Over the past years, I have seen a lot of debate going on regarding the GRE Scoring algorithm and the GRE scoring methodology. Confusions abound! 

Students are unable to decipher how the ETS scores the GRE test and that makes it very tricky for prospective GRE test takers to strategize for the test.

How is it possible that one student can get a 155 on the verbal part by just getting 3-4 questions Correct on the second verbal section? To answer that, I recently dug deeper into how the GRE scoring algorithm works.

We all know that the GRE is an adaptive test and the tests difficulty level varies according to your performance. If you do well in the first section, you will get a harder second section and vice versa. Similarly, harder the section, the more weight it has in your overall score.

You can learn more about the GRE sections weights and adaptability mechanism in this post.

Using 200+ GRE student’s actual test day score reports, I have tried to come up with an estimate of how you can earn the score you want. The table below is based on 237 actual GRE score reports and I have used that data to approximate, with some +/-2 error range, different GRE score scenarios on your actual GRE exam.

I have shared some sample score reports that I used for my analysis over here.

In this table, you will see that the total number of correct questions by no means gives you an idea of your actual score. For instance, by getting 20 questions correct out of 40 on the two verbal sections, you can get a score ranging anywhere from 147 to 155. It all depends on the section on which you got most of the questions correct. The outcome is that you must get most of the questions correct on section 1. For example, by if you score 20/20 on section 1 and 0/20 on section 2, you will get a verbal score of 155. However, if you get 0/20 on section 1 and 20/20 on section 2, you will get a meager 147. Hence section 1 is vital.

Quantitative Scoring Grid (Part 1)

Important observations for the Quant Scoring Grid: If you want a really high score, you must ensure that you get at least 15 questions correct on section 1 of quantitative. Since that is the level where the algorithm will adapt. From 10 to 14 questions on section 1, the level of next section will remain the same. However, below 10 questions on section 1, the test will adapt to a lower level.

Quantitative Scoring Grid (Part 2)

Note that in the quantitative table, how significantly your score will vary around 14-15 and 9-10 correct questions in section 1. These are the boundaries where the quant section adapts. You can greatly enhance or reduce your scores by scoring around these on each section.

Verbal Scoring Grid (Part 1)

Important observations for the Verbal Scoring Frid: If you want a really high score, you must ensure that you get at least 13 questions correct on section 1 of verbal. Since that is the level where the algorithm will adapt. From 8 to 12 questions on section 1, the level of next section will remain the same. However, below 8 questions on section 1, the test will adapt to a lower level.

Verbal Scoring Grid (Part 2)

In the verbal table, note how significantly your score will vary around 12-13 and 7-8 correct questions in section 1. These are the boundaries where the test adapts. You can greatly enhance or reduce your scores by scoring around these on each section.

Now hopefully by knowing how the GRE scoring matrix works, you’ll be able to gauge just how much you need to get on each section to hit the target. Of course, there will be a slight error in the table since it is predicted based on a sample data of 200+ GRE students. Nevertheless it is pretty much accurate and will unwind the confusions surrounding the GRE scoring mechanism.

If you would like to share your own GRE score report or experience with us so that we can improve upon the matrix, you can freely do that at [email protected]. We promise to keep your information confidential. J