GRE Score Percentiles 2026: What's a Good Score for Grad School?
The GRE (Graduate Record Examination) is scored differently than most standardized tests. Understanding how your Verbal and Quantitative scores translate to percentiles is essential for setting realistic graduate school goals.
Unlike the GMAT or LSAT, the GRE is used across a wide variety of graduate programs—from English literature to computer science to MBA programs. This means percentile expectations vary dramatically by field.
All percentile figures below come from the official ETS GRE General Test Interpretive Data (Table 1B/1C), based on every test-taker who tested between July 1, 2021 and June 30, 2024—the reference group in use through 2026. ETS refreshes this table annually, so percentiles shift slightly each year.
GRE Score Structure
The GRE consists of three sections (and since the “Shorter GRE” arrived in 2023, the test runs just 1 hour 58 minutes with no unscored experimental section):
- Verbal Reasoning: 130-170 (1-point increments)
- Quantitative Reasoning: 130-170 (1-point increments)
- Analytical Writing: 0-6 (half-point increments) — now a single “Analyze an Issue” essay
Your “total score” is typically reported as the sum of Verbal + Quantitative (260-340 range).
Verbal Reasoning Percentiles (2026)
| Score | Percentile | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| 170 | 99% | Perfect - top 1% of all test-takers |
| 168 | 99% | Exceptional - elite humanities programs |
| 165 | 95% | Excellent - competitive for top programs |
| 162 | 89% | Very strong - above most program averages |
| 159 | 80% | Good - solid for most programs |
| 156 | 70% | Above average |
| 153 | 55% | Average |
| 150 | 39% | Below average |
| 147 | 27% | Low - may limit options |
| 145 | 21% | Very low - significant improvement needed |
Verbal percentiles are compressed at the top. Moving from a 165 to a 170 only moves you from the 95th to 99th percentile, but this small difference can matter for top English, philosophy, or law programs.
Quantitative Reasoning Percentiles (2026)
| Score | Percentile | Interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| 170 | 91% | Perfect score - note: NOT 99th percentile |
| 168 | 81% | Excellent - strong for STEM programs |
| 165 | 67% | Very good - competitive for most STEM |
| 162 | 57% | Good - solid quant foundation |
| 159 | 47% | Around the average |
| 156 | 39% | Below average |
| 153 | 31% | Low for STEM programs |
| 150 | 24% | Low for STEM programs |
| 147 | 17% | Very low - significant gap |
| 145 | 12% | May need remedial work for quant programs |
Because so many test-takers (especially international STEM applicants) have strong math backgrounds, a perfect 170 Quant is only the 91st percentile—not 99%—and even a 160 Quant now sits at just the 50th percentile. These Quant percentiles have crept down year over year as the test-taker pool gets quantitatively stronger. For competitive STEM PhD programs, you essentially need a near-perfect quant score to stand out.
Analytical Writing Percentiles
| Score | Percentile |
|---|---|
| 6.0 | 99% |
| 5.5 | 98% |
| 5.0 | 93% |
| 4.5 | 85% |
| 4.0 | 63% |
| 3.5 | 43% |
| 3.0 | 17% |
| 2.5 | 8% |
Most programs care less about AWA than Verbal/Quant, but a score below 4.0 may raise concerns about your writing ability.
What’s a “Good” GRE Score by Field?
Humanities & Social Sciences (English, History, Psychology, etc.)
- Target: 160+ Verbal (84th+ percentile), 155+ Quant
- Top Programs: 165+ Verbal is expected
- Reality Check: Verbal score is prioritized; Quant can be lower
STEM Fields (Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, etc.)
- Target: 165+ Quant (67th+ percentile), 158+ Verbal
- Top Programs: 168-170 Quant is nearly required
- Reality Check: Because the Quant pool is so strong, even a 165 Quant is only ~67th percentile—top programs increasingly expect 168+, and the competition is intense
Business Schools (MBA Programs)
- Target: 320+ combined (160V/160Q)
- Top Programs: 325+ with balanced sections
- Reality Check: Many schools now accept GRE as GMAT alternative, with comparable expectations
Law Schools (GRE-Accepting)
- Target: 165+ Verbal, 160+ Quant
- Reality Check: LSAT is still preferred at most schools, but 85+ law schools now accept GRE
Combined Score Percentiles
While ETS doesn’t publish official combined percentiles, here are approximate estimates based on the current section distributions. Treat them as rough guides only—your combined percentile depends heavily on how the points split between Verbal and Quant:
| Combined Score | Approximate Percentile |
|---|---|
| 340 | 99%+ |
| 335 | 99% |
| 330 | 96% |
| 325 | 90% |
| 320 | 80% |
| 315 | 68% |
| 310 | 55% |
| 305 | 42% |
| 300 | 30% |
Target Scores by Program Ranking
Top 10 Graduate Programs
- Humanities: 165V / 160Q (325+)
- STEM: 160V / 168Q (328+)
- Social Sciences: 163V / 162Q (325+)
Top 25 Graduate Programs
- Humanities: 162V / 155Q (317+)
- STEM: 158V / 165Q (323+)
- Social Sciences: 160V / 158Q (318+)
Top 50 Graduate Programs
- Humanities: 158V / 152Q (310+)
- STEM: 155V / 162Q (317+)
- Social Sciences: 157V / 155Q (312+)
Score Improvement Potential
Based on data from prep companies:
| Study Hours | Typical Improvement |
|---|---|
| 40-80 hours | 5-10 points total |
| 80-120 hours | 10-15 points total |
| 120-160 hours | 15-20 points total |
| 160+ hours | 20+ points possible |
Most students see the largest gains in the section where they started weakest.
Should You Retake the GRE?
Consider retaking if:
- Your score is below your target program’s average
- You have significant section imbalance
- You ran out of time on sections
- Your practice tests were consistently higher
Score Choice: ETS’s ScoreSelect allows you to send only your best scores to schools. However, some programs require all scores.
If you plan to take the GRE General Test at home, note a logistics change that took effect January 5, 2026: in addition to your computer’s webcam, ETS now requires a second camera—a fully charged smartphone or tablet (iOS 12+ or Android 8+)—to give the proctor a side view of your workspace. At check-in you scan a QR code with the device and position it on a stable stand. If you’d rather not deal with the dual-camera setup, a Prometric test-center appointment uses the same content and scoring.
Best GRE Prep Resources
- Magoosh GRE - Best value, excellent video explanations
- Kaplan GRE - Best for structured live classes
- Princeton Review GRE - Best for comprehensive prep
Key Takeaways
- 320+ combined is competitive for most top 50 programs
- Quant percentiles are compressed - a perfect 170 is only the 91st percentile, and a 160 is just the 50th
- Field matters enormously - a 155 Quant is fine for English but weak for physics
- Section balance should match your program type
- Most students can improve 10-15 points with dedicated study
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good GRE score for graduate school?
A good GRE score depends on your field and target programs. For competitive graduate programs, aim for 320+ combined (160+ on each section). For top 10 programs, 325-330+ is often needed. STEM programs prioritize Quant scores, while humanities programs prioritize Verbal.
What is the average GRE score?
Per the latest official ETS data, the mean GRE scores are approximately 151 Verbal, 158 Quant, and 3.4 AWA. The average combined score is around 309. However, admitted students at top programs typically score well above these averages.
Is a 320 GRE score good?
Yes, a 320 GRE score is good—it's approximately the 80th percentile overall. This score is competitive for many top 25-50 graduate programs. For top 10 programs in competitive fields, you may want to aim for 325+.
Why is a perfect GRE Quant score only the 91st percentile?
The GRE Quant section has many test-takers who score at the top of the scale, especially international students with strong math backgrounds. This score compression means a perfect 170 Quant is now only the 91st percentile per official ETS data—and it has been drifting lower each year. Even a 160 Quant now sits at just the 50th percentile.
How many times can I take the GRE?
You can take the GRE up to 5 times within any 12-month period, with a minimum of 21 days between attempts. There's no lifetime limit. Many schools only consider your highest scores, so retaking is often advantageous.
Do graduate schools see all my GRE scores?
Not necessarily. ETS's ScoreSelect option lets you choose which scores to send. Most schools only see the scores you select. However, some programs require all scores, so check individual program requirements before relying on ScoreSelect.
How long should I study for the GRE?
Most students study 1-3 months for the GRE, dedicating 8-15 hours per week. A 10-15 point improvement typically requires 80-120 hours of focused study. Your starting point and target score will determine the exact timeline.
Is the GRE harder than the GMAT?
The difficulty comparison depends on your strengths. The GRE has more vocabulary-heavy verbal sections and slightly easier math. The GMAT has harder quantitative reasoning and data interpretation. Business school applicants should take diagnostic tests for both to determine which suits them better.