GRE Score Range 2025: Know Good and Average GRE Score?

GRE Score Range 2025: Know Good and Average GRE Score?

Prabhjyot KaurUpdated on 21 Mar 2025, 03:24 PM IST

International students require the test scores of GRE (Graduate Record Examination) for getting admission in several universities abroad. Therefore, it becomes important to know about this standardized test before applying to universities abroad. It's really important for future students to grasp the GRE score range, the percentiles, and what a good GRE score actually looks like.

This Story also Contains

  1. GRE Score Range 2025
  2. What is the GRE Score Range?
  3. What is a Good GRE Score in 2025?
  4. What is the Average GRE Score?
  5. GRE Score Percentiles 2025
  6. GRE Score Ranges for Top Universities
  7. GRE Score Ranges by Major
  8. GRE Score Range: Old vs. New
GRE Score Range 2025: Know Good and Average GRE Score?
GRE Score Range 2025: What's a Good GRE Score?

Do you aim to score 320+ in your GRE exam? If you are wondering how to sail through your admissions? In this article, we will talk about the GRE score range 2025 and help you understand how to score better for studying abroad.

GRE Score Range 2025

The GRE exam is divided into three key sections, each with its own score range. The table below shows the sections of GRE and their score range:

GRE Score Range

Section

Score Range

Verbal Reasoning

130 - 170

Quantitative Reasoning

130 - 170

Analytical Writing

0 - 6

The combined total of verbal and quantitative reasoning becomes the total GRE score range. It ranges from 260 to 340. It is possible for a student to score a maximum 340, which will be when he/she scores 170 in each of the two sections.

Read more: How GRE scores are calculated?

What is the GRE Score Range?

As discussed above, the total GRE exam scores range from 260 to 340 in verbal and quantitative reasoning sections. However, the last section, that is the Analytical section, is a bit different from them. Students can score from 0 to 6 here. Students can score from 200 to 900 in 10 increments as GRE Subject Test scores. A student who does not perform well in the exam is likely to score 200, which is the lowest and similarly, a student who performs really well gets the chance to score a perfect 900, which is the highest.

Do you know what are good and bad GRE scores? Before we delve into that, let us understand the GRE score range in the table below:

GRE Score Range

Section

GRE Score Range

Increment

GRE Verbal Reasoning

130-170

1 point increment

GRE Quantitative Reasoning

130-170

1 point increment

GRE Analytical Writing

0-6

0.5 point increment

GRE Subject Test

130-170

10 point increment

Explore:

What is a Good GRE Score in 2025?

A student appearing for GRE must score at least 320 if he/she wishes to get admission in a top foreign university. However, the GRE score requirement for each university is different and decided by them. In general, if a student is able to secure 158+ in verbal section, 159+ in quantitative section and 4.5+ in the analytical section, then most likely, it will be considered a good GRE score. If you score this, then If you are able to score this much, then you are placed in the 75th percentile or higher.

A number of universities accept GRE scores between 300 and 320, Ivy league or top-tier universities need at least 330+ for admission.

A good GRE score depends on several factors, such as the course chosen and the university applied to. In general, these are the scores required.

  • Top universities: 320+ (Verbal 160+, Quant 160+)

  • Competitive programs: 310-320

  • Moderate programs: 300-310

  • Below average: <300

The below table will clear all your doubts regarding a good or bad GRE score:

GRE Scoring

Verbal Reasoning

Quantitative Reasoning

Analytical Writing

Overall GRE Score

Best GRE Score

163-170

165-170

5.0-6.0

330+

Competitive GRE Score

158-162

159-164

4.5

320-330

Good GRE Score

152-158

153-158

4.0

320+

Below Average GRE Score

151 or below

152 or below

3.5 or below

300 or below

What is the Average GRE Score?

Students generally score an average GRE score of 300 to 310. If we talk about each of the sections of GRE, they score an average of 152 in verbal, 158 in quantitative and 3.5 in analytical sections respectively.

GRE Average Verbal and Quant Score

GRE Score Percentiles 2025

GRE score percentiles indicate how a test-taker's performance compares to others. A percentile rank shows the percentage of candidates who scored lower than a given score.

For instance, a 90th percentile score means the test-taker outperformed 90% of examinees, providing valuable insight into competitiveness.

GRE Score Percentiles

GRE Score (Verbal/Quant)

Percentile (Verbal)

Percentile (Quant)

170

99th

96th

165

96th

86th

160

90th

73rd

155

80th

59th

150

50th

38th

145

27th

18th

140

12th

7th

GRE Score Ranges for Top Universities

Following table shows the GRE score range for top universities:

GRE Score for Top Universities

University

Average GRE Score

Harvard University

325 - 335

Stanford University

325 - 335

MIT

325 - 340

University of Chicago

320 - 330

Columbia University

320 - 330

Yale University

320 - 330

University of Michigan

310 - 325

GRE Score Ranges by Major

Following table shows GRE score range by major:

GRE Score Ranges by Major

Major

Competitive Score Range

Engineering

315 - 330

Computer Science

320 - 335

Business (MBA)

310 - 325

Social Sciences

300 - 320

Biological Sciences

305 - 320

Humanities

300 - 315

Physical Sciences

310 - 330

The GRE score range for PA school is 295-310, with top programs expecting 310+ and the GRE score range for PT school is between 290-310, with top schools expecting 310+.

GRE Score Range: Old vs. New

Before August 2011, the GRE had a different scoring system:

Section

Old GRE Score Range

New GRE Score Range

Verbal Reasoning

200 - 800

130 - 170

Quant Reasoning

200 - 800

130 - 170

Analytical Writing

0 - 6

0 - 6

A strong GRE score enhances your graduate school application but should be considered alongside GPA, SOP, LOR, and other factors. Preparing well with practice tests and a structured study plan is key to achieving your desired score.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: What is a good score in GRE?
A:

A good GRE score for most graduate programs generally involves 75th percentile or above for each section (157+ Verbal, 162+ Quant, 4.0+ Writing), translating to an overall score of 318 or higher. However, target scores can vary significantly based on the specific program and university.

Q: Is 320 a good GRE score?
A:

Yes, a GRE score of 320 is generally considered a good score, especially for competitive programs, placing you in the 80th percentile or higher, indicating you scored better than 80% of test-takers.

Q: What is the GRE score for Harvard?
A:

Aspiring applicants should aim for a total score between 330 and 340 if they wish to get an admission in Harvard.

Q: What is a perfect GRE score?
A:

Students can score a perfect score of 340 (170 in both verbal and quantitative). Although there are three sections in the GRE exam, the scores of the analytical section (0-6) are not considered. 

Q: Is 314 a Good GRE Score?
A:

A GRE score of 314 is considered competitive for mid-tier universities and some top programs, depending on the field. For STEM programs, higher Quant scores (160+) are preferred.

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Questions related to GRE

On Question asked by student community

Have a question related to GRE ?

Hello,

It depends on the university you are applying to. Most German universities do not require GATE for admission to a Master's in Biotechnology. However, some universities may ask for the GRE , especially if you are applying to a highly competitive program.

You should check the specific admission requirements

GRE, TOEFL, IELTS, and GMAT are standardized tests often required for admission to universities abroad, but they serve different purposes. The **GRE** (Graduate Record Examination) is used for admission to graduate programs and some business schools, focusing on verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing. The **TOEFL** (Test of English

Hello aspirant,

Those who wish to pursue postsecondary education, specifically a Master's degree, specialised Master's programme, MBA, or PhD, are eligible to take the GRE. You must show up for the GRE general exam. Use the following link to get the comprehensive exam details:

https://studyabroad.careers360.com/exams/gre

Thank you

Hope this information

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Yes, pursuing an M.Tech in Computer Science and Engineering (CSE) through the GRE is possible. Many universities, especially in the US, accept GRE scores for admission into their master's programs in CSE. Strong GRE scores, along with a solid academic record, relevant work experience, and a compelling statement of purpose,