A good GRE score is the one that can get you into the program of your choice. This would vary significantly from one school to another and from one program to another. Nevertheless, it would help if you aimed for an objective score that is considered acceptable.
In 2021, due to COVID-19, more and more people are going back to graduate school. This has increased the competition among applicants and has subsequently raised the bar for the average GRE score in 2021. In 2021, ideally, you would want to be in the 90th percentile+ bracket i.e. 162+ Verbal and 164+ Quant. This would mean that you should aim to score better than 90 percent of the test-takers, which is generally considered an ideal score for any program at any school.
If you are new to the GRE, the scoring system can be confusing, so let’s briefly explore how the GRE is scored. Then we can dive deep into the question of what constitutes an ideal and not so ideal GRE score.
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How is the GRE scored?
GRE is scored collectively on a scale of 260–340. 260 is the lowest possible score, while 340 is the maximum score you can achieve.
It is made up of 3 measures:
- Analytical Writing
- Verbal Reasoning
- Quantitative Reasoning
Analytical Writing is scored on a range of 0–6 in half-point increments. However, the analytical writing score is not added to your GRE total. Instead, it is scored independently.
The 260–340 range is a collective score that consists of your verbal and quant scores combined.
Hence, verbal and quant have a scoring range of 130–170 each. When both scores are combined, you get your GRE total score. Both verbal and quant are scored in single-point increments.
GRE is a section-level adaptive test.
This means that if you do better than average on the first section of a measure, then the next section of that measure will be more difficult (but would also carry more points). Similarly, if you do lower than average in the first section, then the second section would be easier (but would also have fewer points).
Some schools have minimum GRE requirements
Different schools and programs have different GRE requirements. Your first goal should be to meet the minimum GRE requirement of the program you are applying to.
Many universities don’t even have a minimum GRE score requirement.
Significantly fewer universities don’t even require a GRE score, to begin with. In such a case, your GPA, work experience, research experience, recommendations, personal statement, and references would help determine your admission.
Average GRE scores of top universities
Generally speaking, there is an objectively good GRE score. We can arrive at this score by looking at the average GRE scores of all the applicants that were admitted into a specific program at a particular school. In theory, then, you would have to score as much as the average or better.
For example, let’s consider PoetsandQuants’ table for the average GRE score at the top 50 MBA programs.
On top of the table is Stanford GSB, with an average GRE score of 330 in 2019. This makes Stanford one of the most challenging schools to get into. A score of 330 on the GRE is 98th percentile.
So, in theory, you would need to have a GRE score of either 330 or higher to feel comfortable applying to Stanford’s MBA program.
However, notice that I use the phrase “in theory.” This is because your GRE score is not the only consideration when it comes to admissions. But that is a different topic altogether, and you can read more about it here.
Variations in GRE scores for Master’s or Ph.D. program
Ph.D. candidates are going to have higher GRE requirements simply because there are fewer spots available as compared to Masters. Fewer the spots, the more competition there is.
For instance, if you take a look at the average GRE scores of all graduate programs at Clemson Graduate School, you will notice that most Ph.D. programs have higher GRE averages than the corresponding Master’s programs.
For example, Animal & Veterinary Sciences MS students had the following average GRE score:
- Quantitative 152
- Verbal 150
- Analytical 3.5
Whereas, Animal & Veterinary Sciences Ph.D. students had the following GRE score:
- Quantitative 161
- Verbal 160
- Analytical 4
Similarly, Applied Health Research & Evaluation MS students had the following average GRE score:
- Quantitative 148
- Verbal 154
- Analytical 4
Whereas, Applied Health Research & Evaluation Ph.D. students had the following average GRE score:
- Quantitative 156
- Verbal 156
- Analytical 4.5
Hence, we can see how Ph.D. programs have a higher average GRE score than their masters’ counterparts.
The program that you are applying to
GRE score requirements vary significantly from one discipline to another. As a general rule of thumb, STEM disciplines tend to have a higher GRE quant score requirement than humanities.
For Humanities, it is the opposite; your verbal score will be of more importance than the quantitative score.
For example, a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Stanford has an average GRE score of:
- Quantitative 168
- Verbal 165
Whereas, Ph.D. in Political Science from the same school has the following average GRE score:
- Quantitative 163
- Verbal 166
You can see how a specific discipline affects your GRE score. We see this pattern repeat across many schools.
Hence, it boils down to your specific scenario. Your score may not be considered “good” when gauged against a STEM discipline; however, it may be perfect if you are going for a humanities program.
Funds and Scholarships
If you plan on getting a scholarship in your desired school, then the competition is even stricter. You will certainly need to be at the very top of all test takers — ideally, a 95 percentile in addition to an already flawless application.
Competition within Programs
How good your GRE score is, depends on how competitive the program is that you are applying to. For example, 160 quant score seems more than enough if you are applying to most STEM programs in State schools; however, in schools like MIT, Harvard, and Stanford, this score quickly sinks to way below the average.
Universities that reside on top of the food chain have a very different conception of what qualifies as a good GRE score. Even though these universities don’t explicitly mention a cutoff score, you can be sure to assume that they are not looking for anyone below the 90th percentile unless the rest of your application is so exceptional that they overlook your GRE score. This will include years of relevant research experience, work experience, and stellar recommendations.
The Rest of your Application
In some exceptional cases, you will find applicants who didn’t have the ideal score but were selected anyway. This can only happen if you have a strong application besides your GRE score.
While the GRE score is a significant factor in graduate school admissions, it is certainly not the only factor. Almost all schools take a holistic approach to your application.
Remember, a good GRE score alone is not a guarantee that you will get into a top-tier school. If you lack other things on your application like those mentioned above, then even a great GRE score won’t be enough.
Bottom line
The idea of a good or bad GRE score is all relative. Different schools and different programs significantly affect how your scores will be perceived. What is considered a good score for a public university may not even be considered average for a top-ranking IVY league school.
The best thing you can do is research the average GRE scores of the programs you are applying to. Then try to score above the average. I would say, aim for a score that is at least 5 percentile above the average GRE score.
Moreover, keep in mind that your GRE score alone doesn’t guarantee admission. You should have an exceptional application in all respects. In some cases, a stellar application may even make up for a slightly lower GRE score.
My advice is to look into the program carefully you are interested in and make sure you fulfill all the criteria therein. Be prepared beforehand so that there is no room for surprises.
Good luck!