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Every GRE test taker is awarded four GRE scores:
- a Quantitative Reasoning score (on a 200-800 scale, in 10-point increments)
- a Verbal Reasoning score (on a 200-800 scale, in 10-point increments)
- a Total score (on a 200-800 scale, in 10-point increments), based on Quantitative and Verbal Reasoning scores
- an Analytical Writing score (on a 0-6 scale), which averages the final scores for each of the two GRE writing tasks
Here you'll learn how each of these GRE scores is calculated, how scaled scores translate into GRE percentile rankings, and what information is (and is not) included on your GRE score report.
Quantitative and Verbal Scores
Your Quantitative and Verbal scores are each based on three factors:
- the number of questions to which you responded correctly
- the difficulty level of the questions to which you responded correctly
- the range of cognitive abilities measured among the questions to which you responded correctly
The computerized testing system employs a complex algorithm to account for each of these three factors. The testing system will tabulate a score regardless of the number of available questions you've answered, except that if you don't respond to at least one question during a section an "NS" (no score) will appear on your score report for that section only.
NOTE: For the paper-based exam, Quantitative and Verbal scaled scores are computed based solely on the number of correct responses; no penalty is assessed for incorrect responses. (All test takers in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and South Korea must take paper-based Quantitative and Verbal sections.) [About the Paper-based GRE]
Analytical Writing — Scoring and Evaluation
You'll receive a single Analytical Writing score for both of your GRE essays. Here are the steps in the scoring process:
- Each of your essays is graded, on a scale of 0-6, by two human readers.
- For each essay, if the two grades differ by more than one point, then a third, very experienced reader reads the essay and adjudicates the discrepency.
- Your final grade for each essay is the average of two grades (or the adjudicated grade).
- Your final Analytical Writing score is the average of two final grades — one for each of your two essays — rounded up to the nearest half-point.
In evaluating the overall quality of your writing, GRE readers will consider four general areas of ability:
- Content: your ability to present persuasive and relevant ideas and arguments, through the use of sound reasoning and supporting examples
- Organization: your ability to present your ideas in a cohesive and organized manner
- Language: your facility with the English language (diction, word usage, and vocabulary)
- Grammar: your facility with the conventions of Standard Written English, including grammar and syntax (sentence structure)
All GRE readers are college or university faculty members. (Most are either English or Communications professors.) Each of your two GRE essays will be read and evaluated by a different reader. Each reader evaluates your writing independently of the others, and none is informed of the others' grades.
NOTE: During each of the two essay sections, if you fail to key in (type) at least one character on the word processor's editing screen, you will automatically receive a score of 0 (on a scale of 0 to 6) for that section; this score will appear on your report.
GRE Percentile Rankings
For each of your three GRE scores, you'll also receive a percentile rank (0-99%). A percentile rank of 60%, for example, indicates that you scored higher than 60% (and lower than 40%) of all other test-takers.Percentile rankings for Quantitative Reasoning and Verbal Reasoning reflect your performance relative to the entire GRE test-taking population during the most recent three-year period. Percentile rankings for Analytical Writing compare all test takers, not just those responding to the same particular topics.Percentile rankings are provide to you, the test taker, as part of your GRE score report in order to help you assess your performance relative to other GRE test takers. However, percentile rankings are not included in the score report provided to the schools.
Reporting of Scores to Test Takers and to the Schools
GRE Quantitative and Verbal scores are available to you immediately upon completion of the test, at your option. In any event, official GRE scores, including Analytical Writing scores, will be available to you and to your designated recipients within 10-15 days after testing.Score reports are cumulative; they include scores from all GRE exams you've taken during the last 5 years. Exam absences and cancellations also appear on your official report, but they will not adversely affect your chances of admission.
You may choose to send only General Test scores, only Subject Test scores, or all scores to your designated score-report receipients. Your score report will indicate all your designated recipients, so each school will know to which other schools you've considered applying.
NOTE: Official scores for the paper-based exam are mailed to test takers and to schools approximately six weeks after testing, although test takers can obtain them a few weeks earlier by telephone. (All test takers in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and South Korea must take paper-based Quantitative and Verbal sections.) [About the Paper-based GRE]
How the Schools Evaluate GRE Scores
Graduate departments develop and implement their own individual policies for evaluating GRE scores. Also, some programs require GRE Subject Test scores, either instead of or in addition to, GRE General Test scores. Since policies vary widely among schools and programs, you should contact the schools' academic departments directly for specific information.
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