What is a Good GRE Score?

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a standardized test widely used for graduate school admissions in the United States. It is designed to measure analytical writing, verbal reasoning, and quantitative reasoning skills.

A good GRE score can improve your chances of admission to graduate school.

EDsmart dives into the GRE, its scoring system, and what constitutes a good score using the most recent data available.

Overview of the GRE

The GRE General Test is divided into three main sections:

  • Analytical Writing
  • Verbal Reasoning
  • Quantitative Reasoning.

The test is scored on a scale of 130-170 for Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning sections and 0-6 for Analytical Writing. The test takes approximately 3 hours and 45 minutes to complete and can be taken either in-person at a testing center or online at home.

Analytical Writing (AW): This section measures your critical thinking and analytical writing skills. You will be asked to write two essays: "Analyze an Issue" and "Analyze an Argument." Each essay is scored on a scale of 0-6 in half-point increments.

Verbal Reasoning (VR): This section tests your ability to analyze and evaluate written material and synthesize information obtained from it. It consists of two 20-question subsections.
Quantitative Reasoning (QR): This section assesses your problem-solving ability using basic mathematical concepts. It consists of two 20-question subsections.

What is a Good GRE Score?

A good GRE score is relative and depends on the graduate program you're applying to, the competitiveness of the applicant pool, and your overall profile. Typically, a score that is above the average of admitted students at your desired institution is considered "good."

To gain a better understanding, we can look at the most recent GRE score data:

Mean GRE scores (2021-2022)

  • Verbal Reasoning: 151.3
  • Quantitative Reasoning: 157
  • Analytical Writing: 3.4

It's important to remember that graduate programs vary in their requirements and preferences. For example, a STEM program may emphasize the Quantitative Reasoning section more, while a liberal arts program may prioritize Verbal Reasoning and Analytical Writing scores.

Research the average GRE scores of admitted students at your desired institutions to get a clearer picture. Many universities publish this information on their websites or graduate school brochures. Another helpful resource is the ETS's GRE Comparison Tool for Institutions, which allows you to compare your scores with other applicants in your intended field.

What is the average GRE score?

The average GRE score is 151.3 for Verbal Reasoning, 157 for Quantitative Reasoning, and 3.4 for Analytical Writing. However, these scores vary depending on the graduate program you're applying to.

For example, a STEM program may have a higher average GRE score than a liberal arts program. It's essential to research the average GRE scores of admitted students at your desired institutions to get a clearer picture.

What is a competitive GRE score?

A competitive GRE score is above the average score for the graduate program you're applying to. However, it's also important to consider your overall profile when evaluating your GRE score. For example, a lower GRE score may not be as detrimental if you have a strong GPA and letters of recommendation.

How can I improve my GRE score?

  • Take a diagnostic test. Take a diagnostic test to identify your strengths and weaknesses to improve your GRE score. This will help you focus your study efforts on the areas you need the most improvement.
  • Use official GRE prep materials. The Educational Testing Service (ETS) offers a variety of official GRE prep materials, including books, practice tests, and online courses.
  • Enroll in a GRE prep course. Several GRE prep courses are available, both online and in person. A GRE prep course can provide you with the structure and support you need to improve your score.
  • Work with a private tutor. If you need one-on-one help, you can work with a private GRE tutor. A private tutor can tailor their instruction to your needs and help you develop a personalized study plan.

GRE Scores for Grad Schools

The average GRE score for top universities is 160+ for Verbal and Quantitative.

You can see the estimated ranges for average GRE scores by school below, according to Chris Swimmer at Magoosh.

GRE Ranges for Top Universities

UNIVERSITYAVERAGE VERBAL RANGEAVERAGE QUANTITATIVE RANGE
Columbia University155-165153-169
Cornell University160-164156-165
Harvard University155-165157-169
MIT158-165157-170
New York University154-162150-170
Princeton158-165156-170
Stanford University157-170158-165
UC Berkeley153-170157-165
UCLA153-166155-164
University of Pennsylvania154-165150-169
University of Southern California149-164146-169
Yale University155-165157-169

Harvard GRE Scores

PROGRAMUS NEWS RANKESTIMATED VERBAL RANGEESTIMATED QUANTITATIVE RANGE
Biological Sciences1159-163160-164
Chemistry5159-163163-167
Computer Science16153-157164-168
Earth Sciences12157-161157-161
Economics1160-164167-170
English3163-167155-159
History9162-166155-159
Mathematics3159-163170
Physics2162-166167-170
Political Science2163-167159-163
Psychology3158-162155-159
Public Administration3160-164157-161
Sociology2159-163156-160

Stanford GRE Scores

PROGRAMUS NEWS RANKESTIMATED VERBAL RANGEESTIMATED QUANTITATIVE RANGE
Biological Sciences1159-163160-164
Chemistry2159-163163-167
Computer Science2156-160167-170
Earth Sciences2160-164160-164
Economics1160-164167-170
English3163-167155-159
Fine Arts32156-160155-159
History51652-166155-159
Mathematics3159-163170
Physics1162-166167-170
Political Science1163-167159-163
Psychology1158-162155-159
Sociology5159-163156-160

MIT GRE Scores

PROGRAMUS NEWS RANKESTIMATED VERBAL RANGEESTIMATED QUANTITATIVE RANGE
Biological Sciences3159-163160-164
Chemistry1159-163163-167
Computer Science1156-160167-170
Earth Sciences2160-164160-164
Economics1160-164167-170
Mathematics1159-163170
Physics2162-166167-170
Political Science7163-167159-163
Psychology8158-162155-159

UC Berkeley GRE Scores

PROGRAMUS NEWS RANKESTIMATED VERBAL RANGEESTIMATED QUANTITATIVE RANGE
Biological Sciences3159-163160-164
Chemistry2159-163163-167
Computer Science2156-160167-170
Earth Sciences2160-164160-164
Economics4160-164167-170
English1163-167155-159
Fine Arts15156-160155-159
History1162-166155-159
Mathematics3159-163170
Physics2162-166167-170
Political Science4163-167159-163
Psychology1158-162155-159
Public Administration3160-164157-161
Social Work5155-159151-155
Sociology1159-163156-160

Princeton GRE Scores

PROGRAMUS NEWS RANKESTIMATED VERBAL RANGEESTIMATED QUANTITATIVE RANGE
Biological Sciences6159-163160-164
Chemistry7159-163163-167
Computer Science9156-160167-170
Earth Sciences12157-161157-161
Economics4160-164167-170
English3163-167155-159
History2162-166155-159
Mathematics1159-163170
Physics2162-166167-170
Political Science2163-167159-163
Psychology6158-162155-159
Public Administration12157-161154-158
Sociology2159-163156-160

Columbia GRE Scores

PROGRAMUS NEWS RANKESTIMATED VERBAL RANGEESTIMATED QUANTITATIVE RANGE
Biological Sciences11156-160157-161
Chemistry12156-160160-164
Computer Science11153-157164-168
Earth Sciences5160-164160-164
Economics9160-164167-170
English8163-167155-159
Fine Arts8159-163158-162
History5162-166155-159
Mathematics7159-163170
Physics9162-166167-170
Political Science8163-167159-163
Psychology12155-159152-156
Public Administration23157-161154-158
Social Work5155-159151-155
Sociology11156-160153-157

Yale GRE Scores

PROGRAMUS NEWS RANKESTIMATED VERBAL RANGEESTIMATED QUANTITATIVE RANGE
Biological Sciences6159-163160-164
Chemistry12156-160160-164
Computer Science20153-157164-168
Earth Sciences19157-161157-161
Economics4160-164167-170
English1163-167155-159
Fine Arts2159-163158-162
History2162-166155-159
Mathematics12156-160167-170
Physics11159-163164-168
Political Science6163-167159-163
Psychology6158-162155-159
Sociology18156-160153-157

NYU GRE Scores

PROGRAMUS NEWS RANKESTIMATED VERBAL RANGEESTIMATED QUANTITATIVE RANGE
Biological Sciences46156-160157-161
Chemistry55153-157156-160
Computer Science38153-157164-168
Economics11157-161164-168
English20160-164152-156
Fine Arts42156-160155-159
History16159-163152-156
Mathematics7159-163170
Physics32159-163164-168
Political Science15160-164156-160
Psychology30155-159152-156
Public Administration12157-161154-158
Social Work16152-156148-152
Sociology13156-160153-157

USC GRE Scores

PROGRAMUS NEWS RANKESTIMATED VERBAL RANGEESTIMATED QUANTITATIVE RANGE
Biological Sciences46153-157153-157
Chemistry41156-160160-164
Computer Science23153-157164-168
Earth Sciences28157-161157-161
Economics38157-161164-168
English32160-164152-156
Fine Arts53153-157151-155
History38159-163152-156
Mathematics39156-160167-171
Physics58156-160160-164
Psychology35155-159152-156
Public Administration3160-164157-161
Social Work72149-153144-148
Sociology34156-160153-157

UCLA GRE Scores

PROGRAMUS NEWS RANKESTIMATED VERBAL RANGEESTIMATED QUANTITATIVE RANGE
Biological Sciences17156-160157-161
Chemistry14156-160160-164
Computer Science11153-157164-168
Earth Sciences12157-161157-161
Economics12157-161164-168
English11160-164152-156
Fine Arts1159-163158-162
History5162-166155-159
Mathematics7159-163170
Physics18159-163164-168
Political Science12160-164156-160
Psychology3158-162155-159
Public Administration12157-161154-158
Social Work9155-159151-155
Sociology6159-163156-160
Library Sciences14160-164152-156

Cornell GRE Scores

PROGRAMUS NEWS RANKESTIMATED VERBAL RANGEESTIMATED QUANTITATIVE RANGE
Biological Sciences17156-160157-161
Chemistry25156-160160-164
Computer Science6156-160167-171
Earth Sciences24157-161157-161
Economics14157-161164-168
English8163-167155-159
Fine Arts53153-157151-155
History11159-163152-156
Mathematics12156-160167-170
Physics8162-166167-170
Political Science15160-164156-160
Psychology9158-162155-159
Public Administration39157-161154-158
Sociology16156-160153-157

UPenn GRE Scores

PROGRAMUS NEWS RANKESTIMATED VERBAL RANGEESTIMATED QUANTITATIVE RANGE
Biological Sciences15156-160157-161
Chemistry17156-160160-164
Computer Science17153-157164-168
Earth Sciences62154-158153-157
Economics9160-164167-170
English3163-167155-159
Fine Arts64153-157151-155
History11159-163152-156
Mathematics17156-160167-170
Physics11159-163164-168
Political Science19160-164156-160
Psychology12155-159152-156
Public Administration58154-158150-154
Social Work11152-156148-152
Sociology13156-160153-157

How much time should I spend studying for the GRE?

The time you need to study for the GRE depends on your starting point and goals. If you are starting from scratch, you may need to study for several months. However, if you have a strong academic background and are already familiar with the GRE format, you may be able to improve your score in a shorter amount of time.

What are some tips for taking the GRE?

  • Get a good night's sleep the night before the test.
  • Arrive at the testing center early.
  • Eat a healthy breakfast. Bring snacks and drinks to the testing center.
  • Take breaks during the test.
  • Don't stress out if you don't know the answer to a question. Read the directions carefully. Pace yourself.
  • Don't second-guess your answers. Review your answers before you submit your test.

How to Improve Your GRE Score

If you feel that your GRE score is not competitive enough, consider taking the following steps:

  • Take a diagnostic test to identify your strengths and weaknesses.
  • Develop a study plan that focuses on improving weaker areas.
  • Familiarize yourself with the test format and question types.
  • Utilize official GRE prep materials, including the ETS's PowerPrep software.
  • Consider enrolling in a GRE prep course or working with a private tutor.
  • Practice time management and learn test-taking strategies.
  • Take multiple practice tests under realistic conditions.

GRE Resources

GRE Practice Tests

General Resources

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