GRE Scores

How is the GRE scored?

The GRE is a graduate school exam conducted by ETS. It is usually used by various schools as a means for admission to the graduate programs. If you want to enroll in your preferred program, you must know the minimum requirements for the GRE. Moreover, understanding the GRE scoring is essential because you’ll know the scores that you should aim for in order to pass or get the highest GRE score. 

The ETS GRE scores have different ranges based on the different sections of the General Test. The Verbal and Quantitative Reasonings both have a GRE test score range of 130 to 170 in 1 point increments. Analytical Writing, on the one hand, is scored using a human rater and an e-rater. These raters use the 6-point holistic scale for each of the essays. 

For the GRE Subject Tests, each of them has scores that range from 200 to 990 in 10-point increments. Your scores shall be based on the number of questions that you have correctly answered. Moreover, the scores are independently calculated from each subject test.  

How do GRE scores work?

Depending on your GRE score report, you’ll be able to determine whether you are academically ready to enter into graduate programs or business school programs. When you look at your scores, you need to take note of your GRE scale. It is because they will be considered as indicators of your GRE percentiles. 

Your GRE score percentiles will show your rank in comparison to those who have taken the test. Getting scores that will give you a higher rank will be advantageous to you since more institutions would accept your admission.

If you want to know what are the score ranges you should remember, check out the tables below. It is the latest score report of a percentage of test-takers who took the GRE General Test between July 1, 2015, and June 30, 2018.

GRE Score Scale	Verbal Reasoning Percentile	Quantitative Reasoning Percentile
170	99	96
169	99	95
168	98	93
167	98	90
166	97	89
165	96	86
164	94	84
163	93	82
162	90	79
161	88	76
160	86	73
159	83	70
158	80	67
157	76	64
156	73	60
155	68	56
154	64	53
153	60	49
152	54	45
151	51	41
150	46	37
149	41	34
148	37	30
147	33	26
146	29	23
145	26	19
144	22	16
143	19	13
142	16	11
141	14	9
140	11	7
139	9	6
138	8	4
137	6	3
136	4	2
135	3	2
134	2	1
133	2	1
132	1	1
131	1	1
130	1	1

Score Levels	Analytical Writing Percentile
6	99
5.5	98
5	92
4.5	81
4	57
3.5	39
3	15
2.5	7
2	2
1.5	1
1	1
0.5	1
0	1

Based on ETS’ official website, the tables below show the GRE Subject Tests performance information from July 1, 2015 and June 30, 2018.  

Subject Test	Number of Test Takers	Mean	Standard Deviation
Biology	3,560	670	120
Chemistry	9,158	690	118
Literature in English	3, 763	543	102
Mathematics	15,305	661	147
Physics	20,700	712	160
Psychology	12,668	618	106

How long does it take to get GRE scores?

For the computer-delivered GRE General Test, you may get your GRE results through your ETS Account. It will be available and sent to the designated institutions 10 to 15 days after your test date.

The paper-delivered tests shall also be available in your ETS Account  and sent to the respective institutions within 5 weeks after your test date.

How long are GRE scores valid?

If you have taken the test on or after July 1, 2016, your scores shall be reportable for 5 years following your test date. For those that were taken before July 1, 2016, your scores are reportable for 5 years following the year in which you took the test. Lastly, if you obtained your scores before July 2014, then those are no longer reportable. 

.It takes at least 5 business days to process your request to send GRE scores. That’s why if you want to send your scores at your preferred institution, then you must take note of the date that you will receive your official scores. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best ways to score higher in GRE?

One of the ways you can score higher is with the help of practice tests. It’s one of the most effective ways of preparing for the GRE tests. It will help you review the topics, and it’ll help you know the test format.        

What is the total score for the GRE?

The GRE max score or highest GRE total score that you can get is 340. This is a combination of your scores in the different sections of the GRE General Test. But, your score report usually contains separate scores. It is because most graduate schools are interested in some sections more so than the others.       

What do you have to do to get a perfect score on the GRE?

To get a perfect GRE score wouldn’t be too impossible if you studied and prepared in advance. You have a lot of time to get ready for the upcoming admissions test. You need to be able to discipline yourself and stay away from distractions. You can also use test preps, study guides, and other materials that will help ease you through your review.