GRE Score Calculator

About This Tool

The GRE Score Calculator helps you understand your Graduate Record Examinations performance by computing your combined Verbal plus Quantitative score and mapping each section to an estimated percentile ranking. Whether you just received your unofficial scores at the testing center, you are reviewing a practice test, or you are setting target scores for an upcoming exam, this tool gives you an immediate, clear picture of where you stand among the broader population of GRE test-takers. Percentile rankings are arguably more useful than raw scores because graduate admissions committees use them to compare applicants across different test administrations and scoring curves.

How GRE Scoring Works

The GRE General Test consists of three independently scored sections. Verbal Reasoning is scored on a scale from 130 to 170 in one-point increments and measures your ability to analyze written material, evaluate arguments, and recognize relationships among words and concepts. Quantitative Reasoning uses the same 130-to-170 scale and tests arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis skills. Analytical Writing is scored from 0 to 6 in half-point increments and assesses your critical thinking and analytical writing abilities through two timed essays. Your combined score is the sum of your Verbal and Quantitative scores, ranging from 260 to 340. The AWA score is reported separately because it measures a fundamentally different skill set.

Understanding Percentile Rankings

A percentile ranking tells you the percentage of test-takers who scored lower than you. If you score in the 80th percentile on Verbal Reasoning, it means you scored higher than approximately 80% of all GRE test-takers. ETS publishes official percentile data annually based on a rolling three-year window of test administrations. The percentiles in this calculator are approximate and based on recent ETS data. Keep in mind that percentiles can shift slightly from year to year as the test-taking population changes. Also note that Verbal and Quantitative percentiles are not symmetric. A 160 on Verbal places you around the 85th percentile, while a 160 on Quantitative is around the 76th percentile, reflecting the fact that the Quantitative section tends to see higher average scores.

What Is a Good GRE Score?

There is no universal definition of a good GRE score because different programs have vastly different expectations. For humanities and social science programs, a strong Verbal score (160 or above, roughly the 85th percentile) matters most. For STEM and business programs, Quantitative scores of 163 or above (approximately the 85th percentile) are often expected. Top-tier programs at schools like MIT, Stanford, and Harvard typically see admitted students with combined scores above 325, though they evaluate applications holistically. Mid-ranked programs generally look for combined scores in the 305-315 range. Some programs have published minimum score requirements, while others use GRE scores as one of many factors alongside GPA, research experience, letters of recommendation, and statements of purpose.

The Analytical Writing Section

The AWA score is often overlooked by applicants, but many programs do consider it, especially in the humanities, social sciences, and programs that require significant writing. A score of 4.0 places you around the 60th percentile, which is generally acceptable. A 4.5 puts you at approximately the 82nd percentile and is considered strong. Scoring 5.0 or above (93rd percentile) demonstrates excellent analytical writing ability. Programs in technical fields may place less weight on the AWA, but a very low score (below 3.0) can raise red flags even in STEM admissions. The two AWA tasks are the Issue task, where you construct an argument on a given topic, and the Argument task, where you critique a given argument. Both are scored by one human rater and one computerized scoring engine, and the final score is the average.

Score Reporting and Superscoring

ETS allows you to take the GRE up to five times within any continuous 12-month period, with at least 21 days between attempts. You can use the ScoreSelect option to choose which test date scores to send to programs. Some schools practice superscoring, where they consider the highest Verbal score from one sitting and the highest Quantitative score from another. However, not all programs superscore, and some require scores from a single test administration. Check with each program for their specific policy. Your official score report includes all three section scores, and scores are valid for five years from the test date.

Preparing to Improve Your Score

If your practice test scores are below your target, focused preparation can make a significant difference. The average improvement from first to second attempt is about 2-3 points per section. For Verbal, extensive reading of academic texts and learning high-frequency vocabulary words yields the best results. For Quantitative, systematic review of fundamental math concepts and timed practice with GRE-specific question types is key. For AWA, practicing timed essays using the official pool of topics published by ETS and getting feedback on your writing structure will help most. Many test-takers find that a combination of self-study with official ETS materials and a structured prep course produces the best results. The two official ETS practice tests are the gold standard for predicting your actual score.