GRE Exam results

If you plan to apply to foreign universities for post-graduate studies, you need to submit your GRE total scores as part of the application process. 

The GRE scores are valid for 5 years from the date you take the test.
 

It's crucial that you take the GRE about 2 to 3 months before your first application deadline. This way, you'll have sufficient time to take the test again if needed. 
 

You receive 3 scores on your GRE scorecard. 

Here's the information for your understanding:

What makes a good GRE score? 

A good GRE score varies depending on the program you want to study. Generally, any GRE score above 310 is considered good. But remember, the specific score requirements may differ based on the university you're interested in.

GRE Score Range

The GRE (Graduate Record Examination) consists of three main modules, each measuring different skills and abilities:

1. Analytical Writing: This section assesses your ability to analyze an issue and present an argument effectively. Your score will be shown on a scale from 0 to 6.
2. Verbal Reasoning: This section evaluates your reading comprehension and language skills. Your Verbal Reasoning score will be displayed on a scale from 130 to 170.
3. Quantitative Reasoning: This section tests your quantitative abilities and problem-solving skills. Your Quantitative Reasoning score will also be presented on a scale from 130 to 170.
    

The total score is calculated by adding the Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning scores. The total score ranges from 260-340 points.

Please note: Analytical Writing is not part of your total GRE score. 

Why is the Analytical Writing section not included in the total GRE score?

The total GRE score, which is out of 340, is reserved for the Quantitative and Verbal sections, each scoring 170 points. On the other hand, the Analytical Writing Ability (AWA) section is scored separately, out of 6 points, in increments of 0.5 points.
 

Although the Analytical Writing score doesn't contribute to the numerical value of your total score, it holds significant value for your application. 

Here's why you should care about your GRE AWA score:
 

1. Showcases your writing skills: US graduate programs often require writing essays, reports, or papers. Admissions committees want to know if you have the writing skills to handle these assignments.
2. Demonstrates consistency: A low AWA score can negatively impact your overall impression even if you score well in the Quantitative and Verbal sections. A good AWA score and high scores in other sections show consistency, which colleges appreciate.
3. Reflects your Statement of Purpose (SOP): The AWA score can reflect your writing abilities in your Statement of Purpose. If your SOP is well-written, but your AWA score is poor, it might raise doubts about the authenticity of your essay.

Frequently Asked Questions
 

Q. Is 320 a good GRE score?

A. Yes, a score of 320 or more is considered quite good. It opens up various opportunities for qualified applicants and can make you a strong candidate for many graduate programs. The GRE scores range from 260 to 340, so getting 320 or above places you in a favourable position.

Q. What is a good score for the GRE?

A. A good GRE score can vary depending on the program and university you're applying to. Generally, a score of 318 and above is considered good. However, if you achieve a score of 329, that is considered excellent and puts you among the top-performing test-takers.

Q. What is the top 1% GRE score?

A. The GRE score percentiles for the Verbal and Quantitative sections are different. For the Verbal section, both a score of 169 and 170 are in the 99th percentile, meaning they are top 1% scores. On the other hand, for the Quantitative section, a perfect score of 170 is only in the 97th percentile, which is still an outstanding score but not in the top 1%.

When will I get my GRE result?

You might be wondering when you'll get your GRE total scores. Well, here's the answer: Your GRE scores will be available 10 to 15 days after you take the GRE exam. 

Once they're ready, you'll find them on your ETS account, and they'll also send you an email notification. If you took the GRE at Home test, you'll receive your scores within the same timeframe.

Steps to view your GRE Result

You can check your GRE total scores by logging into your ETS account. The GRE conducting body, ETS, will also send you an email notification about your scores. 
 

To view your GRE scorecard, follow these simple steps:
 

• Go to the official GRE website.
• Click on "Member login."
• Enter your GRE account credentials (username and password).
• Once logged in, you can view your GRE results on the website.

Frequently Asked Questions 
 

Q. How long will it take for GRE results to come?

A. Your official GRE General Test scores will be ready in about 10 to 15 days after you take the test. You'll be able to access them in your ETS account. ETS, the organization that conducts the GRE, will also send an email to inform you when your scores are available. Additionally, they will send an official Institution Score Report to the universities or institutions you designated to receive your scores on the day of the test.
 

Q. Do you get unofficial GRE scores immediately?

A. Yes, you will receive unofficial GRE scores for the Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections immediately after completing the GRE exam. These scores will be accessible through your online account. However, it's essential to note that these scores are considered unofficial because ETS will review them for accuracy and validity before finalizing them. So, there is a possibility that they might change slightly after the review process.
 

Q. How do you know if you passed the GRE?

A. Unlike some other tests, the GRE does not have a pass or fail result. There are no specific cutoffs that determine whether you passed or failed the GRE. Once you complete the GRE, you'll receive your scores, and that's it. The scores you obtain will be the basis for your performance evaluation. The universities or programs you apply to will consider your scores along with other application materials to make their admission decisions.

GRE Score Validity

Your GRE scores are valid for 5 years from the date you took the test. So, you can use these scores for your applications or other purposes within those 5 years.

When Can you Retake the GRE test?

If you want to retake the GRE test, you can do it once every 21 days. You have the option to retake it up to 5 times within any consecutive 12-month period (365 days). So, you have multiple chances to improve your score if needed.

Frequently Asked Questions 
 

Q. Is the GRE score valid for 2 years?

A. No, GRE scores are valid for a longer period than two years. In fact, GRE scores are valid for a total of five years. ETS, the organization that administers the GRE, will keep your score report on file for five years from the date you took the test. This means that schools and universities accept scores that were originally issued up to five years ago. So, you have five years to use your GRE scores for your graduate program applications.
 

Q. How long is the GRE scorecard valid?

A. GRE scores are reportable and valid for five years from the date of your test. This means that your GRE scorecard remains valid and can be used for admissions to graduate programs for up to five years after you take the GRE test.
 

Q. Do universities accept old GRE scores?

A. The acceptance of old GRE scores varies from one university to another. It is ultimately up to individual schools to decide their policy on accepting older GRE scores. Some universities may consider GRE scores that are older than five years, while others may require more recent scores. It's essential to check with the specific universities or graduate programs you are applying to regarding their GRE score requirements. Some programs may prefer more recent scores to ensure they have a current assessment of your abilities.

What does your GRE Scorecard contain?
 

If you are a first-time candidate taking the GRE test, you might wonder what your GRE scorecard includes. 
 

Well, it contains the following information:

• Your contact information
• Your date of birth
• Your gender
• The graduate major you intend to pursue
• The date when you took the GRE test
• Your GRE test score(s), along with the associated percentile ranks
• A record of all the scores you've reported within the last 5 years

This scorecard gives you a comprehensive overview of your GRE performance and keeps track of your scores over time.

Understanding your GRE Scores (Section-wise)

Let's break down the different GRE score ranges for you:

Best GRE Score Range: If you score in this range, you'll be among the top 10% of all GRE test-takers.

• GRE Verbal Section: 163 - 170
• GRE Quantitative Section: 165 - 170
• GRE Analytical Writing: 5.0 – 6.0
   

Competitive GRE Score Range: Scoring in this range will put you in a highly competitive position for admissions, in the top 25% of all GRE test-takers.

• GRE Verbal Section: 158 - 162
• GRE Quantitative Section: 159 - 164
• GRE Analytical Writing: 4.5

Good GRE Score Range: These scores put you ahead of more than 50% of test-takers, but they might be less advantageous for highly competitive programs.
 

• GRE Verbal Section: 152 - 158
• GRE Quantitative Section: 153 - 158
• GRE Analytical Writing: 4.0

Average GRE Score Range: These scores may be enough to get into a wide variety of graduate programs but will be below average compared to the testing population.
 

• GRE Verbal Section: 151 or below
• GRE Quantitative Section: 152 or below
• GRE Analytical Writing: 3.5 or below
   

What is a good GRE Score?
 

Regarding the overall score out of 340, remember that GRE scores are reported separately for each section. A good overall score would be around:
 

• GRE Verbal Section: 152 - 158
• GRE Quantitative Section: 153 - 158
• GRE Analytical Writing: Above 4.0

What is the GRE minimum score?

If you're wondering about the GRE minimum score, here's the breakdown for each section:
 

• Your minimum score for the Verbal Section should be 130.
• For the Quantitative Section, the minimum score is also 130.
• And for the Analytical Writing section, the minimum score is 0.

So, the total GRE minimum score, excluding the Analytical Writing section, is 260.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Q. Is 292 a bad score on GRE?

A. A score of 292 on the GRE is not considered ideal, but it is not necessarily a bad score either. Scoring above 300 is generally seen as decent, while a score below 292 might be considered average. Keep in mind that the competitiveness of your score depends on the specific graduate programs or universities you are applying to. Some programs may have higher score expectations, while others may be more flexible.
 

Q. Is 320+ easy to score on GRE?

A. Scoring 320 or above on the GRE can be challenging since it places you in the 80th percentile or higher. However, it is essential to understand that the GRE is a section-adaptive test. To increase your chances of getting admission to a specific course or university, you should aim to score well in each section. Many universities focus more on the section scores rather than the overall score when evaluating applicants.
 

Q. Is GRE AWA 3.5 good?

A. An Analytical Writing score of 3.5 is below the average AWA cutoff for most US universities, which typically ranges from 4.5 and above. While a score of 3.5 is not terrible, it may not be as competitive as higher scores. The Analytical Writing section is essential because it reflects your ability to express ideas clearly and coherently in writing. It's a good idea to work on improving your writing skills to achieve a higher score, especially if you are applying to competitive graduate programs.

How to send a GRE Result to universities?

When you register for the GRE test, you can pick 4 graduate institutions or fellowship sponsors to receive your scores without any extra cost. 

If you're taking the computer-delivered GRE, you'll need to select the score receivers at the test centre. But if you're taking the paper-delivered GRE format, you can choose your score-receiving colleges on your admission ticket or during registration.

On the day of the test, after you finish the GRE and see your unofficial Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning scores, you'll have the chance to choose the colleges where you want to send your GRE scores. 
 

If you want to send your scores to more universities beyond those 4, you can do it by paying an additional fee of $27 (~INR 2,237) per institution to ETS.
 

To send additional GRE test scores to your desired universities, follow these simple steps:

• Log into your ETS account.
• On the My GRE Home page, click on "Send Additional Score Reports" under Scores.
• You will see a section labelled "Test Registration" on the screen.
• Choose the universities you want to send your scores to and complete the process.
   

What is the GRE ScoreSelect Option?
 

With ScoreSelect, you can decide which test scores you want to send to your chosen institutions. It allows you to send your best scores.
 

On test day, after viewing your scores at the test centre, you have 2 options for each of your four FREE score reports:
 

1. Most Recent: Send the scores from your current test administration only.
2. All: Send the scores from all GRE General Test administrations in the last 5 years.
    

After test day, for a fee, you can send score reports and choose from these options for each report you'd like to send:
 

1. Most Recent: Send the scores from your most recent test administration only.
2. All: Send the scores from all test administrations in the last 5 years.
3. Any: Send the scores from one OR as many test administrations as you like from the last 5 years.
    

This way, you can control which scores you share with the institutions, and you can showcase your best performance to boost your confidence in the application process.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Q. How do I send my GRE scores to universities?

A. Sending your GRE scores to universities is a simple process. Here's a step-by-step guide:

1. Login to your ETS account, which you used to register for the GRE.
2. On the "My GRE Home Page," navigate to the "Scores" tab and select "Send Additional Score Reports."
3. You will see the option for "On-screen test registration."
4. From there, you can choose the option to "Send Additional Score Reports."
    

Q. How long does it take to send GRE scores to universities electronically?

A. When you request to send your GRE scores electronically, it usually takes around 5 business days for processing if you submit the request online. If you choose to submit the request by mail or fax, it may take up to 10 days. It's crucial to plan ahead and allow enough time for processing, especially if your score's reportable period is approaching its end, as late submission may result in your scores not being sent.
 

Q. How much does it cost to send GRE scores to the university?

A. On the day of the GRE test, you have the option to send your official GRE score report to up to four schools, and this service is included in your GRE test fee. However, after test day, if you wish to send your GRE scores to additional graduate programs, there is a cost of $27 per recipient university.

Q. Should I send my GRE scores on test day?

A. You can send your GRE scores to your desired universities around 10 to 15 days after your test date once the official scores become available on your ETS account. However, if you are taking the computer-delivered GRE, you have the option to send your scores on the test day itself immediately after receiving your unofficial Verbal and Quantitative scores. This allows you to save time and send your scores to universities sooner.