Students wonder all the time, can a weak GRE be overcome? The answer is yes. The fact is, there is a fix for every GRE issue under the sun. If you earned a lower score than expected on test day, there will be concrete reasons why. You may be able to easily identify those reasons. For instance, nerves got the best of you. Or, you may need to take some time to uncover them. Maybe your pacing was off. Maybe you neglected a specific topic area that turned out to be heavily tested. Maybe you didn’t do enough practice under timed conditions. Whatever the diagnosis, rest assured, it’s not terminal.

What’s more, if you’re starting with a low baseline score, it’s important to remember that your starting score is just a snapshot in time. It’s not a verdict on your ability. It’s not the score you’re going to stay at. You’re going to study, refine your strategy, and put in the work to increase your score. Really, your baseline score is just a tool to help you figure out how long you may need to study in order to reach your goal. Other than that, it kind of doesn’t even matter what your baseline is.

Progress on the GRE is driven by effort and consistency. If you put in that effort and you’re honest with yourself about where your current approach is falling short, you can make meaningful improvements. I’ve seen it happen countless times. A 290-something score turns into a 320-something score. An overwhelmed test taker becomes a confident one.

So, whether you’re starting with a lower score than you’d like or test day didn’t turn out as planned, if you find yourself losing hope as to your GRE prospects, remind yourself: every GRE “ailment” has a cure. You just need the right medicine. A better study plan. A shift in your mindset. Some targeted practice. A tutor to help you zero in on your blind spots. Whatever it is, there is a fix. You just have to be willing to find it.

Reach out to me with any questions about your GRE prep. Happy studying!

Warmest regards,

Scott Woodbury-Stewart
Founder & CEO, Target Test Prep