<p>Hey,</p>
<p>I am a junior at UCSB and I plan to apply to graduate schools next year with a tentative entry entry date in fall of 2012. I believe most of my applications will be due in December of 2011. So, when should I take the GRE? Do most gradschool bound students take the test their junior or senior year? </p>
<p>Thanks for your help,
Syrinx</p>
<p>I dont think most schools care. The scores are valid for 5 years I think so as long as you apply within that 5 year window you should be fine.</p>
<p>Take it whenever you have the most time to study and do well. As long as you get the scores in on time, it really doesn’t matter when you take them. I personally recommend taking them before you start the application process so you don’t have the pressures of both, along with school work, on you.</p>
<p>A good time may be sometime after you finish next/spring semsester. Since it is a computer based test you will have many date and city options, plus more time to concentrate on studying for it. That will give you time over the summer to study more and retake it if you don’t like your scores. If you need a subject GRE test as well that will also give you time to concentrate on that for one of the fall test dates.</p>