Mentioning Poor Scores in Personal Statement

Forum for the GRE subject test in mathematics.
Post Reply
bobbydd21
Posts: 20
Joined: Wed Sep 24, 2014 11:30 pm

Mentioning Poor Scores in Personal Statement

Post by bobbydd21 » Sun Dec 07, 2014 4:01 pm

Would you guys recommend mentioning in your personal statement that the poor results on the subject test don't accurately capture your true ability/knowledge and potential to do research or is it better off not even drawing attention to it?

Thanks for the help!

zeta_0.5
Posts: 16
Joined: Sun Dec 07, 2014 1:31 pm

Re: Mentioning Poor Scores in Personal Statement

Post by zeta_0.5 » Sun Dec 07, 2014 4:12 pm

you can explain why you ended up having low score, but telling them that "the poor results on the subject test don't accurately capture your true ability/knowledge and potential to do research" will not be advisable. Let them conclude it based on your stronger points. This is what my opinion is. Good luck.

MathCat
Posts: 187
Joined: Thu Oct 23, 2014 12:17 am

Re: Mentioning Poor Scores in Personal Statement

Post by MathCat » Sun Dec 07, 2014 5:43 pm

They know that scores are not the most accurate measure of your abilities. You shouldn't tell them this, just try to highlight the strengths of your application.

dasgut
Posts: 250
Joined: Thu Jan 21, 2010 12:20 am

Re: Mentioning Poor Scores in Personal Statement

Post by dasgut » Mon Jan 12, 2015 12:45 am

I think it'd be better if you could get your recommenders to say that the results don't accurately reflect your ability to do research.

sara12
Posts: 37
Joined: Sun Aug 24, 2014 5:59 am

Re: Mentioning Poor Scores in Personal Statement

Post by sara12 » Mon Jan 12, 2015 7:54 am

dasgut wrote:I think it'd be better if you could get your recommenders to say that the results don't accurately reflect your ability to do research.
I second this. I got a terrible score on my first MGRE. One of my recommenders offered to write in the rec that my score in no way reflected my abilities, I have a ton of potential, etc. I got my second score back, which was still not great, but acceptable and my prof said it was no longer necessary to add that to the letter. Only have your profs write it if the score is SUPER low - most grad schools understand that the MGRE is complete and utter BS in regards to research abilities and that moderately low to middling scores are no big deal.



Post Reply