A GRE of 320 to 340 is considered a good score range, but it also depends upon several other factors, which we will uncover here.
There are a lot of variations in what constitutes a good GRE score, i.e., by field of study, by particular university program, and by scholarship requirements. Let’s unpack it one by one.
So, the GRE score calculates the final score by adding the Verbal Reasoning score (out of 170) and the Quantitative Reasoning score (out of 170). The Analytical Writing section is scored separately out of 6.
Field of Study:
| Field of Study | Verbal Score | Quant Score | AWA Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business | 151 | 156 | 3.6 |
| Education | 150 | 148 | 3.7 |
| Engineering | 150 | 160 | 3.5 |
| Humanities & Arts | 156 | 150 | 4.1 |
| Law | 155 | 153 | 4.1 |
| Life Sciences | 151 | 151 | 3.8 |
| Physical Sciences | 151 | 160 | 3.6 |
| Social & Behavioral Sciences | 153 | 152 | 3.9 |
The table below, regarding the average GRE scores broken down by major fields, has been taken from the official ETS website.
As you can see, not all programs have the exact GRE score requirement. Depending on the focus of your degree, you may need to score higher on either quantitative reasoning, verbal reasoning, or analytical writing. The point is that if you are planning for a Social Sciences or Humanities degree, you do not need to worry too much about your Quantitative Reasoning score. Again, refer to the average GRE scores within your department to get a clear idea of what you should achieve, and then prepare accordingly.
Here are a few top graduate programs and their average GRE test scores range requirement:
Business Programs
For MBA programs, the average GRE score requirements are as follows:
- 1-10: 330+
- 11-20: 325+
- 21-50: 320+
- 51+: 310+
Anything above 330 is considered an excellent score for an MBA program scholarship. Ensure your profile (bachelor’s/master’s CGPA, work experience, etc.) is better than the average class profile if you seek a scholarship.
Ideally, you should aim to get 325-330+ to secure a good scholarship for your MBA.
Engineering Programs
To get into a top program in engineering on scholarship, you should aim for an average GRE score ranging from 320 to 340. Generally, all engineering programs of top universities require an average of 165 in Quantitative Reasoning.
Electrical Engineering
The highest competition within the Engineering program is in Electrical engineering–the ideal GRE test score is 320+, with an average score of 165 in Quantitative Reasoning.
Computer Science
For Computer Science programs, the ideal GRE test score is 320+. Although the top schools for CS average around 330+ with a perfect Quantitative Reasoning score.
Since there is more competition in Computer Science and Electrical Engineering programs, getting more than 165 in the Quantitative Reasoning section is important.
Mechanical Engineering
For Mechanical Engineering, 315+ is considered a good score.
Civil Engineering
310+ is considered a good score for Civil Engineers.
Environmental Engineering
For Environmental engineering and other related programs, 310+ is considered a good score.
Social Sciences
Good GRE test scores for Social Sciences programs like Psychology, Anthropology, etc., fall in the 90th percentile for Verbal Reasoning and 75th percentile for Quantitative Reasoning. Average scores range between 305 to 310.
However, getting a good score in Analytical Writing for Social Sciences programs is also very important. Aim to get 4.0+ in analytical writing, or approximately the 82nd percentile. Verbal Reasoning scores hold more importance for graduate programs than Quantitative Reasoning ones.
English and Education Programs
To get into a good graduate English program, aim for test scores of more than 300.
Even if you have 150 in Quantitative Reasoning, getting 155-160+ in Verbal Reasoning is important. Moreover, a score of 4.5+ in analytical writing is also important for English and Education graduate programs.
Instead of focusing on quantitative scores, graduate programs in English tend to have a higher GRE score requirement for Verbal Reasoning and Analytical Writing.
School Ranking vs. Test Scores
Many people search for the average GRE score requirement for a specific school. Top-tier schools typically admit students with a GRE score of 325+ for competitive programs.
Mid-tier schools require an average of 310-325, whereas low-tier schools average 300-310+. A lower GRE score might be acceptable if you have a strong research background and are applying for research-based programs.
Unfortunately, most schools offering average GRE scores only do so for individual graduate programs. Instead of telling you the average GRE test score for the entire institute, they publish data for specific degrees.
However, it can be assumed that average scores for top-tier institutions are higher than less competitive schools. For instance, Harvard and UPenn have higher score requirements than UC Berkeley.
School competitiveness and degree programs determine an institution’s average GRE test score. If you are applying to a top-tier school with a highly competitive degree, you are expected to have an excellent GRE score of 330+. In contrast, you can get into less competitive programs at mid-tier schools with a GRE score of 310+.
No “one size fits all” approach regarding average GRE scores for certain schools exists. This is why it is extremely important to consider score requirements concerning your field and target institutions.
Checking your University GRE Score Requirement:
You must follow a systematic approach to shortlist universities and enter your dream university. This means you want to ensure you are the ideal candidate for the university you are applying to. This includes your GRE test scores and overall profile.
You want to ensure that your test scores are higher than the average university requirement or the average of the students admitted into your program at the university.
Also, read the step-by-step guide on Ph.D. admissions.
Fulbright Scholarships
Fulbright scholarships are a wonderful opportunity for those who want to pursue their graduate or postgraduate degree from an American institution. In fact, a lot of students aim for it. One of the things Fulbright considers in its application is GRE test scores.
What score should you get to be considered for a Fulbright scholarship? Again, there is no threshold below which you cannot apply.
We have had Fulbright applicants with a GRE score range of 300-330, so don’t let a 290 or 305 score discourage you from applying. As we mentioned earlier, a good score depends on your chosen graduate major field and other things like your publications, research/work experience, and bachelor’s CGPA. We have had a successful Fulbrighter studying MS in Electrical Engineering with a score of 304 and a CGPA of 3.34, with sufficient research experience.
Another thing to notice is whether you get the scholarship depends on choosing a Master’s program or a Ph.D. Generally, the GRE score requirement is higher for a Master’s than for a Ph.D.
In any case, ensure you do not generalize a good score and aim with that mindset. Think about your chosen major, your top choice university, what is valued there, and what is required. And then aim for a score to ensure a spot in it.
Even for Fulbright and other scholarships, do not let slightly lower test scores stop you from applying. Combined with your other achievements, you may even get selected!
Read on: Ideal GRE scores of successful Fulbright candidates.
