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A good GRE score depends on the institution you are targeting. You first need to figure out the average GRE score range for your targeted college. Based on that, you can decide – what is a good GRE score for you? However, there are other parameters you need to consider while calculating a good GRE score for you.

Before moving forward, let us look at the average GRE score and range for the General and Subject tests.

The GRE score range from 130-170 scale, in one-point increment for both a quantitative and verbal section. For analytical writing, the score range is 0-6, in half-point increment. On the other hand, every subject test yields a score on a 200-990 score scale, in 10 points increments.

According to the ETS performance statistics, the average GRE score for Quantitative reasoning is 150.37, Verbal reasoning is 153.66, and Analytical writing is 3.60. Thus, the total score will be 303 (45th Percentile).

Similarly, for the subject test, the average GRE score for chemistry is 689, mathematics is 664, physics is 714, and psychology is 619. So, anything above the average subject score can be considered a good GRE score.

Note that the percentile rank associated with GRE general and subject test are different. To understand in detail, read our updated article on what your scores mean in 2021.

Here is an overview of what is generally considered as a good GRE score, an average, and an excellent one for the general test:

What is a good GRE score?	Below Average Score	Average GRE score	Good GRE Score	Excellent GRE Score
GRE Percentile	25th Percentile	50th Percentile	75th Percentile	90th Percentile
GRE Scores	292	300+	318	329

*The values presented are estimated values.

In this article, we help you derive a good GRE score for you and illustrate a three-step process to calculate it.

GRE Score Range

Before moving forward, let us take a look at GRE score range.

The GRE scores range for the general test is from 130 to 170 per section. Remember, the total score is calculated only based on your Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning section.  The max score is 340, and the combined scores range from 260-340. 

Here is the GRE score range for each section:

GRE General test	Scored scale
Quantitative reasoning	130-170, in 1-point increments
Verbal reasoning	130-170, in 1-point increments
Analytical reasoning	0-6, in half-point increments

The score range for the subject test is from 200 to 900, in 10 point increment. The scores are calculated independently for each test and should be compared only with other scores on the same subject test. For instance, a physics test score of 720 in 2021 should be considered equivalent to a 720 physics test in 2020.

Did you know apart from the GMAT Exam, many MBA aspirants tend to take GRE. The acceptance and popularity of GRE for MBA admissions have been increasing in the last few years. Are you confused about whether to take GMAT or GRE? Check out this article on GRE vs. GMAT.

Now that you know the GRE score range let’s derive what is a good GRE score

What is a Good GRE score?

To calculate a good GRE score, it is essential that you first know the average GRE score of individuals who have taken the test.

Average GRE score for General Test

As discussed earlier, the average GRE score for Quantitative reasoning is 153.66, Verbal reasoning is 150.37, and Analytical writing is 3.60. Thus, the total score will be 303. This data is based on the performance of all individuals who tested between July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2020.

Here is the percentile ranking:

GRE Section	Average GRE Score	Percentile Ranking
Verbal Reasoning	150.37	45
Quantitative Reasoning	153.66	48
Analytical Writing	3.60	6

From the above table, we can determine that the average score for the Quantitative and Verbal Reasoning section only accounts for 48 (153.66) and 45(150.37) percentile, respectively.

This means that you scored better than 45 out of every 100  test-taker on Verbal reasoning.

A 45th percentile is just an average score and not an excellent one. It will not be a good score for highly competitive programs as the average score for the Grad schools is above 303.

Generally, a 75^th percentile is a pretty good GRE score, and a 90^th percentile is an excellent one.

Thus, we can say that a score of 318 and above is good, whereas a score of 329 is an excellent one. A score of 300+ is considered average, and a 292 score is considered below average.

Score Percentiles for GRE General test

Here is the percentile ranking for the General test:

GRE score	Quant Percentile	Verbal percentile	Score Level	Analytical Writing
170	96	99	6.0	99
165	84	96	5.5	98
160	70	85	5.0	91
155	54	67	4.5	80
150	35	44	3.5	37
145	18	25	3.0	13
140	7	12	2.5	5
135	2	4	2.0	1

*This data is based on the performance of all individuals who tested between July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2020.

Average GRE score for Subject Test

Similarly, you need to consider the average score for its six disciplines for the subject test.

GRE Subject Test	Average score	Percentile Ranking *
Chemistry	692	50th
Mathematics	669	48th
Physics	717	51th
Psychology	622	42th

*the percentile ranking is approx. value

From the above table, we can say that if you score 692 in chemistry, you scored 50^th percentile. This means that you scored better than 50 out of every 100 test-taker on Chemistry.

Thus, anything above the average mentioned for each subject test type is a good GRE score. Similarly, anything below the average is not a good score.

Score Percentile for GRE subject test

Here is the percentile ranking for the Subject test:

Score	Chemistry	Mathematics	Physics	Psychology
980	–	–	95	–
940	99	96	88	–
900	96	94	81	–
860	90	87	74	–
820	81	79	67	99
780	71	72	61	95
740	61	64	54	86
700	50	56	47	72
660	39	48	39	56
620	28	40	32	42
580	19	32	24	31
540	12	23	16	22
500	6	15	9	14
460	3	8	4	8
420	1	3	2	5
380	–	1	1	2
340	–	–	–	1

*This data is based on the performance of all individuals who tested between July 1, 2017 – June 30, 2020.

But knowing the average GRE score of individuals who took the GRE is not enough to calculate a good GRE score for you. Why?

Let us assume you want to get into Harvard Business school, and you took the GRE general test. Based on the ETS statistics, we now know that for individuals who took GRE in the past the average score is 303 (153 + 150). However, getting into Harvard is very competitive, with an average score of 326 for its incoming class of 2022. So, a good score to get into Harvard would be 326 or above.

Thus, while calculating a good GRE score, you should also consider your targeted institution’s average score. The same is applicable for the GRE subject test.

How to calculate a Good GRE score? Three-Step Process

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What is a good GRE score for an MBA?

For most top 50 business schools the GRE score ranges from 310 to 330. On average, the GRE score for the top 50 colleges is approx. 308. Based on this data, we can say that a good GRE score for MBA applicants should be 10 points more than the average GRE score of the chosen business school. Obviously, if you are from an over-represented pool of candidacy then you need to target at least 20 points more than the average GRE score.

Overall, a good GRE score for an MBA applicant targeting the top 50 Business schools is 318 to 330. Anything over 330 is considered an excellent score.

Take a look at this article to know the average GRE score at top business schools.

What is a Good GRE score for a scholarship?

The main purpose of the scores is to help the business school/ graduate programs evaluate your application. If you get a higher score than other applicants, your application will stand out, and you will have a better chance at landing a scholarship.

A high score does not guarantee a Scholarship

Some business schools use scores as a criterion to give out Scholarships. However, there are other components of your MBA application that are also taken into consideration. For example, the Indianan Kelley MBA program offers merit-based scholarships awarded on the following criteria – Academic performance, professional experience, and Application strength.

On the other hand, business schools like HBS do not look at your scores to earn scholarships. Harvard MBA Scholarship is given based on the financial need of the student. It does not offer merit-based scholarships.

Check out the list of MBA scholarships for Indian and International students here.

Also, many business schools like Kellogg School of Management automatically consider admitted students for merit scholarships. Only those who have demonstrated excellence in one or more areas of their application have a chance to get a scholarship. 

Let’s say the graduate school you are applying to considers the GRE score for giving out Scholarships.

Under such circumstances, firstly, consider other parameters used to evaluate scholarships based on merit. Once you are aware of that, follow these three steps:

1. Check the scholarship page of the institution you are applying to. The majority of the institutions don’t specify the scores needed. However, you will get to know the types of Scholarship they offer and the parameters for evaluation
2. Reach out to people who have availed of the Scholarship and ask them about their score
3. Research the institution’s average score and target at least a few points higher than the average to stand out. For example, if the average score at Yale is 330, to increase your chances to get into Yale, we can add say 2-4 points, i.e., 334. This score might get you admission to Yale. However, to get a scholarship gaining a few more points can increase your chances. i.e., 337 (334+ 3) higher might help you get a scholarship

Thus, a high score can increase your chances of getting one.

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