Content Writer - Study Abroad | Updated On - Jun 25, 2024
Highlights:
- Good Score: A good GRE score out of 340 depends on your targeted program and university. Check the university’s score requirements from the official website.
- Top University’s Score: A 320+ GRE score is required to get admission to a top-ranked university like MIT, Harvard, Oxford, and University of Cambridge.
- Getting Your Score: You will receive your GRE score 8 to 10 days after your test date in your ETS account.
- Good Percentile Score: Achieving a 90% score means 162 in verbal and 166 in the quantitative reasoning section.
A Good GRE Score depends on the program and the university you are applying to. The total GRE score ranges from 260 to 340 for the quantitative and verbal sections. The analytical writing section score ranges from 0 to 6. On average, 158+ for Verbal, 159+ for Quantitative, and 4.5+ for Analytical Writing is considered a great GRE score. Top universities and business schools like Harvard, Oxford, MIT, and the University of Cambridge require a 320+ GRE score. You must check the university’s specific score requirements from the official website before sending your score report. Achieving good GRE test scores helps your admission process in some of the top-ranked universities worldwide.
Table of Contents |
GRE Scoring Pattern
To have a deep understanding of ‘what is a good GRE score out of 340?’ the method of ‘how the GRE is scored?’ should be explained. GRE score distribution is categorized as:
The GRE score is the composite score of GRE verbal and GRE quant out of 340. Now, the GRE analytical writing section is calculated in a distinctive way, and it is also not as vital as the other two. GRE analytical writing section is calculated on a GRE score scale of 0.0 – 6.0 and in half-point increments.
There are points to be noted about the GRE scores:
- Grad schools generally focus on a sectional GRE score – either verbal or quant
- Grad schools only concentrate on the sectional score related to the field of study the test taker is opting for
- For instance, a grad school will be inclined more toward a candidate’s GRE quantitative score who is applying for engineering than the verbal
GRE Score Percentile
There is a tendency among test takers to look for the total GRE score out of 340, but that is the ultimate way to find if it is a good GRE score. The finest way is to find through GRE score percentiles. GRE percentiles state the percentage of candidates the test-taker performed better than. The greater GRE percentile, the better your performance in that section. GRE is not scored on a total of 340 in an absolute manner and therefore, it is not possible to find the percentiles of the GRE as a whole.
Note: Anything above GRE percentile of 70th is considered sober, as that states you scored better than 50% of the other test-takers.
The following table will explain GRE score to percentile conversion:
GRE Percentile | GRE Verbal Score | GRE Quant Score | Score Interpretation |
---|---|---|---|
99 | 169-170 | 170 | Excellent |
90 | 162 | 166 | Very Good |
75 | 157 | 160 | Good |
50 | 150-151 | 153 | Average |
25 | 144-145 | 147 | Below Average |
10 | 139-140 | 141 | Poor |
1 | 132 and below | 134 and below | Very Poor |
It is quite comprehensible from the above table that GRE verbal scores are lesser on the same percentile level than GRE quant scores. This happens because most of the test takers score higher in the quant section, making it a cutthroat competition.
Points studied from the above table:
- ‘What is a good GRE score out of 340?’ depends solely on the sectional score
- A 162 GRE score means the 90th percentile in verbal,
- Whereas, the same score is equal to the 80th percentile in quant
Coming to GRE analytical writing section, though it is not equally crucial as the other two, it is always recommended to achieve a proper score in this section too.
GRE Percentile | GRE AWA Score | Score Interpretation |
---|---|---|
99 | 6.0 | Excellent |
98 | 5.5 | |
92 | 5.0 | Very Good |
82 | 4.5 | Good |
59 | 4.0 | Average |
41 | 3.5 | |
17 | 3.0 | Below Average |
7 | 2.5 | Poor |
2 | 2.0 | Very Poor |
1 | 1.5 and below |
Figuring Out Good GRE Score
The best way to determine ‘what is a good GRE score out of 340?’ is to figure out which program you’re applying to and in which grad school, by following the steps:
STEP 1: Design a Chart
Make a chart comprising the list of preferred universities, their requirements, GRE verbal and quant scores. It will appear somewhat like:
Grad Schools | What they require | GRE verbal score | GRE quant score |
---|---|---|---|
University of Pennsylvania | - | - | - |
University of Michigan | - | - | - |
UC Berkeley | - | - | - |
Harvard University | - | - | - |
STEP 2: Research Information
In this step, find out the required information like:
- Average scores: This includes GRE scores of the previously admitted applicant.
- Recommended scores: The scores advised by the schools to be maintained to secure admission
- Minimum required scores: The lowest possible GRE scores one can get to apply to that program
Where to find the information about the scores:
- University webpage in the admission/program pages
- Never rely on the unofficial website
- If you’re not getting average scores, search for recommended or minimum scores
STEP 3: Finally fill out the Chart
After searching for all the information, it may happen that the university has published the average scores and few have published percentiles.
STEP 4: Calculate GRE scores
Now, when the test taker has all the information, find out the highest GRE score for both quant and verbal. Start preparing hard for GRE so that you can achieve that score. Once you achieve that score, applying to other grad schools will also become easier.
Having a good understanding of GRE score requirements is important. You can check the university’s score requirements from the university’s official website. A good GRE score always depends on the university and program you are applying.
FAQs
Ques: Is 320 a good GRE score?
Ans: Achieving 320 in GRE is considered a perfect GRE score, and accepted by the top-ranked universities worldwide. Check the university's specific score requirements from their official websites.
Ques: Is 300 a good score in GRE?
Ans: The total score in GRE ranges on a scale of 260 to 340. Achieving a 300 GRE is considered an average score, and can help you to get admission to some of the best universities worldwide.
Ques: What is a good score in GRE out of 340?
Ans: A good GRE score out of 340 depends on your targeted program and university. On average, achieving a score above 320 is considered a good GRE out of 340.
Ques: Is 310 a low GRE score?
Ans: GRE total score ranges from 260 to 340, and achieving a score of 310 is considered a good GRE score. Some of the top-ranked universities worldwide accept a score of 310.
Ques: What is an OK GRE score?
Ans: A perfect GRE score depends on the university you are applying to. On average, achieving 158+ in verbal, 159+ in quant, and 4.5 in writing is considered an ok GRE score.
Ques: Is GRE 325 a good score?
Ans: GRE total score ranges on a scale of 260 to 340. Achieving a 325 GRE is considered a perfect score. Most of the top-ranked universities accept 325 GRE scores.
Ques: Is 80% good on the GRE?
Ans: An 80% score on GRE is calculated as 159 in verbal, 165 in quant, and 5.0 in the analytical writing section. Overall, achieving a score above 310 is considered a good GRE score.
Ques: What is a perfect GRE score?
Ans: GRE total score ranges from 260 to 340, and the perfect score depends on your targeted university. On average, achieving above 320 is considered a perfect GRE score.
Ques: Is 270 a good GRE score?
Ans: The lowest GRE score is 260, achieving a 270 score is considered a low score. You need to achieve a score above 300, which is considered a good GRE score.
Ques: What is a failing GRE score?
Ans: There is no passing or failing score on GRE. Every university sets its own GRE score requirements. Achieving a GRE score above 320 is considered a good academic proficiency.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.
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