Understanding Your GRE Score: Result, How to Check, Validity & More

You know you need your GRE results for admission to your dream college.  

• But how much do you need to score?
• What is the GRE total score?
• What is the GRE max score?
• And most importantly, what is a good GRE score?

Find answers to all these questions in our detailed blog on GRE results analysis and interpretation below. 

Plus, you’ll get to see a sample GRE scorecard for a better understanding. 

What is GRE?

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a standardised test used to measure an individual’s verbal and quantitative aptitude and analytical capabilities. 

The GRE results are used by thousands of graduate schools across the globe as admission criteria.

For foreign education aspirants, GRE results are an important factor in determining their admission eligibility. That’s not all though. GRE results also determine whether applicants are eligible for securing scholarships and finance for foreign education.

GRE scoring in 2024 (section-wise)

Let’s take a look at the GRE total score, GRE score range, GRE max score, and GRE score percentiles now.

GRE score range and GRE max score

The overall GRE score is calculated by adding the Verbal, Quantitative and Analytical Writing section scores. 

The highest possible marks and GRE score range for each of these sections are as follows:

While these are the GRE max scores, it is extremely hard, if not impossible, to achieve these scores on your GRE results. 

• Less than 1% of students achieve a perfect score in the Verbal section.
• Less than 3% of students achieve a perfect score in the Quantitative section. 

Must Read: See how GRE results affect your education loan eligibility.

GRE score percentiles

Your GRE results include the scaled score that you have received along with your GRE score percentiles.

What are GRE score percentiles and why are they needed? 

GRE score percentiles show how you did compared to other people who took the test. 

For example, if you’re in the 80th percentile, it means you scored better than 80% of test-takers. 

GRE score percentiles help colleges and universities compare students from different test dates fairly. It also helps you understand how competitive your score is for the program or college you’re applying to.

Let’s take a look at the percentile ranks for all the GRE sections. 

If you do not answer any question in a section, it will show No Score (NS) for that section.

This percentile table will help you understand what universities you can apply to. But that’s not the only factor. For more guidance around selecting the right university for international education, trust SelectRight.

Average GRE scores

Wondering what is a good GRE score?
Well, the answer to what is a good GRE score out of 340 depends on what university you are applying to or the scholarship you are looking for. 

It is best to visit the official websites of the institutions to understand what is a good GRE score for them.

To get a general understanding of what is a good GRE score out of 340, you can check out the average GRE scores. 

Understanding how GRE results are calculated

To better understand what is a good GRE score, it is important to see how GRE results are calculated.

Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning

The verbal reasoning and quantitative reasoning tests are adaptive. This means the difficulty of the second section is based on your performance in the first section.

• Your score is based on the number of correct answers.
• Each question carries equal weight in scoring.

Scoring Process

Step 1: The number of questions you answered correctly is counted. This gives the raw score.
Step 2: A scaled score is calculated by “Equating” the raw score.

Equating refers to the process of adjusting the differences in difficulty among different test editions. With the scaled score, you get a fair indication of your performance, irrespective of the second section you receive or your test date. 

Analytical Writing

Essays are scored on a 6-point holistic scale.

The e-rater® scoring engine, a computer program, evaluates essay features related to writing proficiency.

Scores are based on the overall quality of the essay in response to the given task.

Scoring Process

Step 1: A computerised score is calculated by e-rater® based on writing features
Step 2: Trained analysts and experts review all essay responses.

You can learn more about interpreting your GRE results here.

FAQs

1. How to check your GRE results and GRE total score?

You’ll get your official GRE test scores and GRE score percentiles in your ETS account 8 to 10 days after you take the test. 

You will get an email notification from ETS once your scores are ready. 

To check the GRE results:

Step 1: Log in to your ETS account.
Step 2: View your GRE results. 

2. What details are available in my GRE scorecard?

Below is a sample of the GRE results that you’ll see. 

Here are the details you will see in your GRE results:

• You name
• Your phone number
• Your email
• Your address
• Your date of birth
• Your gender
• Your intended graduate major
• Your test date 
• Your GRE test scores 
• Associated GRE score percentiles

Check out the complete GRE results sample here.

3. What results do institutions or other score users see?

You are required to share your GRE scorecard with educational institutions, fellowship sponsors, or even those who are offering scholarships for foreign education.

You can either send the GRE test results to them yourself. Or you can let ETS send an official Institution Score Report to 4 recipients you would have selected on the test day, for free. 

You can also get your GRE score card sent to more institutions at an additional fee. 

The GRE scorecard that these authorised score recipients receive will be different. Sample GRE scorecard shared with authorised recipients.

It will include:

• You name
• Your phone number
• Your email
• Your address
• Your date of birth
• Your gender
• Your intended graduate major
• Your test date 
• The score you choose to report with the ScoreSelect® option and associated GRE score percentiles.

Check out the complete sample here.

4. What is GRE ScoreSelect®?

If you have taken the GRE multiple times, the ScoreSelect® option lets you choose which out of your active test scores are shown to the recipients.

5. How long are GRE scores valid?

Wondering how many years the GRE score is valid?
Not sure the GRE score is valid for how many years?

Well, the GRE scores are valid and can be reported to various institutions and organisations up to a period of 5 years from your test date. 

Let’s take an example to understand the GRE score validity

Say you take your GRE test on January 01, 2024. Then your GRE test results will remain valid and reportable till January 01, 2029. You can visit the official ETS website and calculate the exact date of your GRE score validity.