<p>Hey there, everybody! Well, it is officially that time of year when we start getting our scores and start second-guessing ourselves regarding whether or not to spend the money and time to retest.</p>
<p>I took the test yesterday, and scored 640V and 730Q. I could probably raise my verbal with another try, but I don't think it would raise my overall, as the Q score was much higher than I ever received on practice tests (I was averaging in the 570-600 range). Of course, I won't have my writing scores until my full report comes out, but I do feel very confident that the score will be very strong as well (I received a perfect score five years ago when I took it for entrance to master's programs).</p>
<p>I will be applying to Ph.D. programs in musicology at some highly competitive schools (Harvard, Berekeley, Princeton, etc), and I just don't know if these scores are competitive enough for admissions, as well as for financial grants (fellowships, assistantships).</p>
<p>Other strengths in my application include a 4.0 GPA in my masters, publication in an academic journal, and recommendations which I am confident will be very strong.</p>
<p>So again, do you think my verbal score being under 700 will hurt my chances, especially for grants, or will my other strengths be enough? In short, do you think I should retest?</p>
<p>Thanks everybody!</p>