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Thinking about taking the GRE? You’re in the right place! Before you dive into the world of standardised testing, let’s break down the GRE scoring system in plain, everyday language. We’ll strip away the complex jargon and get straight to the nitty-gritty of how your performance is evaluated on this test. Understanding GRE scoring is like having a compass to navigate your journey toward graduate school, and we’re here to make sure you’re well-prepared before setting sail. So, grab your favourite beverage, get comfortable, and let’s demystify GRE scoring together.

In this blog:

  1. What do GRE scores represent?
  2. GRE Score Range: What’s a Good GRE Score?
  3. The GRE Scoring Scale Explained
  4. Know How are Your GRE Scores Calculated
  5. What is the minimum score in the GRE?
  6. What is the GRE ScoreSelect? 💡New Feature

What do GRE scores represent?

One of the primary purposes of the GRE is to provide graduate programs with a standardised measure of an applicant’s aptitude and academic preparedness. The test is designed to assess critical thinking, analytical writing, verbal reasoning, and quantitative reasoning skills. These core competencies are crucial in a graduate-level academic setting, and a strong GRE percentile score can indicate a candidate’s ability to handle the rigour of advanced coursework.

Suggested Read: How important are GRE scores in the grad school admission process?

GRE Score Range: What is a good GRE score?

A good GRE score varies depending on the program you are applying to, but generally, a score in the 75th percentile or higher is considered good. The GRE score range is between 130 to 170 for both the verbal and quantitative sections, with a total possible score of 340. The average GRE scores for the Verbal and Quantitative sections are around 150, and the average Analytical Writing score is 3.5. However, these scores are just averages, and they can vary over time. Your target score should be based on the requirements of your target graduate programs.

Suggested Read: What GRE scores do top universities typically look for?

The GRE Scoring Scale Explained

Before we delve into the tips for achieving a high score, it’s important to understand the GRE scoring system. The GRE consists of three main sections: verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing. The verbal and quantitative sections each have a score range of 130-170, and the analytical writing section is scored on a scale of 0-6. The total possible score on the GRE is 340, with 170 points for each of the verbal and quantitative sections.

Section Score Range
Verbal Reasoning 130-170
Quantitative Reasoning 130-170
Analytical Writing 0-6
Total GRE score 260-340

In more depth here: GRE Score Comparison: Analysing How Different Graduate Programs Weigh Scores

Know How are Your GRE Scores Calculated

The GRE scores are calculated in a pretty straightforward way. Here’s the lowdown:

  1. Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning: Each of these sections gives you a score between 130 and 170, in one-point increments. Your raw score (the number of questions you got right) gets converted into this scaled score. The better you do, the higher your score.
  2. Analytical Writing: This one’s a bit different. You’ll get a score from 0 to 6 in half-point increments. Two different people read your essay and give it a score. Then, the scores are averaged to get your final score.

Important Resource: Writing a Winning GRE AWA Essay: Tips, Samples, and Scoring Criteria

  1. Total Score: Your total GRE score is the sum of your Verbal and Quantitative scores, ranging from 260 to 340. The Analytical Writing score is separate and doesn’t affect the total score, it’s still an essential part of the GRE exam and is considered by many graduate programs.

That’s the deal! Nothing too complex, just a few numbers to tell how you did on the GRE.

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What is the minimum score in the GRE?

The minimum score on the GRE is 260 (combined Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning sections). This is the combined score of the Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections, which are each scored on a scale of 130-170. The Analytical Writing section is scored on a scale of 0-6, but it does not count towards the overall GRE score.

However, it is important to note that the minimum score required for admission to graduate programs varies widely. Many top programs require a GRE score of 300 or higher. It is important to research the specific requirements of the programs to which you are applying.

HOW TO: Overcome Low GPA with a High GRE Score

What is the GRE ScoreSelect?

When you take the GRE test, you can choose up to four graduate schools or fellowship programs to send your scores to, and this is included in your test fee. You can find a list of approved institutions that can receive GRE scores.

If you want to send your scores to more schools or if you decide to send them later, you can do that, but you’ll need to pay an extra fee. They call this an “Additional Score Report” (ASR). With the “ScoreSelect” option, you get to choose which scores you want to send: the most recent ones, all of them, or just the ones from specific GRE tests you’ve taken. This is discussed in further detail below.

You might find this interesting: What’s New About The New GRE?

With the ScoreSelect option, you decide which test scores to send to the institutions you designate, so you can send the scores you feel show your personal best, giving you more confidence on test day.

On test day, after viewing your scores at the test centre, you can choose not to send your scores at this time OR you can select either option below for each of your four free score reports:

  1. Most Recent — Send your scores from your current test administration.
  2. All — Send your scores from all GRE General Test administrations in the last 5 years.

After test day, you can send score reports for a fee and select from these options for each report you’d like to send:

  1. Most Recent — Send your scores from your most recent test administration.
  2. All — Send your scores from all test administrations in the last 5 years.
  3. Any — Send your scores from one OR as many test administrations as you like from the last 5 years.

Remember, practice makes perfect, so don’t be discouraged if your score is not where you want it to be initially. With hard work and persistence, you can get there and if not, there is always Jamboree!

Our GRE prep materials are highly recommended for students who want to prepare for the GRE exam thoroughly. Our books, online courses, and study plans provide a comprehensive and effective approach to GRE preparation. Click here to start your GRE prep with Jamboree today!

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