GRE Scoring : What is a Good GRE Score?
GRE
GRE Quant and Verbal sections of the GRE exam are scored on a scale of 130 – 170. The GRE Analytical writing section of two writing tasks uses a score of 0 – 6. Read on as we explain the concept of GRE scoring for each section to candidates looking to appear for their GRE Test.
ETS releases the scorecard of the GRE Exam in 8 to 10 days from the date you complete the test. This is the most difficult phase for a GRE test taker, as they can only predict their total GRE Score based on their performance. There are three sections in the Graduate Record Examination. Verbal Reasoning Section and Quantitative Reasoning scores would be reported on a scale of 130 – 170 with a 1-point increment each. At the same time, Analytical Scores would be reported on a scale of 0 – 6 in half-point increments.
The maximum GRE score a test taker can receive for either of the sections, Verbal/Quant, is 170. Test takers get 30 minutes for one writing task, "Analyse an issue" in the Analytical Writing Section. A score of this section ranges between 0–6, in half-point increments.
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What is a Good GRE Score?
Any score above 320 on the GRE is good. It means you have scored 160+ the Verbal Reasoning section, around or above 160 in the Quantitative Reasoning section, and around 4.5 in the Analytical Writing section. This score can increase your chances of getting selected in reputed institute.
Candidates should note that GRE scores are program-specific. Meaning, that a particular university could have different GRE Cut Offs based on the programmes they offer. Candidates should note that math-heavy graduate programmes would require students to have a high GRE Quantitative Score and usually our less weightage on Verbal Scores. Similarly, candidates looking to pursue humanities subjects for their graduate programmes would be required to have a higher verbal score as compared to their Quant scores.
GRE Scoring Range
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Here is the score range of different sections of the GRE.
| GRE Sections | Score Scale |
|---|---|
| GRE Verbal Reasoning | 130–170, in 1-point increments |
| GRE Quantitative Reasoning | 130–170, in 1-point increments |
| GRE Analytical Writing | 0–6, in half-point increments |
How GRE Scores are Calculated: Verbal & Quantitative Reasoning
The GRE Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning sections are adaptive in nature. This means the difficulty level of subsequent sections would be based on your performance in the earlier section. Within each section, all questions contribute equally to the final score. There are 27 questions in the Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning section.
For each of the two sections of the exam, a raw score is computed. It depends on the number of questions you answered correctly. The raw score is then converted to a scaled score between 130 – 170 through a process known as equating.
| Number of Correct Responses | GRE Raw Score | GRE Scaled Score (Verbal & Quantitative Section) |
|---|---|---|
| 0 – 5 | 0 – 5 | 130 – 135 |
| 6 – 10 | 6 – 10 | 136 – 140 |
| 11 – 15 | 11 – 15 | 141 – 145 |
| 16 – 20 | 16 – 20 | 146 – 150 |
| 21 – 25 | 21 – 25 | 151 – 155 |
| 26 – 30 | 26 – 30 | 156 – 160 |
| 31 – 35 | 31 – 35 | 161 – 165 |
| 36 – 40 | 36 – 40 | 166 – 170 |
How the GRE Scores are Calculated: Analytical Writing Section
In the GRE Analytical Writing section, candidates are required to attempt only one writing task within 30 minutes, which is the ‘Analyse an Issue’ task. The essay is assessed by at least one trained rater using a 6-point scale. Here, the human rater is looking at the overall quality of the essay, which includes critical thinking and analytical writing skills rather than grammar and mechanics.
The essay is evaluated using an ETS-developed e-rater scoring engine, a computerised program adept at identifying writing proficiency-related essay attributes. All essay responses on the Analytical Writing section are reviewed by trained analysts using ETS essay similarity detection software and by experienced content experts.
Read: How to Calculate GRE Score Section Wise?
GRE Score Reporting
GRE test takers will be informed over email once their GRE test scores (official score report) are available in their ETS test taker account 10 – 15 days from the time of appearing for the GRE Exam. Your official Institution Score Report will also be sent to the score recipients you designated on test day. Candidates should note that while GRE Official Score Report, which is accessible through their ETS account, would have personal information and is intended for the test taker alone. The Institution Score Report, which would be sent to the institution, would have only select information.
GRE Official Score Report vs. GRE Institution Score Report
| GRE Official Score Report (For Test Takers) |
GRE Institution Score Report (For Universities) |
|---|---|
| Contact information (name, phone number and email) | Contact information (name, address, phone number, email) |
| Date of birth | Date of birth |
| Gender | Gender |
| Intended graduate major | Your intended graduate major field |
| GRE Test date(s) | The GRE test dates and score(s) you choose to report with the ScoreSelect option and the associated percentile ranks |
| GRE test score(s) and the associated percentile ranks | |
| Authorised score recipients or fellowship sponsors and the scores reported to those institutions | n/a |
| A cumulative record of scores reported within the last 5 years | n/a |
GRE Scores Validity
Your GRE scores are valid for a total of 5 years from the day of your GRE General Test. So, if you took the GRE exam on September 08, 2023, your scores would be valid through September 8, 2028.
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GRE Percentile
Admission officers are often equally interested in knowing about your GRE Percentile. The GRE percentile/percentage would basically be the percentage of students the candidate has outperformed on each section of the exam. Mostly, they are interested in knowing how you performed as compared to your peers. Anything in the 75th percentile or higher in all three sections of the test will generally be good enough to get into the most competitive graduate programmes. However, some prestigious programmes may want to see higher scores.
GRE Percentiles July 2020 – June 2023
The table below shows the percentage of test takers scoring lower than the selected scaled scores. The data is based on the performance of all individuals who tested between July 1, 2020 and June 30, 2023.
| Scaled Score | Verbal Reasoning Percentile | Quantitative Reasoning Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| 170 | 99 | 92 |
| 169 | 99 | 87 |
| 168 | 98 | 83 |
| 167 | 97 | 78 |
| 166 | 96 | 74 |
| 165 | 95 | 70 |
| 164 | 93 | 66 |
| 163 | 91 | 63 |
| 162 | 89 | 60 |
| 161 | 86 | 57 |
| 160 | 84 | 53 |
| 159 | 80 | 50 |
| 158 | 77 | 48 |
| 157 | 73 | 45 |
| 156 | 70 | 49 |
Source: ETS
The GRE exam portion is divided into three sections: Analytical Writing section, Quantitative Reasoning section, and Verbal Reasoning section. However, these categories are made up of multiple topics which are tested during the entire duration of the Graduate Record Examination. Note that, this syllabus is different from GRE subject test syllabus.
The purpose of both exams is different and the difficulty level of both exams depend on the student. If a test taker is fluent in English, they may find the IELTS easier. Similarly, to score well on the GRE, students must have strong skills in Quantitative Reasoning, Analytical Writing, and Verbal Reasoning.
In short, to prepare for GRE, requires advanced vocabulary, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, while IELTS focuses on language proficiency across reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
To buy the preparation books for GRE exam 2025, you can visit the online or offline market. E-commerce websites like Amazon, Flipkart, and official publishers' sites offer the latest edition books.
You can also try online marketplaces like OLX, Facebook Marketplace, and second-hand book stores where you can buy one or two-year-old editions at a lower price.
The difficulty level of the GRE exam for Indian students depends on their preparation. If you are going to appear in the exam for the first time, it will be challenging for you. Questions asked in the Graduate Record Examination are logically oriented and assess students' critical thinking skills. Remember, a higher score increases your chances of getting admission in top universities in the world.
There is no single time frame or specific number of hours to prepare for the GRE Exam. It all depends on your preparation techniques. However, if you are preparing for the GRE exam from scratch, you may need to study for 2 to 3 hours a day for 5 to 6 months.
There are three sections in GRE exam so you need to buy separate GRE books to prepare for these sections.
Best Books for GRE Analytical Writing:
- GRE Analytical Writing - Solutions to the Real Essay Topics - Book 1 and Book 2 by Vibrant Publishers.
Best Books for GRE Quantative Reasoning:
- Kaplan GRE Maths Workbook
- Barron’s New GRE
Best Books for GRE Verbal Reasoning section
- Manhattan Prep Complete Verbal Set
- ETS Official GRE Guide
These GRE books are easily available in the market.
Yes, it you can crack GRE Exam in 1 month but it totally depends on the hard work. Studying for GRE in one month requires an exceptional study plan with proper practice. However, Studying for the GRE in one month and scoring a high score requires commitment and efficient time management.
GRE Percentiles July 2020 – June 2023
The table below shows the percentage of test takers scoring lower than the selected scaled scores. The data is based on the performance of all individuals who tested between July 1, 2020 and June 30, 2023.
| Score Level | Analytical Writing |
|---|---|
| 6.0 | 99 |
| 5.5 | 98 |
| 5.0 | 92 |
| 4.5 | 83 |
| 4.0 | 59 |
| 3.5 | 41 |
| 3.0 | 16 |
Source: ETS
A total of 1,039,310 test takers took the Verbal Reasoning measure, 1,041,330 took the Quantitative Reasoning measure and 1,037,639 took the Analytical Writing measure between July 1, 2020 and June 30, 2023.
How to Prepare for GRE Exam?
To prepare for the Graduate Record Exam and get the desired score, you need to follow the tips mentioned below:
- Understand the exam format and syllabus topics
- Set realistic goals
- Create a study plan and practice regularly
- Utilize effective study materials and online resources
- Develop strong verbal reasoning skills and practice vocabulary
Apart from these, you can use other GRE preparation tips and learn how to score 300 to 320 in GRE Exam in the first attempt? That's all about the topic. Candidates can get in touch with us in the comments below. Looking for assistance with University admissions? Get in touch with our Shiksha Study Abroad Counsellors, here.
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The scored sections of GRE are Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing. While the Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections contribute to the final score, the Analytical Writing section is scored separately. Unscored sections, such as an experimental or research section, may also be present but do not factor into your final score.