What Is A Good GRE Score Range & Percentile In 2024?

You could score a 165 on the GRE and still feel like you bombed it—welcome to the emotional rollercoaster of GRE prep. It’s not just about hitting a number; it’s about that nagging feeling of, “Is this good enough?” You’ve spent months prepping, only to have doubts creep in once you see your results. It’s a struggle that many test takers face but rarely talk about.

The real issue is that there’s no universal good GRE score. One person’s average score could be another’s ticket into a top-tier graduate program. The trick is understanding what your target schools want and using that to shape your prep, instead of stressing over a single section like GRE analytical writing or verbal score. It’s about making your GRE score chart work for you, not the other way around.

How Important GRE Scores Are To Universities?

According to ETS, more than 500,000 people take the GRE every year, with scores being a critical factor for admission to thousands of graduate programs worldwide. Many top programs, from specialized academic fields to MBA programs, still rely on Graduate Record Examination scores to assess the potential of applicants. And while some schools have made the GRE optional, don’t be fooled—those numbers still play a key role in admissions decisions.

So, why do universities love seeing your GRE score?

Standardized Comparison

Admissions committees receive applications from all over the world. The GRE test offers a standardized way to compare candidates across diverse educational backgrounds. Your scaled score on the verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing sections provides universities with an objective measure to evaluate your readiness for a graduate program.

Predictive Value for Success

Research shows that a good GRE score is often correlated with success in graduate school. Programs believe that if you can handle the test prep and score well on the GRE exam, you likely have the discipline and analytical skills needed to excel academically.

Verbal and Analytical Skills

Universities aren’t just looking for math whizzes. The verbal score and analytical writing score highlight your ability to think critically and communicate effectively—skills that are essential in both academic research and professional settings. A solid writing score can distinguish you in fields where communication is key.

Differentiator Among High Achievers

When top-tier applicants all have similar GPAs or impressive resumes, the GRE score can serve as a tiebreaker. Schools can use your performance in specific sections, like the quantitative or analytical writing, to narrow down who is best suited for their programs. In competitive fields, a high percentile ranking could be the deciding factor between you and another candidate.

How Does GRE Scoring Work?

The GRE is scored on a scale that covers three key sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing. Each section has its own score range, and the final overall GRE score is based on the scores you get in the Verbal and Quantitative sections. Understanding how GRE scoring works is essential to knowing where you stand among GRE test takers and which programs you may qualify for.

Here’s a simple breakdown of how the GRE scoring works:

Section of the GRE	Score Range	Description
Verbal Reasoning Score	130 – 170	Measures your ability to understand, analyze, and evaluate written material. A perfect GRE score in this section is 170.
Quantitative Reasoning (Quant) Score	130 – 170	Tests your mathematical skills, including algebra, geometry, and data analysis. A perfect quant score is 170.
Analytical Writing Score	0 – 6	Assesses your ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and effectively. Scored in half-point increments, with 6 being the highest.
Overall GRE Score	260 – 340	The combined score of Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning. GRE score depends on your performance in these two sections.

What Is A Good GRE Score Range?

A good GRE score range really depends on what you’re aiming for, but generally speaking, most top graduate programs are happy with a score on the GRE around 310 to 320, while some top MBA programs may want to see something closer to 325. The quant score and verbal reasoning score each range from 130 to 170, and while a perfect GRE score of 340 is technically possible on the GRE, it’s about as rare as finding a unicorn.

For most people, a quantitative score in the 160s and a verbal score in the mid-150s puts you in the solid “good enough to get noticed” zone. The GRE percentile that comes with those numbers is what truly matters, so check your score report and see where you stand among other GRE test takers.

Ultimately, the score you need depends on the cutoff score and gre requirements of the specific graduate school programs you’re applying to. Aim for a higher score if you can, but remember, the best GRE scores are the ones that fit your target score for your chosen path.

What Is A Good GRE Score Percentile?

In general, scoring in the 75th percentile or above is considered competitive for most top graduate programs, while top MBA programs may expect you to be in the 90th percentile. Your percentile reflects how your GRE score compares to other GRE test takers, showing where you stand.

Here’s a simple breakdown you were looking for:

GRE Section	Score Range	Percentile Rank (Approx.)
Verbal Reasoning	160	85th Percentile
Quantitative Reasoning	165	89th Percentile
Analytical Writing	5.0	92nd Percentile

10 Top Universities In The World That Accepts GRE

Choosing a university that accepts GRE scores can feel like picking out the perfect avocado—everyone’s got their own standards, and not all are going to be ripe for you! The good news? The world’s top universities aren’t just looking for a perfect GRE score; they use a holistic approach, but those scores do matter.

Here’s a list of 10 top universities in the world that accept the GRE:

University	QS Rank (2024)	Average GRE Score	Average Fees (USD/year)	Average Starting Salary (USD/year)
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)	1	Verbal: 158, Quant: 159	$53,790	$100,000+
Stanford University	5	Verbal: 159, Quant: 158	$55,473	$95,000+
Harvard University	4	Verbal: 160, Quant: 162	$54,880	$120,000+
University of Cambridge	2	Verbal: 160, Quant: 164	$42,000	$90,000+
University of Oxford	3	Verbal: 160, Quant: 164	$45,900	$85,000+
California Institute of Technology (Caltech)	6	Verbal: 160, Quant: 157	$54,600	$100,000+
University of California, Berkeley	10	Verbal: 153, Quant: 167	$44,000	$85,000+
Imperial College London	7	Verbal: 157, Quant: 162	$43,400	$80,000+
National University of Singapore (NUS)	8	Verbal: 155, Quant: 165	$30,000	$75,000+
University College London (UCL)	9	Verbal: 156, Quant: 160	$38,500	$75,000+

Conclusion

The GRE is like running a marathon in uncomfortable shoes—yes, it’s tough, but it’s also a chance to show your endurance and determination. A good GRE score isn’t about perfection; it’s about finding the sweet spot that matches your ambitions and aligns with your target programs. Whether you’re aiming for a top-tier MBA program or a specialized graduate school, understanding how your GRE score fits into the bigger picture is key.

Ultimately, a good GRE score is relative—it depends on the programs you’re applying to, their GRE score requirements, and the balance between your verbal, quant, and analytical writing sections. Instead of obsessing over hitting the top score possible, focus on getting the score that’s good enough to open doors for you, while also investing time in the other parts of your application.

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