What Is The Perfect GRE Score For You and How You Can Achieve It?

New Cambridge College
4 min readSep 9, 2019

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One question that we are asked often is “what is a good score for GRE?” GRE scores range from 130–170 per section, and a maximum a person can score is 340. The average GRE score is observed to be 320, which combines both verbal and quant.

These scores decide which university can be picked by the student as every university has its set score guidelines. Now, determining what a good score is for you will take right amount of time and research. However, if you have already decided which university to target, you might go through with your GRE prep accordingly.

With your dream university and a set target, GRE preparation efforts would also be set. Now, with this in mind, let’s have a look at the most critical factors that make a good GRE score, and how you achieve the maximum score in the process.

GRE Score Range — Quantitative, Verbal and Combined

GRE scores range from 260 to 340. The table below shows the Quantitative, Verbal, and combined scores:

Though, both the categories are essential but comparing quant scores to that of verbal would be like comparing apples to oranges. So, we bring to you the breakdown of both the sections and bring a little more clarity.

GRE Scores — Section Wise

A perfect GRE score in each section is 170, and a combined score is 340.

You must remember that, depending on your program, your scores in each section may be weighted much more strongly for admissions. Students going for English Literature MAs do not have to worry so much about Quant percentile as much as potential Engineering students would.

GRE Percentiles — Unleashed

Briefly, a percentile is the percentage of the students who scored lower than you. This means, if you scored 75th percentile, you scored better than 75 out of every 100 GRE test-takers.

You cannot score higher than the 96th percentile in Quant. Only about 4% of students taking the exam get a perfect score in this section.

However, the same is not valid for Verbal, in verbal, only 1% of students get a perfect score.

In terms of percentiles, most students would consider scoring within the top 10% of all test-takers pretty good.

Understanding your GRE Scores

A lot of students appearing for GRE aim for the skies and think of their goals to be a perfect 340. However, they do not need such a high score to get into their dream university/college. It might be that their program only requires half the percentile. Therefore, it is imperative to have realistic expectations and prepare for that without getting intimidated about high scores.

We have discussed what a good GRE score is, now let us understand what a bad GRE score can be.

GRE Scores for Top Universities

The school that you are applying to has a lot to do with your target GRE score.

Students who chose Harvard as their preferred university and Economics as their preferred program estimated their verbal scores to be between 157–161 and quant scores to be between 162–166. But on the other hand, less competitive program at Harvard take students with verbal scores as low as 149 and quant scores as low as 150.

Understanding a Bad GRE Score?

A bad GRE score is one that eliminates you from the program that you want to attend. However, to put this in terms of scores, the bottom 10% of students taking the GRE, score below 141 in quant and 140 in verbal.

How to Improve Your GRE Scores

With all the above-specified factors in mind, there is a need to set your specific target score, or rather target scores for each section.

Speaking of which, GRE coaching is the definite step that can help you boost your scores to where you want them to be. Prep for the GRE with a target score in mind, and you will see an extreme leap in your score.

By reading through this post, you have already taken the first step to reaching your target score. Researching GRE scores ahead of time will help you determine the areas you need to focus on for your GRE prep.

GRE coaching in Chandigarh

For a complete hassle-free GRE preparation in Chandigarh, join New Cambridge College. NCC provides the best GRE coaching in Chandigarh and has the best staff that will help you analyse your score in advance and assist you in shaping your dream. Having customised plans and training combos, New Cambridge College provides coaching for 1 month, 2 months and 3 months. Also, they provide a coaching validity for 1 year; a student can clear all his doubts for a year and feel ready to give the exam anytime he wants.

Ready to improve your GRE score? Get started today.

Content resource from: https://www.newcambridgecollege.com/blog/what-is-the-perfect-gre-score-for-you-and-how-you-can-achieve-it/

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New Cambridge College
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New Cambridge College established in 2010 is known for its excellent training in IELTS, PTE, GRE, SAT & GMAT. https://newcambridgecollege.com/