GRE Score Calculator
Enter your Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytical Writing scores to calculate your GRE total, section percentiles, and see whether you hit the benchmarks for your target programs.
sections
Enter Verbal and Quantitative scores
to calculate your GRE total.
Find your scores on your ETS account at ets.org. Scores are available approximately 10–15 days after your test date.
How the GRE Is Scored
Three sections, two of which form your total. AW is reported separately.
Verbal Reasoning
130–170Reading comprehension, text completion, sentence equivalence. Tests your ability to analyze and evaluate written material.
Quantitative Reasoning
130–170Arithmetic, algebra, geometry, data analysis. Calculator permitted. Tests mathematical reasoning, not advanced math.
Analytical Writing
0–6Two 30-minute essays: Analyze an Issue and Analyze an Argument. Does not count toward your 260–340 total.
GRE Score Ranges — What They Mean
How total scores map to competitiveness across graduate programs.
GRE Percentile Chart (2022–2023 ETS Norms)
Verbal and Quantitative percentiles at the same score differ significantly — always compare by percentile, not raw number.
| Score | Verbal Percentile | Quant Percentile | Verbal Rank | Quant Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 170 | 99th | 96th | Top 2% | Top 5% |
| 168 | 98th | 90th | Top 3% | Top 11% |
| 166 | 97th | 84th | Top 4% | Top 17% |
| 164 | 94th | 78th | Top 7% | Top 23% |
| 162 | 91th | 71th | Top 10% | Top 30% |
| 160 | 87th | 63th | Top 14% | Top 38% |
| 158 | 81th | 55th | Top 20% | Top 46% |
| 156 | 75th | 47th | Top 26% | Top 54% |
| 154 | 68th | 39th | Top 33% | Top 62% |
| 152 | 60th | 31th | Top 41% | Top 70% |
| 150 | 52th | 24th | Top 49% | Top 77% |
| 148 | 44th | 18th | Top 57% | Top 83% |
| 146 | 36th | 13th | Top 65% | Top 88% |
| 144 | 28th | 9th | Top 73% | Top 92% |
| 142 | 21th | 6th | Top 80% | Top 95% |
| 140 | 15th | 3th | Top 86% | Top 98% |
| 138 | 10th | 2th | Top 91% | Top 99% |
| 136 | 6th | 1th | Top 95% | Top 100% |
| 134 | 4th | 1th | Top 97% | Top 100% |
| 132 | 2th | 1th | Top 99% | Top 100% |
| 130 | 1th | 1th | Top 100% | Top 100% |
Notice: a 160 on Verbal = 87th percentile, while a 160 on Quantitative = only 63rd percentile. Quant scores cluster higher, making the same raw score relatively less impressive on Quant.
Target GRE Scores by Program Type
Different fields weight Verbal and Quant very differently. Use this as a starting point — always check the specific programs you are applying to.
| Program Type | Verbal Target | Quant Target | AW Target | What Matters Most |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top MBA | 160+ | 163+ | 4.5+ | Balanced — both sections matter equally |
| STEM PhD (CS/Eng) | 155+ | 167+ | 4.0+ | Quant dominates — 165+ preferred |
| Humanities/Social Sci | 163+ | 150+ | 5.0+ | Verbal + AW are primary signals |
| Law School (GRE) | 163+ | 155+ | 5.0+ | Verbal and AW mirror LSAT skills |
| Health/Med Sciences | 153+ | 153+ | 4.0+ | Balanced; sGPA often matters more |
| Psychology | 156+ | 148+ | 4.5+ | Verbal strength; research experience key |
| Education | 150+ | 148+ | 4.0+ | Lower score thresholds than STEM/law |
| Business (other) | 155+ | 158+ | 4.0+ | Quant more important than Verbal |
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything you need to know about GRE scores, percentiles, and graduate school admissions.
How is the GRE scored?
The GRE General Test has three sections: Verbal Reasoning (130–170), Quantitative Reasoning (130–170), and Analytical Writing (0–6 in 0.5-point increments). Your total GRE score is the sum of Verbal and Quantitative only, ranging from 260 to 340. Analytical Writing is reported separately and does not affect your total. Scores are reported in 1-point increments for Verbal and Quant.
What is a good GRE score?
The average GRE score is approximately 150 for Verbal and 153 for Quantitative, making the average total around 303. A "good" score depends on your target programs. For top MBA programs, aim for 320+ total. For competitive PhD programs in STEM, a Quant score of 165+ is often expected. For humanities and social sciences programs, a strong Verbal score (160+) carries more weight. As a rule of thumb, any score above the 75th percentile (roughly 157 Verbal, 161 Quant) is considered competitive at most programs.
What is the difference between GRE Verbal and Quantitative percentiles?
The GRE percentile scales are not symmetric. A 170 (perfect score) in Verbal places you at the 99th percentile, while a 170 in Quantitative places you at only the 96th percentile — because more test-takers score at the top of the Quant scale. This means that a 160 Verbal (87th percentile) is a stronger relative performance than a 160 Quantitative (63rd percentile). When evaluating your scores, always compare percentiles, not raw numbers.
How long are GRE scores valid?
GRE scores are valid for five years from the test date. If you took the GRE in 2020 and are applying in 2025, those scores are still valid. If you are applying in 2026, you would need to retake the test.
Can I retake the GRE and submit only my best scores?
Yes — ETS offers ScoreSelect, which lets you choose which scores to send to graduate programs. You can send scores from a single test date or from all your test dates. Most programs accept the highest scores if you submit multiple sittings, and some use a "superscore" approach, taking your highest Verbal and Quant from separate sittings. Always check individual program policies.
How much does the GRE cost?
The GRE General Test costs $220 in most countries as of 2024. ETS offers fee reductions for eligible test-takers. You can retake the GRE once every 21 days and up to five times within any continuous rolling 12-month period.
Is the GRE required for all graduate programs?
No — GRE requirements vary widely. Many programs made the GRE optional during the COVID-19 pandemic and have kept that policy. Law schools primarily use the LSAT, though many now accept the GRE. Medical schools use the MCAT. Business schools may accept either the GRE or GMAT. Always check the specific admissions requirements for each program you are applying to.
What is the Analytical Writing section and how is it scored?
The Analytical Writing section consists of two 30-minute essay tasks: Analyze an Issue and Analyze an Argument. Each essay is scored by a human rater and an automated scoring system (e-rater). The two scores are averaged to give a final AW score from 0 to 6 in 0.5-point increments. The average AW score is approximately 3.5. Most competitive programs look for a 4.0 or above, and top humanities programs often want 5.0+.
How does the GRE compare to the GMAT for business school?
Most business schools accept both the GRE and GMAT equally. The GRE is generally considered slightly easier for test-takers with strong verbal skills, while the GMAT's Integrated Reasoning section and data sufficiency questions are more business-specific. If you are applying exclusively to business school, the GMAT may signal stronger commitment. If you are considering both business and other graduate programs, the GRE is more flexible.