Understanding GRE Percentiles 2024: What Does Your GRE Score Mean

Updated on 21 June, 2024

If you're gearing up for the GRE as part of your graduate school journey, understanding GRE percentiles is crucial. 

Read this article to unravel the mysteries of GRE score percentiles, including the calculation and application of GRE percentiles, percentile tables, and other comprehensive insights.

What are GRE Percentiles

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a standardized examination that has been in operation since 1936. It is managed by Educational Testing Services (ETS). 

Many institutions in the United States and around the world use the GRE to assess a candidate's suitability for various programs. Most colleges prioritize a high GRE score when admitting students to their programs. 

It is important to note that the GRE does not offer a cumulative score. Instead, you receive a separate score for each of the three sections of the test: Verbal Reasoning, Analytical Writing, and Quantitative Reasoning.

GRE Score Range 2024

Whether the GRE score percentiles range is deemed favorable depends on the institution you aim to join. On average, a verbal score of 150 and a quantitative score of 152 are typical.

Nonetheless, individual institutions may have distinct score requirements, making it crucial to research and align your target score accordingly.

GRE Score Range for General Test 2024

GRE Section

GRE Minimum Score

GRE Maximum Score

Point Increment

Verbal Reasoning

130

170

1

Quantitative Reasoning

130

170

1

Analytical Writing

0

6

0.5

How are GRE Percentile Scores Calculated

When determining GRE percentile scores, it's crucial to understand the calculation methods for both the general test and subject tests.

General Test Score Calculation:

Scores from different general test measures cannot be directly compared, as each measure is scored separately. Percentile ranks provided on your score report allow for relative performance comparison across measures. 

It is important to note that while a score reflects a similar level of ability regardless of when it was achieved, its percentile rank may vary based on the comparison group. Verbal reasoning and quantitative reasoning scores consider both the number of correct answers and the difficulty level of each section. 

Analytical writing essay responses are assessed using a 6-point holistic scale, evaluating the overall quality of the essay in response to the task.

Subject Test Score Calculation:

GRE subject tests are scored on a range from 200 to 990 in 10-point increments, though the actual range may be narrower for specific subject tests. 

The scores are based on the number of correct answers provided. Since scores are calculated independently for each test, it is important to compare subject test scores only within the same subject test. 

For example, a score of 780 on the mathematics test cannot be equated with a 720 score on the psychology test obtained in 2024.

ETS calculates GRE test percentiles using all GRE test takers' scores from the most recent three testing years. Each testing year goes from July 1 of one year to June 30 of the next year. 

So basically, your percentile tells you what percentage of test-takers scored lower than you on the same test form in the past three years.

What is GRE Scored Out Of

The GRE overall score, eliminating the analytical writing portion, is 340.

GRE Score Percentiles 2024 for General Test

GRE Percentiles for Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning 2024

Verbal Reasoning

Quantitative Reasoning

Scaled Score

Percentile

Scaled Score

Percentile

170

99

170

94

169

99

169

91

168

98

168

87

167

97

167

83

166

96

166

80

165

95

165

76

164

94

164

73

163

92

163

70

162

89

162

68

161

87

161

65

160

84

160

61

159

81

159

58

158

77

158

55

157

73

157

52

156

70

156

49

155

65

155

46

154

60

154

42

153

56

153

39

152

50

152

36

151

46

151

33

150

41

150

30

149

36

149

27

148

32

148

24

147

29

147

21

146

25

146

18

145

22

145

15

144

19

144

13

143

17

143

11

142

15

142

9

141

12

141

7

140

10

140

6

139

9

139

5

138

7

138

4

137

6

137

3

136

5

136

2

135

4

135

1

134

3

134

1

133

2

133

1

132

2

132

 

131

1

131

 

130

 

130

 

GRE Percentiles for Analytical Writing 2024

Analytical Writing score

GRE Writing Score Percentiles

6

99

5.5

97

5

91

4.5

79

4

54

3.5

37

3

13

2.5

6

2

2

1.5

1

1

0.5

0

What is 160 Verbal GRE Percentile

In the verbal reasoning section,  GRE percentile is 84th.

Also Read: How to Prepare for GRE Verbal

GRE Score Percentiles 2024 for Subject Test

GRE Percentiles for Subject Test:

Scaled Score

GRE Mathematics  Percentiles

GRE Physics Percentiles

GRE Psychology Percentiles

980

 

96

960

96

92

940

96

89

920

95

85

900

93

81

880

90

77

860

86

74

840

82

71

820

78

68

99

800

74

64

97

780

71

61

95

760

66

58

91

740

63

55

86

720

58

52

79

700

54

47

72

680

50

44

64

660

47

40

57

640

42

36

50

620

38

32

43

600

34

27

37

580

30

24

32

560

26

20

27

540

22

16

22

520

18

12

18

500

14

9

15

480

10

6

12

460

7

5

9

440

5

3

7

420

3

2

5

400

2

1

3

380

1

1

2

360

1

1

340

1

320

300

280

260

240

220

200

What is Passing Score for GRE

The GRE examination does not have a passing score.  

What's Considered Good GRE Score

It is worth noting that any score higher than 150 in the verbal section and around 160–165 in the quantitative section are regarded as good scores and are commonly accepted by numerous educational institutions worldwide.

What is GRE Max Score

The GRE exam has a maximum score of 340 (which excludes the Analytical Writing portion).

GRE Percentiles for Most Common Scores

Here are the GRE percentiles for the most common GRE scores:

GRE Percentiles

Verbal Reasoning

Quantitative Reasoning

99

169–170

-

95

165

169–170

90

162

168

85

160

166–167

80

158–159

164–165

75

157

162–163

50

151–152

154–155

GRE Percentiles

Analytical Reasoning

99

6.0

97

5.5

91

5.0

4.5

79

4.0

54

3.5

37

<3.0

<13

How to Improve Your GRE Percentile Score

Here are some excellent strategies to help you increase your GRE exam percentiles.

  • Begin your exam preparation as soon as possible.
  • Create a study objective for yourself.
  • Create a study plan based on the aim.
  • Take advantage of online resources, books, and practice tests.

Now that you know all about the GRE percentiles,  start strategizing and reach your target score.

Read More About GRE Exam

GRE Benefits GRE Syllabus How to Study for GRE
How to Study for GRE How Many Hours is GRE Exam GRE Study Materials
GRE Test Centers Documents Required for GRE Exam How to Send GRE Scores to Universities

Download these useful guides to ace your GRE preparation

GRE  Quant Guides
GRE verbal Sample
GRE AWA sample

FAQs on GRE Percentiles

Is the GRE a difficult exam?

GRE is widely regarded as a competitive exam that assesses your analytical thinking and problem-solving skills. However, whether or not you find the exam difficult will depend on your level of preparation and clarity of concepts. 

Who is eligible for the GRE exam?

According to the ETS, there are no predetermined prerequisites for taking the Graduate Record Examination. The exam is open to students of all educational backgrounds, and there is no age limit.

Which nations accept GRE exam percentiles?

Top GRE-accepting countries include the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, France, Germany, Japan, Ireland, Hong Kong, India, and Sweden, among others.

Urvi Agrawal

Urvi has 3 years of experience as a content writer and marketer. Over years, she has established herself as a study-abroad expert and is adept at crafting compelling and engaging content for students. Self-driven and passionate professional, she likes writing poetry and has authored a poetry book ‘Thoughts of a Wallflower’.

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