Admissions committees look at your GRE score to determine if
you have the academic ability to succeed in graduate school. An
outstanding GRE score won't necessarily get you into the school
of your choice but a low score will probably keep you out. If you
scored poorly on the GRE, consider taking it again. Admissions
committees usually focus on your most recent
score.
How should you approach
it?
The GRE is a standardized test; therefore, it has
standard
ways of approaching it — question type strategies,
time-management techniques, etc. Understanding the format of the
exam and the ways you can use it to your advantage can
significantly increase your score. Because of the intensity of
the GRE and the competitiveness of today's grad school admissions
environment, we highly encourage you to prep formally for the
exam (obvious reasons aside). The structure that preparation
provides can help you build the skills, techniques, and
confidence to score your best.