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Many graduate school hopefuls are aware of the importance of GRE scores. That said, they’re not actually sure what a good score on the GRE is.
So, what is a good GRE score for grad school? Is 294 a good GRE score? Are average GRE scores good enough? Should your target GRE Verbal score range be different from your target Quantitative score range?
In this article, we’ll answer all those questions and more. We’ll explore what is considered a good GRE score and what is considered a low GRE score for graduate school admissions. We’ll also discuss how to determine what score you need to be a successful applicant at your desired programs.
Here are the topics we’ll cover:
- The GRE Score Scales
- The GRE Score Percentiles
- A Good GRE Score Is Relative
- Why Average GRE Scores Matter
- Setting Your GRE Score Goal: 3 Key Questions
- What Is a Good Score on the New GRE Test?
- Key Takeaways
- What’s Next?
To start, let’s review what the GRE score scales and GRE score percentiles are.
The GRE Score Scales
As you may know, the GRE is made up of 3 sections:
- Quantitative Reasoning
- Verbal Reasoning
- Analytical Writing (the essay section)
The GRE Verbal score range and Quantitative score range are the same: 130 to 170, scored in 1-point increments. These are what are called your scaled scores because they don’t just reflect the number of questions you answered correctly but also the difficulty of the sections you saw on your test. (You can learn more about the GRE scoring algorithm in our in-depth guide.)
To get your GRE score total, you combine your Quant and Verbal section scores. So, the best GRE score possible is 340 (a perfect GRE score). The lowest GRE score possible is 260.
The GRE scale for the Analytical Writing section is 0 to 6, scored in half-point increments. The Analytical Writing score range is different from the Quant and Verbal ranges because both the computer and a human reader score your essay. So, your essay score is not considered part of your GRE score total.
The table below shows the GRE scoring breakdown.
GRE Scoring Scales
| Test Section | Score Range | Scoring Increments |
|---|---|---|
| Analytical Writing | 0-6 | 0.5-point |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 130-170 | 1-point |
| Verbal Reasoning | 130-170 | 1-point |
| GRE Test Score Range(Total Score) | 260-340 |
Note that the GRE score breakdown on your Official Score Report includes each section score but not a total score. But again, to produce your GRE total score, you simply add together your Quant and Verbal section scores.
KEY FACT:
The GRE Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections are each scored in 1-point increments on a scale of 130 to 170.
The other data point you’ll see on your score report is a percentile associated with each score. Let’s discuss what those percentiles mean and why they’re important when determining what’s a good score on the GRE.
The GRE Score Percentiles
All GRE section scores have a percentile ranking associated with them. Score percentiles help you (and schools) understand how your GRE scores stack up against those of your peers. To calculate the percentile for each score, ETS determines what percentage of scores are lower than the score in question.
So, a 70th percentile GRE Quantitative score (currently 163) means that you scored better in Quant than 70% of recent GRE test-takers. Likewise, a 70th percentile GRE Verbal score (currently 156) means that you scored better in Verbal than 70% of recent GRE test-takers.
ETS determines these percentiles using all GRE test-takers’ scores from the most recent 3 testing years. The most recent GRE percentiles are based on the scores of everyone who sat for the exam between July 1, 2019, and June 30, 2022. (Each testing year runs from July 1 of one year through June 30 of the next year.)
In addition to allowing schools to see how your GRE scores compare to the scores of other recent GRE test-takers, GRE score percentiles also help schools compare scores from different standardized tests. For instance, many graduate business schools accept both GMAT and GRE scores. However, GMAT to GRE score conversions are imprecise, since the tests contain different content and use different scoring methodologies.
So, instead, schools compare test-takers’ GRE and GMAT score percentiles. Although we can’t perfectly translate scores on one test to scores on the other, if a GRE-taker and a GMAT-taker both earned scores in, say, the 90th percentile and above on their respective tests, then admissions committees have a solid sense of where both test-takers rank among their peers in comparison to each other.
KEY FACT:
GRE score percentiles help show how your scores compare to your peers’.
A Good GRE Score Is Relative
When it comes to graduate admissions and the GRE, what is a good score is relative. In other words, what is considered a good score on the GRE changes from program to program and applicant to applicant.
For example, good GRE scores for top universities are generally higher than good GRE scores for lower-ranked schools. So, the competitiveness of the programs to which you’re applying is certainly a factor in determining good GRE score ranges to shoot for.
Furthermore, depending on what type of degree you’re interested in, you may have different GRE score requirements (whether explicit or unspoken) for the 3 test sections. For example, a master’s in Journalism program will place greater weight on Verbal and Analytical Writing scores than on Quant scores. Conversely, an Engineering program is going to be more concerned with whether you excelled in Quant.
Additionally, applicants must consider their profiles overall. After all, while GRE scores may be important, they are just one piece of the puzzle in graduate admissions. Past academic performance, work experience, letters of recommendation, etc., all play important roles in
how competitive your application is.
So, an applicant who has a stellar application in all other respects may be able to get away with GRE scores on the low end for a program. On the other hand, an applicant whose profile has some weak areas would be wise to shoot for GRE scores on the high end for a program.
Thus, you’ll need to evaluate your unique circumstances and goals to determine what GRE scores are good, great, or not so great for YOU.
TTP PRO TIP:
Evaluate your unique circumstances and goals to determine what GRE scores will help you be competitive at your desired programs.
Why Average GRE Scores Matter
As we’ve seen, a good score for GRE Quant, Verbal, or Writing will vary from school to school, program type to program type, and applicant to applicant.
Of course, there are some benchmarks that anyone applying to graduate school can use to gauge how schools generally view different GRE scores. In other words, there are GRE score ranges generally considered “good,” “excellent,” and so on, based on the 3-year score averages and percentiles that ETS publishes.
We’ve already discussed the GRE score percentiles, so let’s take a look at the latest average GRE scores, per ETS. Again, these averages are based on section scores of all GRE test-takers between July 1, 2019 and June 30, 2022.
Average GRE Scores
| Test Section | Mean Section Score* | Score Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| Quant | 155 | 46th |
| Verbal | 151 | 46th |
| Analytical Writing | 3.6 | 42nd |
Note that these averages have ticked up slightly since the last time ETS released score data. The previous score data pertained to test-takers who sat for the exam between July 1, 2016 and June 30, 2019, when the averages came in at Q153, V150, and 3.5 in Writing.
Now, let’s look at what the standard benchmarks for GRE scores are based on the latest averages.
General Benchmarks for GRE Scores
The following table will provide a sense of how graduate programs in general tend to perceive various section scores. Keep in mind that these score ranges are approximations; every program has its own standards.
What Is Considered a Good GRE Score?
| Analytical Writing | Verbal | Quant | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.0-6.0 | 163-170 | 169-170 | Excellent (top 10% of test-takers) |
| 4.5 | 158-162 | 165-168 | Very good (better than 75% of test-takers) |
| 4.0 | 152-161 | 156-164 | Good / Above Average (as good as or better than roughly 50% of test-takers) |
| 3.0-3.5 | 141-151 | 142-155 | Average / Below Average (roughly 50% or more test-takers scored higher) |
| 0-2.5 | 130-140 | 130-141 | Poor (bottom 10% of test-takers) |
So, let’s answer our earlier question of whether 294 is a good GRE score. Say for argument’s sake that you scored a Q147/V147, for a GRE score total of 294. Those section scores would put you in the below-average range in both Quant and Verbal. So, for many schools, 294 would not be considered a good GRE score.
Now, it’s worth considering what the averages are for test-takers targeting different fields of study. After all, a good GRE score for one type of program may not be considered so good for another. And in fact, ETS does provide 3-year averages for various disciplines. Let’s take a look.
A good GRE score for one type of program may not be considered so good for another.
Average GRE Scores by Discipline
The average GRE scores can be different when we consider GRE test-takers collectively vs. GRE test-takers separated by discipline.
For example, let’s compare the averages for 2019-2022 test-takers in general with the averages for test-takers who were hoping to matriculate into programs in some popular graduate disciplines.
3-Year Average GRE Scores by Discipline
| Targeted Discipline | Average Quant Score | Average Verbal Score | Average Writing Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business | 158 | 152 | 3.7 |
| Computer & Information Sciences | 162 | 151 | 3.3 |
| Economics | 162 | 155 | 3.8 |
| Education | 148 | 151 | 3.8 |
| Engineering | 160 | 151 | 3.5 |
| Public Administration | 152 | 154 | 4.0 |
| Psychology | 151 | 152 | 4.0 |
| All Disciplines | 155 | 151 | 3.6 |
As you can see from the table above, particular average section scores in certain disciplines can be significantly higher or lower than the average scores for all GRE test-takers. So, it’s useful to look at the average GRE score breakdowns by discipline that ETS publishes. Those will give you a sense of how graduate programs in your field, broadly, may look at various GRE section scores.
For example, generally speaking, a Computer Science major who wants to stand out with admissions committees is going to need a relatively high Quant score—likely something in the “Excellent” category we saw earlier. However, that same applicant may be able to get away with a “Below Average” Analytical Writing score and still be considered quite competitive for top programs.
Of course, the averages that ETS publishes are only enough to give you a broad sense of what may be expected from applicants in your chosen field. This data can be quite helpful if you haven’t yet decided exactly which programs you’ll apply to.
But what if you do know which programs you want to apply to, or at least you know some? Let’s discuss.
Average Scores at Your Desired Programs
When it comes to determining what GRE scores are good—or better than good—your chosen field of study clearly matters. And, averages by discipline can certainly help. However, the most important averages for determining what scores will make you a competitive applicant are the averages at your desired programs.
Many graduate programs publish the average GRE section scores of admitted students on the program websites. (Not all programs publish their average Analytical Writing score.) So, be sure to research your desired programs before deciding a GRE score is “good” or “good enough” for you. Also, if possible, set specific score goals for each GRE section rather than focusing on the total score.
A good rule of thumb to keep in mind is the following:
Good GRE scores are scores that are equal to your desired program’s average scores. Great GRE scores are scores that exceed the program’s averages.
Note that in some cases, rather than exact numbers, programs may publish score ranges, which may or may not represent averages.
For example, Duke’s Master of Engineering program publishes the mid-50% range of GRE scores for recently admitted students, currently 152-161 in Verbal and 163-169 in Quant. (A Writing score is not published). The “mid-50%” is not the same as an average of all scores. The mid-50% range includes all of the scores except for those in the lowest 25% and the highest 25%. So, on GRE Verbal for example, 25% of admitted students scored below 152, and 25% scored above 161.
Nevertheless, the mid-50% ranges still give you a pretty good sense of what types of GRE scores are considered “middle of the pack” at Duke’s engineering program.
TTP PRO TIP:
Research average GRE scores at your desired programs and set specific score goals for each GRE section.
Setting Your GRE Score Goal: 3 Key Questions
We know that what is considered a good GRE score for one applicant may not be so great for another. With that in mind, there are a few key questions you can ask yourself to ensure that you’re setting your GRE score goals wisely. Let’s take a look at those questions.
#1: Is There a Minimum GRE Score for Graduate School Programs You’re Targeting?
Some graduate programs have minimum thresholds for GRE scores, which applicants must hit in order to be considered. These minimums will likely pertain to GRE section scores, not your GRE score total.
Of course, the minimums are not necessarily the scores you want to shoot for. After all, minimums are enough to open the door, not necessarily enough to get your foot in, much less get you to the front of the line. So, depending on your other qualifications and how competitive your desired programs are, you may want to aim for GRE scores that significantly exceed the minimums.
Nevertheless, it’s important to be aware of whether any of your desired programs have minimum GRE score requirements, so you can have a realistic idea of whether certain programs may be out of reach for you.
#2: What Are the Average GRE Scores of Admitted Students at Your Desired Programs?
As we’ve already seen, what is considered a good score on the GRE largely comes down to what the average GRE scores of admitted students are at your desired programs.
If your GRE scores fall toward the lower end of a program’s class averages, your scores could be a red flag on your application. On the other hand, if your GRE scores are at or above the average scores of students in your target programs, then admissions may view your application more favorably.
So, research those class scores on program websites, and adjust your GRE section score goals accordingly, taking the weaknesses and strengths in your profile into account.
If GRE score data isn’t listed on a program’s website, consider giving the folks in the admissions office a call. They often can provide some clarity on what kinds of GRE scores they tend to look for from applicants. Generally, admissions offices are more than willing to help when applicants have questions!
#3: Do You Need to Offset Weak Points in Your Application?
If you need to compensate for deficits in your profile, exceeding a program’s GRE score averages is a smart play. For example, maybe your academic background in quant is slightly lacking for the programs you’re applying to. A really strong GRE Quant score could help reassure admissions that you have the skills to handle the program’s coursework.
Even if your profile is strong overall, if you’re applying to particularly competitive programs, you may still want to aim to beat the class averages. In general, it’s important to consider that standing out at top programs may require scoring toward the higher end or even well above the student averages.
Either way, it’s important to remember that standardized test scores are just one data point among many in your application. Not everyone needs to score above or even at the averages in order to gain acceptance to a program. Just keep in mind that other data points in your application may need to be quite strong if your GRE scores fall short of your desired programs’ averages, particularly if you’re applying to highly competitive programs.
TTP PRO TIP:
Be sure to ask yourself the 3 key questions for setting your GRE score goals.
Now, before we wrap up, let’s answer a common question about what is considered a good GRE score.
What Is a Good Score on the New GRE test?
If you’re worried that what is considered a good score on the GRE now may no longer be considered good on the new, shorter GRE, you can breathe a sigh of relief. The GRE score scales are not changing. So, admissions committees will be able to compare the GRE performances of applicants regardless of whether those applicants took the longer GRE or the new, shorter one.
Of course, we can’t predict how much GRE score percentiles may shift as more students sit for the new GRE. Then again, GRE score percentiles shifted somewhat from one 3-year period to the next even before the new GRE test. So, the “meaning” of your GRE score is never really a fixed point.
That said, since the content of the GRE Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning sections isn’t changing with the new, shorter format, we don’t expect to see massive changes in those section score percentiles when ETS next releases score data.
KEY FACT:
The GRE score scales for the new, shorter test are the same as the score scales for the longer GRE.
Let’s wrap up with some key takeaways.
Key Takeaways
We’ve learned in this article that simply asking, “What is a good GRE score out of 340?” won’t get you very far in graduate admissions. Rather, you need to ask yourself, “What is a good GRE score FOR ME?” While there are some general perceptions of what GRE scores are good, great, or truly outstanding, the best GRE scores for you will depend on the programs to which you’re applying and your overall applicant profile.
So, when setting your GRE score goals, make sure to consider the following 3 key questions:
- Is there a minimum GRE score for graduate school programs you’re targeting?
- What are the average GRE scores of admitted students at your desired programs?
- Do you need to offset weak points in your application?
Fortunately, earning a competitive GRE score is entirely within your control. With a smart study plan and effective preparation materials, the sky’s the limit!
What’s Next?
Check out these expert tips on how to improve GRE scores and these GRE test-taking strategies to improve your pacing in Quant.
Wondering what the best GRE prep courses are? Our guide to online GRE coaching can help you find a resource that’s right for you.
