What is a Good GRE Score?

Cynthia Sullivan
Cynthia Sullivan

GRE or Graduate Record Examinations is a standardized test that students need to write to obtain admission for graduate programs in the United States. Most universities ask for GRE as an admission requirement, but business schools typically ask for GMAT or Graduate Management Admission Test.

 

When seeking admission to a graduate school, it is always wise for students to look at minimum score requirements at the schools to which they are applying. Understanding each school’s requirements will help in short-listing graduate programs and schools, and also with setting a reasonable score to aim for.

GRE Sections

The GRE test is for 3 hours and 45 minutes and is made up of 6 sections:

One section with two tasks of Analytical Writing

Two sections of Verbal Reasoning

Two sections of Quantitative Reasoning

One section that is Unscored & for Research

GRE Scores

The maximum score for GRE is 340, broken down as:

0-6 in 0.5-point increments for Analytical Writing

130-170 in 1-point increments for Verbal Reasoning; and

130-170 in 1-point increments for Quantitative Reasoning

 

The Analytical Writing score of 0 to 6 does not affect the overall score of 340.

GRE Scores in Percentile

Some schools will ask for a GRE score in percentile, so students should know how to convert their scores accurately. As a ready reckoner, the table below should be of help:

 

GRE SCORE & PERCENTILE: ANALYTICAL WRITING

[table id=1 /]

GRE SCORE & PERCENTILE: VERBAL REASONING & QUANTITATIVE REASONING

[table id=2 /]

A Good GRE Score

Quite naturally, the best score a student can get in GRE is the maximum score of 340. However, the chances of securing a perfect 340 are very rare. The following table shows what below average, good, better, and best scores typically are for GRE:

[table id=3 /]

 

Below Average Scores: It may be just about enough to get into a wide range of graduate programs, but perhaps not in popular schools.

 

Good Scores or Good Enough Scores: May put the candidate ahead of over 50% of test-takers but may not be advantageous enough to qualify for highly competitive programs.

 

Better Scores or Competitive Scores: May present a challenge with 25% of test-takers vying for admissions, making it rather competitive.

 

Best Scores or High Scores: Will directly place the candidate in the top 10% of test-takers.

 

Do remember that a high GRE score is only one of the many requisites to enter a good graduate school. Other admission requirements such as a good GPA, academic honors, extracurricular achievements, research work, professional experience, letters of recommendation, personal essays, etc., all have a bearing on the selection process. Having said that, the GRE score is perhaps an opportunity to make up for other admission requirements where a candidate may find themselves to be at a disadvantage. So, preparing well for GRE and aiming for a very good score is a wise thing to do!

Meet The Author

author-icon
Cynthia Sullivan

Cynthia S. is an educationalist and currently works as a lecturer at one of the reputed universities on the West Coast. She has a bachelor’s and is currently pursuing an online master’s in education. Cynthia has over ten years of experience in the field of higher education.

Recent Blog

Latest Student Loan Forgiveness

March 30, 2024

Cynthia Sullivan

Latest Student Loan Forgiveness

If you are a student that has a student loan? Did you know that there is a recent student loan forgiveness approved by the Biden administration for borrowers in Public Service? In March 2024, President Biden approved $5.8 Billion in Student Loan Forgiveness. This is great news for more than 77,000 students who qualify for … Read more

Top 8 Advantages of Community Work

March 15, 2024

Leona G. Smith

Top 8 Advantages of Community Work

Do you realize that participation in community work can influence your mental health and the development of your personality or strong character? The ability to find joy in helping others helps us to relax and de-stress. Knowing that you can participate in a group or teamwork builds your confidence and helps you develop poise in … Read more