I may not be that helpful. I can tell you what PhDs programs in finance or economics look for but I am assuming your thinking of a "Classics" or "Biblical Studies" program. Econ and Finance programs heavily weight the quantitative portion. Back when it had the analytical section that was a heavy weight as well because it was the best predictor of post PhD publishing success. I would guess that a "Classics" program would more heavily weight the Verbal score. I could be wrong though. If forced to guess, I think your guantitative score is probably quite high for a top Classics program and your verbal may be on the low side. However, your verbal may be good enough for a solid Classics program. I looked up an article on JSTOR and mean Verbal GRE scores for Classics was around 600 in the late 80s although it had fallen considerable from the 70s (see: "How the Mighty are Falling: in the Classical Journal, 1990). Sorry I don't have up to date numbers. Chinocoug was mentioning average scores across disciplines the other day so you might see if he knows. Finally, I don't know how much Classics programs weight the GRE relative to letters of rec, courses taken, and grades.

That's about what I'm thinking. Thanks. I'll have to think about what I'll do.

How did you just take the GRE and know your score already? Is the GRE now like one of those Internet IQ tests?

It's all on computer. The written section will be graded in the next two weeks or so, but the other two sections are already graded.

That's a solid score, A-A. Whether it's "good enough" depends on what degree programs you're considering and where. I also think your background is going to be a bonus. Obviously, GRE isn't the only thing they look at.

I think you could probably bump your score if you took it again, but then what do I know...I took the LSAT with my fly open. :-)

Do they still do it where if you get answers wrong the questions get easier and if you get them correct the questions get harder?

I remember taking it and all of the sudden I got a really easy question. I figured I must have gotten the last 5 questions wrong to get one that easy.

Yup.

Damnit I got a 790.... You beat me by 10 points! What are you chinese? I say that because during my grad school year I worked for the program in biomedical sciences at the U of Michigan http://www.med.umich.edu/pibs/. We got at least 1000 applications a year from chinese students that received 800 on each all three parts of the test. They would bring some of them out to interview and they could barely speak english. It got pretty obvious that they were all cheating.

I got the official score yesterday, by the way. In addition to the other scores, I got a 5.5 out of 6 on the writing.

That's a nice writing score.