GRE Highest Score: What is the Highest Possible Score on GRE Exam
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GRE Highest Score: What is the Highest Possible Score on GRE Exam

Shubhankar Das logo

Shubhankar Das

Content Writer - Study Abroad | Updated On - Aug 6, 2024

Highlights:

  • Indian Success Stories: Ashwini Nene and Arjun Shah scored the highest GRE score in India, achieving 340 out of 340.
  • Top Universities Acceptance Range: A GRE score of 320+ is generally considered competitive for admission to the top-ranked universities worldwide.
  • Academic Background and Preparation: Strong academic performance and dedicated preparation can be a foundation for achieving GRE maximum score.
  • Targeted Score: While a perfect score is impressive, aiming for a competitive score that aligns with your target university and programs is also a successful outcome.

Achieving a GRE highest score of 340 may sound impossible, but dedicated students have accomplished it. Ashwini Nene and Arjun Shah achieved the highest score of GRE in India. GRE is scored in three sections: verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing. The verbal and quantitative reasoning each scored on a scale of 130-170 in one-point increments. The Analytical writing section is scored on a scale of 0-6 in half-point increments. Achieving the GRE maximum score is very rare and tough. On average, a 320+ GRE score is accepted by the top-ranked universities worldwide. Achieving GRE highest score requires good academic performance and dedicated preparation. You can prepare using ETS official website or by joining other prep institutions for structured study and mentorship.

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GRE Highest Score Statistical Data of Previous Scorers

A very small percentage of the test-takers achieve the highest score on GRE of 340, so there is no doubt that it is achievable. However, it is not an easy task and needs dedicated practice. You need to be extremely serious about the preparation of GRE from the very beginning.

  • Presently, a few candidates are obtaining a score of 169 in GRE quant and verbal; however, the number of candidates who obtain such a high score is less than 1%.
  • The number of candidates who obtained an above 99% score in GRE is 17,427 where the total number of test-takers is in millions.
  • From India,  the mean score in GRE verbal was 145.5, in GRE quant, it was 155.6, and in GRE analytical writing, the mean score obtained was 3.2.
  • Male candidates obtained higher globally, with 150.5 in GRE verbal and 156.5 in GRE quant. In analytical writing, the mean score of females was higher than that of male candidates.

Subject Wise GRE Highest Score

The main purpose of the candidates for taking the GRE is to study for MS programs in top abroad universities. You need to submit an undergraduate certificate in a relevant subject for MS program admission. Most of the candidates who apply for GRE have UG degrees on these subjects:

  • Business
  • Education
  • Engineering
  • Humanities
  • Law
  • Science and more

This graph shows that of the number of candidates who appeared in GRE in previous years, most of them had a purpose to study life science, physical science, and engineering. The graduate table trend is similar to that of the undergraduate. The following table denotes the score obtained according to the purposes of the candidates for undergraduate courses.

Field of Study (undergraduate) Verbal Reasoning Mean Quantitative Reasoning Mean Analytical Writing Mean
Business 148.9 151.6 3.5
Education 148.1 145.7 3.6
Engineering 149.3 158.7 3.4
Humanities and Arts 155.1 148.9 4.0
Law 150.8 150.3 3.6
Life Sciences 150.3 150.0 3.7
Physical Sciences 150.7 158.1 3.5

According to the undergraduate table,

  • The humanities aspirants scored highest in GRE verbal and AWA sections;
  • Engineering aspirants scored highest in GRE quant;

That’s about the highest GRE score report among the undergraduate students, now, let’s move on to the mean scores of the graduate students.

Field of Study (Graduate) Verbal Reasoning Mean Quantitative Reasoning Mean Analytical Writing Mean
Business 150.1 155.5 3.5
Education 149.9 147 3.7
Engineering 148.9 159.6 3.4
Humanities and Arts 155.7 150.1 4
Law 154.9 152.9 4
Life Sciences 150.7 150.6 3.7
Physical Sciences 150.2 159.8 3.4

According to the graduate table,

  • The law students obtained the highest score in the GRE verbal section and
  • Engineering students secured the highest score in the GRE quant section.
  • In GRE analytical writing, the mean score of humanities and law candidates is the highest.

Age Group Wise GRE Highest Score

As per the data of previous years provided by ETS, the test-takers of GRE are classified into 11 groups. As there is no age barrier to appearing in GRE, the age of the candidates is diversified. The following table denotes the GRE mean score obtained by the candidates of different age groups:

Age Group Verbal score Quant Score Analytical Writing Score
Under 18 154.5 161.2 3.7
18-22 150.6 155.8 3.7
23-25 149.9 153.5 3.6
26-30 150.1 151.8 3.5
31-35 150.2 149.6 3.5
36-40 150.1 147.5 3.4
41-45 150.4 146 3.4
46-50 150.6 144.6 3.4
51-55 150.4 143.7 3.4
56-60 150.8 143.8 3.3
Over 60 151 143.6 3.3

The candidates under the age of 18, obtained the highest mean score in GRE verbal. The same thing is applicable to the GRE quant section as well.

Work Experience Wise GRE Highest Score

Candidates with work experience take GRE and the scores of these candidates vary. Achieving a score of 305+ is considered a good GRE score, and accepted by most of the top universities worldwide. The table below holds the GRE scores of these candidates:

Years of Full-Time Work Experience Verbal Reasoning Mean Quantitative Reasoning Mean Analytical Writing Mean
Less than 1 Year 150.9 152.9 3.7
1–2 Years 150.4 152.3 3.7
3–4 Years 150.6 151.5 3.6
5–7 Years 151.6 150.8 3.7
8–10 Years 151.7 149.3 3.7
11–14 Years 151.7 148.6 3.6
15–19 Years 151.8 147.4 3.6
20–29 Years 152.4 146.4 3.6

The highest score of GRE is nothing but full marks that help you in the admission process and scholarship applications. An excellent preparation can help you achieve your targeted results. The highest score you can get on both GRE Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning Sections is 170. Develop a strong vocabulary base, practice reading comprehension skills, sharpen your math skills, and take practice tests under timed conditions to achieve a higher GRE score.

FAQs

Ques: Has anyone scored 340 GRE?

Ans: Many students have achieved 340 on GRE. From India, Ashwini Nene and Arjun Shah achieved the highest scores on GRE. To achieve the max marks in GRE, you need to improve your verbal and math skills and focus on dedicated study.

Ques: Is 320 on the GRE a good score?

Ans: A GRE score of 320 is considered the best score, and accepted by the top-ranked universities. Scoring this high describes exceptional skills in both verbal and quantitative reasoning. However, a good score depends on the programs you are applying to.

Ques: What is the highest possible score on the GRE?

Ans: The highest possible total score on the GRE is 340. Both the verbal and quantitative reasoning section score ranges on a scale of 130 to 170. The analytical writing section scored on a 0 to 6 level.

Ques: How is the GRE scored?

Ans: GRE is scored in three sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing. Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning are each scored on a scale of 130-170 in one-point increments. Analytical Writing is scored on a scale of 0-6 in half-point increments.

Ques: What is the average GRE score?

Ans: The average Verbal Reasoning score is around 151, and the average Quantitative Reasoning score is around 155. GRE Analytical Writing average score is around 3.6. Achieving a 300+ GRE score can help you get admission to some top-ranked universities worldwide.

*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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