What is a Good GRE Score? What is the difference between the old and the new GRE Score?

What is the difference between prior and new GRE® scores?

In August 2011, ETS introduced the GRE® revised General Test, and with it, a new scoring system for the Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections. The score scales for these sections are now 130-170 in one-point increments instead of the prior 200 – 800 score scales in 10-point increments. The most noticeable change is the move from 10-point increments to 1-point increments – with the goal of making smaller performance differences between examinees less likely to be interpreted as meaningful. The score scale for the Analytical Writing section is 0-6 in half-point increments.  

Since the GRE revised General Test is new, schools may still be describing scores using the prior scoring system. You should keep that in mind when comparing your GRE scores to the past average GRE scores suggested by various educational institutions. You may also want to reference ETS’s concordance information, which shows the relationship between scores on both the new and prior score scales.

GRE revised General Test scores

Your GRE Scores include a Verbal Reasoning score, a Quantitative Reasoning score and an Analytical Writing score. The Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections are both scored in 1-point increments on a 130 to 170 scale. The Analytical Writing section is scored on a 0 to 6 scale in half-point increments. If you don’t answer any questions for one of these measures, you will receive a No Score (NS) for that specific measure.

GRE score reports will include Percentile Ranks indicating the percent of examinees in a recent three-year period that scored below your specified score.

GRE revised General Test scores are valid for 5 years.

How and when do I receive my GRE scores?

There are three possible ways to receive your GRE scores:

• By mail – After your test is scored, you will receive an official score report from ETS by mail.
• Online – You can check your GRE scores online free of charge.  You will first need to create a My GRE Account.
• Over the phone – You can hear your GRE scores over the phone for a small fee.

Your GRE registration fee covers four free GRE score reports that are sent to the schools or fellowship sponsors that you have selected. It is also possible to send additional GRE score reports at a later time to other institutions, for a fee.

Computer-based GRE scores are reported 10 to 15 days after you take the test. Paper-based GRE Scores are sent approximately six weeks after your test date.

What is a good GRE score?

There is no official minimum for GRE scores, it varies a lot from program to program.

In case you don't get your target GRE score, you can take the test again – once every 60 days but no more than five times within any continuous 12-month period. There are different approaches to how graduate and business schools look at multiple GRE scores. For example, some admission offices consider the higher of your GRE scores, while others pay more attention to score increases.

GRE scores can, without any doubt, play an important role in your enrollment results. However, this doesn’t mean that a lower GRE score will disqualify you from being admitted! It is still possible to balance out a lower GRE score with an excellent result from your undergraduate degree, an outstanding grade-point average, letters of recommendation or work experience. Since admissions requirements vary by program, It is recommended that you check directly with the programs you are interested in to find about their requirements.

Register for the GRE test right away - Make the step towards your future education today!