GRE Score Calculator
Estimate your GRE exam scores based on your performance in Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections. Enter your raw scores to calculate your scaled scores.
Understanding GRE Scoring: A Comprehensive Guide
The GRE uses a complex scoring system that converts your raw score (number of correct answers) to a scaled score through a process called equating. This guide explains how GRE scoring works and how to interpret your results.
GRE Score Scales
| Section | Score Range | Increment |
|---|---|---|
| Verbal Reasoning | 130-170 | 1 point |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 130-170 | 1 point |
| Analytical Writing | 0-6 | 0.5 point |
GRE Percentile Ranks (Based on 2023 Data)
| Verbal Score | Percentile | Quant Score | Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| 170 | 99% | 170 | 96% |
| 165 | 95% | 165 | 86% |
| 160 | 85% | 160 | 72% |
| 155 | 67% | 155 | 55% |
| 150 | 46% | 150 | 38% |
| 145 | 26% | 145 | 19% |
| 140 | 11% | 140 | 8% |
Analytical Writing Assessment Score Meaning
| Score | Proficiency Level | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 6.0 | Outstanding | Insightful, well-reasoned analysis with compelling evidence |
| 5.0 | Strong | Generally thoughtful analysis with appropriate examples |
| 4.0 | Adequate | Competent analysis with some development of ideas |
| 3.0 | Limited | Some analysis but lacking development or clarity |
| 2.0 | Seriously Flawed | Unclear analysis with serious weaknesses |
| 1.0 | Fundamentally Deficient | Little evidence of analytical writing skills |
| 0.0 | Not scorable | Off-topic, written in another language, or blank |
How GRE Adaptive Testing Affects Your Score
The GRE is a section-level adaptive test, meaning:
- Your performance in the first section determines the difficulty of the second section
- Doing well in the first section leads to a more difficult second section and higher potential score
- The computer selects your second section based on your performance in the first section
- Your final score is based on both the number of correct answers and the difficulty level of questions
Score Requirements for Graduate Programs
| Program Type | Typical Verbal Score | Typical Quant Score | AWA Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Humanities & Social Sciences | 155-165 | 148-155 | 4.0-5.0 |
| Business Programs | 150-160 | 155-165 | 4.0-4.5 |
| STEM Programs | 145-155 | 160-168 | 3.5-4.5 |
Frequently Asked Questions About the GRE Score Calculator
How is the GRE scored?
The GRE uses a multi-step process to calculate scores:
- Raw Score: Count of correct answers in each section
- Equating: Raw score is converted to a scaled score (130-170) accounting for question difficulty
- Percentile Rank: Scaled score is compared to performance of all test-takers
What is a good GRE score?
A "good" GRE score depends on your target programs:
- Top 10 programs: 325+ total (160V/165Q)
- Top 25 programs: 315-324 total
- Average programs: 300-314 total
- Minimum for most programs: 300 total
How many questions can I miss to get a certain score?
The number of questions you can miss varies by test form and difficulty, but generally:
| Target Score | Approx. Questions Correct (Verbal) | Approx. Questions Correct (Quant) |
|---|---|---|
| 170 | 39-40/40 | 39-40/40 |
| 165 | 33-36/40 | 35-37/40 |
| 160 | 27-30/40 | 30-33/40 |
| 155 | 20-24/40 | 24-27/40 |
How is the Analytical Writing section scored?
The AWA section is scored differently:
- Each essay is scored by at least one human reader and one e-rater® engine
- Scores range from 0-6 in half-point increments
- The final score is the average of your two essay scores
- If human and computer scores differ significantly, a second human reader scores the essay
How long are GRE scores valid?
GRE scores are valid for 5 years from the test date. After this period, they are no longer reportable to institutions.