GRE Percentiles: Check Section Wise GRE Percentile and Score Conversion
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GRE Percentiles: Check Section Wise GRE Percentile and Score Conversion

Shubhankar Das logo

Shubhankar Das

Content Writer - Study Abroad | Updated On - Jun 25, 2024

GRE percentile indicates the percentage of test-takers who scored lower than you on a specific section. Percentiles on GRE allow you to compare your score to others applying to similar programs. GRE scores range on a scale of 260 to 340 for the quantitative and verbal sections. The analytical writing section is ranged on a scale of 0 to 6 level. You need to achieve a GRE exam percentiles of 80% for a successful admission process.  

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Good GRE percentiles depend on your target programs and universities. Top programs might expect scores in the 90th percentile or above. You can check the required GRE percentiles from the university's official website. Your official score report will include your GRE test score percentiles rank for each section and the total score. You can download your GRE score report from the ETS official website. 


Percentiles on GRE differ between the Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning sections. A 160 in Verbal might be a higher percentile than a 160 in Quant. A higher GRE exam percentiles is generally better, some programs might prioritize other aspects of your application as well. You can follow the official ETS website to calculate GRE score range and percentile. Many prep websites offer tables with common score ranges and GRE percentile calculators.

GRE Score Percentiles Overview

GRE scores provide a brief about the competitive GRE test scores when compared to other candidates. Each GRE score contributes to a distinct percentile that evaluates candidates’ performance in the GRE test. Thus, higher GRE percentile indicates better scoring. Below mentioned table provides a brief breakdown of GRE scoring pattern:

GRE Sections Score Range
Verbal Reasoning 130-170 (in 1 point increments)
Analytical Writing 0-6 (half point increments)
Quantitative Reasoning 130-170 (in 1 point increments)

In order to determine the GRE total score percentile, the GRE percentile calculator evaluates the raw scores. Raw scores in the GRE percentile calculator is based on the number of answers attempted correctly in the GRE test. The evaluated raw scores in GRE score range percentile are then converted into scaled scores. Scaled scores are evaluated with a process called equating that is based on the level of difficulty of the attempted question. Besides, some questions may have more weightage than others, since the GRE test is a section-level computer-adaptive test (for Quant and Verbal).

The GRE AWA section has a different pattern for GRE percentile calculation. The GRE score calculator for Analytical Writing is based on candidates' responses. Candidate’s Analytical Writing scores depend upon the two sub tasks: Analyze an Issue and Analyze an Argument and are scored by one trained rater, and an e-rater. The GRE total score percentile is an average of the three sections as mentioned above.

GRE Score Percentile for General Test

The GRE total score percentile helps with understanding of competitive scoring with other GMAT candidates. To better understand this, suppose a percentile score of 99 indicates that 99 percent of candidates scored less when compared to a single candidate in a specific GRE section. Besides, candidates are to remember that GRE percentiles vary from section to section. A number of GRE percentile calculators are available throughout the internet that can help with an estimated percentile for candidates. Below mentioned tables provides a breakdown into the GRE score percentile 2023 for general tests:

GRE Verbal Percentile

Below mentioned table highlights the GRE verbal percentile for effective understanding:

Verbal Reasoning Percentile Rank Verbal Reasoning Score
96-99 165-170
86-96 160-165
68-86 155-160
46-68 150-155
26-46 145-150
11-26 140-145
3-11 135-140
1-3 131-135

GRE Quantitative Percentile

Below mentioned table highlights the GRE Quantitative Percentile for effective understanding:

Quantitative Reasoning Percentile Rank Quantitative Reasoning Score
86-96 165-170
73-86 160-165
56-73 155-160
37-56 150-155
19-37 145-150
7-19 140-145
2-7 135-140
1-2 130-135

GRE AWA Percentiles

Below mentioned table highlights the GRE AWA Percentiles for effective understanding:

Score Percentile Rank For Analytical Writing
6.0 99
5.5 98
5.0 93
4.5 82
4.0 59
3.5 42
3.0 17
2.5 7
2.0 2
1.5 1
1.0 No Rank Available
0.5 No Rank Available

It can be concluded from the above GRE AWA percentile table that there are no ranks available for score range of 0.5 to 1.0. Thus, it is evident that no candidates have scored below 1.5 as their GRE AWA percentile.

GRE Score Percentiles For Different Fields of Study

The GRE general test is taken by candidates for pursuing their graduate degrees, and abroad universities have innumerable fields of study where students apply. Here, we’ve curated a few of the top fields of study along with its GRE verbal and quant scaled scores.

GRE Verbal Percentiles by Discipline

Below mentioned table provides GRE score range percentile for Verbal in different disciplines:

GRE VERBAL SCORE 135 140 145 150 155 160 165 170
Life Sciences <1 4 16 41 68 89 97 99+
Physical Sciences 4 14 29 46 65 83 94 99
Engineering 5 16 34 53 73 88 97 99+
Social Sciences <1 4 13 33 57 81 94 99+
Arts and Humanities <1 2 6 17 37 64 86 97
Education 1 5 20 45 70 89 97 99+
Business 2 8 25 50 74 91 98 99+

It can be concluded from above GRE scores and percentile table that:

  • In Arts and Humanities, a 150 score is just equal to a mere 17th percentile;
  • Whereas in business the same score is equal to 50th;
  • The former at a GRE score of 165 is equal to a percentile of 86th
  • Whereas, business jumps to a 98th percentile.

This observation states how the GRE scores and percentile are dependent on the course of study that the candidate is opting for.

GRE Quant Percentiles by Discipline

Below mentioned table provides a GRE percentile chart for Quantitative Reasoning in different disciplines:

QUANT SCORE 135 140 145 150 155 160 165 170
Life Sciences <1 4 17 42 72 90 97 99
Physical Sciences <1 3 8 17 31 52 74 91
Engineering <1 2 6 13 26 48 74 93
Social Sciences 1 8 24 47 70 85 94 98
Arts and Humanities 2 9 25 50 74 89 97 99+
Education 1 9 30 57 80 92 98 99+
Business 1 5 17 36 56 72 84 95

What is a Good GRE Score?

Candidates can refer to the above table and understand that the lowest GRE score for Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning is 130. However, 170 stands as the maximum score in both the sections in the GRE test. GRE score percentiles table given below based on data from 2016-2019 to provide you an idea about the GRE total score percentile:

Percentile Verbal Reasoning Quantitative Reasoning Analytical Writing
50th 151 153-154 3.5-4
75th 157 161 4-4.5
90th 162 167-168 4.5-5
  • The Economics program at the University of California Davis asks for a 60th GRE score percentile in the GRE verbal section and for non-English speakers, it is a 30th. The GRE quant score percentile has to be at least 70th.
  • Harvard’s Graduate School of Education demands a minimum of 50th GRE verbal score percentile whereas the GRE quant score can be a low one with 30th.
    Generally, grad schools require a 50th to 60th percentile or a 155 score in one section of the GRE syllabus.
  • GRE 50th percentile: In the GRE verbal, scoring 150 (46th percentile) or 151 (51st percentile) will result in the desired 50th percentile. In the case of GRE quant, either aim for a 153 (49th percentile) or a 154 (53rd percentile); A score more than 50th percentile is considered as 300 GRE score while is accepted by many colleges and universities.
  • GRE 60th percentile: Aim for a GRE verbal score of 153 (60th percentile), whereas a single decrease in the score will make the GRE percentiles 54th. For GRE quant, 156 is equal to the 60th percentile and 155 is 56th;
  • GRE score 155 to percentile: Quinte anticipated, a GRE verbal score of 155 is the 68th percentile, on the contrary, a GRE quant score of 155 is just 56th – which is a huge difference. In the case of the GRE AWA score percentile, the nearest to 155 is 4.0.

Use official ETS data or reliable GRE prep resources that offer GRE score-to-percentile conversion tables, and check the score needed for your target percentile. The maximum GRE score for each GRE section; Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, is 170. The Analytical Writing score ranges from 0-6 in half-point increments. GRE scores are valid for five years. You can send your official score report to the universities within this valid time frame.

FAQs

Ques: What is a GRE percentile?

Ans: GRE percentile indicates the percentage of test-takers who scored lower than you on a specific section; Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, or the entire exam.

Ques: Why are GRE percentiles important?

Ans: GRE Percentiles allow you to compare your score to others applying to similar programs. They offer a clearer picture than just the raw GRE score.

Ques: Is there a passing score for the GRE?

Ans: GRE does not have any passing or failing scores. Achieving a score of 300+ on GRE will help you to get a successful admission in the top-ranked universities.

Ques: What's the maximum GRE score?

Ans: The maximum GRE score for each GRE section; Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, is 170. The Analytical Writing score ranges from 0-6 in half-point increments.

Ques: Where can I find my GRE percentiles?

Ans: Your official GRE score report will include your percentile rank for each section and the total score. You can download your GRE score report from the ETS official website.

Ques: What is a good GRE percentile?

Ans: Good percentiles depend on your target programs and universities. Competitive programs of top universities often expect scores in the 80th percentile or higher.

Ques: What percentile is considered competitive?

Ans: Competitiveness varies by the university and program you have opted for. Top programs might expect scores in the 90th percentile or above. You can check the required GRE percentiles from the university's official website.

Ques: I scored in the 50th percentile. Is that bad?

Ans: The 50th percentile means you scored average compared to other test-takers. You need to achieve a score of 80% for a successful admission process.

Ques: Is a higher percentile always better?

Ans: A higher percentile is generally better, some programs might prioritize other aspects of your application besides just the GRE score.

Ques: Where can I find a table of GRE percentiles?

Ans: Many GRE prep websites offer tables with common score ranges and percentiles. You can also find the comparison table on the official ETS website.

Ques: Is a 160 in Verbal the same percentile as a 160 in Quant?

Ans: Percentiles differ between the Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning sections. A 160 in Verbal might be a higher percentile than a 160 in Quant.

Ques: Do GRE percentiles expire?

Ans: GRE scores are valid for five years. You can send your official score report to the universities within this valid time frame.

Ques: I know my target percentile. What score do I need to achieve it?

Ans: Use official ETS data or reliable GRE prep resources that offer GRE score-to-percentile conversion tables, and check the score needed for your target percentile.

Ques: How can I improve my GRE score and percentile?

Ans: Many GRE prep courses and resources offer comprehensive guides and focus on student improvement. Focus on areas where you struggle and practice with relevant materials.

Ques: Should I retake the GRE to improve my percentile?

Ans: If your initial score isn't competitive for your target programs, consider retaking the GRE after doing effective preparation.

*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.

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