GRE scores are based on percentile ranks. We will help to understand your GRE score and how it is scored.
What is the GRE score?
GRE score refers to the sum of all marks received on the GRE exam. GRE scores are important in screening schools for acceptance. GRE test scores are different for each type.
The GRE score you get will depend on the school to which you apply. Check out the average GRE score for top graduate schools programs to help you prepare.
GRE Scores – General Test
The GRE General Test consists of three sections:
- How well can I think and use language?
- Analyzing and interpreting numerical data
- Investigatory Writing
In this section, the student is evaluated on their ability to read and make conclusions from passages. This section has a score range between 130 to 170. One-point increments are allowed.
Quantitative Analysis: This section tests a student's ability and understanding to interpret and analyze numerical information. This section has a score range between 130 to 170. One-point increments are allowed.
Analytical Write: This section tests the student's analytical and critical thinking skills. This section scores between 0-6, with increments of 1/2 point.
|
Section |
Score | Increases |
|---|---|---|
| Reasoning with words | 130 -170 | 1 Point Increasements |
| Evaluating data using numerical methods | 130 -170 | 1 Point Increasements |
| Analysing Writing | 0 – 6 | 0.5 Point Increasements |
How the GRE Tests are Scored – General Questions
Sections for Quantitative and Verbal Reasoning
The verbal reasoning/quantitative reasoning section scores are determined by students' performance on the questions. This section's scores are section-level adaptive. The computer determines which section to use based upon the performance of the previous section. All questions contribute equally towards the overall score.
A raw score is the total number of correct answers. This score is calculated for each measure. The raw score for each measure can then be converted into a scaled scoring system, taking into account differences in difficulty levels as well as minor variations between test editions. The scores are reported on 130-170 score scales. If the question remains unanswered, an NS is reported.
| Scaled Scoring | Verbal Reasoning Rank | Quantitative Thinking Percentile Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 165-170 | 96-99 | 86-96 |
| 160-165 | 86-96 | 73-86 |
| 155-160 | 68-86 | 56-73 |
| 150-155 | 46-68 | 37-56 |
| 145-150 | 26-46 | 19-37 |
| 140-145 | 11-26 | 7-19 |
| 135-140 | 3-11 | 2-7 |
| 130-135 | 1-3 | 1-2 |
Section on Analytical writing
Each essay question in the analytical writing section is used to calculate the score. A trained reader assigns scores between 0 and 6 to each essay in the analytical section. The score is assigned by trained readers based upon the quality of the essay as it responds to the given task. ETS develops a computerized program to score essays based upon writing proficiency.
If both the reader's and e rater's scores are close together, the final score is equal to the sum of their respective scores. If scores aren't in the same range, an additional reader will score the essay and the final score will be the sum of the two scores.
Rounding the average scores of both essays produces an analytical writing score in increments 0.5 points. If the scores of both essays are not answered, an N (No Score) report is made.
| Score |
Percentile for Analytical Writing |
|---|---|
| 6.0 | 99 |
| 5.5 | 97 |
| 5.0 | 91 |
| 4.5 | 79 |
| 4.0 | 54 |
| 3.5 | 37 |
| 3.0 | 13 |
| 2.5 | 6 |
| 2.0 | 2 |
| 1.5 | 1 |
| 1.0 | – |
| 0.5 | – |
| 0 | – |
Average GRE General Test scores
Based on GRE General Test results from students who took it between June 30, 2021 and July 1, 2017, the average GRE General Test score is:
- Verbal Reasoning – One Hundred and Fifty Point Sixty-One
- The numerical value of quantitative reasoning is 154.34.
- Analytical writing – 3.60
GRE Scores – Subject Tests
GRE Subject Tests (paper-delivered) are conducted up to three (3) times a year at different test centers. Each subject test is regularly updated by a committee that includes active teachers from each discipline. These tests assess the student's achievements in four subjects.
- Chemistry
- Math
- The study of the physical universe and its components.
- Psychology
Chemistry The test covers approximately 130 topics, including inorganic, organic, and physical chemicals (30%).
Mathematics – There are approximately 66 questions in the mathematics test. These include topics like calculus (50%) and algebra (25%), as well as other mathematics areas such as discrete mathematics, algorithmic process, differential equations.
Physics: This physics test contains approximately 100 questions about topics such as classical mechanics (20%) and electromagnetism (18%). Optics and wave phenomena (10%) and thermodynamics (6%), statistical mechanics (10%) and quantum mechanics (12%).
Psychology The psychological chemistry test covers approximately 205 topics on biology (17-21%) cognitive (17-24%) social (12-14%) development (12-14%) and clinical (15-19%).
| Subject Tests | Score Range | Subscores Range |
|---|---|---|
| Chemistry | 200-990, 10 point increments | – |
| Numbers and their relationships | 200-990, 10 point increments | – |
| The study of matter, energy, and the interactions between them. | 200-990, 10 point increments | 20-99, 1 Point increment |
| Psychology | 200-990, 10 point increments | 20-99, 1 Point increment |
How the GRE test scores are calculated – Subject Tests
GRE Subject Test scores range from 200 to 990 with increments of 10 points. Physics and Psychology Subject tests have subscores that are calculated on a 20-99 scoring scale. Each increment is one point. The number of correct answers determines each subject's test score. Each test is independently calculated. In order to account for variations in difficulty and minor differences between test editions, the total number of correct answers is converted into a scaled score.
|
Scaled Scoring |
Chemistry | Maths | The study of matter and energy and the interactions between them. | Psychology |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 980 | – | – | 95 | – |
| 960 | 99 | 97 | 92 | – |
| 940 | 99 | 96 | 88 | – |
| 920 | 98 | 95 | 85 | – |
| 900 | 86 | 94 | 81 | — |
| 880 | 94 | 81 | 78 | – |
| 860 | 90 | 87 | 74 | – |
| 840 | 86 | 83 | 70 | – |
| 820 | 81 | 79 | 67 | 99 |
| 800 | 77 | 75 | 64 | 97 |
| 780 | 71 | 72 | 61 | 95 |
| 760 | 66 | 67 | 58 | 91 |
| 740 | 61 | 64 | 54 | 86 |
| 720 | 56 | 60 | 51 | 79 |
| 700 | 50 | 56 | 47 | 72 |
| 680 | 44 | 52 | 43 | 64 |
| 660 | 39 | 49 | 39 | 56 |
| 640 | 34 | 44 | 36 | 49 |
| 620 | 28 | 40 | 32 | 43 |
| 600 | 24 | 36 | 28 | 36 |
| 580 | 19 | 32 | 24 | 31 |
| 560 | 15 | 27 | 20 | 26 |
| 540 | 12 | 23 | 16 | 22 |
| 520 | 9 | 19 | 12 | 18 |
| 500 | 6 | 15 | 9 | 14 |
| 480 | 5 | 11 | 7 | 11 |
| 460 | 3 | 8 | 4 | 9 |
| 440 | 2 | 6 | 3 | 6 |
| 420 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 5 |
| 400 | – | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| 380 | – | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 360 | – | 1 | – | 1 |
| 340 | – | – | – | 1 |
| 200-320 | – | – | – | – |
Average GRE Subject Test scores
Based on GRE Subject Test results from students who took it between June 30, 2021 and July 1, 2017, the average GRE Subject Test score is:
- Chemical science – 692
- Math – 668
- The branch of science that deals with matter and energy and their interactions is known as Physics.
- Mental Health – 622
Chart of GRE scores
After approximately 10 to 15 working days, the official GRE score chart can be found in the student's ETS Account. ETS will notify students via email when the score chart is available. Here are the following details:
- The candidate's personal information, such as name and residence.
- Test date
- Course taken
- GRE Test Score and Percentile
- Recipients of authorized scores
- A record of all the scores for the past five years
GRE scores or results are valid for five year from the date of test. The GRE scores, for example, are valid until the 17th of January 2023 if the test was taken.
Frequently Asked Question
What is the score of the GRE Subject Tests?
The subject's score is determined by how many correct answers were received. These scores are then converted into a scaled score. GRE Subject Tests have a scoring range of 200 to 990. Each subject is scored in 10-point increments. The Psychology and Physics Subject Exams have subscores that are calculated on a 20 to 99 score scale. These scores can be incremented by one point.
What date will my GRE scores be available?
Within 10-15 days of your test date, the official GRE scores will be available on the ETS account.
What is the GRE General Score Report?
Three sections make up the GRE General Test score sheet. These are verbal and quantitative reasoning scores (130 – 170 score range), and analytical writing scores (0 – 6 score levels).
How long is the GRE score valid?
GRE scores or results are valid for five year from the date of test. The GRE scores, for example, are valid until the 17th of January 2023 if the test was taken.
Which section has the lowest and highest score?
The quantitative and verbal reasoning sections have the lowest scores of 130 and 170 respectively. The quantitative and verbal reasoning sections have the highest scores of 340 and 260 respectively.
What does it mean to have a high GRE score?
A score of 75th percentile for Quantitative Reasoning and Verbal Reasoning is a score that is higher than 75%. An average score of 5.0 is good for the Analytical writing section.
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