What is an Average GRE Score and why should I care?

If you want to be considered for graduate school admissions, you may be wondering what the average GRE scores are throughout the country. While knowing this fact doesn’t substitute for the hard work of preparing for the exam, understanding where your current scores stand compared to national or school-wide averages can help you contextualize your score. It can also help you figure out how much work you need to do in order – whether with one of our excellent instructors at Varsity Tutors or on your own – to get into the graduate program of your dreams.

What Is the Average GRE Score?

Before looking at the average scores on the revised GRE, it’s helpful to know the scoring range for each section of the test. The Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning sections are all scored in single-point increments between 130 and 170. On the Analytical Writing section, students can score from 0 to 6 points, in half point increments. 

Every year, the makers of the GRE release average scores for GRE test scores. In 2021, the average Verbal Reasoning score on the GRE is 151. The average score on the Quantitative section clocks in slightly higher at roughly 153, whereas the average score for the Analytical Writing section is roughly 3.5 points.

However, the national average may not tell you a lot when you’re applying to a certain school. After all, a graduate program in comparative literature at University of Nevada at Las Vegas will likely have different admission standards than one in applied mathematics at MIT. Because of this, it’s important to look at the data for the school and program you’re applying to – or at least at comparable programs. Most schools display the average test scores of their applicants and admittees on their official websites. This is a great way to find out what score you need to aim for on the GRE in order to make it into a particular graduate school.

Growing Stronger in Every Subject on the GRE

Taking a practice test – and then going over it with an expert– is one of the most effective ways of finding your strengths and weaknesses on the GRE. With the help of your instructor, you’ll be able to pinpoint skills that need improvement. This analysis can stop you from devoting too much study time to skills that you already know.

Once you know what needs improvement, you can receive guidance from a Varsity Tutors instructor regarding how to sharpen those skills. In many cases, our instructors provide students with a whole new way to approach reading or math questions on a fundamental level – not just for a specific problem. Once you begin to strengthen specific skills for the GRE, you’ll gain a new sense of confidence and a more positive attitude toward the test.

Strategies and Tips for the GRE

We understand that most students want to excel on the GRE. Average scores should be seen as a baseline for ambitious students who want their graduate school application to stand out in a crowd. To meet that goal, the strategies our instructors share with students help them to complete the test in the most efficient way possible.

For instance, we teach students how to identify the most significant parts of a written passage so they can determine the correct answer option. We also teach students strategies to simplify complicated word problems and math equations. And in the Analytical Writing section, we guide students in learning how to jot down an outline that includes elements that will help them to create two organized essays for the test. Our professional instructors are intimately familiar with the GRE, so they are able to convey tips to students based on their own test-taking experiences.

The Night Before the Test

Varsity Tutors’ students benefit in a number of different ways from our GRE prep courses as well as our first-rate study resources. But, there are additional things they can do to feel ready for the test. For instance, the evening before the test you should be sure to eat a nutritious dinner with plenty of protein as well as fruits and vegetables – a healthy meal the night before the test can set the stage for a successful test day. Also, students are wise to get to bed early so they feel well-rested the next day. Trying to cram information the night before the GRE is non-productive and may add to your stress level, so opt for a relaxing evening instead!

Want to jump-start your GRE preparation? Check out our variety of GRE Course and Private Tutoring options.