What is a good GRE score for graduate school?

A good GRE score depends on your target program. For top 25 programs, aim for a combined score of 320+ (Verbal 160+, Quant 163+, AWA 4.5+). For top 50 programs, target 310+ combined.

How are GRE percentiles calculated?

GRE percentiles indicate the percentage of test-takers who scored lower than you over a recent three-year period. A 75th percentile means you scored higher than 75% of test-takers.

What is the average GRE score?

The average GRE scores are approximately 151 for Verbal Reasoning, 154 for Quantitative Reasoning, and 3.5 for Analytical Writing, resulting in an average combined score of about 305.

How long are GRE scores valid?

GRE scores are valid for 5 years from the test date. You can send scores to graduate programs at any time during this period.

Can I superscore GRE sections?

Some graduate programs allow superscoring (combining your best section scores from multiple test dates), but policies vary. Check with your target programs for their specific policies.

How many times can I take the GRE?

You can take the GRE up to 5 times within any continuous 12-month period, with at least 21 days between test dates. There is no lifetime limit.

Is the GRE harder than the GMAT?

The GRE and GMAT test different skills. The GRE has more vocabulary-focused questions, while the GMAT emphasizes business reasoning. Neither is objectively harder—choose based on your strengths and target programs.

What GRE score do I need for a PhD program?

PhD program requirements vary by field and institution. Top STEM PhD programs often expect Quant scores of 165+ and Verbal scores of 155+. Humanities programs prioritize Verbal scores of 160+ and strong AWA.

How is the AWA section scored?

The AWA consists of two essays scored 0-6 by human raters and an e-rater. Your final AWA score is the average of both essay scores, rounded to the nearest half-point.

GRE Score Calculator 2026

Calculate your GRE General Test scores with our free, comprehensive calculator. Estimate your Verbal Reasoning (130-170), Quantitative Reasoning (130-170), and Analytical Writing (0-6) scores, find your percentile rankings, and plan your graduate school application strategy.

How to Use This GRE Calculator

Follow these steps to calculate your GRE score, find percentiles, and understand your competitive standing

Enter Your Verbal Reasoning Score

Input your Verbal Reasoning section score in the range of 130 to 170. This section measures reading comprehension, text completion, and sentence equivalence skills.

The mean Verbal score is approximately 151. Scores above 160 are considered highly competitive for top programs.

Enter Your Quantitative Reasoning Score

Input your Quant score (130 to 170). This section tests arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis skills relevant to graduate-level work.

STEM programs typically expect Quant scores of 160+. The mean Quant score is approximately 154.

Enter Your Analytical Writing Score

Input your AWA score from 0 to 6 in half-point increments. This measures critical thinking and analytical writing skills based on two essay tasks.

A score of 4.0+ is generally considered acceptable for most programs. Top programs may expect 4.5 or higher.

Calculate and Review Your Results

Click "Calculate Score" to see your combined score, individual section percentiles, and a competitive assessment for graduate admissions.

GRE Score Calculator

Calculate Your GRE Scores

Verbal Reasoning (130–170)

Reading & text analysis

Enter a score between 130 and 170

Quantitative Reasoning (130–170)

Math & data analysis

Enter a score between 130 and 170

Analytical Writing (0–6)

Essay assessment

Enter a score between 0 and 6

Enter your GRE section scores to calculate your combined score and percentiles

Verbal Percentile Lookup

Verbal Score (130–170)

Enter a Verbal score to find its percentile

Quant Percentile Lookup

Quantitative Score (130–170)

Enter a Quant score to find its percentile

Understanding GRE Scoring

GRE Score Ranges and Structure

The GRE General Test consists of three scored sections, each with its own scale:

Verbal Reasoning: Scored from 130 to 170 in 1-point increments
Quantitative Reasoning: Scored from 130 to 170 in 1-point increments
Analytical Writing: Scored from 0 to 6 in half-point increments

Combined Score: Verbal + Quantitative scores are often reported together (range: 260–340). Some programs focus on individual section scores rather than the combined total.

How GRE Scores Are Calculated

GRE scores are derived from the number of correct answers using a process called equating, which accounts for differences in difficulty across test editions:

Raw Score → Scaled Score: Each correct answer contributes to your raw score, which is then converted to the 130–170 scale through statistical equating.

Combined Score Formula:

Combined Score = V_scaled + Q_scaled

Where: V_scaled ∈ [130, 170] and Q_scaled ∈ [130, 170]

Percentile Calculation:

Percentile = Number of test-takers scoring below your score Total number of test-takers × 100

GRE Score Interpretation Chart

Combined Score	Interpretation	Typical Percentile	Target Programs
330–340	Exceptional	95th+	Top 10 graduate programs, Ivy League
320–329	Excellent	85th–94th	Top 25 programs, competitive fellowships
310–319	Good	70th–84th	Top 50 programs, well-regarded schools
300–309	Average	50th–69th	Many graduate programs, state universities
260–299	Below Average	Below 50th	Consider retaking or focusing on other credentials

GRE Percentile Charts

Percentiles show the percentage of test-takers who scored lower than you. Understanding your percentile helps you gauge your competitiveness for your target programs.

Score	Percentile	Score	Percentile

Score	Percentile	Score	Percentile

AWA Score	Percentile	Interpretation
6.0	99%	Outstanding
5.5	96%	Excellent
5.0	91%	Very Good
4.5	80%	Good
4.0	59%	Adequate
3.5	41%	Limited
3.0	17%	Weak
2.5	7%	Seriously Flawed
2.0	2%	Fundamentally Deficient

Percentile data based on GRE test-taker performance. Last updated: January 2026.

GRE Score Requirements by Program Type

Target Scores by Field of Study

STEM Programs (Engineering, CS, Physics): Quant 160-170, Verbal 150+, AWA 4.0+
Business (MBA Programs): Combined 310-330, balanced Verbal/Quant, AWA 4.0+
Humanities & Social Sciences: Verbal 160+, Quant 150+, AWA 4.5+
Law School (JD Programs): Many accept GRE; target Verbal 160+, strong AWA
Medical/Health Sciences: Balanced scores, typically 310+ combined
Education: Combined 300-315, AWA 4.0+

Program Tier	Verbal Target	Quant Target	AWA Target	Combined
Top 10	165+	167+	5.0+	330+
Top 25	160+	163+	4.5+	320+
Top 50	155+	158+	4.0+	310+
Top 100	150+	153+	4.0+	300+

Analytical Writing Assessment (AWA) Scoring

How AWA Essays Are Scored

Your AWA score is the average of scores from two tasks, each scored 0-6:

"Analyze an Issue" Task: Present your perspective on a general-interest topic
"Analyze an Argument" Task: Evaluate the logical soundness of an argument

Each essay is scored by at least one trained human rater and an e-rater (computer program). If scores differ significantly, a second human rater evaluates the essay.

AWA Final Score Formula:

AWA_final = Issue Score + Argument Score 2

Result rounded to nearest half-point (0.5 increments)