Good GRE scores are those that either meet or surpass the average GRE scores achieved by test takers admitted to your target school; therefore, what is considered a good GRE score depends on the school and program you wish to attend.
How the GRE Is Scored
The GRE (Graduate Record Examination) is a formal assessment utilized by many graduate programs to evaluate applicant preparedness for graduate-level studies and above. GRE test takers are graded in three key areas; testers receive verbal and quantitative scores, as well as an analytical writing score exhibiting their writing skills. The verbal and quantitative sections are scored on a scale from 130 to 170, and the analytical writing section is scored on a scale from 0 to 6. It should be noted that good GRE scores are also contingent on the program you hope to enter. Refer to the chart below to understand how each section of the GRE is scored:
| Section | Score Range | Score Increment | Average Score (Approximate) |
| Verbal Reasoning | 130 – 170 | 1-point | 150 |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 130-170 | 1-point | 154 |
| Analytical Writing | 0-6 | 0.5 point | 3.6 |
What are GRE scores?
GRE scores are intended to measure a test-taker’s preparedness for graduate-level work and are measured in the three following sections: verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing. The verbal and quantitative sections are scored individually on a scale from 130 to 170 in one-point increments. The scaled GRE scores are accompanied by percentiles showing how a test-taker did when compared with other test takers. For instance, if you had a GRE verbal reasoning score of 160, you would be in the 85th percentile and would have better GRE scores than 85 percent of your peers. Contrarily, a 160 in quantitative reasoning corresponds to the 50th percentile on the GRE scores chart. The analytical writing section is scored differently using a scale from 0 to 6. Refer to the chart below for a visual of the connection between scaled GRE scores and their matching percentiles for the verbal reasoning and quantitative reasoning sections:
| 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 | 94 | 66 |
| 163 | 92 | 62 |
| 162 | 90 | 58 |
| 161 | 88 | 54 |
| 160 | 85 | 50 |
| 159 | 82 | 46 |
| 158 | 79 | 42 |
| 157 | 75 | 38 |
| 156 | 72 | 35 |
| 155 | 67 | 31 |
| 154 | 63 | 28 |
| 153 | 59 | 24 |
| 152 | 53 | 21 |
| 151 | 50 | 18 |
| 150 | 45 | 15 |
| 149 | 40 | 12 |
| 148 | 36 | 10 |
| 147 | 32 | 8 |
| 146 | 28 | 6 |
| 145 | 25 | 5 |
| 144 | 22 | 4 |
| 143 | 19 | 3 |
| 142 | 16 | 2 |
| 141 | 14 | 2 |
| 140 | 11 | 1 |
| 139 | 9 | 1 |
| 138 | 8 | 1 |
| 137 | 6 | 1 |
| 136 | 5 | 1 |
| 135 | 4 | 1 |
| 134 | 3 | 1 |
| 133 | 2 | 1 |
| 132 | 2 | 1 |
| 131 | 1 | 1 |
| 130 | 1 | 1 |
What Is Considered a Good GRE Score?
In order to gain a better understanding of what constitutes strong GRE scores, refer to the charts below referencing GRE score percentiles. These numbers are intended to demonstrate how your scores would compare to those of fellow GRE test takers. For instance, a verbal score achieved in the 90th percentile indicates that you scored better than 90% of others who took the test. It should be noted that, although many graduate programs consider the GRE to be only one important part of a given application, competitive GRE scores can improve your overall profile. This is especially true when competitive test scores are coupled with a strong academic record and pertinent background experience. Good GRE scores have the ability to provide you entrance into more elite programs, as well as widen your opportunities for scholarships. As such, preparing fully and understanding how the GRE is scored can assist you in improving your chance of admission into your program of choice and potentially improve your academic success in the future. Refer to the chart below to understand what is generally considered a competitive GRE score:
| Section | Score Range | Interpretation | Percentile Range (Approximate) |
Verbal & Quantitative | 165–170 | Excellent / Highly Competitive | 90th–99th percentile |
157–164 | Very Good / Competitive | 70th–89th percentile | |
151–156 | Average / Adequate for Many Programs | 40th–69th percentile | |
145–150 | Below Average / Less Competitive | 20th–39th percentile | |
Analytical Writing | 5.0–6.0 | Excellent / Highly Competitive | 92nd–99th percentile |
4.0–4.5 | Strong / Competitive | 57th–81st percentile | |
3.0–3.5 | Average / Adequate | 15th–39th percentile | |
2.0–2.5 | Weak | 2nd–7th percentile | |
0.0 1.5 | Very Weak / Uncompetitive | Below 1st percentile |
What Are Good GRE Scores for Your Program?
Good GRE scores for a particular program are largely dependent upon both the competitiveness of this program and the particular concentration of the field in question; however, for the most part, a GRE score between 310 and 320 (combining verbal and quantitative scores) is thought of as a strong score for many graduate programs. Regarding very competitive programs, students who are admitted into these programs often have an even higher overall GRE score, but most markedly in sections relevant to their field of study. For instance, students aiming to enter a humanities program often have higher verbal reasoning scores, and those in STEM fields may require a higher quantitative score. It is crucial to research the average scores of students admitted to your program, since expectations tend to vary significantly.
How to Improve Your GRE Score
In order to improve your GRE score, become familiar with the types of questions on the test and practice often. Remember that because the GRE is scored using half-point increments for the analytical writing section and whole points for the verbal and quantitative sections, minor improvements alone can improve your final score. It is important to set a study schedule for GRE preparation that is achievable for you and to spend the majority of your study-time improving areas of weakness. It is advisable to try and surpass the minimum score required by your program of choice in order to be competitive against other test takers. It is useful to review your standardized test scores from past GRE attempts to isolate patterns of weakness and strength; in doing so, you can modify the study strategies you use during GRE prep. It is also helpful to take full-length practice exams using a timer to build stamina and learn to focus effectively under pressure. It may also be useful to take advantage of online forums to gain tips and advice from other test takers.
FAQs
Q: What’s the Highest GRE Score Possible?
A: The highest GRE score possible for test takers would be 170 points on the verbal reasoning portion, 170 points on the quantitative reasoning section, and a score of 6.0 points on the analytical writing portion of the exam. As such, the highest score for the verbal and quantitative sections would be 340 points. Analytical writing is scored on a scale from 0 to 6 points. Thus, the highest GRE total score would be 346.
Q: What Score Do I Need to Get Accepted?
A: The GRE test scores required for admission into your graduate program of choice depend largely on the grad school to which you are applying, as well as your field of study. Many grad schools consider a verbal reasoning score in the 160s and a quantitative score of the same number to be competitive on the GRE exam. Programs in the humanities field may stress the importance of a higher verbal score, while those in the STEM arena may emphasize a greater quantitative score.
Q: How Are Multiple GRE Scores Used?
A: Different graduate schools may have various approaches to the issue of multiple GRE scores. Certain schools look at the highest score on an individual section of the GRE, and other graduate schools may take score increases into account when viewing multiple score attempts. In other instances, a grad school may give priority to your most recent GRE scores.
Q: What’s a Good GRE Score for MBA or PhD Programs?
A: Strong GRE scores for individuals entering MBA or PhD programs depends on different aspects, including how competitive a grad program is, your area of study, and the strength of your overall application. Ivy League MBA programs require GRE scores ranging between 320 and 330 for the quantitative score and verbal score. For a mid-tier grad program, a combined verbal score and quantitative score of 320–330 is strong. PhD programs in the STEM field require a quantitative score of at least 165–170, with verbal scores taking lower priority at 155 and analytical writing scores requiring a 4.0 or above. PhD programs in the social sciences prioritize a strong verbal score of at least 160. Analytical writing scores for these programs are generally expected to be 4.5 or above, with a quantitative score of 150–158.
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