GUIDE TO GRE GENERAL TEST SCORES

To adequately prepare for the GRE, it is crucial to know the scores you need to achieve your goal: this includes understanding how the GRE General Test is scored.

Keep reading to learn more about GRE scoring.

How Is the GRE scored?

Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning scores are based on the number of correct answers in the operational sections of the test.

Raw Score: This is the number of questions answered correctly.
Section-Level Adaptation: The test adapts the second section of questions based on the performance in the first section. This means if you perform well on the first section, the second section will be more challenging, and vice versa. In each section, all the questions carry the same weight.
Scaled Score and Equating: The raw score is converted to a scaled score using a process called equating. As aforementioned, each question in each section carries the same weight; equating is the way in which a test-taker is rewarded for answering more difficult questions – those found in the more difficult modules – correctly. Equating adjusts for differences in difficulty across different versions of the test and the variations introduced by the section-level adaptation. The equating not only takes module difficulty into consideration, but also differences found across different exams.

What is the GRE Score Range?

Verbal Reasoning: 130-170
Quantitative Reasoning: 130-170
Analytical Writing: 0-6

What is a Good GRE test Score?

When it comes to the GRE, the term good is relative. As the GRE is accepted by many academic and professional institutions, the needed score varies. In fact, some universities may only be looking for one of the 3 scores. In order to prepare for the GRE adequately, it is important to know what scores you’ll need to teach your goal.

The GRE score report has 2 numbers:

Scaled score: This is the measurement of equating your raw score, ranging from 130 to 170.

Percentile: The percentile rank holds greater significance than the scaled score, as it shows how your performance compares to other test takers.

How Long Does it Take to Get GRE Scores?

While you can see your Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning scores immediately after taking the exam, official GRE General Test scores can be found on your ETS account about 8 to10 days after your test date. You’ll receive an email from ETS when they are available. Scores will be sent to any institutions that were previously selected prior to testing when official scores are posted.

How is the GRE Writing scored?

The Analytical Writing section score reflects the overall quality of the written portion of the exam, assessed both by human raters and a computerized scoring engine, and is reported as a single score on a 6-point scale.

E-rater® Scoring Engine: Essays are partially scored by the e-rater® scoring engine, a computerized program developed by ETS. This engine assesses various features of writing proficiency.
Human Rater: In addition to the computerized scoring system, all essay responses are reviewed by trained analysts who are experienced content experts.

The holistic scoring approach considers the overall quality of the essay in response to the given task. This includes coherence, development of ideas, support for arguments, grammar, and writing mechanics.

Here is a basic breakdown of the scoring, but for the specifics regarding each score, check out ETS’s score guide:

Score 6: Outstanding

Score 5: Strong

Score 4: Adequate

Score 3: Limited

Score 2: Seriously Flawed

Score 1: Fundamentally Deficient

For $60, you can request a review of your Analytical Writing. Keep in mind that this process takes about 4 weeks.

Do You Know What Questions You Answered Wrong on the Test?

ETS has a complementary GRE Diagnostic Service. Log onto your ETS account to check out some more information regarding your performance on the test questions in the Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections of your test. In other words, you can see the type of question that was answered incorrectly, the level of difficulty for your test, and how much time was spent on each question.

For those taking the exam in New York, ETS offers a Question-and-Answer Review Service that allows test takers to review the incorrect Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning questions for an additional fee.

Do Schools See All My Scores?

Before taking the test, you can send scores to up to 4 institutions. If you want to send scores to more than 5 institutions or want to wait to see your performance before sending scores, you can order Additional Score Reports (ASRs) for a 35€ fee.

ETS now offers ScoreSelect®, which allows test-takers to send Most Recent, All, or Any. Scores can be sent up to 5 years after taking the test.

Conclusions

Once you know what scores you need, you can make a plan to reach your goals. After registering and committing to a test date, it’s time to establish your study plan. Talk to an EPIC PREP test preparation expert and find out what your initial score is and find out how to get your best test results!

Hopefully this blog post has answered some of your GRE questions. If you want to know more about GRE preparation, continue on to our GRE course page. Alternatively, get in touch with EPIC PREP directly, and we will let you know how we can help you achieve your goals!