whatsoever negative impact on your application. Notwithstanding, it needs to exist well idea of and well planned if you intend to retest. The factors mentioned to a higher place are like a guideline and the basic factors to retrieve of earlier y'all go ahead and utilize for a retest. Of these, the most essential function is played in understanding your goals for the retest. But it is equally important for you to be patient and calm for the same.

So, those are some things you should keep in listen before you program on retaking the GRE test. And as always, if you have any other interesting considerations in mind, do allow us know in the comments below!

Expert luck with your GRE test! May the scores be with yous! 😉