What score range should I expect on GRE Verbal and Quant?
Your GRE Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections are each scored from 130 to 170, moving in 1-point increments. Most competitive graduate programs look for scores of 160 or above in whichever section matters most for your field, such as Quant for engineering applicants or Verbal for humanities programs.
When you get your GRE results, both your Verbal and Quant scores will fall somewhere on the same 130 to 170 scale, which makes it easy to compare your performance across sections. Knowing this range helps you set realistic, section-specific targets.
GRE Section Score Ranges
| GRE Section | Score Range |
|---|---|
| Verbal Reasoning | 130 to 170, in 1-point increments |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 130 to 170, in 1-point increments |
| Analytical Writing | 0 to 6, in half-point increments |
What Counts as a Competitive Score
While any score within the range is technically possible, top-tier graduate programs typically expect applicants to score 160 or higher in the section most relevant to their intended field, such as Quantitative Reasoning for engineering programs. This benchmark is a useful target when you plan your preparation.
My Advice
Identify which section matters most for your intended course before you start preparing, then aim your study time at pushing that specific section past 160, rather than spreading effort evenly across both sections.
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