GRE Scoring Guide: Understanding Your Score & Percentiles
Everything you need to know about GRE scoring, from raw scores to percentiles and what scores top programs are looking for.
260-340
Total Score Range
306
Average Score
320+
Top MBA Programs
How GRE Scoring Works
Score Components
Verbal Reasoning
- • Score Range: 130-170 (in 1-point increments)
- • Tests: Reading comprehension, text completion, sentence equivalence
- • Sections: 2 sections, 20 questions each, 30 minutes per section
Quantitative Reasoning
- • Score Range: 130-170 (in 1-point increments)
- • Tests: Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, data analysis
- • Sections: 2 sections, 20 questions each, 35 minutes per section
Analytical Writing
- • Score Range: 0-6 (in 0.5-point increments)
- • Tasks: Analyze an issue (30 min), Analyze an argument (30 min)
- • Scored by: One human reader + one computer program (e-rater)
GRE Score Percentiles (2024)
Verbal Reasoning Percentiles
| Score | Percentile |
|---|---|
| 170 | 99th |
| 165 | 95th |
| 160 | 85th |
| 155 | 67th |
| 150 | 46th |
| 145 | 26th |
Quantitative Reasoning Percentiles
| Score | Percentile |
|---|---|
| 170 | 96th |
| 165 | 84th |
| 160 | 67th |
| 155 | 48th |
| 150 | 29th |
| 145 | 14th |
Combined Score Percentiles
90th Percentile:
328+ (164V + 164Q)
80th Percentile:
322+ (161V + 161Q)
50th Percentile:
306 (153V + 153Q)
GRE Score Requirements by Program Type
MBA Programs
Business schools accepting GRE scores
Top 10 MBA Programs: 325-330 average (163V, 164Q)
Top 25 MBA Programs: 320-325 average (160V, 162Q)
Top 50 MBA Programs: 315-320 average (157V, 160Q)
Note: Over 90% of business schools now accept GRE scores. Some schools use the ETS GRE Comparison Tool to convert GRE to GMAT equivalent scores.
Engineering Programs
Emphasis on quantitative scores
MIT/Stanford/Berkeley: 155V, 167Q minimum
Top 20 Programs: 153V, 165Q average
AWA Requirement: 3.5+ recommended
Humanities/Social Sciences
Emphasis on verbal scores
Ivy League Programs: 165V, 155Q average
Top 20 Programs: 160V, 152Q average
AWA Requirement: 4.5+ highly valued
Score Validity and Reporting
Score Validity Period
GRE scores are valid for 5 years from your test date.
ScoreSelect® Option
- • On test day: Send scores for free to up to 4 schools
- • After test day: $35 per score report
- • Choose which scores to send if you've taken the test multiple times
Score Availability
- • Unofficial Verbal and Quant scores: Immediately after test
- • Official scores (including AWA): 10-15 days after test
- • Scores sent to schools: Within 5 days of score release
Retaking the GRE
- • Can retake once every 21 days
- • Maximum 5 times within any 12-month period
- • Most students improve 2-5 points on retake
Tips for Score Improvement
Verbal Score Improvement
- • Build vocabulary: 20 new words daily
- • Read academic articles regularly
- • Master text completion strategies
- • Practice active reading techniques
- • Focus on context clues
Quant Score Improvement
- • Review fundamental concepts
- • Practice mental math
- • Master data interpretation
- • Use the on-screen calculator wisely
- • Focus on common trap answers
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