GRE Scores

The GRE scoring process for the computer-based version of the GRE has two components. The multiple-choice questions are graded immediately. Because the GRE is a computer-adaptive test, your final score is not simply the number of questions you answer correctly. Instead, the computer takes into account the number of questions answered, the difficulty of the questions answered correctly, and the number of questions answered correctly. You will get more credit for answering tough questions correctly than for answering easy questions correctly. The result of the computer's calculations is a scaled GRE score between 200 and 800.

As you might expect, the average score is around 500. You will receive individual scores for the Verbal and Quantitative sections, as well as a total score. The scoring of the Analytical Writing section takes a little more time. Each of your essays will be read by two trained scorers, who will assign a number from zero to six. In general, the scoring rubric places more emphasis on coherence and style than on spelling and grammar, although you may be penalized if your essay contains flagrant and repeated errors. The two GRE scores for each essay are averaged, and then the two averages are combined to produce a total score for the Analytical Writing section. In the rare case that the two readers of an essay disagree by more than a point, a third reader is called in to arbitrate.