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GRE Scores Explained: Total Score, Score Range, Section Scores, Percentile
What is the GRE Score Range?
Unlike your typical college exams where you might get a straightforward 85 out of 100, the GRE uses a rather unique scoring system that can seem a bit puzzling at first. Let’s break it down in a way that actually makes sense!
For starters, your GRE score isn’t just one number – it’s split into three sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and the Analytical Writing Section(AWA). Here’s the interesting part: each section has its own scoring scale and increments.
Let’s look at how the scores work:
For starters, your GRE score isn’t just one number – it’s split into three sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and the Analytical Writing Section(AWA). Here’s the interesting part: each section has its own scoring scale and increments.
Let’s look at how the scores work:
| Section | Score Range | Score Increments |
|---|---|---|
| Verbal Reasoning | 130 – 170 | 1 point |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 130 – 170 | 1 point |
| Analytical Writing AWA | 0 – 6 | 0.5 points |
Now, you might be wondering, “Why such odd numbers like 130 to 170?” Good question! ETS (the folks behind GRE) designed it this way to avoid confusion with other standardized tests and percentile scores. Think of 130 as your starting point – everyone gets at least this many points just for showing up and completing the test. Instead of receiving your GRE raw scores showing the number of correct and incorrect answers, you’ll only see your performance within designated score ranges.
The Verbal and Quant sections are scored in one-point increments, so you could get a 138, 139, 140, and so on, all the way up to 170. The AWA section works differently – it’s scored from 0 to 6 in half-point increments, so you could get a 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, etc.
Here’s what’s really important to understand: a score of 150 isn’t like getting 50% right in a typical test! The GRE uses a unique scoring system where the same score can mean different things across sections. For instance, a 150 in Verbal puts you in the 39th percentile, while a 150 in Quant lands you in the 25th percentile. We’ll dive deeper into what these percentiles mean later, but for now, remember that GRE scores work quite differently from the traditional percentage-based scoring you might be familiar with.
The Verbal and Quant sections are scored in one-point increments, so you could get a 138, 139, 140, and so on, all the way up to 170. The AWA section works differently – it’s scored from 0 to 6 in half-point increments, so you could get a 3.5, 4.0, 4.5, etc.
Here’s what’s really important to understand: a score of 150 isn’t like getting 50% right in a typical test! The GRE uses a unique scoring system where the same score can mean different things across sections. For instance, a 150 in Verbal puts you in the 39th percentile, while a 150 in Quant lands you in the 25th percentile. We’ll dive deeper into what these percentiles mean later, but for now, remember that GRE scores work quite differently from the traditional percentage-based scoring you might be familiar with.
Section-Wise Score Ranges (Verbal, Quant, AWA)
Verbal Reasoning (130-170): The GRE has two Verbal sections. It’s section-adaptive, meaning your performance in the first section determines the difficulty of the second section. A harder second section indicates strong first-section performance and typically leads to a higher score. Your final score considers both the number of correct answers and the difficulty level of your second section.
Quantitative Reasoning (130-170): The Quant section follows the same clever adaptive format. Your first section performance is like an audition – do well, and you’ll get promoted to harder questions in the second section. Remember, getting that harder second section is a good sign! Just like in Verbal, your final quantitative score isn’t just about how many questions you got right – it’s also about the difficulty level you reached in that second section.
Analytical Writing (0-6): The AWA section takes a different approach. Here, you’ll write one essay analyzing an issue. What’s unique about the scoring? Your essay gets read by both a human grader and a sophisticated computer scoring system. They’ll rate your work on a scale from 0 to 6, using half-point increments.
This scoring system might seem complex, but it’s actually quite brilliant – it adapts to your ability level and gives you the chance to really show what you know. Ready to dive into Section 2 and understand how all these scores come together?
This scoring system might seem complex, but it’s actually quite brilliant – it adapts to your ability level and gives you the chance to really show what you know. Ready to dive into Section 2 and understand how all these scores come together?
Understanding Your Total GRE Score
If you’ve been wondering how those individual section scores add up to your total GRE score, here’s the scoop: your total GRE score actually only includes your Verbal and Quantitative scores, while your Analytical Writing scores are reported separately. That’s right – your Analytical Writing score stands alone and isn’t part of the total!
How GRE Total Scores Are Calculated?
Let’s do some quick math. Since both Verbal Reasoning Scores and Quant Reasoning scores range from 130-170, your total GRE score will range from 260-340. Here’s how it works:
- Lowest possible: 130 (Verbal) + 130 (Quant) = 260
- Highest possible: 170 (Verbal) + 170 (Quant) = 340
For example, if you scored 155 in Verbal and 162 in Quant, your total GRE score would be 317. Pretty straightforward, right?
Score Components and how graduate schools use different components of your GRE score
Here’s something important to remember: most graduate programs look at your section scores separately rather than focusing on the total. Why? Because different programs value different skills. A Computer Science program might care more about your Quant score, while a Literature program might put more weight on your Verbal score.
The AWA score (0-6) is always reported separately from your total score. Think of it as a bonus score that showcases your writing and analytical abilities.
The AWA score (0-6) is always reported separately from your total score. Think of it as a bonus score that showcases your writing and analytical abilities.
What’s a Good GRE Score?
Here’s the thing about GRE scores – there’s no one-size-fits-all definition of a “good” score. What’s considered good GRE Scores really depends on your target schools and target programs. A score that might have you jumping for joy if you’re applying to one program could leave you sweating if you’re aiming for another! Let’s break this down by section:
Good GRE Verbal Scores:
- A verbal reasoning score above 155 (≈ 65th percentile) is generally considered good
- Scores above 160 (≈ 85th percentile) are excellent
- Top programs in fields like English or Journalism often look for scores of 165+ (≈ 95th percentile). Earning high GRE scores can really boost your chances of getting into those dream graduate programs you’re aiming for.
Good GRE Quant Scores:
- A quantitative reasoning score above 160 (≈ 55th percentile) is generally considered good
- For STEM programs, you’ll typically want 165+ (≈ 70th percentile)
- Top engineering or economics programs might expect scores of 168+ (≈ 83rd percentile)
The last point tells us that 17% of the GRE test takers (1 in every 6 test takers) score 168 or 169 or 170. That should tell you that getting a high score in the GRE quant section is easier than in the GRE verbal section.
Good AWA Scores:
- A score of 4.0 or higher (≈ 60th percentile) is generally considered good
- Scores of 4.5+ (≈ 85th percentile) are excellent
- Most competitive programs look for scores of 4.0 or above
How Important are GRE AWA Scores?
The AWA score might seem like the forgotten sibling of the GRE family, but don’t be fooled! While it might not carry as much weight as your Verbal or Quant scores, it can still play a crucial role in your application. Here’s why:
- It’s especially important for programs involving extensive writing or research
- A low AWA score might raise red flags about your ability to communicate clearly
- Some programs use it as a writing sample to assess your analytical and communication skills
- International students’ AWA scores are often scrutinized as an indicator of English writing ability
Remember: These are general guidelines. The best approach is to:
- Research the average scores for your target programs
- Look at the score ranges of recently admitted students. What counts as a strong score? For most programs, you’ll want to aim above the 80th percentile GRE score for your specific field of study at your target school. This means outperforming 80% of the applicants to that program.
- Consider your entire application package to gauge your chances of admission – GRE scores are just one part of it!
Average GRE Score
Understanding the average GRE scores can give you a benchmark to aim for as you prepare for the exam. According to the Educational Testing Service (ETS), the average GRE scores for the 2022-2023 academic year are as follows:
Looking at average GRE scores can help you get your bearings, but here’s the thing – they tell different stories depending on your field. Take STEM programs – they typically want killer scores in the Quantitative Reasoning section, while humanities programs and arts programs might focus less on those math numbers. That’s why it’s smart to research the average scores for your specific schools – what counts as a competitive score can vary wildly. Check what your target programs typically look for, and you’ll have a much clearer target to aim for.
GRE Score Percentiles Explained
Ever wondered how your GRE score stacks up against other test-takers? That’s exactly what percentiles tell you! According to the latest ETS data (July 2020 – June 2023), here’s how to understand where you stand.
What Do Percentiles Mean? A percentile rank shows what percentage of test-takers scored lower than you. For example, if you’re in the 70th percentile, you scored higher than 70% of all test-takers. Pretty straightforward, right?
Let’s Break Down Each Section:
What Do Percentiles Mean? A percentile rank shows what percentage of test-takers scored lower than you. For example, if you’re in the 70th percentile, you scored higher than 70% of all test-takers. Pretty straightforward, right?
Let’s Break Down Each Section:
- GRE Verbal Reasoning Percentiles
- Scoring 165 puts you in the 95th percentile – meaning you’ve outperformed 95% of test-takers
- The mean score, the average GRE score in the verbal section is 151.29 (around the 43rd percentile)
- The median GRE score in the verbal section is around 152
- A score of 158 puts you above 77% of test-takers
- Even a modest 150 puts you ahead of 39% of test-takers
- GRE Quant Percentiles
- The competition is tougher here! A perfect score of 170 puts you in the 92nd percentile. 8% of the GRE test takers manage to get the max score in the quant section.
- The mean score, the average GRE score in the quantitative reasoning section is higher at 156.93 (around the 42nd percentile)
- The median GRE score in the quantitative reasoning section is 159
- Scoring 165 puts you in the 70th percentile. For a vast majority of programs, 165+ is considered a competitive score.
- A score of 160 means you’ve outperformed 53% of test-takers
- GRE AWA Percentiles
- A perfect score of 6.0 puts you in the 99th percentile
- Scoring 4.5 means you’ve outperformed 83% of test-takers
- The mean score, the average score in the GRE AWA section is 3.49
- A score of 4.0 puts you above 59% of other test-takers
Understanding these percentiles can help you:
- Set realistic score goals
- Gauge your competitive position; understand where you stand relative to other applicants
- Make informed decisions about retaking the test
GRE Scores for Top Universities
Looking at GRE scores for top programs? Here’s a breakdown that’ll help you set realistic targets.
Remember though – these are just guidelines for the most competitive programs. Each school has its own sweet spot for GRE scores, so it’s worth checking your target programs’ specific expectations.
Essential GRE Score Information
When Will I Receive My GRE Scores?
Getting your GRE test scores is probably one of the most anticipated moments of your grad school journey! Here’s exactly what you need to know about the timeline and process:
Score Availability and Notification
Score Availability and Notification
- Your official GRE scores will be available 8-10 days after your test date
- ETS will send you an email notification when your scores are ready to view
- The institutions you selected will also receive your official scores during this period
What’s In Your GRE Score Report?
When you log in to view your scores, your report will include:
- Your Personal Information
- Name, contact details (phone and email) Date of birth and gender
- Test Information
- Test date(s)
- Your GRE test scores for each section
- Percentile rankings for each score
- Score Recipients
- List of schools/programs you’ve selected to receive your scores
- Score History
- A comprehensive list of all your GRE scores from the past 5 years
What Do Universities See On Your Score Report?
Ever wondered exactly what universities see when they get your GRE scores? Let’s clear that up! The official score report that institutions receive is actually quite specific about what it includes (and doesn’t include). Here’s What Universities Will See:
- All your basic details: name, address, phone number, and email
- Your personal information: date of birth and gender
- Your intended graduate major field (the one you’re planning to pursue)
- The GRE scores you’ve chosen to send using ScoreSelect®, including their percentile ranks for verbal reasoning and quantitative sections
- Your essay responses and photos from the test dates you’ve selected. These will be available to institutions through the ETS® Data Manager
Now, here’s something interesting – there’s quite a bit that universities DON’T see:
- They won’t know if you’ve sent your scores to other schools
- They can’t see any scores you’ve chosen not to report
- There’s no indication that you’ve taken other GRE tests
This is pretty great news if you’re worried about that one test date that didn’t go so well! Universities only see what you want them to see, thanks to the ScoreSelect® option.
Score Validity Period
Let’s talk about how long your GRE scores stay valid and usable for your graduate school applications!
The Magic Number: 5 Years Your GRE scores are valid for five years from your test date. For example, if you took the test on November 29, 2024, your scores would be valid until November 28, 2029. Pretty clear, right?
But here’s what you really need to know:
The Magic Number: 5 Years Your GRE scores are valid for five years from your test date. For example, if you took the test on November 29, 2024, your scores would be valid until November 28, 2029. Pretty clear, right?
But here’s what you really need to know:
- Once your scores hit that 5-year mark, they expire – no exceptions
- ETS won’t report scores from tests taken more than five years ago
- You can’t “extend” the validity period, even if you’re in the middle of applications
- Each test administration’s scores have their own 5-year clock
Planning Tip: If you’re thinking about grad school but not applying immediately, keep this timeline in mind. You don’t want to take the GRE too early and have your scores expire before you need them!
Important Reminders:
Important Reminders:
- Some programs might prefer more recent scores (even within the 5-year window)
- Always check your target schools’ specific requirements about score validity
- If your scores are nearing expiration and you’re planning to apply to schools, you might need to retake the test
Managing Your GRE Scores
What is ScoreSelect® and Why Does it Matter?
Think of ScoreSelect® as your personal score manager – it gives you control over which GRE scores you want schools to see. Pretty neat, right? This feature helps you put your best foot forward in your graduate school applications.
Your Options on Test Day
Right after you finish your test and see your scores, you get some immediate choices for your four FREE score reports:
Option 1: “Not right now, thanks!” – You can choose not to send any scores
Option 2: “Most Recent” – Send just the scores from this test
Option 3: “All In” – Send every GRE score you’ve gotten in the past 5 years
After Test Day Options
Later on, when you’re sending score reports (for a fee), you get even more flexibility:
Most Recent – Only your latest GRE scores
All – Every score from the past 5 years
Any – Here’s the cool part – you can cherry-pick specific test scores to send!
Your Options on Test Day
Right after you finish your test and see your scores, you get some immediate choices for your four FREE score reports:
Option 1: “Not right now, thanks!” – You can choose not to send any scores
Option 2: “Most Recent” – Send just the scores from this test
Option 3: “All In” – Send every GRE score you’ve gotten in the past 5 years
After Test Day Options
Later on, when you’re sending score reports (for a fee), you get even more flexibility:
Most Recent – Only your latest GRE scores
All – Every score from the past 5 years
Any – Here’s the cool part – you can cherry-pick specific test scores to send!
Heads Up!
Here’s something super important to remember: Some graduate programs want to see ALL your GRE scores if you’ve taken the test multiple times. Always (and we mean always!) check your target schools’ requirements before using ScoreSelect®. You don’t want to accidentally leave out scores that a program requires!
Free Score Reports
Let’s Talk About Free Score Reports!
Here’s something you don’t want to miss: On test day (and only on test day!), you get to send your GRE scores to four institutions absolutely free. Yes, you read that right – these four reports are included in your test fee, but there’s a catch: you must select your schools during your test appointment. Once you leave the test center, this free option disappears!
Quick Tip: It’s a good idea to research your target schools and have your list of four institutions ready before test day. This way, you’re not making rushed decisions at the test center!
Need to Send More Score Reports? If you need to send your scores to:
Here’s something you don’t want to miss: On test day (and only on test day!), you get to send your GRE scores to four institutions absolutely free. Yes, you read that right – these four reports are included in your test fee, but there’s a catch: you must select your schools during your test appointment. Once you leave the test center, this free option disappears!
Quick Tip: It’s a good idea to research your target schools and have your list of four institutions ready before test day. This way, you’re not making rushed decisions at the test center!
Need to Send More Score Reports? If you need to send your scores to:
- More than four schools
- Different schools than you initially selected
- Schools after your test day
You’ll need to order Additional Score Reports (ASRs) for a fee. Think of these as your “anytime” score reports – you can order them whenever you need them, but they’ll cost you.
Remember:
Remember:
- Those four free reports? Use them or lose them on test day!
- You can send scores to any institution or fellowship sponsor approved to receive GRE scores
- The catch – Additional Score Reports are available but will cost extra
How Much Do Additional Score Reports (ASR) Cost?
Need to send your scores to more schools? Each Additional Score Report (ASR) will cost you US$35 per recipient. Yes, that’s per school, so you’ll want to plan your score sends wisely!
Ordering Process and Timeline:
Ordering Process and Timeline:
- You can order ASRs anytime through your ETS account
- The reports can be ordered throughout your scores’ 5-year validity period
- Processing takes about 5 business days
Important Things to Know:
- Once you hit that “submit” button, there’s no turning back! Orders can’t be Canceled, Changed, or Refunded
- If your GRE scores are nearing their expiration date, make sure to give enough processing time. Don’t wait until the last minute if your scores are about to expire!
Money-Saving Tip: Given the cost per report, it’s smart to make the most of those four free reports on test day. That could save you US$140!
Canceling & Reinstating Scores
Sometimes Things Don’t Go As Planned …
Had a rough test day? Don’t panic! The GRE offers you options to cancel and reinstate your scores. Let’s break down how this works:
Cancelling Your Scores:
Had a rough test day? Don’t panic! The GRE offers you options to cancel and reinstate your scores. Let’s break down how this works:
Cancelling Your Scores:
- You can cancel your scores immediately after your test
- You have to make this decision before you see your scores
- Once you choose to view your scores, you can’t cancel them
- When in doubt, a prudent strategy might be to cancel your score
Changed Your Mind? You Can Reinstate Cancelled Scores! Here’s what you need to know about score reinstatement:
- You have a 60-day window from your test date to reinstate cancelled scores
- It’ll cost you US$50 to reinstate your scores
- Here’s the good news: When reinstating, you can still take advantage of sending scores to four institutions for free!
Smart Tip About Score Recipients: When reinstating your scores, you have two options:
- Use your four free score reports right away (you can choose “Most Recent” or “All” scores)
- Skip selecting recipients now, but remember: you’ll need to pay US$35 per recipient later
If you think you might want to reinstate your scores, you need to decide within the 60-day window. When you are at it, use your free score reports during reinstatement. This could save you US$140 in additional score report fees!
GRE Results and Scores FAQs
Navigating the GRE scoring process can raise many questions. Here are some frequently asked questions about GRE results and scores:
Q: What is the passing score for the GRE? A: There is no passing score for the GRE. The scores are used to evaluate applicants’ knowledge and skills relative to other test-takers.
Q: How long are GRE scores valid? A: GRE scores are valid for five years from the test date.
Q: Can I cancel my GRE scores? A: Yes, you can cancel your GRE scores on the test day. However, you will not receive a refund for the test fee.
Q: Can I reinstate my cancelled GRE scores? A: Yes, you can reinstate your cancelled GRE scores within 60 days of the test date for a fee of $50.
Q: How many times can I take the GRE? A: You can take the GRE once every 21 days, up to five times within any continuous 12-month period.
Q: Can I send my GRE scores to multiple institutions? A: Yes, you can send your GRE scores to multiple institutions. On test day, you can send four free score reports to the institutions of your choice. After test day, you can send additional score reports for a fee.
These FAQs should help clarify some of the common concerns and questions about GRE scores, making the process a bit less daunting as you prepare for your graduate school applications.
Q: What is the passing score for the GRE? A: There is no passing score for the GRE. The scores are used to evaluate applicants’ knowledge and skills relative to other test-takers.
Q: How long are GRE scores valid? A: GRE scores are valid for five years from the test date.
Q: Can I cancel my GRE scores? A: Yes, you can cancel your GRE scores on the test day. However, you will not receive a refund for the test fee.
Q: Can I reinstate my cancelled GRE scores? A: Yes, you can reinstate your cancelled GRE scores within 60 days of the test date for a fee of $50.
Q: How many times can I take the GRE? A: You can take the GRE once every 21 days, up to five times within any continuous 12-month period.
Q: Can I send my GRE scores to multiple institutions? A: Yes, you can send your GRE scores to multiple institutions. On test day, you can send four free score reports to the institutions of your choice. After test day, you can send additional score reports for a fee.
These FAQs should help clarify some of the common concerns and questions about GRE scores, making the process a bit less daunting as you prepare for your graduate school applications.
