GRE scoring refers to the process of evaluating your performance on the GRE General Test.

The test is designed to assess your skills in three main areas: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing. Your raw performance on these sections is then converted into scaled scores, which are what you will see on your score report.

The scoring system is carefully structured to ensure fairness and consistency across different test versions. It accounts for factors like the difficulty of the questions and how you compare to other test-takers. Understanding how the GRE is scored will help you interpret your results and prepare more effectively for the test.

01. How GRE Is Graded

When it comes to how the GRE is graded, there are two main components:

1. Raw Score: This is the number of questions you answer correctly in each section. There are no penalties for incorrect answers, so it's always better to guess than leave a question blank.
2. Scaled Score: The raw score is then converted to a scaled score, which accounts for the difficulty of the test. This helps ensure fairness across different test versions.

How Raw Scores Become Scaled Scores

Your raw score (the number of questions you get right) gets converted to a scaled score through a process called equating. This process takes into account:

• The difficulty level of the questions you answered
• How your performance compares to other test-takers

This ensures that scores are comparable across different test versions.

02. Interpreting GRE Test Scores

Once you get your GRE test scores, interpreting them accurately is crucial. Each section of the GRE has a separate score range:

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GRE Percentiles: Your GRE percentile shows how you performed compared to other test-takers. A percentile rank of 90 means you scored higher than 90% of those who took the test. Understanding percentiles is important for interpreting your GRE test scores in the context of how competitive your performance was.

Scoring well on the GRE requires a focused and strategic approach. Here are key tips to help you improve your GRE scores:

1. Take Practice Tests: Familiarizing yourself with the test format and timing is crucial. Taking full-length practice tests will help you understand the structure of the exam and build confidence.
   With EverTutor, you can access realistic practice tests that mirror the actual GRE, giving you the chance to practice under timed conditions and track your progress as you go.

2. Analyze Your Mistakes: It’s important to go beyond simply taking practice tests. Analyze the areas where you’re making mistakes and focus on strengthening those concepts. This targeted review helps prevent repeating the same errors.
   EverTutor offers personalized feedback, identifying your weak spots and providing clear explanations to help you improve in those areas. This ensures that you can focus on what really matters for your improvement.

3. Use Official ETS Materials: Practice with official materials from ETS, as they best represent the style and difficulty level of the actual test. Using these resources helps you get an accurate sense of what to expect.
4. ‍Set a Study Plan: Creating a study schedule is essential for making steady progress. You’ll want to give yourself plenty of time to review each section of the GRE and ensure you're covering all the necessary topics. EverTutor helps you build a personalized study plan that fits your timeline and learning style. This way, you can focus on each section of the test and pace your studying effectively.

The GRE scoring guide is an essential tool for understanding the breakdown of your results. Each section is scored independently, and understanding the weight of each part will help you interpret your results correctly.

• Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning: These scores determine how well you perform in the critical areas of reading, writing, and math. Universities may have specific score thresholds for these sections depending on your chosen field.
• Analytical Writing: Your writing score provides insight into your ability to construct coherent arguments and analyze complex ideas.

By understanding the significance of each score, you can focus on areas that will make the biggest difference in your application.

Here’s a breakdown of common GRE scores and their percentile ranks:

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Percentile ranks help universities evaluate your performance in the context of other applicants. A higher percentile indicates a stronger performance compared to your peers.

Different programs at universities prioritize different GRE scores. Many universities have specific score thresholds for admission and higher scores can improve your chances for scholarships.

• Verbal Score: Programs in humanities, social sciences, and business, especially at top-tier universities, value high Verbal scores for analytical reading and critical thinking.
• Quantitative Score: STEM programs, such as engineering and computer science, emphasize strong Quantitative scores to assess problem-solving and numerical analysis skills.

Which Section Should You Focus On?

• Humanities or business-related programs: Prioritize Verbal.
• STEM programs: Focus on Quant.
• Some programs weigh both sections equally, like MBA or interdisciplinary programs.

Always check your target school’s GRE requirements to align your preparation accordingly.