What is a Good GRE Score and Which Universities Accept It?

What is a good GRE score? The answer to this question depends on the cutoff of the university that you are aiming for. Read ahead to know what an average, good, and excellent GRE score is with regards to the entire test-taking population.

How is the GRE Exam Scored?

Before we move forward, it’s important to know how the GRE is scored. The GRE test has three sections:

• Verbal Reasoning
• Quantitative Reasoning
• Analytical Writing

The test is scored on a scale of 130-170 in the Verbal and Quantitative sections. The Analytical Writing section is scored on a scale of 0-6 in half-point increments. 

What Are the Average GRE Scores for Different Sections?

When you get your GRE scores, you also receive a percentile rank which rates your performance relative to that of a large sample population of other GRE test-takers. 

Since there are only 41 possible overall scores for the GRE, answering just one more question right could be the turning point for a great score. 

According to the ETS performance statistics, the average GRE score for different sections are:

• The quantitative section 153.39
• The verbal section 150.37 
• Analytical Writing section 3.58

This makes the total average GRE score 303 ,or 45th Percentile.

GRE Score ranges- Average, Good, and Highest GRE scores

The best GRE scores

Obtaining the below-mentioned scores will put you on the list with the highest GRE score and in the top 10% of all GRE test-takers.

Section	Score Range
Verbal Reasoning	163-170
Quantitative Reasoning	165-170
Analytical Writing	5.0-6.0

Competitive GRE scores 

If you manage to obtain these scores, it will put you in a highly competitive place for admissions. Besides this, you will be among the top 25% of all GRE test-takers. 

Section	Score Range
Verbal Reasoning	158-162
Quantitative Reasoning	159-164
Analytical Writing	4.5

Good GRE Scores 

These scores will put you ahead of the pack but will not be as advantageous when you’re applying to highly competitive programs. 

Section	Score Range
Verbal Reasoning	152-158
Quantitative Reasoning	153-158
Analytical Writing	4.0

Average GRE Scores 

These scores may be useful to get into various graduate programs but will be below average as compared to the rest of the population.

Section	Score Range
Verbal Reasoning	151 or below
Quantitative Reasoning	152 or below
Analytical Writing	3.5 or below

What is a good GRE Score for you? 

The most important thing to bear in mind is that a good GRE score for you will be the one that is high enough to get you into the program or the university you wish to attend. 

GRE scores are often used by a university’s admission committee to rule out the weakest applicants. This means that a low score may tank your chances, but a score beyond the program criteria won’t help you a lot if you lack another essential component desired by the admission committee. 

A high GRE score may cover up for minor weaknesses such as a GPA slightly below the program average, but it won’t make up for any glaring deficits in your application profile. 

In addition, a great GRE total score will enable you to qualify for scholarships where GRE scores may be the only meaningful way to compare applicants across different disciplines. 

Another common question that applicants have is which universities accept what range of GRE scores. Read on to know more about different universities and the GRE scores they accept.

List of Universities With Their GRE Score Acceptance Range

If you want to get admission calls from any of the top universities, ace your GRE. A good GPA would be a bonus as it often takes a good overall profile to decide where you will study. 

The below-mentioned universities are considered the world’s best universities to pursue a master’s program. To get enrolled in them, you need an overall GRE score between 300 and 320.  

Universities that accept GRE scores between 315 to 320

1. Pennsylvania State University

Tuition fee: $29,566 

Acceptance rate: 54.2%

2. North Carolina State University 

Tuition fee: $19,511 

Acceptance rate: 49.6% 

3. Ohio State University

Tuition fee: $29,592 

Acceptance rate: 64% 

4. State University of New York 

Tuition fee: $18,350 

Acceptance rate: 40.1% 

5. Boston University

Tuition fee: $43,970 

Acceptance rate: 45.6% 

Universities that accept GRE scores between 310 to 315

1. Arizona State University

Tuition fee: $25,286 

Acceptance rate: 87.9% 

2. University of Rochester 

Tuition fee: $25,110 

Acceptance rate: 35.3% 

3. University of South Carolina

Tuition fee: $25,700 

Acceptance rate: 60.6% 

4. Indiana University 

Tuition fee: $23,164 

Acceptance rate: 74.4% 

5. University of Colorado

Tuition fee: $29,142 

Acceptance rate: 83.6% 

Universities that accept GRE scores between 305 to 310

1. University of Alabama

Tuition fee: $20,774 

Acceptance rate: 77.7% 

2. University of Louisiana 

Tuition fee: $14,104 

Acceptance rate: 60.4% 

3. Illinois Institute of Technology 

Tuition fee: $21,672 

Acceptance rate: 55% 

4. University of Pittsburgh 

Tuition fee: $37,528 

Acceptance rate: 56.1% 

5. University of Texas 

Tuition fee: $15,100 

Acceptance rate: 58.5% 

Universities that accept GRE scores between 300 to 305

1. SUNY Binghamton 

Tuition fee: $19,954 

Acceptance rate: 41.7% 

2. Southern Methodist University 

Tuition fee: $20,340 

Acceptance rate: 50.7% 

3. Stevens Institute of Technology 

Tuition fee: $30,200 

Acceptance rate: 38.2% 

4. University of Nebraska 

Tuition fee: $18,396 

Acceptance rate: 64.4% 

5. New Jersey Institute of Technology 

Tuition fee: $25,400 

Acceptance rate: 65.5%

What is the total GRE Score? 

The maximum total GRE test score you can achieve is 340. This can be happen when you get 170 each in the Quantitative Reasoning and Verbal Reasoning sections. Coming to the Analytical Writing section, you will score full if you get a 6. 

Can You Appear for the GRE Test Multiple Times?

Please note that you can take the GRE test once every 21 days and up to five times during a continuous 12-month period. If you have taken GRE more than once, you can choose which test results you want to send to universities. 

Is It Possible to View GRE Scores Online?

You can view your test results online after receiving an email notification from ETS. The GRE scores are generally available 10-15 days after taking the test. 

Key Takeaways

After carefully evaluating the candidacy competitiveness and targeted institute, you can target and get a good GRE score. 

If you get one of the highest GRE scores, it will make your application stand out. Consequently, you will have a better chance of landing a scholarship. Always aim for a score that is higher than your target university’s cutoff score. 

The above-mentioned American Universities’ GRE scores would help you determine the minimum score you need to achieve to get an admission call from them. And if you have a combination of the perfect GRE score and an excellent profile, you can get lucky by grabbing a university scholarship! 

If you still have the questionwhat is a good GRE score, reach out to us! We will help you figure out all about your GRE preparation and the study abroad process. 

Good luck!