Having knowledge of course-specific GRE score requirements can significantly aid in your admissions preparation. Generally, a GRE score of 310 or above is considered competitive for admission to many programs at desired universities. Some of the top universities announce the GRE score requirements.
What is the average GRE score for studying abroad? The answer depends on the course you choose and the universities you are applying to. Universities release minimum GRE scores for different courses every year. A score above 300 in the Graduate Record Examination is considered a good score.
Candidates need to be aware of the average GRE score of their preferred programme of study to be able to set target GRE score goals. To explain this in detail, candidates looking to study MS courses in universities abroad would be required to provide GRE scores as part of the admission criteria. Hence, candidates need to know about the average GRE score of the programme/university to achieve a higher GRE score (above the set average) and be more confident about their application.
- What is Average GRE Score for Universities?
- Average GRE Score by Course
- GRE Score Chart
- Average GRE Score by Course
What is Average GRE Score for Universities?
As informed earlier, the average GRE score is highly dependent on your university/programme admission guidelines. However, to give candidates an understanding of what their average GRE score might look like candidates can take a look at the table below.
Average GRE Score for Universities
| Average GRE Score (Section Wise) |
Average GRE Score |
|---|---|
| Average Verbal Reasoning Score GRE |
149.97 |
| Average Quantitative Reasoning Score GRE |
152.57 |
| Average Analytical Writing Score GRE |
3.48 |
Source: The Princeton Review
Average GRE Score by Course
While the average GRE score by the university could tend to be slightly ambiguous. We have also gone ahead and provided average GRE scores by course. Let’s be honest, the probability of GRE scores being similar for all courses is extremely low. Hence, we have provided the average GRE score by course for candidates to understand the average GRE score requirement by course and how high they must aim to make their admission application stand out.
Average GRE Score by Broad Graduate Major Field
| Broad Graduate Major Field | Verbal Reasoning | Quantitative Reasoning | Analytical Writing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business | 153 | 159 | 3.7 |
| Education | 151 | 148 | 3.8 |
| Engineering | 151 | 161 | 3.4 |
| Humanities & Arts | 156 | 152 | 4.1 |
| Law | 155 | 152 | 4.1 |
| Life Sciences | 150 | 150 | 3.8 |
| Physical Sciences | 152 | 162 | 3.4 |
| Social & Behavioural Sciences | 154 | 154 | 3.9 |
Source: GRE Official Website
GRE Score Chart
Before we dive into what a good GRE score is all about. Let us familiarise ourselves with the GRE score chart. It will help us to understand that the GRE Verbal Reasoning Section and the GRE Quantitative Reasoning Section are calculated on a score range of 130 to 170 in 1-point increments. Similarly, the GRE Analytical Writing Section is calculated on a score range of 0–6, in half-point increments.
For the Analytical Writing section, each essay would receive a score from one trained rater and an e-rater developed by ETS. If both the scores are identical in nature, the average of the two scores would be used as the final score. However, if the two scores, one from the trained rater and the other from the ETS-developed e-rater are not identical, a third - a human-trained rater would be brought in, and the final score would be the average of the two human scores.
Predict your IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE in just 4 steps!
Read: GRE Scoring
Section-Wise Score Range
| Section |
GRE Score Range |
|---|---|
| GRE Verbal Reasoning Section |
130–170, in 1-point increments |
| GRE Quantitative Reasoning Section |
130–170, in 1-point increments |
| GRE Analytical Writing Section |
0–6, in half-point increments |
Related Reads:
| GRE Syllabus | GRE Preparation Tips |
| GRE Dates |
Average GRE Score by Course
Check out some FAQs related to average GRE scores by course:
To get into MS in Computer Engineering program offered by any top 20 US university, students should have at least in the range of 320-340. score in Gradute Record Examination. However, this is just a general guideline. Getting a high score in GRE does not gurantee you for getting admission in your desired course/university. Specific requirements can vary depending on the university and the program.
Whether a score is considered good or bad depends on the university you are applying to. If the university accepts your admission with that score, then it is good.
Honeslty speaking, it is not a good score for GRE. You will have limited course and university options to choose from. The overall GRE score range 260 to 340. You scored only 15 points above the lowest possible score.
Pick your stage and get free guidance from counsellors who've helped thousands get into top universities.
Starting research
Shortlisting colleges
Exam preparation
SOP/LOR writing
Scholarship & finance
Visa application
Statement of Purpose
Letter of Recommendation
Student Visa Application
Admission Essay Writing
Student Curriculum Vitae
According to the official website of Stanford University, each programme of the university sets its own policy of accepting GRE subject test or GRE General Test. You need to check the official webapge of the programme you want to pursue. When I checked, "GRE is Not considered" was written on most of the course webpages.