Over the years, one of the most common questions I have been asked by students is, “What is a good GRE score?”
A good GRE score mostly depends on the expectations of the student. The perception of a ‘good GRE score’ also varies from individual to individual. Same with the universities. Some students might consider the University of Michigan as a good college and hence the score required to get an admission there would be perceived as a good GRE score. However, students who target Harvard, won’t perceive the University of Michigan as a top university. Hence their idea of a good GRE score will be much higher.
According to my experience and perception, I would recommend the following slabs as ranges for a good GRE score.
1) TOP SCORE – These scores will place you among the top 10% of the test takers and get you admissions into the top US Universities.
2) GOOD SCORE – These scores will place you among the top 25% of the test takers and get you admissions into excellent US universities. And, guess what? You still have a shot at Ivy League universities if you have a good and consistent profile.
3) MODEST SCORE – These scores will place you among the top 50% of the test takers. Though these scores won’t help you in getting into top US universities, you can have a shot at many non-Ivy League universities. These are pretty decent scores and not at all bad, though you might face some competition if you are applying for highly-sought after programs. Make sure that you build a strong profile.
4) AVERAGE SCORE – These scores will place you among the remaining 50% of the test takers. Though these scores would get you admissions in many universities, chances are high that these universities might not be regarded as Top Universities or Excellent Universities by conventional standards. These universities can still offer you unconventional programs and help you build your own niche. Or, you can just retake the GRE and aim to boost your GRE scores for a shot at more popular universities.
You may also want to look at the average GRE score required for various fields of studies. Additionally, I have suggested a ‘Safe Score’ which is based on standard deviations and can be seen as a pointer for a good GRE score. This will help you to determine your own target of a good GRE score.
LIFE SCIENCES
PHYSICAL SCIENCES
ENGINEERING
SOCIAL SCIENCES
HUMANITIES AND ARTS
EDUCATION
BUSINESS
In this article, I will give you the official data on the average scores of those who got admissions into certain top universities, so that you get a fair idea of the university cut off scores. Note the Average Quant Scores, Average Verbal scores, and the Quant cut-off scores to help you set a good GRE score as your target.
You must be wondering about the cut-off marks for the top universities. which is not easily available. But don’t worry, I have compiled the data for you.
GRE SCORE CUT-OFF FOR VARIOUS TOP UNIVERSITIES
University | Verbal (Average Score) | Quant (Minimum Score) | Quant (Average Score) |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology | 157 | 160 | 162 |
Stanford University | 158 | 160 | 163 |
University of California Berkeley | 155 | 159 | 161 |
University of Illinois – Urbana Champaign | 155 | 159 | 163 |
Carnegie Mellon University | 159 | 159 | 161 |
Georgia Technological University | 155 | 159 | 161 |
University of Texas Austin | 155 | 157 | 160 |
University of Michigan Ann Arbor | 154 | 159 | 161 |
Cornell University | 160 | 159 | 162 |
Purdue University | 158 | 160 | 163 |
University of Southern California | 158 | 160 | 163 |
Texas A&M University | 154 | 157 | 160 |
University of California San Diego | 154 | 164 | 166 |
California Technological University | 158 | 164 | 166 |
Princeton University | 158 | 157 | 163 |
University of Wisconsin Madison | 157 | 160 | 163 |
Columbia University | 164 | 157 | 163 |
University of Maryland College | 154 | 159 | 160 |
Northwestern University | 154 | 159 | 161 |
University of Minnesota – Twin Cities | 155 | – | 163 |
University of Washington | 156 | – | 159 |
Ohio State University | – | 155 | 158 |
Duke University | 155 | – | 165 |
North Carolina State University | 155 | – | 161 |
University of Colorado Boulder | 155 | – | 152 |
University of California Irvine | 152 | – | 161 |
Arizona State University | 154 | – | 162 |
Iowa State University | 152 | – | 160 |
Northeastern University | 152 | – | 157 |
University at Buffalo – SUNY | 154 | – | 161 |
University of Connecticut | 153 | – | 157 |
University of Illinois–Chicago | 152 | – | 158 |
Colorado State University | 153 | – | 157 |
Illinois Institute of Technology | 148 | – | 158 |
Clemson University | 151 | – | 155 |
University of Central Florida | 151 | – | 155 |
University of Cincinnati | 155 | – | 159 |
Santa Clara University | 151 | – | 157 |
Santa Clara University | 151 | – | 157 |
Mississippi State University | 148 | – | 157 |
University of North Carolina | 158 | – | 155 |
Michigan Technological University | 154 | – | 157 |
University of Texas Arlington | 148 | – | 157 |
Want to score a perfect 170 in Quant? Download the Quant Forumula Book today!
UNIVERSITIES FOR GRE SCORE OF 330
GRE Score: 330 |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
Stanford University |
University of California- Berkeley |
University of Illinois – Urbana Champaign |
University of Michigan Ann Arbor |
Cornell University |
The University of Texas at Austin |
University of Maryland – College park |
California Institute of Technology |
University of Wisconsin- Madison |
University of California – San Diego |
University of California Los Angles |
Harvard University |
Carnegie Mellon University |
So, now that you have detailed idea of what a good GRE score is, it is time for the next step, which is, ‘How to plan your GRE preparation to achieve that target GRE score’.
Needless to say, it requires immense dedication, planning, and hard work to achieve a good GRE score and secure admission to your Dream University.
I would love to hear from you. Get in touch with us to clear all your doubts!
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View Comments
Hi. I got 290 in GRE (140 verbal 150 quant 3.0 AWA), TOEFL 91, CGPA 5.7.
I want to pursue MS in MIS. Which universities should I apply to? I know my GRE score is too low but I want to go ahead with it.
I want to pursue MS in electronics and telecommunications...also my under graduate CGPA is low....what GRE score should i get if i want to go ahead in my field.
hey !
i m an engineering student, i want to pursue MS in cyber security . What should be the undergraduate CGPA ?
Hi ,
I have very low CGPA in my Undergraduation around 6.5 but I'm having 3years of work experience and have done extensive research and worked in Big Data & Data Analytics technology. & in UG Have done various electronic projects and won technical fests awards and have published paper in IJERA.
So I was looking if there are any chances that I can try to get CMU . I haven't appeared GRE Yet, Was looking if there were any chances as i have less CGPA in UG
HI
My GRE – 291, IELTS- 7.5, ACADS – 78%
BTech Biotechnology
one internship in IIT-B and one in Loreal India.
Worked as choreographer for extracurricular.
I wish to MS Pharmaceutical Science or Chemistry as I further wish to pursue PhD as well!
I am certainly reconsidering to give GRE.
But suggest me colleges with this profile for spring 2019 as well as fall.
Thank you
Will the work experience of 2 years in a well known IT firm and a good GRE score help me get into high ranking college in the USA for master's or PhD in IT field? (I have just completed BE in IT and work as a software developer in a well known firm with innovative projects)
hiiii iam studying b.tech 2 nd year mechanical my ambition is to study ms in top universities please give me a suggestion to me mam
Is university of torronto good for MS in artificial intelligence
Hi I have a gre score 308 (155Q, 153V, 4.5AWA) with a CGPA of 8.7. I have 3+ years of work experience. Could you suggest me some good universities to apply for MS in CS?
Hey there! This post could not be written any better!
Reading this post reminds me of my old room mate!
He always kept chatting about this. I will forward this write-up to him.
Pretty sure he will have a good read. Thank you for sharing!