Understanding the GRE scoring system, particularly the section-level adaptive approach and how each section is scored, is crucial for international students preparing for the computer-based GRE. By digging deeper into this system, you’ll gain insights into how the test adapts to your performance and how each section contributes to your overall score. This knowledge will help you develop a strategic approach to answering questions and maximise your chances of achieving your target score.
Here’s where it gets interesting: adaptive testing comes into play, but only for the computer-delivered GRE. This means the difficulty level of the questions you encounter in the second section of each measure (Verbal and Quant) adjusts based on your performance in the first section. The initial section for both areas starts with questions of moderate difficulty. Then, depending on how you do it, the second section will present you with easier, medium, or harder questions.
What is Section-Level Adaptability?
The computer system of the GRE monitors the speed and ability of the test takers as they attempt questions. Based on their answering capacity, the monitor adjusts the difficulty levels of the test. Doing so, you will be assessed on questions you answer as well as the difficulty level you worked upon.
- The number of questions correctly answered is the raw score.
- There are no deductions made for wrong answers. However, multiple answers to one question or unanswered questions cause deductions.
- The final score is then equated to the level of difficulty one has answered.
- Each section of the GRE is presented with a score range. Students who score within the GRE score range secure a GRE percentile and a ranking. Using this score, students can enrol in various colleges abroad.
For example, if you score 163 in Verbal Reasoning & 167 in Quantitative Reasoning, you can apply for admission to Princeton University.
How to Calculate the Total GRE Score?
The GRE scorecard reflects your performance across three sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing. Each section’s score is reported on a different scale. Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning range from 130 to 170 in 1-point increments, while Analytical Writing goes from 0 to 6 in half-point increments. To calculate total GRE score, simply add up the scores from these three sections.
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Section-Wise GRE Score Range
The following section will detail how each section score contributes to your overall GRE score.
Section | Minimum GRE Score | Maximum GRE Score |
|---|---|---|
Verbal Reasoning | 130 | 170 |
Quantitative Reasoning | 130 | 170 |
Analytical Writing | 6 | |
Total | 260 | 340 |
As you can see in the above-given table, the GRE General Test is scored on a total scale of 260 to 340. It consists of three individually scored sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing.
- Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning are each scored on a scale of 130 to 170 in 1-point increments. These sections test your verbal and math abilities, respectively.
- Analytical Writing is scored on a scale of 0 to 6 in half-point increments. This section assesses your analytical writing skills through two essay prompts.
Your total GRE score is the sum of your scores from all three sections. For instance, if you score 145 on Verbal Reasoning, 150 on Quantitative Reasoning, and 4.5 on Analytical Writing, your total GRE score would be 299.5 (145 + 150 + 4.5).
When Do GRE Scores Come Out?
Scores are available approximately 10–15 days after the test date. The ETS will release your official scores to your ETS account. You’ll also get an email notification letting you know they’re available.
It’s important to note that this timeframe applies to the official scores. These include your performance on all sections of the GRE, including the Analytical Writing portion. You’ll be able to see unofficial scores for the Verbal and Quantitative sections right after you take the test, but the official scores take a little longer to process because the writing section requires human graders.
In addition to viewing your scores in your ETS account, ETS will also send your official score reports to any institutions you designated when you registered for the GRE exam. This typically happens around the same time that your scores are posted to your account.
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How to Access GRE Scores?
Once your GRE total scores are available on your ETS account, you’ll receive an email notification from ETS letting you know. Here’s how to view your GRE scorecard:
- Visit the official GRE website.
- Locate the login section for existing users. It might be labelled “Member Login” or “Sign In.”
- Enter the username and password you created when you registered for your GRE test.
- Once you’ve logged in, navigate to the section where your GRE scores are displayed. This section might be labelled “GRE Scores” or “My Results.”
How to Send the GRE Score?
There are two main ways to send your GRE scores to institutions. This allows you to strategically choose which universities see your best performance.
On test day (free for up to 4 institutions)
- After completing your GRE General Test, you’ll have the opportunity to use the ScoreSelect service on test day itself. This is free for up to four institutions.
- You’ll see your unofficial scores at the GRE test centre, and you can choose which schools you want to receive them. This allows you to strategically send your best scores to your top choices.
- You have three options for sending scores on test day with ScoreSelect:
- Send NO scores (if you’re unsure about your performance).
- Send ALL scores from the last 5 years (not recommended, as universities may see lower scores).
- Send only the MOST RECENT score.
After test day (additional fees apply)
- If you decide not to send scores on test day or want to send them to more than four schools, you can use the ScoreSelect option later through your ETS account.
- This offers more control. This allows you to send specific test dates or all your scores from the past five years.
- There is a fee to use ScoreSelect after your test date, so factor that into your planning.
- ETS typically processes electronic score requests within five business days.
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What is the Fee to Send the GRE Scorecard to College?
You can send your GRE scores to four universities for free while registering for the GRE. For any additional universities, you’ll need to pay a fee per recipient. The fee to send your GRE scorecard to colleges in India is ₹2,915.40 (US$35) per university. This fee is set by the ETS. You can send your GRE scores to universities electronically through your ETS account. The processing time to send the scores is approximately 5 business days.
How to Send a GRE Scorecard to College for Free?
You can send your GRE scores to up to four universities for free on the test day itself. When you register for the GRE, you’ll be given the option to designate institutions that will receive your results electronically. This is the most efficient way to send scores without any charges.
What Does the GRE Scorecard Include?
The GRE scorecard acts as a comprehensive record of your performance on the Graduate Record Examinations. It contains a variety of details to inform you and the institutions you’re applying to. Firstly, the scorecard provides your basic identifying information. This includes the following:
- Your name
- Contact details, like phone number and email address
- Your gender
- Your intended graduate major (which you might have indicated during registration).
Most importantly, the scorecard shows your GRE results. You’ll see your scores for each of the three tested areas: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing. These scores are presented in a scaled range. In addition to the raw scores, percentiles are included, giving you a clearer picture of how your performance compares to other test takers. Essentially, the percentile indicates the percentage of test takers who scored lower than you on that particular section.
The scorecard can also be a historical record if you’ve taken the GRE more than once. It will display the dates of your previous test attempts, along with the corresponding scores and percentiles you received for each section on those tests. Additionally, if you took any GRE Subject Tests, which assess knowledge in specific fields, these scores will also be reflected in your report. Finally, for your convenience, the scorecard can list the schools you’ve chosen to receive your GRE scores, including the dates you authorised the reports to be sent. This provides a helpful record of where your scores have been submitted.
Sample Score Card:
Graduation Institution Score Report
The graduation institution score report is your personalised GRE scorecard. This scorecard displays all the relevant information you selected during your GRE test. It provides a snapshot of your performance, and you can control what information universities see.
What’s Included:
1. Your identity information
- Name
- Contact information
- Gender
- Intended graduate major
2. Your most recent GRE scores
- Verbal Reasoning score (including your percentile rank)
- Quantitative Reasoning score (including your percentile rank)
- Analytical Writing score (including your percentile rank)
3. Selective score reporting
- This scorecard only displays the GRE scores you have chosen to submit to universities.
- You can choose to include only your most recent test scores, or you can select scores from multiple test dates.
- For example: If you prefer not to disclose scores from previous GRE attempts, simply select the “Most Recent Test” option. This scorecard will then only show information from your latest GRE test.
Sample Score Report:
Check out this video to learn about getting a GRE score Card
What is the GRE Score Validity?
GRE scores are valid for five years from the test date. This means that schools will generally accept scores that are up to five years old. The ETS will keep your score report on file for five years. After that, your scores will no longer be available, and you will need to retake the test if you want to apply to graduate school.
It’s important to note that even though ETS considers scores valid for five years, some schools may have their policies on GRE score acceptance. So, it’s always a good idea to check with the schools you’re interested in to see what their specific requirements are. You can usually find this information on the school’s website or by contacting the admissions office.
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When Can I Retake the GRE?
You can retake the GRE General Test as soon as 21 days after your previous attempt. There’s no restriction on the number of times you can retake the GRE in your lifetime, but there is a limit of five times within any continuous 12-month period. When scheduling your retake, consider how much time you’ll need to effectively prepare to improve your score. Rushing into a retake without sufficient study might not yield the desired outcome.
How to Prepare for the GRE with Yocket Prep?
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From the Desk of Yocket
The GRE score is a data point in the application process for graduate school, but it shouldn’t be the sole factor. It can be a helpful indicator of your preparedness for the rigours of graduate studies, particularly in its assessment of verbal and quantitative reasoning skills. However, it’s important to consider the GRE score in context.
A strong score on the GRE can boost your application, especially for competitive programs. However, a lower score doesn’t necessarily negate an applicant's potential. A well-rounded application that highlights relevant research experience, strong undergraduate performance, and glowing letters of recommendation can compensate for a weaker GRE showing. Ultimately, the GRE score is a piece of the puzzle, and it's up to the admissions committee to weigh it alongside other factors to determine an applicant's fit for their program.
