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What is a good GRE score?

There is no single "good" GRE score. A good score is one that clears the bar for the programs you are applying to, and that bar moves by field. Check the percentile calculator to see exactly where any score lands.

Check your percentileHow to hit 320
The short answer

Good is relative to your field and program

Most competitive programs look at your Verbal and Quant scores separately, not just the total. The same number means very different things in each section.

As a rough rule, a total around 320 is a solid, above-average score that keeps you in range for many strong programs. But a 320 made of Verbal 165 plus Quant 155 reads very differently to an engineering committee than to an English department.

~309
average total score (ETS)
~151
average Verbal
~158
average Quant

Aim to clear the 50th percentile comfortably in both sections, then push hard in the section your program cares about most.

By the numbers

What each score actually means in percentiles

Official ETS percentiles show why the section split matters. Quant is far more competitive at the top because of the large STEM-heavy applicant pool.

ScoreVerbal percentileQuant percentile
16084th50th
16595th67th
17099th91st
Source: ETS official percentile ranks. The same scaled score ranks much higher in Verbal than in Quant.

The takeaway: a Quant 165 is good but not exceptional (67th), while a Verbal 165 is near the ceiling (95th). Use the percentile calculator or the score simulator to map your own target.

By field

Rough targets by program type

These are general targets, not cutoffs. Programs rarely publish hard minimums, so always confirm on the program page.

FieldSection that matters mostReasonable target
Engineering / CSQuantQuant 165+ (67th+)
Physical sciences / mathQuantQuant 165–170
Economics / financeQuantQuant 165+ with solid Verbal
Humanities / EnglishVerbalVerbal 160+ (84th+)
Social sciences / policyBothBalanced 158+ each
Targets are directional. Many strong applicants come in above or below these.

Do not treat any number here as a guaranteed cutoff. Requirements vary by program and change year to year. Check the official program page before you set a goal.

Goal setting

How to set your own target

Work backward from your shortlist instead of chasing a generic number.

  1. List your 4–8 target programs and find their admissions or FAQ page.
  2. Note any published average or median scores. Many list a class profile rather than a cutoff.
  3. Identify the section your field weights most (Quant for STEM, Verbal for humanities).
  4. Set a target a few points above the program's stated average in that section.
  5. Add a buffer if you are also chasing funding, since scholarship-competitive scores tend to run higher.

A higher GRE rarely overrides a weak application, but a score below a program's range can quietly cost you. Treat the GRE as a checkbox to clear, then invest the rest of your time in essays and research fit.

Reality check

When the GRE matters less

Many programs are now test-optional, but the picture is mixed and shifting.

A large share of US graduate programs now make the GRE optional or waive it, especially in professional master's and online programs. At the same time, several competitive STEM departments have reinstated the requirement since 2024, citing the link between Quant scores and first-year performance.

If your programs are optional, a strong score can still help, and a weak one is better left off. See is the GRE required and GRE waivers to check your specific situation.

Questions

Common questions.

Yes, for most programs. A 320 total sits around the 77th percentile (an estimate, since the exact figure shifts with the test-taker pool) and keeps you competitive for many strong programs. For top-10 programs in your field, you may want to push higher, especially in the section that matters most. See how to get 320.
Quant carries most of the weight. Aim for Quant 165 or higher, which is the 67th percentile, and ideally closer to 168–170 for the most competitive programs. Verbal still counts, but a Quant below the 60th percentile is the bigger risk. Practice on the Quant section.
Verbal is the priority. A Verbal 160 is already the 84th percentile, and 165 reaches the 95th. Quant matters less, though you still want to clear the program's stated range. Build vocabulary and reading skills in Verbal practice.
The two sections have different applicant pools. Quant draws a large, STEM-heavy international group that scores high, so a 160 is only the 50th percentile in Quant but the 84th in Verbal. Always read your percentiles by section, not just your total.
Almost never. A 340 is rare and unnecessary for the vast majority of programs. A balanced score in your program's range, paired with strong essays and research fit, matters far more than a perfect total.
Work backward from your shortlist. Check each program page for published averages or class profiles, identify the section your field weights most, and set a target a few points above that average. Confirm requirements on the official page, since they change and vary by program.

See where your score lands

Plug in any Verbal and Quant combination to see your percentiles by section and total, then build a plan to close the gap.

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