What Is a Good GRE Score? Percentiles, Averages, and Targets for Every Program

How the GRE Scoring Scale Works

Before you can determine what constitutes a good GRE score, you need to understand how the test is scored. The GRE General Test measures three distinct skills across three sections, each with its own scoring scale. Unlike some standardized tests that produce a single composite number, the GRE reports separate scores for each section, and most graduate programs evaluate these section scores independently.

Verbal and Quantitative Score Ranges

Both the Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections are scored on a scale from 130 to 170, in one-point increments. This means the lowest possible score on either section is 130 and the highest is 170. The narrow 41-point range means that even small score differences can represent significant percentile jumps, especially at the higher end of the scale.

The GRE uses section-level adaptive testing, which means the difficulty of your second Verbal or Quant section depends on your performance in the first. This adaptive mechanism is built into the scoring algorithm, so your final 130-170 score accounts for both the number of questions you answered correctly and the difficulty level of the questions you received.

Analytical Writing Score Scale

The Analytical Writing (AWA) section is scored separately on a scale from 0 to 6, in half-point increments. You write one essay (the Issue task), which is evaluated by both a trained human reader and an automated scoring engine called e-rater. If the two scores agree, their average becomes your final AWA score. If they diverge significantly, a second human reader evaluates the essay to determine the final score.

Most graduate programs view AWA scores as a secondary data point compared to Verbal and Quant scores. However, a very low AWA score (below 3.0) can raise concerns about your writing ability, particularly for programs that involve significant research or thesis writing.

Total Score Range and What It Means

Your total GRE score is the sum of your Verbal and Quantitative section scores, ranging from 260 to 340. While some students and prep companies reference total scores for convenience, most admissions committees look at section scores individually. A total score of 320 could mean 160 Verbal and 160 Quant, or 150 Verbal and 170 Quant — two very different profiles depending on the program.

For this reason, it is more useful to focus on your section scores and their corresponding percentiles rather than obsessing over a total number. The section breakdown tells admissions committees far more about your strengths and readiness for their specific program.

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Average GRE Scores and Percentile Benchmarks

Understanding average GRE scores and percentiles gives you the context you need to evaluate your own performance. Percentiles tell you how your score compares to all other test takers, which is ultimately what admissions committees care about most. A score that looks modest in isolation might actually place you well above average, depending on the section.

Current Average Scores by Section

According to the most recent ETS data from the 2024-2025 testing year, the average GRE Verbal Reasoning score is approximately 150.94, and the average Quantitative Reasoning score is 155.44. The average Analytical Writing score is 3.56 on the 0-6 scale. These averages are calculated from over 206,000 test takers worldwide.

The roughly five-point gap between average Verbal and Quant scores reflects the test-taking population: many GRE test takers are applying to STEM and business programs and tend to have stronger quantitative backgrounds. This means that scoring above average on the Quant section requires a higher raw score than scoring above average on Verbal.

How GRE Percentiles Work

Your GRE percentile rank tells you the percentage of test takers who scored lower than you. For example, if you scored at the 75th percentile in Verbal Reasoning, you performed better than 75% of all test takers in that section. Percentiles are calculated based on the scores of all GRE test takers over the most recent three-year period.

The critical percentile thresholds most students should know are: the 50th percentile (approximately 151 Verbal, 155 Quant), the 75th percentile (approximately 158 Verbal, 167 Quant), and the 90th percentile (approximately 163 Verbal, 170 Quant). These benchmarks help you quickly gauge whether your score is average, competitive, or exceptional.

Percentile Compression in Quantitative Reasoning

One important trend to understand is percentile compression in the Quantitative Reasoning section. Because many test takers perform well on Quant, the percentile differences between scores at the top end are much larger than you might expect. For instance, the difference between a 165 and a 170 in Quant represents a much bigger percentile jump than the same five-point difference at the lower end of the scale.

This compression means that a score of 167 on Quant places you at roughly the 90th percentile, while 170 (a perfect score) is only at the 97th percentile. For Verbal, the distribution is more spread out, so each point of improvement corresponds to a more consistent percentile gain. Students targeting STEM programs should be aware that even small Quant score improvements near the top of the scale can significantly boost their competitiveness.

Good GRE Scores by Field of Study

What counts as a competitive GRE score varies significantly depending on the field you are pursuing. Engineering programs place a premium on Quantitative scores, while humanities departments care more about Verbal performance. Understanding these field-specific expectations is crucial for setting realistic targets and allocating your study time wisely.

STEM and Engineering Programs

For STEM fields such as engineering, computer science, and physical sciences, Quantitative Reasoning scores carry the most weight. Competitive applicants to top STEM programs typically score between 163 and 168 on the Quant section, which corresponds to roughly the 80th to 95th percentile. A perfect or near-perfect Quant score of 169-170 is not unusual among admitted students at elite programs like MIT, Stanford, or Caltech.

Verbal scores are less critical for most STEM programs, but that does not mean they are irrelevant. A Verbal score below 150 can occasionally raise concerns, especially for programs that involve significant writing or collaboration. Most competitive STEM applicants score at least 150-155 on Verbal, with stronger candidates reaching 155-160.

Humanities and Social Sciences

Humanities, social science, and policy programs tend to prioritize Verbal Reasoning scores because these fields demand strong reading comprehension, analytical thinking, and writing skills. Competitive applicants to top programs in English, history, political science, or psychology typically score 160 or above on the Verbal section, with top-tier programs expecting 163 or higher.

Quantitative scores matter less for most humanities programs, though some social science fields (economics, political methodology, sociology with quantitative focus) do value strong Quant performance. For purely qualitative programs, a Quant score of 150-155 is generally sufficient as long as your Verbal score is strong. The Analytical Writing score also carries more weight in these fields, with most competitive applicants scoring 4.5 or above.

Business and MBA Programs

MBA programs that accept the GRE typically expect balanced performance across both sections. Top MBA programs like Harvard Business School, Wharton, and Stanford GSB report average GRE scores for admitted students in the low-to-mid 160s for both Verbal and Quantitative, with total scores in the 320s. These programs want to see that candidates can handle both the analytical and communication demands of a business education.

For MBA applicants, neither section should be significantly weaker than the other. A score imbalance — such as 170 Quant but only 148 Verbal — can raise questions about your ability to succeed in case discussions, presentations, and business writing. Aim for at least 155 in each section, with a total of 315 or above for competitive MBA programs and 325 or above for the most selective ones.

GRE Score Targets for Top Graduate Programs

If you are targeting highly selective graduate programs, you need to aim higher than the overall average. Elite programs attract applicants from around the world, and GRE score expectations reflect that competitive pool. Here are concrete score targets organized by program selectivity tier to help you set your goals.

What Ivy League Programs Expect

Ivy League and top-20 graduate programs generally expect GRE scores at or above the 90th percentile. For Verbal Reasoning, this means targeting 163 or higher. For Quantitative Reasoning, you should aim for 168 or higher, keeping in mind the percentile compression discussed earlier. Some highly competitive STEM programs at schools like MIT, Stanford, and Caltech report average Quant scores of admitted students at 168-170.

However, these are averages, not minimums. Exceptional research experience, publications, or strong recommendation letters can sometimes compensate for scores slightly below the average. Conversely, scores above the average do not guarantee admission if other parts of your application are weak. Use these numbers as targets to aim for, not as rigid cutoffs.

Score Targets by Program Tier

To make score targeting more practical, think about programs in tiers. The top 10 programs in any field (Ivy League, Stanford, MIT, Caltech, and similar) generally expect scores in the 90th percentile or above. Programs ranked 20th through 50th are still highly competitive but typically admit students with scores in the 75th to 90th percentile range. Programs ranked 50th to 100th often have more flexible score expectations, with averages closer to the 60th to 75th percentile.

Less selective programs may admit students with scores at or slightly above the overall average. If your target programs fall into this category, scoring 155 or above on both sections gives you a solid chance, especially if the rest of your application is strong. Remember that many programs publish their admitted student score ranges on their websites, making it straightforward to determine your specific targets.

How Admissions Committees Evaluate GRE Scores

Understanding how admissions committees actually use GRE scores can help you keep your preparation in perspective. While a strong GRE score is important, it is rarely the single determining factor in graduate admissions decisions. Most programs use a holistic review process that considers multiple dimensions of your candidacy.

GRE as Part of Holistic Review

In most graduate admissions processes, GRE scores are one data point among many. Committees typically evaluate your undergraduate GPA, the rigor of your coursework, research experience, letters of recommendation, personal statement, and any relevant work experience or publications. The GRE serves as a standardized benchmark that allows committees to compare applicants from different universities and countries on a common scale.

Different programs weight the GRE differently. Some use GRE scores as an initial screening tool, filtering out applicants below a minimum threshold before reviewing the rest of the application in detail. Others review all components simultaneously and may overlook a lower-than-average GRE score if other parts of the application are particularly strong. It is worth contacting programs directly to ask how they use GRE scores in their review process.

When GRE Scores Can Offset a Low GPA

A strong GRE score can partially compensate for a lower undergraduate GPA, particularly if your GPA was affected by early-college struggles and improved significantly over time. A high GRE score demonstrates current academic ability and suggests that your low GPA may not reflect your true potential. This is especially powerful if your strong GRE section aligns with the skills needed for your program.

However, there are limits to this compensation. A GRE score cannot fully replace a consistently low GPA, a lack of research experience, or weak recommendation letters. Think of GRE scores as one tool in a toolkit for building a compelling application, not as a silver bullet. The strongest applications have strength across multiple dimensions.

The Test-Optional Trend

A growing number of graduate programs have adopted GRE-optional or GRE-free admissions policies, accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Some prestigious departments in fields like computer science and biology have permanently dropped the GRE requirement, arguing that it does not predict graduate school success well enough to justify the barrier it creates for some applicants.

If your target programs are GRE-optional, consider whether submitting scores helps or hurts your application. If your scores are at or above the program's historical average, submitting them strengthens your candidacy. If your scores are significantly below average, you may benefit from the optional policy. Always check each program's current requirements, as policies continue to evolve year to year.

How to Set Your Personal GRE Score Target

Rather than asking "what is a good GRE score?" in the abstract, the most useful approach is to determine what a good GRE score means for your specific situation. This requires researching your target programs and honestly assessing your starting point. Here is a systematic approach to setting a personalized GRE score target.

Researching Program-Specific Averages

Start by identifying three to five graduate programs you are most interested in attending. Visit each program's admissions page and look for reported GRE score ranges or averages for admitted students. Many programs publish this information directly; others include it in their class profiles or admissions FAQ sections. If the information is not publicly available, email the admissions office — most are willing to share general score ranges.

Once you have the score data, identify the highest target across all your programs for each section. This becomes your ceiling target. Then identify the median target across your programs — this is your realistic goal. If the gap between your diagnostic score and your ceiling target is more than 15 points, you may need to consider a longer preparation timeline or adjust your program list.

Creating a Section-Specific Study Plan

Take a full-length GRE practice test under realistic conditions to establish your baseline scores. Then calculate the gap between your baseline and your target for each section. Allocate your study time proportionally based on which section matters most for your field and where you have the largest gap to close. For most students, two to three months of consistent study at 10-15 hours per week is sufficient to improve by 5-10 points per section.

Schedule additional practice tests every two to three weeks to track your progress and adjust your study plan. If you find that your scores are plateauing despite consistent effort, consider changing your study materials or approach rather than simply adding more hours. Quality of practice matters more than quantity, and targeted work on your weakest question types typically yields the fastest improvement.

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