General GRE Q: forgot to use a calculator...
Posted: Tue Nov 21, 2017 2:15 pm
I took the general GRE recently, but was apparently too rushed to bother reading the instructions (skipped through them to get through the test quickly to catch a ride back to campus for class). I didn't realize there was an onscreen calculator to make use of (I guess I was doing well enough on the quantitative practice tests--having failed to read the instructions in those instances too--that I assumed there was no calculator allowed, otherwise it would be a bit too easy). I still did well enough on the actual test (165). Nonetheless, very frustrated with myself, as I am assuming I could have boosted my score at least a couple of points considering time spent on some lengthy calculations this round; though maybe I'm mistaken about how much that calculator actually helps... Of course, very foolish of me not to more carefully read the directions. Live and learn.
However, is it worth pointing out in applications that I went through the test without a calculator? Would graduate admissions committees even believe me? Or is the score good enough, even at top programs, not to worry about (for reference, GPA is excellent, PGRE is 870/81%).
However, is it worth pointing out in applications that I went through the test without a calculator? Would graduate admissions committees even believe me? Or is the score good enough, even at top programs, not to worry about (for reference, GPA is excellent, PGRE is 870/81%).