What Is a Good GRE Score? Percentiles and Averages (2027)

A good GRE score is one above the average: about 151 in Verbal Reasoning and 158 in Quantitative Reasoning, with a 3.5 in Analytical Writing. A strong score for competitive programs is roughly 160+ Verbal and 165+ Quant. But “good” depends on your field, the programs you’re applying to, and whether they look at the GRE at all.

Here’s how GRE scoring works, what each score means in percentiles, average scores by field, and how to set a target for your own list.

GRE score range: how the test is scored

The highest possible score is 340 (170 + 170) plus a 6.0 in writing. The average combined score is about 309.

Since September 2023 the GRE is shorter: about 1 hour 58 minutes, with one essay (“Analyze an Issue”) followed by two Verbal and two Quant sections. Verbal and Quant are section-level adaptive, which means your performance on the first section sets the difficulty of the second. You can take the test at a test center or at home.

GRE percentiles: what your score really means

A percentile shows the share of test takers who scored lower than you. These are ETS’s current percentile ranks:

Notice the gap between the two columns. A 160 in Verbal beats 82% of test takers, but a 160 in Quant only beats half. So many applicants score high in Quant that even a perfect 170 sits at the 89th percentile. Admissions committees know this, which is why STEM programs often expect Quant scores in the mid-160s or higher.

What counts as a good, very good and excellent GRE score?

Use this as a rough guide, based on the percentiles above:

The section that matters most depends on your field. A humanities PhD weighs Verbal and Writing heavily; an engineering program cares most about Quant.

Average GRE scores by intended field

ETS publishes average scores by the field test takers plan to study. These are the 2022–25 averages for college seniors and graduates not yet enrolled in grad school:

These are averages for everyone planning to enter each field, not for admitted students. Competitive programs usually expect scores above these.

How to find a good GRE score for your programs

1. Check each program’s admissions page. Some publish average or median scores for admitted students, and a few list minimums.
2. Check whether the program uses the GRE at all. Many programs are now GRE-optional or don’t accept scores. Our guide to GRE-optional grad programs for Fall 2027 explains how to decide whether to send one.
3. Look at what applicants report. Many applicants include their GRE scores when they post results. Search the GradCafe results database for your program to see the scores admitted and rejected applicants reported. Results are self-reported and not an official sample, so treat them as a rough guide.
4. Aim a little above the middle. If a program reports a median Quant of 165, a 163 won’t sink you, but a 155 needs strength elsewhere.

How important is the GRE for grad school admissions?

Less than it used to be. Committees read your whole file: grades, research or work experience, statement of purpose and letters. A strong GRE helps most when:

• Your GPA is lower than typical for the program (see how to get into grad school with a low GPA)
• You studied at a university the committee doesn’t know well, as many international applicants do
• The program uses scores for fellowships or funding
• You’re moving into a quantitative field from a different background

If a program says it doesn’t consider the GRE, sending a score won’t help. If it’s optional, send a score only when it’s at or above the program’s typical range.

How to get a good GRE score

• Take a full official practice test first to see your starting point, then set a target from your programs’ ranges.
• Give yourself two to three months of regular study, plus time for a retake.
• Study the section that matters most for your field, and don’t neglect the 30-minute essay.
• Practice with timed sections so the shorter test’s pace feels normal.
• Plan for a retake. With ScoreSelect, you choose which test dates to send, and schools see only those scores.

Sending and timing your GRE scores

• You see unofficial Verbal and Quant scores at the end of the test.
• Official scores arrive 8 to 10 days after your test, including your Analytical Writing score. For the full timeline, see how long it takes to get GRE scores.
• Scores are valid for five years.
• Book your test so official scores reach programs before their deadlines. Our guide on when to apply for grad school shows where the GRE fits in the timeline.

Frequently asked questions

Is 160 a good GRE score?

Yes, in Verbal: 160 is the 82nd percentile. In Quant, 160 is exactly the 50th percentile, which is fine for many programs but below what competitive STEM programs typically expect.

Is 320 a good GRE score?

Yes. A 320 total is above the average of about 309. Whether it’s competitive depends on how it’s split: 155 Verbal + 165 Quant reads very differently for an engineering program than 165 Verbal + 155 Quant.

What is the average GRE score?

From July 2022 to June 2025, the average was 151.4 in Verbal, 157.6 in Quant and 3.5 in Analytical Writing.

What is a good GRE score for a PhD?

It depends on the field. As a rough guide, competitive PhD applicants often have 160+ in the section their field values most and above-average scores in the other. Check whether your programs use the GRE at all, since many PhD programs have dropped it.

Do I need the GRE for grad school in 2027?

Not always. Many programs are GRE-optional or don’t accept scores, while others still require them. Check every program on your list; our GRE-optional guide shows how to decide.

How long are GRE scores valid?

Five years from your test date.

Next steps

A good GRE score is the one that puts you at or above the typical range for the programs on your list. Set your target from real program data, then focus your prep on the section your field cares about most.

• Search GradCafe results to see scores applicants reported for your program
• Submit your own result when decisions arrive
• Use our grad school application checklist to plan the rest of your application
• Ask GRE questions in the GradCafe forum

About the Author

Tenley Haraldson

Website

Armed with an English degree and nearly a decade of teaching experience, Tenley brings her unique skillset to GradCafe’s team. Whether she’s writing or editing, her goal is to provide the most accurate information for students seeking higher education.

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