gre analytical score conversion

GRE Score Conversion from Old to New & Percentiles

by Talha Omer, MBA, M.Eng., Harvard & Cornell Grad

In about the gre.

A lot of our students ask us about how to interpret their GRE scores. To put you on track, let me tell you that you’ll receive a score from 130 to 170 for each section, math and verbal on the revised GRE. Before 2011, this was 200-800 for each section. For the analytical writing section, the scale remains unchanged at 0-6.

Essentially what this means is that if you leave your test blank or if you do all questions wrong, you’ll still get 130 (each of Math & Verbal) of the revised GRE test (200 each of Maths/Verbal on the old scale). Don’t be too happy if you score close to 130 because you have flunked the test wholly or partially.

Correlating and Understanding your New GRE score

Many students, teachers, colleges, and universities are still only familiar with the old GRE scoring of between 200 and 800. Therefore here I have included a table that will help you match your New GRE score to the old GRE score.

What do Percentiles mean in the score report?

In addition to knowing your score based on the old scale, it’s also essential to understand your percentile rank. This tells you about the percentage of GRE test takers that have scored below you. So if your percentile is 97.3% on Math section, 97.3% of all GRE test takers on that test day scored less than you did.

Retaking the GRE Boosts your Admissions Chances

Picture this: you're applying to your dream graduate program, and you're wondering if retaking the GRE is the right move. Will it hurt your chances of admission? Should you just settle for your current score? (You can also watch this video on how retaking the GRE can...

A complete collection of the best GRE essays

The AWA section of the GRE has to do with essay writing. This is the only section of the test that doesn't have MCQ-type questions. Instead, you have to write two essays. In one, you have to analyze an issue, whereas you have to analyze an argument in the other one....

Why is the GRE easier than you think?

GRE has a reputation for being a tough test, and in some aspects, this is true. However, many factors make the GRE easier than what is commonly believed. Some of these factors are also lesser-known ones that people don't talk about. Sure, you have to memorize a...

Why is the GRE so difficult?

GRE is the required standardized test that students have to take to get into grad school. It is often a daunting prospect for many to take the GRE because of its reputation as a complicated exam. Most beginners think that they need to know advanced math to ace the...

What is a Good GRE AWA Essay score?

The AWA section of the GRE is often a confusing score to interpret. AWA is scored separately from the verbal and math sections on a six-point scale. If you are new to GRE, you have probably heard people say that their verbal and quant scores are so so, but you rarely...

Is the actual GRE harder than the practice tests?

The Graduate Record Exam is a salient part of your grad-school application. The test is designed to weed out those who are not yet ready to take on graduate-level courses. You are tested on your verbal and math reasoning skills and the ability to write compelling...

Is the GRE Pointless?

The Graduate Record Examination, more popularly known as GRE, is a standardized test aimed towards graduate school applicants. Thousands of graduate Schools in North America require GRE as part of the application process, and without it, you can't get in. It is no...

Do i need to take the gre general or subject test?

Many people know that GRE is the go-to test when it comes to graduate school admissions. Anyone who has ever entertained the idea of graduate school has also looked up GRE at some point. However, most people only know about the GRE general test. GRE "general test," as...

Why is the GRE so Expensive?

GRE is pretty much a necessity for graduate school applications. You may get away with not taking it if you apply to humanities programs, but for STEM, almost every graduate school explicitly requires it. This can pose a financial challenge for those who belong to...

Is the GRE at home accepted for admissions?

ETS announced its GRE at-home service in 2020 amidst the Covid breakout. At the time, students looking to apply to graduate school needed a quick alternative as test centers had been shut down. In only six weeks, the home version of the test was ready and available to...

WANT MORE AMAZING CONTENT?

• Free GRE Practice Questions
• 100+ Personal Statement Templates
• 100+ Quotes to Kick Start Your Personal Statement
• 390 Adjectives to Use in a LOR

GRE Score Calculator: How to Predict Your GRE Score

To find out if you’re ready for test day, you need to have an idea of what your GRE score might be. But where can you find accurate GRE score calculators or predictors? We’ll go over how you can turn your GRE raw score into a predicted score, with the help of ETS’s scoring system and our online GRE score calculator.

What are GRE raw scores? How does GRE raw score conversion work?

First, you should know that the scoring system for Verbal and Quant is different from AWA. Here’s how it works for each section.

Scoring for Verbal and Quant

The GRE Verbal and Quantitative sections are scored based on raw scores for the test. Your raw score is the number of questions you answer correctly. GRE Verbal has 40 questions, as does GRE Quant. So the highest raw score you could get in either section would be 40.

These 40 raw score points correspond to the 40-point range for official scores on the Verbal and Quantitative sections. Both of these sections are rated on a scale of 130-170 points in the final score report. However, your raw score won’t be exactly the same as your final official score. This is because ETS will adjust the points you earn for certain questions based on the relative difficulty of the questions.

If an above-average number of students incorrectly answer a question that’s on your exam, ETS will rate that question as harder-than average. Correct answers on these harder questions will be worth extra points in your final, official score.

In other words, your official score will be adjusted from your raw score based on difficulty. But the adjustments will be relatively small; differences in Quant and Verbal questions are pretty minor.

Scoring for AWA

The two essay questions on the GRE’s Analytical Writing Assessment aren’t simply “right” or “wrong.” So you won’t get a raw score that corresponds to a 40-point score range. Instead, GRE AWA essays are rated based on a rubric. The rubric’s score range is 0 to 6, and scores are calculated in half-point increments.

Instead of being adjusted for relative difficulty, AWA essay questions are adjusted for differences between multiple scorers. Each AWA essay is given to a human scorer. At the same time, the essay is also submitted to a computer scorer, ETS’s e-rater scoring engine . If the human score and the computer score for an AWA essay are similar, the final score for the essay will be an average of the human and computer scores.

However, if the e-rater score is is a lot different from the human score, a second human scorer will step in and give the essay an additional rating. In that case, the essay score will be the average of the two human scores. Your score for the AWA section as a whole will be the average of your scores on both the Issue essay and the Argument essay .

How to use ETS’s scoring systems to predict your GRE score

As you’ll recall, the adjustments that ETS makes to Quant and Verbal raw scores are small adjustments. This means that raw score conversion is a good indicator of the adjusted score you’d get on the real exam. To give an example, suppose you get 30 questions right out of 40 in a practice GRE Quant section . Based on this GRE raw score, you can predict a real GRE score of 160 for Quant… give or take a few points.

For AWA, predicting your score is a little more complex, but it can be done. You can self-assess your essays by consulting ETS’s AWA Issue Task , and Argument Task scoring guides . But sometimes self-assessment isn’t enough. It can be hard to look at your own writing in a clear, objective way. To predict your GRE score for AWA, get some assistance. A teacher, a study buddy, or a GRE forum can help you gauge your practice AWA performance.

Be careful, though. Any prediction of your GRE score should be based on repeated, consistent testing. Don’t just base your prediction on your raw scores for just one practice test. To accurately predict your score, take multiple GRE practice exams.

And be sure to take exams that are accurate to the real GRE. The most reliable practice comes from ETS itself. You can get two official practice GREs for free from ETS’s Powerprep II website . I also recommend the GRE Official Guide , which has an additional four practice exams.

How to use Magoosh’s GRE score calculator to predict your GRE score

As part of Magoosh’s GRE product, we offer an online GRE score calculator to help you predict your test day score. Using customer data, we’ve been able to build a system that predicts your score even more accurately than GRE raw score conversion or AWA rubrics.

We send a short survey to our customers after they take the GRE to get feedback and ask our users what their final GRE score was. We consistently receive a lot of responses to our survey . We go through all the responses and compare our customers’ actual GRE scores against their performance on Magoosh. Here’s a graph of partial results for both math and verbal.

Not surprisingly, there’s a very high correlation between students’ performances on Magoosh and their actual scores. This correlation is the primary basis for the GRE score predictions we give to our users. We also do additional analysis on the number and difficulty of the questions answered, for even greater accuracy.

How do I view my estimated GRE score in Magoosh?

Premium users of Magoosh can see the GRE score predictor on their Dashboards (see the image below).

We provide a 5-point range per section. You need to answer at least 50 questions per section to get a score estimate; the more questions you answer, the more accurate the predictor will be. And to truly get a a test-like experience, you can set up a practice test .

How to Predict Your GRE Score: Next Steps

• Use multiple data points to predict your GRE score, including taking one or more of the official ETS practice tests .
• Take Magoosh’s mock practice test , and try the GRE score predictor to get an idea of your score.
• Get a better understanding of how GRE scoring works. Once you have a predicted score, you can find your corresponding GRE score percentiles , see if your predicted score matches your score goals for your intended university or program, and adjust your study plan accordingly.

We’d love to hear what you think of our online GRE score calculator. Leave a comment below!

Bhavin sets the vision and strategy for Magoosh, along with whatever else needs to be done. With a BS/BA in Economics and Computer Science from Duke University and an MBA from the Haas School of Business at UC Berkeley, he’s on a mission to change the way people learn and how they think about learning. Years ago, Bhavin played on several Nationals-level ultimate frisbee teams. Today, he’s our resident gelato connoisseur.

View all posts

More from Magoosh

27 responses to “GRE Score Calculator: How to Predict Your GRE Score”

i got a score of 14 in quant section(both sections 14/20) but my final score was 153 instead of 158. Please explain this!

Where was this score from? An ETS powerprep test, Magoosh test, or elsewhere? This is a good example of equating, which you can read about here. The raw score is converted to a scaled score through a process that takes the difficult of the exam into account, so the process looks a bit different for each practice test that you take.

Hi, I am following 1- month preparation plan on Magoosh. According to that i’m on day 4. M doing the practice questions as per given in the plan but my estimated score is not showing any change in numbers. M not sure is it because i’m not improving or is there any way to reset my score on daily basis?

You must answer around 150 questions in each section before the score indicator will show any numbers. If you’re only on day 4, you may not have reached that threshold yet. Also keep in mind that since the score predictor is based on your overall performance—and does not weigh your most recent answers more heavily—it can be slow to adjust.

Hello, I am getting the same issues as Akash, I have been mostly getting “hard” questions for my Quant practice questions. Is this normal or is there something wrong? I did set my difficulty in the custom practice setting to adaptive, following the directions in the study plan.

Thanks Sung Joon Roh

I forwarded your question to our team of tutors. You should hear back from someone soon in a separate email! Keep in mind that as a Premium student, you can always use the purple “help” tab in your account to reach out to test prep experts!

Hi, I have been doing the quant practice problems and have only been getting “hard” questions, does my predicted score get scaled according to difficulty?

I noticed you were a GRE Premium student, so I forwarded your message to our team. 🙂 You should be hearing from someone in about 24-48 hours.

Hello, I am getting 17/40 in verbal and 35/40 in quant what would be my GRE score Please do reply

Unfortunately, it’s very difficult to predict your final GRE score just based on raw scores. This is because GRE questions have different difficulty levels, and also have adaptive changes to level form one section to the next. Sorry I can’t provide you with a concrete number. If you want an instant GRE score prediction that’s accurate, I recommend taking the PowerPrep II practice tests that Bhavin linked in the article above.

my raw score in verbal is for the first section is 9 and the second is 6 and in quant its is 15 and 17 how much is the score on 340?

Hi Gayathri,

We cannot say for sure because of the equating process that happens, but we can estimate that a raw score out of 40 by adding it to 130. So if you got 15/40 you would get approximately 145 and a 17/40 would be approximately 147. Of course, this could shift slightly higher or lower depending on equating, so you should assume a margin of about +/-3. 🙂

Is the mark affected by the time you submit your answer? For instance, if I finished all math questions in 15 minutes but get one question wrong, is there a probability I score a higher mark than the case where I check my solutions for another 15 minutes and submit a all-correct version after 30 minutes.

There aren’t extra points for finishing more quickly on the GRE, nor is there a penalty for getting through all the problems at a slower pace. Take the time you need! As long as you stay within the maximum time limit for each section, your score won’t be affected by your pace.

But I saw a “Your average pace” versus “Other’s average pace” section in the graph posted in this article. Is there a purpose for it or is it immaterial?

Hi Richard,

This chart is an analysis you receive on your dashboard when you have a Magoosh premium account. We show students what their pace is compared to their peers. This does not affect your scores, but provides you with helpful information on how you compare with your peers. For example, perhaps all your peers finish a specific problem in 50 seconds, but you take 2 minutes. This means that either you’re not completing the problem with the most efficient approach, or you struggle with this concept. Regardless, the speed does not affect your score, unless you cannot complete a section.

I currently have finished the first 50 verbal questions, and scored 144-149, I need at least a 150. Is this possible in a month?

I definitely think that you can see that sort of improvement in a month, especially if you spend time learning the best strategies, expanding your vocabulary, and improving your reading comprehension skills. You can check out the verbal section of our blog for tips and strategy, or you can check out our full Magoosh product which includes comprehensive lesson videos and practice questions guaranteed to improve your score! On average, our students improve their scores by 8 points, and many increase them by more than that. You can sign up for a free trial here: https://gre.magoosh.com/plans

Dear Mr. Paikh,

In response to one of the queries you mentioned that Magoosh score predictor does not take pace or difficulty into account. Currently, I am in a beginner level. Suppose, while answering a very difficult question, I took a long time to answer that correctly; without considering difficulty level and pacing the prediction could be misleading. As in the “practice” test, I might answer that question correctly with the cost of leaving few other questions unanswered due to unbalanced time pacing. If possible please take this as a request to take into account pacing and difficulty level to predict score.

Hello. I have GRE in the next week and I have just given a practice test on the magoosh and my score is: 167+154 (Q+V) previously, i have given some mock tests as well. The problem is that i gave powerprep way too early However, these are my scores: Powerprep: 162+150 (Q+V) Manhattan: 160+156 Kaplan: 164+150

So, i was wondering if the final score will be same as the score i got in the magoosh. Thank you 🙂

Hello! I’m studying for my test now, and I think one thing that would be useful is if you had two options to view your predicted scores – one that shows your first attempt at the questions, and one that incorporates your most recent attempt at the questions. When I first started I was getting like 75% of the quant, but then I went back and redid like 20 questions that I had originally gotten wrong, and now it’s showing my quant average at like 95%… which obviously isn’t accurate. Since this is a bit misleading about what my test-day-score will probably be, I would rather have the option to know my original (first attempt) average to see if I’ve been able to pull it up with my additional days of studying. For example, if I was getting 75% in the first couple days, but am now hitting like 90%, I’d like to see a predicted score of around 82%, rather than 92%. Hope this makes sense!

Hi! I am wondering if you could help me figure out if my scores on the practice tests are good or not. I took 3 practice sections so far (2 verbal & 1 math) and I scored 70% on each of them. I was kind of distracted for the math part and could have done a little better. Could you tell me what my score would be if I have a 70% average in both sections? Also, is this an average score? I don’t need amazing scores, I just want to have decent ones to get into grad school for nutrition at a state school. Thank you!

Hey Natalie, thanks for sharing! Your score will vary based on how reliable the practice test is. Which practice test did you use (there are a lot out there that aren’t great.) We recommend using Powerprep from ETS, the makers of the GRE. Their tests are free and will give you a rough score estimate. Also, if you have a Magoosh account, you can take our practice tests which also give you a score estimate. As for averages, I recommend checking out this post https://magoosh.com/gre/2013/average-gre-scores/

Hope that helps! Bhavin

Does the score predictor change every 50 questions? I’ve answered more than 100 practice questions but it doesn’t seem that my score is changing.

Good question! The score predictor takes all the questions you have answered into account, so you’ll see less movement the more questions you answer. You can also take a practice test to assess your current score. The “Take a practice test” link is just above the green Math and Verbal buttons on the Dashboard. I hope that helps!

In your testimonials, your students seem to agree that their score was accurately predicted in their estimated range, so clearly you are doing something very right. However, I am still curious about one thing. After taking all the quizzes in the Magoosh Math curriculum, I got an estimated score (for the first 50 questions as you mentioned). However, the quizzes are made of mostly easy questions. I began to wonder if I would see my score drop off as I continued to use Magoosh. Therefore, I ask, does the function you use to estimate the students’ scores uses the difficulty and the their average pace directly in estimating a score?

Good question! You may see a bit of a drop off if you’ve only completed the quiz questions, since they are mostly easy. Essentially, the more questions you answer (across all difficulties) the more accurate your estimated score will be. For a better indication of your score, you can also take a practice mock test, using the “Take a practice test” link on the Dashboard. The estimated score function does not take pace or difficulty into account; however, since the mock tests questions range in difficulties and have a fixed time frame (similar to the actual GRE), they provide a better indication of actual score. The mock tests also test stamina — taking a test for 4 hours is not easy 🙂 I hope that helps!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

GRE Score Chart

Most universities consider a good GRE score as one of the necessary requirements for admission to the programs they offer. So if you want to make it into one of the top universities, you must have a good GRE score, among other factors . In this article, we will talk about the GRE scores, the GRE score chart, and how GRE scores are calculated. This will give you a rough idea as to how much you should aim for in each section so that you come up with a smart study plan.

GRE consists of three main sections — Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing. The Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning are each scored between 130 to 170, which increases by a one-point increment. Analytical Writing, on the other hand, is scored between 0 to 6, which increases by a half-point increment. The GRE score is a culmination of the Verbal and Quantitative sections. Since the score range for Analytical writing differs from these two, the calculation of the Analytical writing scores also differs.If no questions are attempted from a section, you will receive a No Score (NS) for that particular section. 

Given below is a table that will help you understand the GRE Scores easily. 

In order to calculate the GRE score, the ETS first calculates your raw scores. A raw score is the number of questions you likely got right in your GRE exam . The Verbal and Quantitative sections have 40 questions each. For example, if you have answered all the 40 questions correctly, your raw score is likely to be 40. This raw score is then converted into a scaled score, which lies anywhere between 130 to 170 through a process called equating. The exact procedure for converting your raw scores to GRE scaled scores has not been revealed by ETS. The process is carried out based on the difficulty level of the questions you’ve answered. Since the GRE is a section-level computer-adaptive test (for Quant and Verbal), the score of each question is calculated based on its difficulty. Hence, some questions may have more weightage than others. 

For the Analytical Writing section, the two tasks are scored by one trained rater, as well as an e-rater, a computerized program developed by the ETS. The average of these two scores are used as the overall final score. In case of discrepancies between the scores, the ETS assigns another trained rater to recheck the essays, and takes the average of scores submitted by both the human raters. 

GRE Official Score Report

Source:  ets.org

Once you take the GRE exam, the official score report will be available to you in your ETS account within 10–15 days after the date of the test. ETS will send you a notification via email, when the reports are available.

Your official GRE score card will include the following information:

• Personal information such as name, address, contact number etc.
• Your gender
• Your date of birth
• The course which you’ve applied for
• Date of the test
• Percentile rankings and test scores
• Cumulative score records that is reported within the last five years
• Fellowship sponsors and the scores reported to those institutions

The scores on the report are valid for five years from your GRE test date. For example, If you’ve taken your test on August 31st 2021, the scores are reportable through August 31st, 2026. 

Average GRE Scores

As mentioned above, the verbal and quant score ranges from 130 to 170, and AWA score ranges from 0 to 6. 

Here are the average GRE scores based on the performance of test takers between the period of 2017 to 2020.

GRE Score Conversion Chart  

Let us see how the raw scores are converted into individual scaled scores for the Verbal and Quantitative sections. The GRE raw score chart based on the correct answers is given below:

As you can see from the above chart, if you score a 40 in each of the sections, you can anticipate a score between 165 to 170. A sum of these scores will yield you a GRE score between 330 to 340.  

GRE Score Percentiles

The GRE score percentiles indicate how good your test scores are in comparison to the scores of other test-takers. The percentile corresponding to your GRE score tells you the percentage of other test-takers who scored lesser than you.  For instance, if your percentile is 85, that means that 85 percent of aspirants who appeared for the GRE scored less than you in a particular section. However, the GRE percentiles may vary from section to section for the same score. 

Let’s take a look at the GRE score percentile charts for various sections. 

Verbal Reasoning Score Chart 

The Verbal Reasoning score chart is the verbal reasoning score with its corresponding percentile ranking. The GRE verbal score chart is as follows: 

Quantitative Reasoning Score Chart

The quantitative reasoning score chart consists of the quantitative scores with its corresponding percentile ranking. The GRE Quantitative score chart is as follows: 

You will notice the score range 130 to 135 has only 1 to 2 percentile ranking. This denotes that very few candidates have a score that is less than 135. 

Analytical Writing Score Chart

The Analytical Writing score chart indicates the analytical writing scores and their corresponding percentile ranking. The Analytical Writing score chart is as follows: 

As you can see from the above table, the score ranges 0.0 to 1.0 have no ranks available. This means that none of the candidates have scored less than 1.0 in the analytical writing section. 

GRE Cut-Off for Top Universities

Most universities abroad consider GRE scores necessary for admissions to the programs they offer. A stellar GRE score can improve your chances of admission to your dream university. The following table states the GRE scores cut off for the top universities in the world.

We hope these GRE score charts have helped you. Understanding the GRE scores and how the GRE is scored is a rather simple process. Once you familiarize yourself with it, navigating and planning for the GRE becomes easier. 

• How long are GRE scores valid?

The GRE scores are valid for 5 years from the date of the test.

• Can I see my unofficial GRE scores after taking the test?

You will get the option to report or cancel the score after the test. When you choose Report Scores, you will be able to see your unofficial Quantitative Reasoning and Verbal Reasoning scores. However, you won’t be able to check your AWA scores. 

• When will I get my official score report?

You’ll receive your GRE official score report within 15 to 20 days after the test date. ETS will send you a notification indicating this. 

GRE Score Chart: Practice Test

Here is a quick GRE practice quiz for you to attempt!

Steven is always __________ about showing up for work because he feels that tardiness is a sign of irresponsibility.

It is true that those who play a sport as young adults live longer than those who never play. This does not prove that playing a sport causes people to live longer, since, as compared with other people of the same age, young adults who are interested in playing a sport have fewer of the unhealthy habits that can cause a person to have a shorter life, most remarkably lack of sleep and excessive consumption of meat. 

Which of the following, if true, most strengthens the argument above?

Steve travels at a constant speed 90 mph from point A to point B and returned from point B to point A at 120 mph for the same amount of distance. What is his approximate average speed in miles per hour, for the round trip?

Your score is

The average score is 41%

Restart quiz

swati kamboj

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Skip to content

GRE Prep Courses & Tutoring

GRE Scoring - Overview and Methodology

The GRE scoring system changed substantially in 2011, changing from a continuously adaptive test to one that only adapts between sections, and revising the scoring scale from 200-800 (10-point increments) to 130-170 (1-point increments) for each section. A score in the 90th percentile is approximately a 162-163; a score in the 75th percentile is approximately 157-158; a score in the 50th percentile is approximately 151-152; and a score in the 25th percentile is approximately 145-146. The analytical writing section scoring was not changed as part of the 2011 revision, and this section is scored on a scale of 0-6 in 0.5-point increments. A score of 5 is in the 93rd percentile, 4 is in the 54th percentile, and 3 is in the 14th percentile.

One of the advantages of the 2011 revision to the GRE General Test scoring system is that it allows for greater differentiation of top-level test takers. Before, students who achieved the maximum score (800) would be clustered together with a percentile rank of 94. The new scoring scale widens the distribution at the upper end of the scoring scale, allowing greater differentiation for students who are trying to earn admission into highly competitive graduate programs. GRE scores are valid for five years after the year in which the test is taken.

The GRE uses an adaptive scoring algorithm that modifies the difficulty level of the second Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections based on the student's performance in the first sections. Students who perform well on their first Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections will "level up" to a more difficult test, and have the chance to earn a higher final score. Each test question contributes equally to a "raw score" for each section, which is equal to the number of questions is answered correctly. The raw score is then converted into a "scaled score" for each section, which is the score that will be reported to graduate schools. The process of conversion from a "raw score" to a "scaled score" is called "equating". Equating compensates for difficulty variation across different versions of the test, as well as the individual test differentiation due to the adaptive test algorithm. The scaled section score is intended to reflect a particular level of performance regardless of when the test was taken or how it was adapted.

The scores for the Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections are combined before calculation, so your final score will be broken into three section scores: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing. You will have the opportunity to see your unofficial scores for the Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections at the completion of your test, if you choose to report your scores. The Analytical Writing section takes longer to grade because it uses a combination of human and computer evaluation.

Scoring Confidentiality

GRE scores are valid for five years after the testing date, but the use of scores is entirely controlled by the student. Students who achieve an especially competitive score on the General Test or who demonstrate subject knowledge with the GRE Subject Tests may utilize their scores to demonstrate their aptitude and accomplishment in diverse work areas. Students who are merely using the GRE to get into graduate school, however, can rest assured that their scores will remain confidential unless they choose to share them.

Retaking Test

The computer-based GRE can be retaken only once 21 days have passed from the day of the first exam. The paper-based test can be retaken as often as it is offered, generally three times per year. After the completion of your test, you will have the option to submit only your most recent score, or all of your recent test scores. If you want to submit only the scores from specific testing sessions, you must wait to submit your scores until after test day. At the conclusion of your test, you will also have an opportunity to cancel your scores.

Cancelling Scores

After the completion of your test, you will be given the option to either Report your scores or Cancel your scores. If you decide to report your scores, you will be able to access the unofficial scores for the Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning sections. If you choose to cancel your scores, you will not be able to access them or report them to schools, and your Analytical Writing section will not be scored. Although ETS gives students the option to cancel their scores if for some reason they believe they did not perform at the level of their capability, they also give students flexibility in the reporting of their scores and guarantee confidentiality for whatever scores students choose not to report.

If you choose to report your scores, you will be given access to the "Scoreselect" tool, which will allow you to choose where to send your scores, as well as whether to send scores from all testing dates or only the most recent test. Your official scores, including your Analyical Writing score, will be available 10-15 days after your test dates, when they will automatically be sent to your selected score recipients. Your test fee entitles you to request that scores be sent to as many as four graduate institutions or fellowship sponsors; you will be asked to designate your recipients during registration or on your admissions ticket correction stub. After test day, you can also send additional score reports for a fee.

The GRE ® Tests

Completing your view of applicant strengths

Select any step to learn more about how the GRE ® tests can help your institution.

Using Scores

GRE scores are used to make decisions that affect people's educational and career paths. In recognizing these high stakes, ETS provides score users with guidelines and information to assist them in using scores appropriately in graduate admissions decision making.

The GRE ® Guide to the Use of Scores outlines the score use guidelines, among other important information to assist score users in interpreting scores.

• skills measured and the benefits of using GRE scores
• how the tests are scored
• guidelines for using GRE scores
• GRE test interpretive data
• percentile rank information
• reliability coefficients and standard errors of measurement

Download the guide (PDF)

Considerations in score interpretation

GRE scores should be considered in relation to other components in an applicant’s file. Considering students holistically ensures a fairer admissions process. Programs unable to do a full holistic file review should pay special attention to applicants who may have had experiences that differ from those of the traditional majority.

Group Score Differences

On average, members of different racial, ethnic and economic backgrounds perform differently on standardized tests. Despite the extensive work that ETS does to ensure that the GRE tests are as free from bias as possible, disparities in performance among underrepresented groups still exist. A review of all components of an applicant's file, in which GRE scores are considered as one piece of information among many, enables each applicant to be evaluated as fairly as possible.

You can find additional information about scores of test takers from underrepresented groups in the following resources:

• Find performance information for underrepresented groups in the publication entitled  A Snapshot of the Individuals Who Took the GRE ® General Test .
• Read about ETS's extensive efforts to ensure that the GRE tests are as free from bias as possible in  Fairness and Validity .
• Learn more about how ETS reduces barriers for applicants in  Reducing Barriers .

Do score differences mean that the GRE tests are biased?

No, differences between various groups, which are seen in all standardized tests, do not imply bias. There are a number of factors that contribute to observed differences in scores, such as variation in course-taking patterns, interests, knowledge, and skills, or differential educational, economic, and social systems in which everyone does not receive equal opportunity.

ETS has long placed great importance on the issue of fairness. Rigorous processes to ensure test fairness are carried out by a diverse team of assessment specialists in accordance with standards set by the American Educational Research Association (AERA), the National Council on Measurement Education (NCME), and the American Psychological Association ® (APA).

ETS has taken significant measures to ensure the GRE tests uphold the highest standards for fairness by incorporating reviews and checkpoints throughout the development process:

• In the early concept phase, a variety of test question types were pilot tested and any question types that tended to produce group differences in performance were eliminated from the test plan.
• During the development phase and continuing today, test questions are further scrutinized by specially trained fairness reviewers to ensure they meet rigorous standards. After questions are pretested, each question is included in a statistical analysis to determine if there are any unfair group differences in the performance of individual test questions; if so, the question is removed from the pool of questions. Once questions pass this level of rigor, they are included in the test. Even then, statistical analyses will be repeated regularly to further ensure fairness.

Test takers who are nonnative English speakers

Although the GRE tests are not tests of English-language proficiency (ELP), they measure skills important for graduate and professional education at institutions where the language of instruction is English. When considering applications from nonnative speakers of English, it is useful to remember that there is a difference between language proficiency and abilities in areas such as critical thinking and analysis. An applicant's level of English proficiency can interfere with the opportunity to demonstrate these abilities. In these cases, it is especially important to look for evidence of critical thinking in other parts of the application, such as the essay or coursework.

It is also important to consider whether English-language support is available on campus. With language support, it is possible that talented applicants whose English needs development can still succeed in your institution.

For more information about considering the applications of nonnative English speakers, review the GRE ® Guide to the Use of Scores (PDF) .

Is an ELP test helpful?

Considering GRE and ELP test scores (such as TOEFL ® scores) together will enable score users to determine if English proficiency may have affected an applicant's performance on the GRE test.

Effective use of both GRE and TOEFL scores

The GRE General Test and the TOEFL iBT ®  Test provide different but complementary information about an applicant.

• The TOEFL iBT Test measures the academic English-language proficiency of people whose native language is not English. Test takers are required to combine their reading, listening, speaking and writing skills to perform academic tasks similar to those found in the graduate or undergraduate classroom.
• The GRE General Test measures the verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, critical thinking and analytical writing skills needed for success in a graduate, business or law program.

Many graduate and professional programs, including business and law, find the ability to speak and listen in English is critical to success in academic courses. These language skills are not evaluated on the GRE test, but they are measured on the TOEFL test.

While both tests have a writing component, there are significant differences in what is being assessed on each. The TOEFL Writing measure emphasizes fundamental writing skills as well as the ability to organize and convey, in writing, information that has been understood from spoken and written text. By contrast, the GRE Analytical Writing section measures critical thinking and analytical writing skills. It assesses the ability to articulate and support complex ideas, construct and evaluate arguments, and sustain a focused and coherent discussion.

This distinction is important. If an applicant for whom English is not their first language has a low GRE Analytical Writing score, additional information from the TOEFL test will help in the interpretation of that score. Is the GRE score low because the individual is unable to think critically and express those thoughts in writing? Or is the score low because the test taker has difficulty expressing herself in writing in English? In the latter case, the applicant may actually have the ability to think critically, but the level of English proficiency interferes with the ability to demonstrate it.

If an applicant has a low GRE Verbal Reasoning score, is this the result of an inability to analyze, evaluate and synthesize written material? Or is this due to poor English reading skills?

Using GRE and TOEFL scores in a complementary way will provide critical information about the applicant's skills.

A comparison of TOEFL iBT and GRE General Test sections

* Not included/measured on test.

Test takers with disabilities or health-related needs

ETS provides accommodations for individuals with disabilities or health-related needs and works continuously to ensure that as new technologies become available, ETS's offerings evolve.

The accommodations offered are intended to minimize any adverse effect that the individual's disability might have upon test performance and to help ensure that, insofar as possible, the resulting scores represent their educational achievement. Reviewing an applicant's entire file will provide more information about the individual's ability to succeed in a graduate program than any one test can provide.

Learn more about the  accommodations available .

Repeat test takers

Test takers may take a GRE test more than once. There are several ways in which graduate and professional schools, including business and law, can judge multiple scores for an applicant (e.g., use most recent score, use highest score). Whatever approach is adopted, it is best to use it consistently with all applicants.

Reviewing essay responses on the Analytical Writing section

While all GRE General Test score reports contain an Analytical Writing score, score users who have access to the  ETS ® Data Manager  can also view test takers' actual essay responses.

A GRE General Test Analytical Writing essay response can be considered a rough first draft since test takers do not have sufficient time to revise their essays during the test. The software does not include spell-checking or grammar-checking.

Have questions?

Is there a way to tell which test takers took the shorter GRE?

The test date is included on the GRE score report. Test takers who have test dates on or after September 22, 2023, will have taken the shorter GRE.

Are there tools to help me compare GRE scores to LSAT ® scores?

Yes. Access the GRE Comparison Tool for Law Schools .

How can I determine if GRE scores correlate with success in my program?

The best way is to conduct a validity study. ETS researchers will provide advice on the design of appropriate validations studies without charge. For assistance, contact [email protected] . View a list of GRE validity resources .

How does ETS ensure the tests are fair and unbiased?

Ensuring the fairness of GRE tests throughout the test development, administration and scoring processes is a high priority. Learn more about test fairness .

Why is it a problem to use a minimum or cut score to narrow my pool of applicants?

The practice of using cut scores, especially one that uses GRE scores as the sole criteria, is contradictory to a holistic admissions process because it puts too much weight on one measure, and does not allow applicants the opportunity to show other evidence of skills and experiences that graduate programs might value.

How can I determine if the difference in scores between two applicants is significant?

Different scores among test takers may not reflect significant differences in abilities. As described in score use guideline #3 in the GRE ® Guide to the Use of Scores , every test has measurement error. It is important for a decision maker to know whether the differences between two scores is meaningful. For more information, review score use guideline #3 and the standard error of measurement information in the  GRE ® Guide to the Use of Scores (PDF) .

I want to see all of my applicants' scores, not just those they choose to send me. How can I arrange that?

ETS sends scores according to the specific request of test takers. To see all of your applicants' GRE scores, you would need to communicate that request to applicants directly.

How can I verify test takers' scores?

If the test taker directs ETS to send scores to your institution/program, you will be able to verify those scores using the ETS Data Manager.

What do I do if I have concerns about the scores?

To verify that the scores you received match those in the ETS database, you can use the ETS Data Manager.

If you have security concerns about an individual test score, please complete the  Score Inquiry Form (PDF)  and submit it to the ETS Office of Testing Integrity (OTI) at  [email protected] . Completing this form will provide helpful information to OTI to assist in their score review process. Learn more about  test security .

Are there any additional resources I can review?

• Using GRE Scores Successfully in Holistic Admissions (PDF)
• Score Interpretation Resources

Newsletters

GRE Percentiles: What is a Good GRE Score?

• Last Updated: March 20, 2024

You probably have a decent understanding of the GRE sections and distinct question types, but do you know the average test scores and GRE percentiles for your target graduate school programs? Are you curious what GRE score or score range you should aim for? Does your total score matter more than the individual Verbal and Quantitative section scores?

For this article, I’ll break down what you need to know about GRE scores and percentiles. After reading, you’ll have gained the knowledge to develop your goal score range so you can then begin to create a personal study plan and select a GRE prep course .

What is a Good GRE Score? 

For the individual Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections, the lowest GRE score is 130 while the max score is 170. Thus, the composite score may range from 260 points to 340 points. The question, “What is a good GRE score?” may more appropriately be framed, “What is a good GRE score for you ?” Of course, this is a personal question, and the answer will depend on the characteristics of your graduate school application, personal goals, and perhaps most importantly, the GRE score distributions of your target programs. In some cases, your target programs will be more interested in one section over another. 

What is a Low or Bad GRE Score?

A low GRE score is considered to fall around the 25th percentile or lower. In terms of GRE verbal percentiles, this would equate to a GRE scaled score of 145; and, for the quantitative percentiles, this would equal a 147 scaled score. What is considered a bad GRE score is subjective, but could most easily be defined as a score significantly lower than the median of your target graduate school programs. 

Average GRE Score

According to the ETS (makers of the GRE), the average (mean) GRE score for the Verbal and Quantitative sections are 150 and 153 respectively. The median (or 50th percentile) Verbal Reasoning score equates to a scaled score of 151, and the median Quantitative Reasoning score is approximately a 154 scaled score. So, if your only goal is to score a little higher than average, aim for a total score above 306. 

What is a Competitive GRE Score?

Simply put, a good GRE score is one that will get you into your graduate school programs of choice . We’ll dive into that a bit deeper in the GRE Percentiles section, but what if you’d like to know what a widely agreed upon number for a “good” or “competitive” GRE score is? A Verbal Reasoning score of 159 or a Quantitative Reasoning score of 163 would place you around the 80th percentiles respectively. This would place you in the top 20% of all GRE test-takers and could be compared to achieving above an 1800 on the SAT. 

GRE Writing Score

Generally speaking, admissions officers tend to think of your GRE writing score on a “threshold” basis. A below average score may hurt your chances of admission, but an above average score won’t necessarily count for much more than a check in the box. The latest ETS data reports a mean Analytical Writing Measure score of 3.58. I think it’s best to place students into three buckets:

• Above average scores (4.0 or higher) – you are better off investing your prep time for the main Verbal and Quantitative sections of the GRE 
• Slightly below average to average scores (2.5 to 3.5) – you should allocate some prep time to the Analytical writing section but not to any greater extent than the other sections
• Significantly below average (less than or equal to 2.0) – a score in this range would raise a red flag; consider spending substantial time improving this section or perhaps hire a GRE tutor

GRE Raw Score Conversion

The GRE quantitative and verbal sections contain 40 questions each, and there is no penalty for incorrect answers. Thus, your GRE raw score is simply your total number of correctly answered questions. The final score report takes your raw score points and rates them on a scale of 130-170, adjusting the points you earn based on the relative difficulty of the questions. Due to the section-level adaptive nature of the GRE, it’s significantly challenging to translate the number of questions missed to a particular scaled score with any meaningful precision. However, the team over at Brightlink Prep collected sample scores of actual GRE test takers and made the following approximations:

• Quant 160-165: at least 15/20 correct on each section
• Verbal 160-165: at least 12/20 correct on each section

GRE Percentiles

As a general rule of thumb, you should aim for a score at or slightly above the median (or average) for your target graduate school programs to increase your chance of acceptance. You’ll need to take into account other characteristics of your admissions profile such as GPA, relevant research experience, and quality of recommendations and essays. Sometimes programs don’t explicitly state their average scores and instead note their GRE percentiles buried in a Q&A section. For your reference, I’ve included a copy of the latest GRE scaled score percentiles for Verbal and Quant, so you can translate as needed. 

GRE Score for Grad School

It’s time to dive into some numbers! We’ll first take a look at the distribution of GRE scores by intended graduate major field before noting the distributions of several frequently queried school and program combinations (naturally, due to the large number of graduate school and program combinations, you’ll likely need to search on your own for the median or GRE percentiles of your target programs). 

What is the Average GRE Score by Major?

The following data was obtained from ETS and covers the time period between July 1, 2016 and June 30, 2019.

Average GRE Scores for Grad School

See below for a sample of GRE scores by program. Please note that some graduate school programs did not require the GRE for the 2020-2021 admissions cycle due to COVID-19. Let us know in the comments if there are any programs you’d like us to add to the list!

GRE to GMAT Conversion

While the ETS provides data to allow for comparison between GRE and GMAT scores, keep in mind that natural differences exist in the two applicant pools and the percentile scores should be considered a rough comparison at best. See below for the GRE to GMAT conversion chart (data provided by the official GRE Business School Comparison Tool ).

GRE Scores for Business School

In this section, we’ll assume that you are planning to take the GRE for business school and want to know how high of a score you will need for admission to some of the top programs. GRE scores for most of the top business schools are just as competitive as GMAT scores; applicants should not assume they will have a leg up in the admissions process by scoring a comparatively higher GRE score. MBA GRE scores for the top programs may be found in the chart below.

GRE Scores for Law School

Although a growing number of law schools are now accepting the GRE in lieu of the LSAT, it likely isn’t the best option for most law school applicants. The GRE is probably not an appropriate substitute for the LSAT if you fall into one of the following categories:

• You have the capacity to achieve the median LSAT score of your target school
• Your target schools include mostly top 20 law schools, and you’d like for your application to be as competitive as possible
• You are interested in a school that doesn’t accept the GRE
• You are aiming for merit scholarships

If you decide to take the GRE in lieu of the LSAT, know that for the most part the ETS’s GRE to LSAT converter is dismissed by many admissions professionals. These professionals are predominantly interested in the percentiles of your GRE section scores. Applying to law school with only a GRE score may be appropriate if you have a very compelling reason for doing so . Specifically, reasons may include:

• You are applying to dual-degree programs which require the GRE (and know the respective law schools are okay with dual-degree applicants taking only the GRE)
• You are less interested in applying to the very top programs
• You are not concerned with the impact this decision may have on merit scholarship selection
• You have completed a full LSAT study program, taken multiple LSAT practice tests, and have come up short in your efforts to achieve the median LSAT score of your target school.

What are the Average GRE Scores for Law School?

For those still interested in taking the GRE for law school, we’ve included a partial list of schools that accept the GRE along with the converted GRE score.

How Long are GRE Scores Valid?

GRE scores are valid for five years after your test date for all GRE tests taken on or after July 1, 2016. However, if you took the exam prior to July 1, 2016 then your GRE score expires according to a “testing year” period (July 1 – June 30). For example, if you took the exam in May 2016, your GRE scores expire July 1, 2021. Also, once your scores expire, ETS deletes them and you will not be able to retrieve them again. 

How Long Does it Take to Get GRE Scores?

Official GRE scores are available approximately 10-15 days after your exam date in your ETS account. However, your unofficial GRE scores take no time at all. You’ll see your scores at the test center if you choose to report scores upon the completion of your exam. Specifically, you will see your unofficial Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning scores which should most likely be the same as your resulting official GRE scores. 

How Long Does it Take to Send GRE Scores?

After you complete the exam, you will receive an email notification within 10-15 days confirming that your GRE score reports have been sent to your selected schools. Note, if you elect to send scores on test day , you will have the option to send either your most recent score or all GRE scores, from the last five years, to four schools for free . Assuming you’re applying to more than four schools, or wait until after test day to send your scores, you may order additional score reports online in your ETS account. ETS states that it will take them approximately five business days to send your score reports. 

Cost to Send GRE Scores

If you wait until after test day , it will cost $27 per school recipient to send GRE scores. However, in addition to having the options to send your most recent score or all scores, you will also have the option to select any valid GRE scores of your choosing. Note, some programs may require applications to report all of their valid GRE scores so be sure to check with the programs to which you are applying. 

How to Predict Your GRE Score?

Unlike the LSAT, it is a bit more difficult to predict your GRE score prior to taking the exam. It’s not that it can’t be done, it’s simply that the section-level adaptive nature of the GRE adds a few more kinks in the prediction process. That being said, the best way to predict your GRE score is by taking multiple ETS PowerPrep practice tests under near exam-like conditions. Many GRE prep providers recommend taking around 5 GRE practice tests though high-scoring students often report taking several more of them. So, to predict your GRE score, take the average of your most recent practice exams then add and subtract three points to generate your probably GRE score range. As an alternative, Magoosh GRE prep has an estimated GRE score predictor built into their online prep dashboard. 

How to Cancel Your GRE Score?

After completing your GRE exam, you will have the option to view and report, or cancel your scores. Although it’s generally ill-advised to cancel your score, there is an option to reinstate your canceled score for a $50 fee within 60 days of your exam date. 

What are the Average GRE Scores for MPH Program?

While this is highly dependent on your target schools, many public health graduate programs require applicants to earn around the median GRE score of all test-takers (though average test scores for the higher ranked programs fall closer to the 80th percentile).

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

© 2023 Exam Strategist. All Rights Reserved

Dynamic title for modals

Are you sure.

How To Calculate Your GRE Score In 2023

Most test-takers guess their scores with their gut feelings. However, there are ways to turn your GRE raw score into a predicted score with the help of ETS’s scoring system and our online GRE score calculator. The GRE Score Calculator uses scores from mock exams as input to predict an examinee’s GRE score on test day. The calculation involves adaptive testing and equating. Adaptive testing refers to the adjustments to the difficulty of the questions in the second section based on the performance of the examinee in the first section. On the other hand, equating is the process of converting raw scores into scaled scores. Performance and time management are critical in determining the final score for verbal and quantitative reasoning tests. Thus, examinees may have varied results regardless of the similarity of the number of questions they answered correctly. The calculation for the analytical writing measure is slightly different because test takers have to write two essays that a trained reader and an e-rater will examine. The average of the scores will be converted into a scale score.

What are the scoring patterns of GRE?

Examinees may observe these scoring patterns of GRE:

• Two types of test: General Test and Subject Test of GRE
• Three sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing
• Specified Test for a Subject: Examinees take the subject to test their ability for a specific subject they will pursue in a higher education.
• Computer-Adaptive: The GRE test has a well-designed algorithm that precisely measures the intellectual capacity of an examinee through their performance level in the first section.
• Two sections: The test is divided into two sections. In the first section, examinees are provided with questions with medium difficulty as they are assumed to have average knowledge of the topics. After answering the first set of questions, the algorithms adjust the level of difficulty of the succeeding section to the performance level of the examinee.
• One mark per answer: Each correct answer is worth one point.

To better understand the sections, parts, and markings of GRE, one should be familiar with the scoring patterns.

What are the scoring scales for the GRE sections?

The table below presents the score scales for the three sections of the Graduate Record Examination:

Verbal reasoning and quantitative reasoning have a score scale of 130–170 in 1-point increments, while analytical writing has a score scale of 0–6 in 0.5 point increments. The results of the sections do not affect each other. One may have higher scores in a particular section and lower scores in another section.

What is the scoring method for the computer-delivered test?

The performance level of the examinees in a computer-delivered test is measured by the precision of their answers and the efficiency of their time management. The questions in verbal and quantitative reasoning are all worth the same point.

How is the GRE verbal score calculated?

Verbal reasoning is a test of a candidate’s reading comprehension. The number, speed, and difficulty of the questions they answer are all used to quantify their overall performance. Using equating, the raw score is transformed into a scale score.

How is the GRE quant score calculated?

Quantitative reasoning tests the critical thinking and analytical skills of the examinees by letting them solve mathematical and statistical problems. Like in Verbal Reasoning, the scores are based on the number of questions they correctly answer. Speed and level of difficulty remained crucial factors in the weight of the final score, which was converted from the total raw score through equating.

How is the GRE Analytical Writing score calculated?

Analytical writing is evaluated differently from the other measures. Since it tests the ability of the examinee to critically think, to eloquently explain complex concepts, and to strengthen ideas with well-researched references, the essay’s score is marked by both a human examiner and an e-rater. Examinees may garner a score ranging from 0 to 6, with 6 as the highest mark. If the rates given by the trained reader and the e-rater are similar, then the average of their given scores will be the final score. Otherwise, a second human examiner will be called in to provide another mark to add to the mark of the first human examiner. The average of their scores will now be the final score of the examinee.

How is the GRE score calculated?

The GRE score is calculated through adaptive testing and equating. Adaptive testing refers to the capability of an algorithm to set the level of difficulty of the questions in the second section based on their performance level in the first section. In equating, the examinee receives a 1 point increment in verbal reasoning and quantitative reasoning measures. Then, these points would be added to the raw score, which ranges from 0 to 40. Finally, the raw scores are converted into scale scores, which range from 130 to 170. For example, if the examinee answers 32 questions correctly, it will be converted into a scale score by adding 130 to it. As a result, the examinee will have a final score of 162. However, if someone answers a more difficult set of questions in the second section because they performed well in the first, they may garner a higher score, even though their total raw scores are the same.

The calculation of the score in the analytical measure requires the mark provided by a trained reader and an e-rater. The essays are marked with scores ranging from 0 to 6 in 0.5 increments, depending on the proficiency of their writing skills. The average of the given marks will be the final score of the examinee.

What is the difference between GRE paper-based scoring and computer-adaptive tests?

The difference between GRE paper-based scoring and computer-adaptive tests is based on the convenience and time-efficiency of the process. Computer-adaptive tests are globally available throughout the year. They have an algorithm that precisely measures the performance level of the examinees based on their total raw score on the first section. Their section-by-section adaptability feature enables them to adjust the level of difficulty of the second set of questions based on the proficiency of the test takers. Examinees may also know their results at the test center itself. On the other hand, paper-based tests are only available three times a year. The results are released after six weeks of taking the test.

What is the GRE Score Calculator Percentile?

The percentile of the GRE score is based on the number of examinees who achieved a certain final score in a population. It groups them to provide administrators with a convenient comparison of their performance.

The computation of the percentile is based on the total population of the examinees. After a test score is tallied, it is divided from the total population to determine the percentile rank of the test taker. For example, if a score of 170 lands in the 97th percentile, this means only three examinees gained a perfect score.

How are the GRE Subject test scores calculated?

The subject test is completed in a paper-and-pencil format. An examinee may gain a point for every correct answer and lose a quarter point for every incorrect answer. At the end of the section, the total raw score is calculated by adding all the right answers and subtracting a quarter of points for every question answered incorrectly. Through equating, the raw score will be converted into a scale score that ranges from 200–900 in 10-point increments. The difficulty level of the test additions is critical to the final score; thus, examinees may receive different scaled scores regardless of the similarity of their total raw scores.

What is the difference between GRE percentage and percentile?

The GRE is one of the admission tools that provides a quantified and objective comparison of the skills and knowledge of the examinees to the involved measures. This comparison is presented through a table of percentiles, which groups the scores of the examinees according to their performance level in the exam. On the other hand, percent presents the same data in a decimal-converted measurement. For example, if test takers land in the 77th percentile, that means their scores surpassed 77% of the population.

How to use ETS’s scoring systems to predict your GRE score?

The best way to predict your score is to take multiple GRE practice exams so you can estimate your performance level on the day of the exam and improve it along the way. The scoring systems of the ETS have been explained previously, and they get simpler the more you read about them. To predict your score in verbal and quant measures, just add 130 to your total raw score to convert it into a scaled score. To predict your score in analytical writing measures, you may consult ETS’s Issue Task and Argument Task scoring guides and ask any trained reader you know to help you assess your paper. If the marks they’ll provide are the same, the average of their given marks will be the final score. Otherwise, you may ask another acquaintance to assess it and give a mark, which will be added to the mark given by the first human examiner. The average of the marks will be the final score.

How to improve GRE scores?

To enhance GRE scores, focus on systematic preparation. Begin by understanding the test format and content. Utilize official GRE materials and practice tests. Develop strong time management skills to complete sections on time. Strengthen vocabulary through flashcards and consistent reading. Hone analytical writing by practicing essay structures. Tackle quantitative problems methodically, identifying key concepts. Review mistakes to learn and adapt. Consider enrolling in prep courses if needed. Prioritize consistent practice and maintain a positive mindset for optimal results.

Will a GRE prep course improve scores?

Enrolling in courses in GRE can lead to score improvement. These courses offer tailored strategies, practice materials, and expert guidance, enhancing familiarity with the test format and content. However, individual outcomes vary based on effort, baseline skills, and learning style. A prep course might boost confidence and provide valuable insights, but success also hinges on consistent practice and comprehension.

• https://collegedunia.com/exams/gre/gre-score-calculation
• https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/exams/gre/score-calculator
• https://www.embibe.com/exams/how-calculate-and-understand-gre-score/
• https://www.gyandhan.com/blogs/how-is-gre-score-calculated
• https://magoosh.com/gre/how-to-predict-your-gre-score/
• https://www.mbacrystalball.com/blog/2021/03/08/how-gre-scores-percentiles-calculated/
• https://studyabroad.careers360.com/articles/how-calculate-and-understand-gre-scores
• https://www.qsleap.com/gre/resources/what-is-the-difference-between-computer-and-paper-based-gre

Get GRE Prepared with Yocket Prep

Take a diagnostic test, set up your personalized dashboard, and find a pool of practice tests. Explore our packages to learn more!

Table of Content

How GRE Marks are Calculated?

Gre score conversion chart, how gre score is calculated section wise, yocket gre prep+ for gre preparation, frequently asked questions about how gre score is calculated, gre score chart: know how to calculate gre score section wise.

Understanding how GRE scores are calculated can be complex sometimes for international students, as GRE score is related to percentile ranks and is scored on a scale. GRE is the only standard exam globally acknowledged for admission to business programs and graduate courses, including MS abroad.

GRE comprises 3 main sections (verbal, quantitative reasoning & analytical writing). In order to calculate GRE score, the quantitative and verbal reasoning are each scored between 130 to 170. Analytical writing, on the other hand, is scored between 0 to 6. So, to know how to calculate the total GRE score? In this article, we will be covering all the aspects of GRE scores, how is GRE score calculated and other needed details on GRE.

To know how GRE score is calculated, the first thing to know is the score range, which is 130-170. The verbal and quantitative sections have an approx. normal distribution centred around 150 marks. To measure GRE score , the ETS first measure your raw scores. A raw score is the no. of questions you likely got correct in your GRE. The Verbal and quantitative have 40 questions in each section. This raw score is then transformed into a scaled score, anywhere between 130 to 170, through a method known as equating.

Equating is how to calculate GRE scores by making the scores precise and balanced for all the students taking their tests in more than 1,000 GRE test centres globally. For GRE Analytical Writing section , the 2 tasks are scored by one skilled rater and an e-rater, a computerised program settled by the ETS.

GRE raw score chart is based on the right answers as given below:

Suggested: How to Send GRE Scores to Universities

To know GRE AWA score calculator let us know, “What are the measures?” The three sections of GRE test: Quantitative, Verbal and Analytical, are known as “measures”. Now, the computer-delivered GRE test is adaptive, if you accomplish well in the first measure, that is, in the analytical writing section, then the next measure, for example, a quantitative section will be harder. The paper-delivered GRE is not adaptive. It is why the scores of each GRE are calculated a bit inversely. Let us now know the calculation of each section in detail:

GRE Verbal Score Calculation

You get a raw score based on the no. of questions responded correctly. This raw verbal score is changed into a scaled score. For this, GRE uses equating. For example, on a specific day, the complex level of the test you take is higher than the test that occurred a few weeks ago. Equating makes it optimistic that your GRE verbal score calculator isn’t lower than the score of those who took the earlier test.

GRE verbal score chart is as follows:

Take Yocket Prep's FREE 30-minutes diagnostic test to know how you fair well in your GRE preparation! Also, get hold of your section wise analysis, along with strengths and weaknesses! 

GRE Quantitative Score Calculation

GRE quantitative score is planned exactly as the verbal score. You get a raw score which is figured on the basis of the right answers. That is converted into a scaled form by equating.

The GRE Quantitative score chart is tabulated below:

For how long is GRE score valid?

What is the duration of gre test, what is the average gre score section-wise, what is gre score percentiles, a test-taking platform that helps for gre® preparation online., other links.

• Help Center
• Privacy Policy

OUR PRODUCTS

© 2024 Yocket Prep. All rights reserved.

GRE® is a registered trademark of Educational Testing Service (ETS). This website is not endorsed or approved by ETS.

The GRE ® General Test

One test for graduate, business and law school

Select a step to learn more about your GRE ® General Test journey.

Understanding Your GRE General Test Scores

How the test is scored.

Learn about how each of the measures on the GRE General Test is scored.

Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning measures

Your reported scores on the Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning measures are based on the number of correct responses to all the questions included in the operational sections of the measure.

The Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning measures are section-level adaptive. This means the computer selects the second operational section of a measure based on your performance on the first section. Within each section, all questions contribute equally to the final score.

For each of the two measures, a raw score is computed. The raw score is the number of questions you answered correctly.

The raw score is converted to a scaled score through a process known as equating. The equating process accounts for minor variations in difficulty among the different test editions as well as the differences in difficulty introduced by the section-level adaptation. Thus, a given scaled score for a particular measure reflects the same level of performance regardless of which second section was selected and when the test was taken.

Analytical Writing measure

Analytical Writing essay responses are evaluated on a 6-point holistic scale, including receiving a score from the e-rater ® scoring engine, a computerized program developed by ETS that is capable of identifying essay features related to writing proficiency. In holistic scoring, scores are assigned on the basis of the overall quality of an essay in response to the assigned task. A single score is reported for the Analytical Writing measure. Read the "Issue" and "Argument" scoring guides and the Analytical Writing Score Level Descriptions .

All essay responses on the Analytical Writing section are reviewed by trained analysts using ETS essay similarity detection software and by experienced content experts. For more information, see the section on Cancellation of Scores by ETS in the GRE ® Information Bulletin (PDF) .

Score interpretation resources

The following resources will help you gain a better understanding of what your scores mean and how we advise institutions to use them.

• Interpreting Your GRE ® Scores (PDF) — Includes information to assist you in interpreting your GRE scores.
• GRE ® General Test Interpretive Data (PDF) — Provides summary statistics and percentile rank information for the Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning and Analytical Writing measures.
• GRE ® Guide to the Use of Scores (PDF) — Provides information for institutions about the appropriate use of GRE scores and interpretive data.
• General Test Percentage Distribution of Scores Within Intended Broad Graduate Major Field (PDF) — Contains Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning and Analytical Writing data for seniors and non-enrolled college graduates who stated that they intended to do graduate work in one of approximately 300 major fields. The score data are summarized into 51 broad graduate major field categories so that applicants can be compared to others likely to be most similar to them in educational goals.
• General Test Percentage Distribution of Scores Within Intended Graduate Major Field (PDF) — Contains Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing data for seniors and non-enrolled college graduates who stated that they intended to do graduate work in one of approximately 300 major fields. The score data are summarized into 300 graduate major field categories so that applicants can be compared to others likely to be most similar to them in educational goals.

Testimonials

Free Resources

PrepScholar GRE Prep

Gre prep online guides and tips, how is the gre scored, really expert guide.

The GRE can feel like a mysterious black box: your answers go in and a score comes out. But there must be more to it than that, right? Just how is the GRE scored?

As you might have guessed, the process is much more complicated than just adding up the number of questions you got right.  In order to ensure the most accurate scores, processes called adaptive testing and equating are used. Read this guide to learn what these terms mean, how they affect you, and what has to happen before you get your official GRE scores.

An Introduction to GRE Scores

Before we get into the nitty-gritty of how the GRE is scored, let’s first look at some key GRE numbers. In this section, we’ll go over the possible scores you can get on the GRE and what the average score for each section is.

After you complete the GRE, you’ll receive three scores: Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, and Analytical Writing.  Quantitative Reasoning and Verbal Reasoning both have a score scale of 130-170 , in one-point increments. Your unofficial scores for both of these sections will appear on your computer screen immediately after you finish the test.

The Analytical Writing section has a score range of 0-6 , in half-point increments. This score will be available online, along with your official scores for the other two sections, about 10-15 days after you complete the GRE. You’ll receive an email telling you to check your My GRE account once they’re available.

Based on data collected by ETS (the organization which develops and administers the GRE), the average scores for the GRE are:

• Verbal Reasoning: 150
• Quantitative Reasoning: 152
• Analytical Writing: 3.6

But where do those numbers come from? How is the GRE scored? What does ETS do to ensure the tests are fair and people don’t receive a lower score just because the test they took that day was harder than a test given last year?

Quick side note: we've created the world's leading online GRE prep program that adapts to you and your strengths and weaknesses. Not sure what to study? Confused by how to improve your score? We give you minute by minute guide.

You don't NEED a prep program to get a great GRE score. But we believe PrepScholar is the best GRE prep program available right now , especially if you find it hard to organize your study schedule and don't know what to study .

Click here to learn how you can improve your GRE score by 7 points, guaranteed .

Read on to learn each of the steps that have to happen before you receive your GRE scores. The first process we’ll be discussing is adaptive testing.

What Is Adaptive Testing? How Does It Affect You?

If you are taking the GRE on the computer (as most people do), Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning will be “section-level adaptive.”

What does this mean? On the GRE, both Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning have two sections, referred to as “measures” by the ETS.  How well you do on the first of these measures determines which questions the second measure will contain and how challenging those questions will be.  Basically, your first measure for a section will have medium-difficulty questions, and how well you do on those questions will determine if the questions in your next measure are pulled mostly from the easy, medium, or challenging question bank.

So if you only get one question wrong on the first Quantitative Reasoning measure, your second Quantitative Reasoning measure will have more challenging questions, compared to the second measure of someone who only got half the questions on the first measure correct.

The types of questions you answered incorrectly on the first measure don’t matter. If you got all the geometry questions wrong on the first measure, that doesn’t mean only geometry questions will be easier in the second measure; the only thing that matters for this is the number of questions you answered incorrectly .

Also, if you do really well on the first measure, that doesn’t mean every question in the second measure will be extremely difficult to solve. Conversely, if you don’t do very well on the first measure, the questions in the second measure won’t all be easy either. The adaptive testing just means that, in general, if you do well on the first measure, your questions on the second measure will be a bit more difficult than someone who didn’t do as well.

When you’re taking the GRE, you won’t receive any scores until the end of the exam (and those just for the entire Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning sections), so you won’t know how well you did on the first measure or which difficulty level your second measure questions are.

Adaptive testing allows more differentiation between the scores of test takers so schools and others viewing GRE scores can have a more accurate idea of how well individuals did on the exam. If you got 10/20 questions correct on the first Verbal Reasoning measure and then got a perfect 20/20 on the second measure, your final section score won’t be quite as high as someone who got 18/20 questions correct on the first measure and then 12/20 on the second measure. Even though you both ended up getting 30/40 questions correct, the person who got 18/20 questions correct on the first measure will have been given more challenging questions than you did on the second measure. The increased difficulty of these questions results in a slightly higher final score.

Adaptive testing also means that how well you do on the first measure of a section is slightly more important than how well you do on the second measure. This is because your score on the first measure affects the difficulty of the questions you get on the second measure, and you can only get a top score if your second measure questions are the highest difficulty level. However, on the whole, don’t worry about adaptive testing too much. Your goal should be to answer as many questions correctly as you can , which would be your strategy even if the GRE didn’t use adaptive testing.

How Are Raw GRE Scores Converted to Scaled Scores?

After adaptive scoring, another process comes into play before you can get your official score. Your raw score has to be converted to a scaled score (the official score you receive).

Your raw score is the number of points you earned on the exam (you get a point for each question you answer correctly, and no points are deducted for incorrect answers). However, the scores you receive for both Quantitative Reasoning and Verbal Reasoning will be between 130 and 170. Since Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning both have 40 questions each, you might assume that your final score is just 130 + the number of questions you answered correctly. While this is close, it’s not completely true.

So how are GRE scores calculated? And why can’t just the raw score be used? The process of GRE raw score conversion is known as equating. Equating is done in order to control for slight variations in difficulty between exams and specific exam questions.  First, this means that, if the GRE you took one day is slightly more difficult than a version someone took a few months ago, equating will be used to ensure that your score isn’t unfairly impacted by the more challenging exam. It’d be impossible to have every version of the GRE be exactly the same level of difficulty, so equating ensures that average scores stay consistent across different versions of the test.

Additionally, equating also controls for the difficulty of the questions you answered in the second measure of each section.  In essence, equating takes into account both how many questions you answered correctly as well as how difficult those questions were.

To look at an example like the scenario described in the adaptive testing section, if you answered 30 questions out of 40 correct on Verbal Reasoning, your score might be just a straight 160 (130 + 30), or it might be a 158 if the questions you answered were easier and/or your test as a whole was easier than average. On the other hand, your score might be, say, a 163 if the questions you answered were more difficult than average.

The exact process ETS uses for equating isn’t publicly disclosed, but, like adaptive testing, it won’t have a huge impact on your final score , and your main goal should still be to answer as many problems correctly as you can.

How Are the GRE Essays Graded?

Because they aren’t multiple choice, the two GRE essays in the Analytical Writing section go through a different scoring process than Quantitative Reasoning and Verbal Reasoning . This process is more straight-forward than the Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning scoring process, although it does involve robots (sort of).

Each essay is read by at a trained grader and given a score from 0-6. Then the essay is scored by an e-reader, a computer program developed by ETS to measure writing proficiency based on scores in multiple areas. If the human grader’s and e-reader’s scores “closely agree” (are within a point of each other), then the average of those two scores is used as the final essay score. If they disagree, a second human grader scores the essay, and the average of the two human scores is the final essay score.

To get the final Analytical Writing score, the two essay scores are averaged, and that value is rounded to the nearest half-point.

How Are Paper GREs Scored?

Most people take the GRE on the computer, but if there are no computer test centers near you, then you’ll take the GRE on paper. On page 118 of the GRE Guide to the Paper-Based Test, you can see a sample paper-based exam score scale. Looking at this will give you an idea of what your score will be based on how many questions you answer correctly, but be aware that this can vary a lot, more so than the computer-based exam.

The scoring process of paper-based GREs is similar to that for computer-based GREs, but there are a few differences.

The biggest difference is that there is no adaptive scoring because, obviously, on a paper exam, a test taker’s scores on the first measure of a section can’t be immediately graded and used to select the questions of the second measure. Instead of adaptive scoring, medium-difficulty questions are used for both measures.  Equating is still used when converting from raw scores to converted scores, and this also takes the difficulty level of the questions into account. Also, part of the purpose of equating is to ensure that the paper-based and computer-based GREs have an equal level of difficulty, so don’t worry about one test format giving you a disadvantage.

For Analytical Writing, no e-reader is used to grade the essays. Instead, two human graders are used, and, if the scores they award vary by more than one point, a third human grader is used, and the final essay score is the average of those three scores. Otherwise, scoring is the same between the paper-based and computer-based versions of the GRE.

What Does GRE Scoring Mean for You?

The process of scoring your GRE is much more than simply adding up the number of questions you answered correctly. Adaptive scoring is used to determine question difficulty and differentiate more between top-scorers. The process of converting from raw scores to scaled scores is known as equating, and it takes question difficulty into account in addition to the number of questions answered correctly. GRE essays are graded using a combination of human graders and computer programs. The process for grading paper-based GREs is similar, but there is no adaptive scoring and only human graders score the essay.

What all this means is that, first of all, you don’t need to worry if the GRE is harder or easier on the day you choose to take the exam because these differences are controlled for. Additionally, getting more questions correct in the first measure of the Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning sections will give your final scores a slight boost because of adaptive scoring. So make sure you don’t just breeze through the first questions on the test in order to get everything answered.

While the process of how the GRE is scored can seem complicated, it’s important to not worry too much about it. The best thing you can do to get a high score is answer as many questions correctly as you can, regardless of adaptive scoring and equating.

What’s Next?

Taking the GRE soon?  Get step-by-step instructions on how to register for the GRE to make sure everything is ready come exam day.

Want to improve your GRE score by 7 points?  We have the industry's leading GRE prep program. Built by world-class instructors with 99th percentile GRE scores , the program learns your strengths and weaknesses through machine learning data science, then customizes your prep program to you so you get the most effective prep possible.

Try our 5-day full access trial for free:

How much does it cost to take the GRE? Find out by reading our guide on GRE costs , and learn what hidden fees there are and how to reduce them.

Thinking about taking a GRE Subject Test? Learn everything you need to know about Subjects Tests as well as how to decide whether or not you should take one.

Ready to improve your GRE score by 7 points?

Author: Christine Sarikas

Christine graduated from Michigan State University with degrees in Environmental Biology and Geography and received her Master's from Duke University. In high school she scored in the 99th percentile on the SAT and was named a National Merit Finalist. She has taught English and biology in several countries. View all posts by Christine Sarikas

• GRE Verbal Practice
• GRE Word list
• Besk Books for GRE
• Colleges: GRE not required
• GRE Math Test -1
• GRE Registration
• Free TOEFL Tests
• Sample TOEFL Test - 1
• TOEFL Dates & Fees
• Best Books for TOEFL

• Study in USA
• Study in UK
• Study in Canada
• Study in Australia
• Study in Europe
• Study in Germany
• Study in France
• Engineering
• Top Engineering Colleges
• Top Business Schools
• Top Economics Programs
• Universities in USA
• Online Universities
• Student visa - USA
• Student visa - Canada
• Student visa - UK
• Student visa - Australia
• Student visa - France
• Student visa - Germany
• High Paying Certificate Courses
• Psychology as a Career
• Zoology as a Career
• Biotechnology
• Statement of purpose
• Transfer Credits
• Fall vs Spring
• Low GRE score
• Advanced Placement

Compare old GRE score to new GRE score

About gre - complete information, gre or gmat, gre quantitative, gre analytical writing.

Log in or sign up

Decoding the GRE to GMAT Conversion in 2024: What you Need to Know!

Link Copied

Share on WhatsApp

Share on Twitter

Share on LinkedIn

Did you know you can convert your GRE to GMAT score? We will tell you how in this blog. First, let’s look at what is GRE and GMAT are. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a multiple-choice, computer-based exam that is required to get admission to graduate and graduate business programs. The Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT), on the other hand, is also computer-based that assesses your analytical and quantitative reasoning skills. Now, let’s dive into the ways to convert the GRE to GMAT score.

GRE to GMAT Score Conversion

Many universities accept the GRE to GMAT conversion scores, so if you’re thinking of going for a GRE to GMAT score conversion, you can without any worries. Primarily, the GMAT exam was used by business schools, and a wider range of programs, such as engineering and social sciences, accepted the GRE. Also, you cannot directly convert your GRE to GMAT score as both the exams measure different content. In this blog, we will take you through the process of GRE to GMAT score conversion.

GRE to GMAT Score Conversion Formula

Wondering what the GRE to GMAT score conversion formula is? The score for conversion GRE to GMAT is done using multiple regression equations. Below is the GRE to GMAT score conversion formula:

GMAT Total Score = 6.30*GRE Verbal Reasoning Score + 10.62*GRE Quantitative Reasoning Score - 2080.75.

How are GRE and GMAT scores reported?

There are a few ways of reporting the GRE and GMAT scores. These include:

Score Reporting

The GMAT exam is usually the preferred choice for business schools to evaluate students for admission into graduate management programs. But, in order to expand the applicant pool, many of the business schools now accept GRE scores. There are a few differences between the two exams. These include:

1. Format: The GRE has three sections, including quantitative ability (130-170), verbal ability (130-170), and analytical writing (0-6 in 0.5-point increments). The three sections in GMAT include quantitative reasoning (60-90), verbal reasoning (60-90), and data insights (60-90).  2. Total Score: In the GRE, the total score is 340 (170 + 170), and in the GMAT, it is 205-805 (scaled from all three sections). 3. Adaptiveness: GRE is section adaptive, and GMAT is question adaptive. 4. Test Time: The GRE test time is 1 hour 58 minutes, while the GMAT test time is 2 hours 15 minutes.

For GRE, the quantitative and verbal scores are reported separately, and the range is 130-170. These scores are added to get the cumulative GRE score. While, in GMAT, the verbal and quant scores are reported separately and then scaled to calculate the cumulative GMAT score.

Comparison of Raw and Scaled Scores

The ETS has developed a score comparison tool that easily converts the GRE score to GMAT. With the tool, you can predict the GMAT total, quantitative, and verbal scores using the GRE verbal reasoning and quantitative reasoning scores.  

Percentile Scores

You get percentile scores on both your GRE and GMAT score reports. The report shows the percentage of test-takers who obtain a score lower than the specified score. Do keep in mind that you cannot directly compare the percentile scores as there are significant differences in the applicant pool who take each test. 

GRE to GMAT Score Conversion Chart

The GRE to GMAT score conversion chart helps you easily read the scoring data for both exams. Now, let’s look at a few GRE to GMAT score conversion charts. 

GRE to Classic GMAT Chart

Below is the GRE to GMAT score conversion chart based on the data offered by GRE’s comparison tool:

GRE to GMAT Focus (GFE) Score Conversion Chart

Below is the table that showcases a rough comparison using GMAC’s, the maker of GMAT, GCE to GFE conversion table, along with the GRE to GCE table above to get a GRE to GMAT score conversion. Have a look:

Average GRE vs GMAT Scores at the Top Universities

In the table below, we’ve laid down the average GRE and GMAT scores at the top 10 business schools.

Hope this blog helped you gain insights into the GRE to GMAT score conversion. Though the GRE to GMAT score conversion offers a rough estimate of how your scores compare between the GRE and GMAT, it is essential to keep in mind that both exams are different and follow distinct formats and scoring systems. Since some business universities accept either GRE or GMAT scores, understanding the conversion will help you decide which test to take based on your strengths and requirements. Also, do keep in mind that focusing on GRE preparation and GMAT preparation instead of how to convert the GRE to GMAT score will help you achieve success in these exams.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the gre and the gmat, and which one should i take, what do gmat score and percentile mean, do business schools prefer the gmat over the gre, which is harder, the gre or the gmat, what is a good gre and gmat score, resources for gre.

Other exams for international students

Explore what is TOEFL in 2024: Your Ultimate Guide! Discover exam dates, eligibility criteria, fees, results, exam patterns and more. Everything you need in one place!

What is GMAT? GMAT, also known as the Graduate Management Admission Test, is an MCQ-based test. Read more about exam dates, eligibility, registration, exam fees and much more.

The IELTS is known as the International English Language Testing System. It is the most widely taken English language proficiency test taken for study, work, and migration.

Looking forward to the upcoming SAT exam? Know everything about the SAT exam, like eligibility, registration, fees, exam pattern, syllabus, important dates and many more!

Simplify Post-Exam Moves with Amber. Book now!

Your ideal student accommodation is a few steps away! Please fill in your details below so we can find you a new home!

We have got your response

Related articles.

GRE Analytical Writing Tips and Strategies You Wish You Knew

Ace Your Scores With the Best Tips for GRE Verbal Reasoning!

GRE Reading Test Tips & Strategies

A Guide to GRE Scholarships in 2024

GRE Quantitative Reasoning - Complete Explanation

amber © 2023. All rights reserved.

4.8/5 on Trustpilot

Rated as "Excellent" • 4700+ Reviews by Students

GRE Percentile: Score Conversion, Good GRE Score and Tips

• GRE Score Sending
• GRE Score Range
• GRE AWA Score
• GRE To Gmat Conversion
• GRE Score Card
• GRE Score Calculator
• GRE Sentence Equivalence
• GRE Text Completion
• GRE Algebra
• GRE Arithmetic
• GRE Geometry
• GRE Data Analysis
• GRE Vocabulary
• GRE Syllabus
• GRE Quant Reasoning
• GRE General Test
• GRE Subject Test
• GRE Reading Comprehension
• GRE Grammar Preparation
• GRE Coaching In Hyderabad
• GRE Coaching In Kolkata
• GRE Online Coaching
• GRE Classes In Pune
• GRE Coaching In Delhi
• GRE Coaching In Bangalore
• Best GRE Coaching India
• Best Book For GRE Verbal
• GRE Preparation Books
• GRE Study Plan
• GRE Preparation Time
• GRE Verbal Tips
• GRE Self Preparation
• GRE AWA Books
• GRE Test Centres
• GRE Score Validity
• GRE Eligibility
• GRE Exam Dates
• GRE Scholarships
• GRE Verbal Practice Paper
• GRE Quant Practice Paper
• AWA Practice GRE
• GRE for USA
• GRE for Germany
• GRE Cutoff For MIT

Zollege Team

Content Curator | Updated On - Dec 8, 2023

GRE percentile is the score percentage of candidates who scored lower than a certain score in the exam. A candidate’s GRE percentile score of 85% , means that the student scored better than 85% of the test takers . The GRE Percentile depends on the number of questions correctly answers by the candidate. The GRE scores are compared with the scores of other candidates to get the GRE percentile.

The raw scores in GRE score are the number of questions answered correctly. The scaled scores range from 130-170. Scaled scores are evaluated with a process called Equating that is based on the level of difficulty of the attempted question. GRE test is a section-level computer-adaptive test for Quant and Verbal sections. Hence, some questions may have more weightage than others in GRE percentiles ETS.

• Raw score - The number of questions answered correctly.
• Scaled score - The raw score is converted to bring the GRE score range between 130-170

To understand what percentile a candidate can get, understanding the GRE score is very necessary. The score for GRE AWA ranges from 0 to 6 with a half-point increment. GRE Verbal and GRE Quantitative Reasoning score ranges from 130 to 170 with a one-point increment . Once the marks are out, these are converted into GRE percentiles. The GRE percentile conversion are provided below.

• Raw Score to Scaled Score Conversion
• Percentiles and Scores Conversion 2.1  Quantitative Percentile 2.2  Verbal Percentile 2.3  AWA Percentile
• Score Range Percentile

Most Common GRE Percentiles

Tips to improve gre percentile, gre raw score to scaled score conversion.

GRE percentiles ETS uses a method known as equating to make the scaled score precise and balanced for evaluation. Candidates must understand Raw score and scaled score before understanding GRE percentile. The conversion of GRE scores and percentiles are.

GRE Percentiles and Scores Conversion

The GRE score validity is for 5 years. The GRE score percentile helps to understand the competitive scoring with other candidates. The best percentile for GRE is 99% which is a score of 169-170 in one section. Similarly, a GRE score of 320 is considered 80 percentile or above. GRE percentile is a reflection of how well the candidate did as compared to other test takers. The GRE percentile to GRE score conversion as per the various sections are provided.

GRE Quantitative Percentile

The GRE score range of Quantitative section ranges from 130-170. A score of 169 in GRE quantitative is 97th percentile. The GRE Quantitative Score to Percentile conversion are:

GRE Verbal Percentile

The GRE Verbal section also ranges from 10-170 . For example, a score of 153 on GRE Verbal is 60 percentiles when converted. The GRE score range percentiles calculations are:

GRE AWA Percentile

The GRE AWA sections are scored by experienced readers on a scale of 6 . The examiner reads the writing of the candidate and gives a mark like 4 or 4.5 depending on the quality of the text. This is then converted to GRE percentile by score. A good score in GRE AWA is 5-6 which means that the candidate has good writing skills. The GRE analytical writing percentiles conversion are:

GRE Score Range Percentile

A good GRE percentiles scores depends on the GRE requirements of the university applying for. Candidates must check the scores and try to score more than the cutoff score . A good GRE score is anything above 80 percentiles. GRE Verbal Reasoning score of 159 or a Quantitative Reasoning score of 163 would place the candidate around 80th percentiles respectively. Anything above 80th or 90th percentile, candidates can get placed in most global universities.

The GRE Percentile changes every year as per the results of the test takers. The GRE percentile calculator helps to give the percentile score from scaled scores. Some of the most common average GRE percentiles as per the test takers are as follows.

Candidates can improve their GRE Score percentiles by following the tips shared below:

• Students must understand the grading system of GRE test
• Time management skills are important to pace up the preparation
• Create a personalized Study Program
• Follow templates to answer AWA essays
• Expand the vocabulary
• Understand the adaptive nature of the test
• Candidates must practice by using GRE sample papers

The GRE score percentile depends on the number of test takers and performance of the candidate. The better the score, they receive more GRE percentile marks. The GRE percentile helps to understand how better a candidate is as compared to others.

Ques. What is the 95% percentile for the GRE?

Ans . A score of 165 and above in GRE Verbal and GRE Quantitative is 95% percentile for the GRE exam. The scores might vary as a result of a combination of previous 3 years test results of GRE.

Ques. What percentile is a 340 GRE score?

Ans . The GRE score of 340 is 99th percentile. The highest scores of GRE verbal and GRE Quantitative sections are 170. Candidates receiving the highest score are considered among 99 th percentile.

Ques. What is a good GRE score percentile?

Ans . For most universities, a good GRE score is anything above 75-80 percentile. Scores above 157 in Verbal Reasoning and 162 in Quantitative Reasoning is considered a good score.

Ques. What percentile is 309 on GRE?

Ans . The average score for Quantitative reasoning is 150.37, Verbal reasoning is 153.66, and Analytical writing is 3.60. Thus, the total score will be 303 (45th Percentile). So, a GRE score of 309 is an average score.

Ques. Is 270 a good GRE score?

Ans . A score of 270 in GRE is not a good score. Most universities accept GRE scores of 300 and above. Candidates getting 270 in GRE must prepare well to get a good GRE score.

Ques. Is 307 a good GRE score?

Ans . 307 is considered to be an average GRE score. Candidates have the chance of getting admission to the university. Most colleges accept scores of 300 and above in GRE.

Ques. Is 315 a low GRE score?

Ans . Yes, 315 is considered an average GRE score. In most universities or top-50 schools, a good GRE score is in the mid-to-high 150s on both sections. Hence, anything above 300 is accepted by universities.

Ques. Is 295 a good GRE score?

Ans . A score of 295 is not considered a good GRE score. The top universities require a score of 320 and above. However, candidates can get admission to some universities with a score of 295 in GRE.

Ques. What is a respectable score in GRE?

Ans . A score of 310 and above is considered a respectable score in GRE. Candidates can apply to top colleges and universities with a score of 310.

Ques. Is 80% good on the GRE?

Ans . Yes, 80% is good on GRE because the candidate is better than 80% of the test takers of that year. A score of 75th percentile is a pretty good GRE score, and a 90th percentile is an excellent one.

*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.

Ask your question

UNIVERSITIES/COLLEGES IN USA

UNIVERSITIES/COLLEGES IN CANADA

UNIVERSITIES/COLLEGES IN UK

GRE Overview

GRE Exam Pattern

GRE Preparation

GRE Application Process

GRE Sample Papers