Not only is the GRE stressful, but it can also have a significant impact on your acceptance to MBA programs and grad schools. So, what is a good GRE score – and how do you improve it?
I’m going to walk you through what’s considered a good GRE score, how to determine average rankings, and recommendations for improving your test-taking abilities. Let’s get started!
What Is a Good GRE Score Anyway?
Like many standardized tests, the GRE grading scale is unique. It doesn’t use the typical letter-based or 0-100% grading scale that many students are familiar with. It uses a unique grading scale, with different GRE score ranges for each section.
The possible score range for the three sections includes:
- Quantitative Reasoning: 130-170
- Verbal Reasoning: 130-170
- Analytical Writing: 0-6
What Is the Highest GRE Score?
The maximum Verbal and Quant score is 170 for each. These are added together for the highest possible score of 340.
For the analytical writing section, the top possible score is a 6.
Average GRE Scores for 2022-2023
ETS regularly releases data that reveals average test scores and scoring percentiles. These are great ways to gauge your performance during practice tests and the official GRE exam.
For the 2022/2023 academic year, the average GRE score was:
- Verbal Reasoning: 151.2
- Quantitative Reasoning: 158.1
- Analytical Writing: 3.4
If you receive a score above these numbers, you should feel confident about your results. That said, an above-average score for your target program doesn’t guarantee admittance. In fact, if you’re aiming for a top graduate program, you’ll likely have to go far above the average.
What Is a High GRE Score?
If your scores are in the top 90% percentile of GRE exams, the chances of being accepted to your intended grad school will increase dramatically.
- Verbal: 162-170
- Quantitative: 168-170
- Writing: 5.0-6.0
However, a great GRE score is one that lands in the 75th percentile:
- Verbal: 158
- Quantitative: 165
- Writing: 4.5
GRE Scoring for Quantitative and Verbal Reasoning
Both GRE’s Verbal Reasoning and the Quantitative Reasoning sections are scored on a scale from 130 to 170 (in one-point increments). Higher scores are better than lower scores. If you fail to answer a single question in a section, you can also receive a “No Score” result.
ETS (the company that runs the GRE) generates results using a “section-level adaptive” scoring method. This means that both the Quantitative Reasoning and Verbal Reasoning portions of the test contain multiple parts.
In the first exam section, you’ll answer questions with a medium level of difficulty.
Based on that performance, the GRE automation will select questions for the second portion of the exam. If you did well in the first part, you’ll face more challenging problems. If you do poorly, you’ll face easier questions.
Based on the number of questions you answer correctly – and the difficulty of the questions you answer – ETS will scale your raw test score between 130 and 170. If two people each got 40 out of 50 questions correct, their scores could differ based on the difficulty of the questions they faced.
Note: Questions you struggle with won’t determine the questions that appear in the second round of the test. Only your overall performance determines the difficulty of future questions.
Understanding the GRE’s Analytical Writing Results
The Analytical Writing section of the exam is scored on a scale from 0 to 6 in half-point increments (.5). That means that you can earn an Analytical Writing score (like 4.5 or 3.5). Each essay is read by a human grader. Next, a computer program assigns a score based on the writing skills it identifies.
If the scores are similar, the average of the two scores becomes your final score. If the scores differ, a second human grader grades the essay. The final score will then be the average of the two human graders’ scores.
The percentile scores for the Analytical Writing section are:
What GRE Scores Do I Need to Apply to My Grad Program?
Many schools will post average GRE score information on admissions pages. If you’re looking for the target score to aim for, either check the school’s website or reach out to a member of the admissions team.
To give you an idea about minimum requirements, the 2023 average GRE scores for the University of Pennsylvania’s Engineering Department were:
|
Program |
Verbal |
Quantitative |
Analytical Writing |
|
Master’s of Engineering |
155 |
166 |
|
|
PhD in Engineering |
157 |
165 |
4 |
Do I Have to Send My GRE Scores to Schools?
The purpose of taking the GRE is to apply to graduate programs. You’re never obligated to send scores to schools after taking the GRE. However, because most programs have a GRE requirement, you’ll eventually have to send results from at least one test portion to be accepted.
After taking the GRE, you’ll have two options:
- Cancel your scores ahead of time
- View your unofficial scores for the Quantitative Reasoning and Verbal Reasoning sections.
When you see your unofficial Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning results, you’ll have the choice to immediately send scores to schools or wait. You can send scores to up to four schools for free.
You can wait to send your scores to graduate programs. Many test takers send all of their test results, their most recent results, or whichever results they prefer.
What Does a GRE Score Report Look Like?
Your GRE score report contains your score and GRE score percentile rank for each section. If your scaled score is above the 50th percentile, you performed better than half of the people who took the GRE exam.
The score report should also contain information about the schools you’ve sent GRE results to, as well as the dates that you sent those results.
Where Can I Find My GRE Score Report?
You can view your official score report on the ETS website. If you want a paper copy for your records or other purposes, you can print one out.
How Important Are Good GRE Scores?
A solid GRE score is important and will drastically improve your chances of getting into your desired program. Some programs require a minimum score (or at least heavily encourage applicants to meet).
That said, the GRE isn’t the be-all, end-all when it comes to your application. Graduate programs typically review plenty of elements during the acceptance process, such as:
- Undergrad grades
- The college you attended
- Your intended major
- Letters of recommendation
- Application essays
While a good GRE score is important – and will give you a better chance of getting into graduate school – you don’t have to panic if your score is less than perfect.
How Do I Get a Good GRE Score?
To get a good score, it’s all about strategy and preparation. We recommend studying at least a few months before sitting for your exam.
- Start by focusing on the structure and question types.
- Take advantage of the many official GRE programs that exist.
- Time yourself and take mock tests to build endurance and assess weaknesses.
- Create mnemonic devices, concept maps, and other tools to reinforce your understanding.
- Hire a tutor or preparation course for assistance.
- Consider taking a specialized GRE prep course.
- Get enough sleep the night before your exam.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is a Good GRE Score out of 340?
If you score between 163-170 (the top score possible) on both exams, you’ll be in the top 10% of all GRE results. This is an incredibly competitive score that anyone would be proud of.
What Is a Good GRE Score for Ivy League Students?
Of course, average GRE scores depend on the type of graduate program. While a competitive program or school like Harvard doesn’t release specific details about average GRE scores, their admissions committee states that they look for “a quantitative score of 160 or above.” Many suspect that an Analytical Writing score of 4.5 and above is necessary.
How Long Is the GRE?
Officially, the GRE takes just under two hours to complete. However, you should plan to spend approximately 2 hours and 15 minutes from start to finish.
When Will I Receive My GRE Score?
When you take an exam – especially one as important and stressful as the GRE – you’ll be anxious to get your results back as quickly as possible.
Because the GRE is computer-based, the computer grades the Quantitative Reasoning and Verbal Reasoning sections immediately afterward. While these scores are technically unofficial, they should give you a sense of your final exam score.
Because the Analytical Writing portion must be graded by a human, you’ll have to wait to receive your score for that section of the test. It should take about 10-15 days to receive your official GRE scores for all three sections. These will be sent together.
Conclusion
Now that you know what a good GRE score is, you’re on your path toward your grad program of choice. With the right preparation and test-taking practices, you should be able to perform well on the test. Good luck!
References
- Educational Testing Service (ETS). “GRE Guide Table 1A.” Retrieved from https://www.ets.org/pdfs/gre/gre-guide-table-1a.pdf. Accessed February 6, 2024.
- University of Pennsylvania, School of Engineering and Applied Science. “Admissions Statistics.” Retrieved from https://www.cis.upenn.edu/graduate/how-to-apply/admissions-statistics/. Accessed February 6, 2024.
- Harvard Kennedy School, Admissions Blog. “GRE/GMAT FAQs.” Retrieved from https://www.hks.harvard.edu/admissions-blog/gre-gmat-faqs. Accessed February 6, 2024.
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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