GRE Countdown!

[Ruddigore]

Just a note, I was so obsessed with finding out my results that I called the ETS number every day for a week before the date that scores were supposed to be available, and they were available on the Saturday or Sunday (can't remember exactly which) before the actual date both times. It doesn't cost anything to call if the scores aren't ready, so if you're as excited and impatient as me, just keep calling.

Same here. They had my score one Saturday before the date listed. But it's still a long wait. Try to keep yourself entertained with some other exams!

[TMW2010]

Hmm.. So it was on there three days early or 10 days early?

Ah well, worst case is one week to go....

Are we there yet?.. :p

[P00057870]

hilarious

10 days and counting!

[sc1]

I've been a huge slacker in posting feedback for the subject test and am just now getting back to this thread! I've been speed cramming tests, so I'm at the point where theoretically, I could graduate if I got a super good score. I know I won't but, that just makes the waiting that much more painful! :ack:

I have some thoughts for anyone considering a subject test (lit specifically) in the future, but first some quick background:

Although I am an avid reader, I had not any more experience with the classics than the average person and had never taken any Literature classes. I took one of the old tests before I started studying to see where I was and get a gauge of the difficulty. I score a 5%. Unfortunately, I was so stupid I still didn't understand how far I had to go. It was one of those cases where you don't realize how much you don't know until you start learning a little, if that make sense.

I studying for 3 months, while working and taking other tests. I took 4 more practice exams after that 5% scoring 33%, 52%, 66%, and 75%. The last came a week before the test date. On the actual exam, I feel like I had the knowledge to do as good or better than the last score, but I freaked out and badly mismanaged my time. I fear I will have done a whole lotta work for very little credit, but more on that later.

I attempted the lit gre mainly in hopes of gaining a large amount of credits in a short amount of time. I consider it a failure in that sense- particularly for someone so green to the subject. I think I could have taken 10 other tests with better odds of garnering 30 credits in less time with less stress. The GRE subject tests are a lot of things, but a way to increase your pace, they are not. They can be, however, a definite cost savings. Just gotta do well enough to pull out some upper level credit! I cannot stress enough how important it is to understand what you getting yourself in for and allow plenty of time to prepare.

That being said, it I had it all over to do again, I would. Even if I end up getting little to no credit for it. I cannot believe how many literary references I've been missing my whole life. It's made my every day reading so much richer. If you are one of those people that genuinely like to learn, it will be a very rewarding experience no matter what happens. So I feel a bit like I did the right thing for the wrong reason. I would have been in a better mental position day of test if I didn't feel like I had put myself in a do or die credit situation and enjoyed the process a bit more. So go for it! But do it because you want to get credit for something you love already or are really excited about learning about, not because it sounds like a short cut.

The single biggest piece of advice I have for this particular subject test is to practice like crazy. Take as many of the old exams as you can. Figure out a strategy for dealing with time and pacing and stick with it. I have to agree with Weaintgotnobadges about thinking that the three pass strategy that some of the books recommend is nuts. But whatever you do, be consistent and don't try any last minute changes like some idiots I know.

So the ETS line tells me that my scores aren't available yet and I should wait a week before calling back. Which is a riot seeing as how I can't go more than two days without trying again. I keep waiting for them to lock me out or something, but so far so good. He he.

[TMW2010]

We have located your record for the test date in April 2010.

Your scores are not available at this time. Please call back in about 50 years, and we might be able to give you your scores, but for a price... The cost is: your soul, hopes, and dreams.

Have a nice day.

<Click>

[Ruddigore]

We have located your record for the test date in April 2010.

Your scores are not available at this time. Please call back in about 50 years, and we might be able to give you your scores, but for a price... The cost is: your soul, hopes, and dreams.

Have a nice day.

<Click>

Hahahaha. I remember that feeling well! You should get results this Saturday. That's about how long it took from when I sat for the GRE Lit exam in November.

When my scores were finally available I felt like I would start shaking all over. The wait will be over soon, my friends! I'm just glad it's you and not me. milelol:

[TMW2010]

Hurm.. 56% Percentile, which should give me about 12 credits... I'm gonna retake the sucker in Oct when I have A LOT less going on. I stretched myself too thin this semester, and it showed it.

Ah well, Such is life, right?

At least that's over. For now... :p

*Edit* In my sleeplessness this morning, I hit 7 instead of 6.. Bleh... According to what I've got written down, its 56% not 57%...
I'm going to sleep.

[NAP]

I’m sure you are disappointed! I know this experience will help you in getting prepared for the next time.

Aren’t you actually half way there with 15 credits? You have taken classes and exams so quickly this year. Could you get the 15 credits you need through a combination of exams and classes before October?

[TMW2010]

I’m sure you are disappointed! I know this experience will help you in getting prepared for the next time.

Aren’t you actually half way there with 15 credits? You have taken classes and exams so quickly this year. Could you get the 15 credits you need through a combination of exams and classes before October?

That all depends on what the advisors decide that I'll need for completion. Per other users, when it comes to psych, they seem to be a bit erratic with how they assign things, since there doesn't seem to be a chart for the scores like there is for CIS and Lit in English.

I've gotta take 2 classes anyway (For my credit agreement), so those'll probably be Biopsychology and History & Systems. I think those are the only two that there really aren't tests for.. Hurm...

I'm definitely *NOT* looking forward to Biopsych.

[alissaroot]

I agree with NAP, I think your score should be worth 15 credits, 3 of those at upper level, but it's always up to EC where they go. Congrats, not many exams out there where you can get that many credits so cheap, especially the 3 upper level. That's better than the ECEs or most classes. Good job!