If you scored 325 on the GRE, you are well above average — but is 325 a good GRE score for the programs you are targeting? With a combined score range of 260 to 340 and an average around 309, a balanced 325 (for example, 162 Verbal / 163 Quant) sits at the 88th percentile in Verbal and the 60th percentile in Quant. Whether that is strong enough depends on your field, target schools, and how your section scores break down.
The GRE General Test has two scored sections: Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning. Each section is scored on a scale of 130 to 170 in one-point increments, giving a combined score range of 260 to 340. There is also an Analytical Writing section scored separately on a 0 to 6 scale in half-point increments, with an average of 3.5. See how a 325 compares with every other total in our GRE score guide.
A 325 combined score means your Verbal and Quantitative scores add up to 325. This can come from many different section splits — for example, 165 Verbal and 160 Quant, or 155 Verbal and 170 Quant. The split matters significantly, which we will cover in the percentile section below.
The average GRE scores for test takers from July 2022 – June 2025 are 151.4 for Verbal Reasoning and 157.6 for Quantitative Reasoning, putting the average combined score at approximately 309. A 325 is 16 points above that average — a substantial margin that places you firmly in the upper range of test-takers.
By unofficial estimates, a 325 GRE score corresponds to roughly the 80th percentile of all test-takers. That means if you scored 325, you likely performed better than about 80% of everyone who took the GRE.
One important nuance: ETS does not publish a composite percentile for combined scores. They only report percentiles for each section individually. The 80th percentile figure for a 325 total is an unofficial estimate, not an ETS statistic, and your actual standing depends on how the 325 breaks down between your Verbal and Quantitative scores.
The same total score can yield very different percentile profiles depending on the section split. This happens because Verbal and Quantitative sections have different score distributions — a 165 in Verbal puts you at the 95th percentile, while a 165 in Quant puts you at the 67th percentile.
| Section Score | Verbal Percentile | Quant Percentile |
|---|---|---|
| 170 | 99th | 89th |
| 165 | 95th | 67th |
| 162 | 88th | 57th |
| 160 | 82nd | 50th |
| 158 | 76th | 45th |
| 155 | 64th | 37th |
| 152 | 48th | 29th |
| 150 | 39th | 23rd |
For example, a student scoring V160/Q165 has a Verbal score at the 82nd percentile and a Quant score at the 67th percentile — strong and balanced. A student scoring V155/Q170 has a 64th percentile Verbal but an 89th percentile Quant — a lopsided profile that is ideal for STEM programs but may be a concern for humanities programs that value Verbal scores.
| Split | Verbal | Quant | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quant-Heavy | 155 | 170 | Engineering, CS, Data Science |
| Balanced-High Q | 160 | 165 | Business, STEM, most programs |
| Balanced | 162 | 163 | Social Sciences, interdisciplinary |
| Verbal-Heavy | 165 | 160 | Humanities, Law, Education |
| High Verbal | 168 | 157 | English, Creative Writing, Philosophy |
Enter your Verbal and Quant scores to see how your specific breakdown affects your competitiveness.
The most selective graduate programs — think top-10 ranked schools in engineering, business, or the sciences — typically see average GRE scores of 328 to 340 among admitted students. A 325 falls slightly below these averages, but it does not disqualify you. Admissions at this level are holistic: your GPA, research experience, publications, letters of recommendation, and statement of purpose all carry significant weight.
If you are targeting a top-10 program, a 325 means your GRE will not be your application's strongest element, but it will not be a red flag either — especially if your section split aligns with the program's priorities.
For programs ranked in the top 11 to 50, a 325 is a strong score. Many of these programs see average admitted GRE scores in the 315 to 325 range, meaning you are at or above their typical admitted student. At this tier, your 325 is a genuine asset in your application.
| Program Tier | Typical GRE Range | 325 Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Top 10 Programs | 328–340 | Below average — strong application needed |
| Top 11–20 Programs | 320–330 | Competitive — solid candidate |
| Top 21–50 Programs | 310–325 | Above average — strong candidate |
| Mid-Tier Programs | 300–315 | Well above average — very strong |
| Lower-Tier Programs | Below 300 | Excellent — top of applicant pool |
What counts as a competitive score shifts dramatically by field. Engineering programs weight Quantitative scores more heavily, while humanities programs prioritize Verbal scores. A 325 with a Q170/V155 split might be exceptional for a computer science program but underwhelming for an English literature program — even though the total is the same.
The average GRE score in engineering is around 310 (Verbal 150, Quant 160). A 325 is well above this average, making you a strong candidate at most engineering programs. For top-tier engineering schools, aim for a high Quant score — a split of 155 Verbal / 170 Quant would be particularly effective. Top electrical engineering and computer science programs at elite schools may expect combined scores closer to 330.
The average GRE score for business programs is approximately 307 (Verbal 151, Quant 156). A 325 significantly exceeds this benchmark. For MBA programs specifically, top-10 ranked schools average GRE scores of 330+, while schools ranked 11-20 average 325+ and those ranked 21-50 average 320+. This means a 325 positions you well for top-20 MBA programs.
Social science programs average around 304 combined (Verbal 153, Quant 151), while humanities and arts programs average about 306 (Verbal 156, Quant 150). A 325 is an excellent score in both fields. If you are applying to humanities programs, the key is ensuring your Verbal score is strong — a split of 165 Verbal / 160 Quant carries more weight than 155 Verbal / 170 Quant in these disciplines.
| Field | Avg Verbal | Avg Quant | Avg Combined | 325 Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering | 150 | 160 | 310 | Above average — strong |
| Business / MBA | 151 | 156 | 307 | Well above average |
| Physical Sciences | 153 | 160 | 313 | Above average |
| Social Sciences | 153 | 151 | 304 | Excellent |
| Humanities & Arts | 156 | 150 | 306 | Very strong |
| Education | 151 | 149 | 300 | Excellent |
Select your target field to see how competitive a 325 GRE score is for programs in that discipline.
For engineering and STEM graduate programs, a 325 GRE score typically meets or exceeds the threshold for scholarship consideration. Many universities use 325+ as a benchmark for merit-based funding in these fields. Combined with a strong undergraduate GPA and relevant research experience, a 325 gives you a competitive edge for teaching and research assistantships.
MBA scholarship dynamics differ. Top-10 business schools generally reserve the most generous scholarship packages for students scoring 330 or higher. However, schools ranked 11 to 20 consider 325+ as a strong score for scholarship eligibility. Your scholarship chances also depend heavily on factors beyond the GRE — work experience, leadership roles, undergraduate GPA, and the strength of your essays all play into funding decisions.
Consider retaking the GRE if you are targeting top-10 programs where the average admitted score is 330 or higher. The 5-point gap between 325 and 330 can matter at the most competitive tier. Retaking also makes sense if your section split does not align with your target field — for example, if you scored V170/Q155 but are applying to engineering programs that prioritize Quant.
Keep in mind that meaningful score improvement requires significant effort. Research suggests that a 20-point improvement on the GRE requires approximately 160 hours of focused study. For a more modest 5-point gain from 325 to 330, you might need 40 to 80 hours of targeted preparation, depending on where your weaknesses lie.
For most applicants, a 325 is a strong score worth keeping. If your target programs have average admitted scores in the 315 to 325 range, your time is better spent polishing your statement of purpose, securing strong recommendation letters, and strengthening other parts of your application. The law of diminishing returns applies — going from 325 to 330 is unlikely to transform a weak application into a strong one, but a compelling personal statement might.