GRE Scoring System
The GRE consists of five scored sections: one Analytical Writing section, two Verbal Reasoning sections, and two Quantitative Reasoning sections. When you take the GRE, you will receive the following scores:
- Analytical Writing score
- Verbal Reasoning Score
- Quantitative Reasoning score
- Total GRE score (combination of Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning scores)
The Analytical Writing section is scored separately from the rest of the exam. This section is scored on a scale of 0-6 in 0.5-point increments. You will not receive your Analytical Writing score until approximately 8-10 days after completing the exam, as it takes time for your essay to be read and scored.
Each essay is scored by at least one trained human reader and by the “e-rater” program developed by Educational Testing Service (ETS), the creator of the GRE. The e-rater is capable of identifying essay features related to writing proficiency. If the human and the e-rater scores are similar to one anoter, the average of the two scores is used as the final score. If the computer and human score disagree, a second human reads and scores the essay, and the final score is the average of the two human scores.
For students who are concerned about how their essays will be graded, ETS offers score level descriptions on their website to describe general scoring categories and also features a selection of sample essays from real GRE tests, along with their scores and an explanation of how the writing was judged.
The Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections of the GRE are scored on a scale of 130-170 in 1-point increments. Total GRE scores fall in a range of 260-340. You will receive your unofficial Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Total GRE scores immediately after completing the GRE. Official scores are generally available within 8-10 days, and you will receive an email from ETS when your official scores are ready. If you elected to send your scores to graduate, law, or business programs, your scores will be sent within 8-10 days of completing the exam.
Computer Adaptive Testing
The GRE is a computer adaptive test at the section level, which means that your performance on the first Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections determines the difficulty of your second Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections. If you perform well on the first Quantitative Reasoning section, for example, you will receive more difficult questions on the second section. If you perform poorly on the first Quantitative Reasoning section, you will be given less challenging questions on the second section.
While some online forums suggest that students intentionally perform poorly on their first Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections in order to receive easier questions on their second sections, test prep professionals caution that this is a mistake. With more challenging questions, you have the chance of obtaining a higher score, making those first sections particularly important. The best way of attaining a high score is to always do your very best on every section of the GRE.
Types of Scores on the GRE
There are two different types of scores on the GRE, and it can be helpful to know the differences between them.
- Raw score: this is equal to the number of test questions you answer correctly. You do not lose points for incorrect answers on the GRE; rather, you earn them for correct answers. Each question in a section either contributes or does not contribute to your raw score.
- Scaled score: raw scores are converted into scaled scores for each section, and scaled scores are the scores reported to graduate, law, or business programs. Raw scores are converted to scaled scores through a process known as “equating.”
Equating is intended to compensate for variations in the difficulty level across different versions and administrations of the GRE, as well as the individual test differentiations due to the computer adaptive algorithm. Thus, a scaled section score is meant to reflect a particular level of performance regardless of when the test was taken or how the sections were adapted.
What Counts as a “Good” GRE Score?
When it comes to figuring out what is considered a “good” GRE score, the most important factor is the programs to which you will be applying. Each program is different: some place more emphasis on Verbal Reasoning scores while others are more focused on Quantitative Reasoning scores. Graduate programs focused on the arts, humanities, or social sciences tend to focus more on Verbal Reasoning scores whereas programs specializing in computers/technology, mathematics, engineering, and the physical sciences place a greater weight on Quantitative Reasoning scores.
In general, a “good” score is one that falls at or above the 75th percentile. This means a score of 158 or higher for Verbal Reasoning, a score of 167 or higher for Quantitative Reasoning, a score of 318 or higher for the GRE Total score, and a score of 4.5 or higher on the Analytical Writing task.
When it comes to law schools, there may be slightly more of an emphasis on Verbal Reasoning and Analytical Writing scores, but this varies between schools. In general, Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning scores that fall between 155-170, as well as an Analytical Writing score of 4.5 or higher, are considered “good” to “strong” scores for law school applicants. To be a very competititive law school applicant, aim for scores at the 90th percentile (162-163 or higher for Verbal Reasoning, 168-169 or higher for Quantitative Reasoning, 330 or higher for Total GRE score, and a 5 or higher on the Analytical Writing task).
With regards to business schools, Quantitative Reasoning scores may be of greater importance than Verbal Reasoning scores, but this depends heavily upon the individual school. In general, a Total GRE score of 325 or higher is considered “good,” with a score of 330 or higher being considered “competitive” for the most elite MBA programs. Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning scores above 160 are considered “strong” for the most elite programs, as is an Analytical Writing score of 5 or higher.
Of course, what counts as a “good” score also depends heavily on the competitiveness of the programs you are applying to. The more elite and prestigious the program, the higher your Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Total GRE score will need to be. What is considered a high score at a state university graduate program may be considered an average score at an Ivy League university graduate program. Since a good score is the score that gets you accepted, it’s worth taking the time to understand the range of GRE scores achieved by candidates who were successfully accepted to your programs of interest.
The best way to know the scores you should be aiming for is to do your research; you can easily find out the range of GRE scores among accepted students in a given program by performing a simple online search. You can also email the admissions department of individual programs and ask for additional information on expected GRE scores.
Practice Tests
In order to be as prepared as possible on the day of your exam, you should study for the GRE in a consistent and organized manner. Practice tests are a wonderful way of increasing your familiarity with the exam, as well as strengthening your time-management skills.
Manhattan Review offers one free practice test to all prospective students and additional tests to students who enroll in one of our test prep programs. Enrolled students may retake the test as many times as you like to practice any issues that trouble you, and you can also rewrite your essay to perfect your systematic approach to writing.
ETS makes the prompts that you will encounter on the Analytical Writing section freely available to students, so while the prompt you receive on test day will be chosen randomly, you can familiarize yourself with it ahead of time to have an idea of how you wish to structure your essay.
ETS also offers a service called “Scoreitnow!” that allows students to select two prompts, write and submit two Analytical Writing essays, and receive scores and diagnostic feedback for only $20. Those who utilize this service also have the option of completing and submitting six more essays for scoring at no additional charge.
Conclusion
It is important to understand the scoring system of the GRE before taking the exam, so you know exactly how to maximize your chance of achieving your highest scores across the Analytical Writing, Verbal Reasoning, and Quantitative Reasoning sections. There are many resources available to help you improve your scores, and the more practice tests you take, the more opportunities you will have to correct and learn from your mistakes. Take the time to understand the GRE scores you need to be considered a competitive applicant at the programs you plan on applying to and then work towards achieving those scores, whether through your own study or with the assistance of experienced test prep professionals.