How To Check Unofficial GRE Score Report?

Every GRE test-taker knows that feeling: the relief of finishing the exam, quickly followed by the panic of seeing your unofficial GRE score card report flash on the screen. It’s like waiting for a plot twist in a movie you’ve already seen—except this time, the outcome matters a lot more. Those numbers staring back at you feel like they’re mocking you, and suddenly, the future of your fellowship sponsors and designated institutions hangs in the balance. Fun, right?

You’ve been preparing for the GRE for 2 months, and now you’re left wondering what those scores really mean. Is it a good GRE score? Will it be enough for your top-choice programs? Or should you be mentally preparing to go through this all over again? While it’s normal to feel lost, don’t worry—understanding that unofficial score isn’t as tricky as it seems, and I’ve got some pointers to make sense of it all.

How Is The Final GRE Score Calculated?

When it comes to the Graduate Record Examination, knowing how the final GRE score is calculated can feel like trying to solve a mystery—except this one comes with a big impact on your future. If you’ve ever wondered what happens between test day and receiving that official score report (GRE result time), you’re not alone. Thankfully, the process isn’t as complicated as it may seem.

Here’s a breakdown of how your GRE score is calculated and what to expect on your score report:

Section Scores

The GRE consists of three sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing. Each is scored separately—so yes, your ability to juggle words and numbers are both judged!

Raw Scores

After you finish the exam on your test date, your raw score is based on how many questions you got right in both the Quant and Verbal Reasoning sections. No tricks here—correct answers only!

Scaled Scores

ETS (the testing folks) then use some complex scaling to adjust for the difficulty of the questions. This means your final GRE score is based on your performance compared to other test-takers.

Writing Score

Your GRE Analytical Writing section is scored by a combination of a human reader (yes, a real person) and a computerized program to give you a score between 0 and 6. Keep it balanced, and you’ll score well!

Official vs. Unofficial

Right after your test, you’ll see your unofficial score for Quant and Verbal Reasoning. However, your official score (including Analytical Writing) will arrive a bit later in your ETS account—typically within 10-15 days.

ScoreSelect Option

If you’re not thrilled with your scores, don’t panic. Thanks to ETS’s ScoreSelect, you can choose which scores to send to the institutions you designate, ensuring only your best GRE performance shines through.

What Is An Unofficial GRE Score? How It Is Different From The Official Score Report?

After finishing the GRE, you’re immediately presented with something called the unofficial GRE score for the verbal reasoning and GRE quantitative reasoning sections. At that moment, you’re probably thinking, “Great, I have my score!”—but hold on, because that’s only part of the picture. While this score can give you an idea of how you performed, it’s far from the full story. You still need to wait for your official GRE General Test scores, which come with a few extra details that matter to your chosen institutions and fellowship sponsors.

The difference between the unofficial and official GRE score reports is more than just a formality; it can impact how and when you send scores to universities and sponsors to receive your scores. Let’s break it down:

Feature	Unofficial GRE Score	Official GRE Score
Available When	Immediately after you take the GRE	10-15 days after your test date
Sections Included	Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning only	Verbal, Quant, and Analytical Writing
Where You View It	Shown at the test center immediately	Available online through your ETS account
Validity	Not officially recognized by institutions	Valid for five years from the date you took the test
Can Send to Universities?	No	Yes, you can send GRE scores to institutions and sponsors
Finality	You still need to wait for your official score	Official, scaled scores and can be sent to score recipients
Options for Sending	Cannot be used to send your scores	You can choose up to four free score reports or order additional reports

4 Expert Tips To Improve The GRE Scores

You just need expert tips to boost your GRE scores, right? No fluff, no complicated strategies—just practical advice you can start using right now.

Whether you’re prepping for your first attempt or trying to bump up your score before your next test date, these four tips will help you focus on what really matters:

1. Master the Timing Game

Using the timer wisely during the verbal and quant sections is critical. The GRE is as much about time management as it is about knowledge. Practice pacing yourself on quant questions and reading passages so you don’t run out of time. A key trick? Skip the hardest questions first and come back to them. This way, you ensure you’re scoring points on the easier ones.

2. Take Full-Length Practice Tests

Nothing prepares you better than simulating the real test. Take full-length, computer-delivered practice tests to build stamina and reduce anxiety on test day. It’s one thing to nail practice questions individually, but quite another to tackle the test under real conditions. This will also help you get familiar with the format and use ScoreSelect wisely when it’s time to send GRE scores to your dream schools.

3. Focus on Your Weakest Section First

If your quantitative reasoning is weaker than your verbal reasoning, it’s time to focus on that. The GRE rewards balance, so getting both scores up can make a huge difference. Drill down into your weakest areas with focused practice, targeting the specific question types that trip you up. This is especially helpful because your final GRE score will reflect a balance of your skills.

4. Review Your Mistakes – Don’t Just Take More Tests

It’s easy to get caught up in taking as many practice tests as possible, but it’s more important to analyze where you’re going wrong. After each test, go through the questions you missed, figure out why, and adjust your strategy. The goal isn’t just to do more questions but to learn from every single one. That’s how you turn practice into real progress!

Conclusion

At the end of the day, improving your GRE score is all about smart preparation and staying calm under pressure. Focus on pacing, work on your weaker areas, and learn from your mistakes—that’s where real progress happens. And when it comes to the unofficial vs. official score report, just remember: the numbers on screen are just part of the story. With the right approach, you’ll be ready to send your scores to the institutions and fellowship sponsors you’ve worked so hard for. You’ve got this!

Master the GRE and take a significant step toward graduate school admission with Ambitio as your strategic partner. Our platform provides a comprehensive suite of resources, from expertly designed lessons to personalized feedback, all aimed at helping you secure a score that reflects your true academic ability.

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