What is a Good GRE Score? Tips to Achieve Your Target Score

The most frequently asked question during GRE preparation is “What is a good GRE score?”. It becomes clear when one realizes that this can have a different meaning for different programs or universities; hence, it is important to know what makes a good score. After all, a good score keeps the door open to the world’s best graduate schools and scholarships. This blog will discuss how good GRE scores vary, the scoring system, and some points for achieving one’s target GRE score.

Why Does Your GRE Score Matter?

The Graduate Record Examination, commonly known as the GRE, is an international test considered a referendum for graduate schools and various other professional institutions. It examines your skills and knowledge in verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, analytical writing, and critical thinking for academic achievement.

A good GRE score is important for the admissions committees to see how well you measure up to undertake rigorous graduate study. A better score can help an applicant achieve greater heights in the most competitive programs and win scholarships. So, a proper understanding of how your score relates to all your academic goals is the first step to take. 

Understanding GRE Score 

The GRE score is a significant marker of your academic abilities and is therefore important in your graduate application. Thus, answering the question, “What is a good GRE score?”, requires an understanding of how the sections of the examination function as well as the scoring system.

1. Sections of the GRE 

Knowing each section of the GRE will help a candidate reach their target GRE score and also make them understand what is a good GRE score. Understanding the types of sections and how they are scored will enable one to know what to focus on. You can also check out our study abroad program to get expert help and guidance for taking the GRE.

As such, here are the sections of the GRE exam:

• Verbal Reasoning: Assesses the ability to analyze and evaluate written materials, such as understanding relationships among words and concepts, as well as the meaning of words in context.
• Quantitative Reasoning: Examines one’s problem-solving abilities in arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis.
• Analytical Writing: Evaluates one’s natural ability to convey complex ideas clearly and precisely, and provide a well-reasoned argument. 
• Research Section: This is an experimental section used for research purposes by ETS; such a section will not be included in scoring for test purposes but may occur in the test.

Also Read: GRE Exam Pattern

2. How Are GRE Scores Calculated?

The process of calculating GRE scores consists of applying a combination of section scores and a form of converting raw scores into scaled scores. If you are aiming for a high rank, understanding how those scores are calculated is essential in setting realistic goals.

• Verbal & Quantitative Reasoning Sections: Each of these sections is scored on a range of 130 to 170 in one-point increments. Your raw score is based on the number of correct answers it has and then converted to the scaled one.
• Analytical Writing section: This is scored differently; on a scale of 0 to 6, in half-point increments. Once again, scores depend on how good your written responses are and how excellent these are judged by a human rater and an automated, computer algorithm.
• Unscored/Research Section: This is the section that will not count towards your final tally; it is there to help ETS try out some new questions and challenge you with different scenarios. 

What Is Considered a Good GRE Score?

There is no perfect answer as to what is a good GRE score; this purely depends on the program and school you’re targeting. This score also varies by what area of the field you aim to attend and the difficulty level of the graduate program you’re applying to.

1. Average GRE Scores

To understand what is a good GRE score, it is always helpful to know the average scores that have been achieved by test takers in the past. This score can vary based on the various cohorts but still gives you a benchmark to perform. 

• Verbal Reasoning: The mean score is about 150-152 (out of 170).
• Quantitative Reasoning: The average score usually falls around 153-155 (out of 170).
• Analytical Writing: The average score is around 3.5 (out of 6). 

These averages are indicative in general, however, a good GRE score depends purely on the program or school requirements to which you apply.

2. GRE Score Percentiles 

With the GRE score percentiles, you understand the part of your performance among test takers across the globe. These percentiles will answer your question, “What is a good GRE score?” because they rank you to the broad population of test takers.

• Verbal Reasoning: A score of 160 places you around the 86th percentile.
• Quantitative Reasoning: Scoring 160 in this section places you around the 76th percentile.
• Analytical Writing: A 4.0 in this section places you at the 58th percentile.

The higher the percentile, the better your performance relative to other test takers. A good GRE score generally means scoring in the top percentiles, but your target should align with the requirements of your chosen program.

Also Read: GRE Syllabus

Target GRE Scores for Popular Programs 

The answer to what is a good GRE score depends on one attending the course being applied for. Different fields of study possess different score expectations, so knowing what the target score is for the specific program is important. This knowledge allows applicants to tailor their preparation and set realistic goals based on the competitiveness of their chosen field.

1. Business Schools 

Applying to business schools, the scores of the Graduate Record Examination highly matter as far as your application is concerned. So, what is a good GRE score for business schools? The top business schools would expect one to have high scores in Verbal and Quantitative reasoning because the entire graduate program is academically demanding.

• Top Business Schools (i.e., Harvard, Stanford, Wharton Apt): The minimum GRE score would be 160 for both Verbal and Quantitative reasoning and the Analytical Writing score would be 4.5. 
• Midlevel Business Schools (NYU Stern, University of Michigan): 155-160 in both sections, Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning, and a Writing score around 4.0. 
• Lower-tier Schools: These schools accept even 150-155 scores for some programs, but a stronger application in terms of experience and recommendations can help offset a lower GRE score.

2. Engineering and Science Programs 

For engineering and science programs, a good GRE score generally reflects strong quantitative skills, as these fields heavily emphasize analytical and problem-solving abilities. Here is a breakdown of the average expectations:

• Top Engineering Schools (MIT, Stanford, and UC Berkeley): A good GRE score will almost always be 160+ in Quantitative Reasoning, along with a Verbal score of about 150-160, and Analytical Writing above 3.5.
• Mid-Tier Engineering Programs: For such schools as Purdue or University of Illinois, a fair score lies around 155-160 in Quantitative Reasoning, 150-155 in Verbal, and 3.5 or above in Analytical Writing.
• Science Programs: Just like in engineering, elite science programs (like Harvard and Caltech) would presumably expect scores to be 160 or higher in Quantitative Reasoning, between 1–50160 in Verbal, and a score of 3.5 or higher in Writing.

3. Humanities and Social Sciences

Unlike the more quantitative fields like engineering, programs in the humanities and social sciences tend to require more words for reasoning and analytical writing skills. Now, what is a good GRE score for humanities and social sciences? Here are the expectations of the programs at a general level.

• Top Programs (Harvard, Yale, University of Chicago): A good GRE score is typically 160+ in Verbal Reasoning, 150-160 in Quantitative Reasoning, and a score of 4.5+ in Analytical Writing.
• Midlevel Humanities and Social Sciences Programs: In this case, a program such as UCLA or New York University may consider competitive GRE scores around 155-160 for Verbal, 145-155 for Quantitative, and more than 4.0 for Analytical Writing.
• Under-Competitive Programs: It is for some programs the score ranges of 150-155 in Verbal and 140-150 in Quantitative Writing are still acceptable based on other strong application components like recommendations and statements of purpose.

Also Read: GRE Exam Fee

Tips to Achieve Your Target GRE Score 

Focused preparation and a good strategy will help you achieve a good GRE score. A good score can be entirely based on your goals. However, following the correct approach, you can align your score with the requirements of your chosen program. Here are some tips to help you achieve a good GRE score:

• Understand the Test Structure: Test structure and timing for each section (Verbal, Quantitative, Analytical Writing) should be learned. Knowing what it is going to be like will reduce anxiety on the big day and help you manage your time.
• Expect a Realistic Target Score: Know what the program’s average GRE scores are. This will help you to set a goal either at that level, to meet or to exceed typical program requirements.
• Study Plan: Make a structured study schedule further breaking down each section into a manageable plan. Consistent and disciplined efforts lead to gradual improvement.
• Target Weak Points: Identify and then work on your weakest areas by practice exams. For example, devote more time to math exercises, if the quantitative section is your weak point.
• Use Official Study Materials: Such study resources include the ETS Official Guide, practice tests, and other reputable study tools. The official materials will offer a pretty authentic idea of the test and help you prepare well.

Conclusion 

A good GRE score is important to secure admission to competitive graduate programs and get scholarships. Get acquainted with the structure of the GRE, target a realistic score, and practice consistently to maximize your chances. Good GRE scores vary according to personal objectives; yet with a well-sorted plan and strict attention to it, you can reach your goal. 

If you are also looking to prepare for the IELTS in Canada, check out our blog on IELTS Score for Canada, to plan your studies.