GRE & GMAT Score Percentile Calculator
Enter your scores to see where you rank nationally using official ETS and GMAC percentile data.
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GRE Score Ranges: What Programs Are Looking For
The GRE uses a 130–170 scale for both Verbal and Quantitative sections, and a 0–6 scale (in 0.5-point increments) for Analytical Writing. There is no single "good" GRE score — what matters is how your score compares to admitted students at your target programs, not the national average. A 160V/165Q is excellent for most PhD programs in the humanities and social sciences. The same score might be unremarkable for a top computer science or engineering program where nearly every applicant scores 167Q or above.
As a general benchmark: Verbal scores above 160 (84th percentile) and Quantitative scores above 163 (73rd percentile) are considered strong. Analytical Writing scores of 4.5+ (82nd percentile) signal graduate-level writing ability. Most funded PhD programs expect scores at or above the 75th percentile in the section most relevant to their discipline.
GMAT Focus Edition: Understanding the New Score Scale
The GMAT Focus Edition launched in late 2023 and fully replaced the classic GMAT by early 2024. The new total score runs from 205 to 805 in 10-point increments — slightly different from the classic GMAT's 200–800 range. The three section scores each run from 60 to 90. The Analytical Writing Assessment was removed; the Focus Edition replaced it with an expanded Data Insights section that tests data analysis and graph interpretation.
At the top MBA programs, median GMAT Focus scores tend to cluster between 720 and 760. A score of 705 places you at roughly the 93rd percentile nationally, which is the threshold most admissions offices consider truly competitive for M7 schools. Scores in the 645–700 range are competitive for a wide range of strong MBA programs outside the top 10.
GRE vs. GMAT: Which Should You Take for Business School?
The short answer is: take whichever you score higher on. All major MBA programs now accept both tests equally, and schools use internal concordance tools to compare them. The GRE tends to favor students who are stronger in verbal reasoning and pattern recognition. The GMAT Focus Edition emphasizes logical data analysis more heavily, which suits students with strong quantitative and analytical backgrounds.
The practical consideration is test structure. The GRE is adaptive by section (each section adjusts based on your performance on the previous one). The GMAT Focus Edition is adaptive question-by-question, meaning harder questions are worth more but are also more punishing if missed. Students who do well on adaptive tests that penalize mistakes tend to prefer the GRE's section-level adaptivity. Take a timed practice test for each before committing to one.
How Percentiles Are Calculated
GRE percentiles are published annually by ETS and are based on all test-takers over the most recent three-year rolling window. This means percentiles shift slightly from year to year as the testing population changes. A score of 160V that put you in the 84th percentile in 2021 might represent the 82nd percentile in 2023 if the average test-taker pool performed slightly better.
GMAT Focus percentiles are published by GMAC and also represent performance relative to recent test-takers. One important nuance: GRE percentiles cover all graduate programs, while GMAT percentiles cover primarily business school applicants — a population that skews stronger in quantitative reasoning. A 160Q on the GRE (74th percentile overall) would translate to a much lower percentile if benchmarked only against business school GMAT takers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a good GRE score?
A GRE Verbal score of 160+ places you above the 84th percentile and is competitive for most top programs. A Quantitative score of 163+ is above the 73rd percentile. For AW, a 4.0 is around the 60th percentile and is considered acceptable; 5.0+ (93rd percentile) is strong. What counts as 'good' varies by program — STEM programs weigh Quant heavily, while humanities programs care more about Verbal and AW.
What is a good GMAT Focus score?
The GMAT Focus Edition uses a 205–805 scale. A total score of 645 places you around the 70th percentile and is competitive for many MBA programs. Scores of 705+ are in the 93rd percentile range and are competitive for top-10 business schools. The average GMAT score at M7 schools (Harvard, Wharton, Stanford, etc.) typically falls between 720 and 740.
How is the GMAT Focus different from the old GMAT?
The GMAT Focus Edition, launched in late 2023, replaced the classic GMAT. It has three sections — Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Data Insights — each scored 60–90, with a total score of 205–805. The classic GMAT's total score range was 200–800 with a separate Integrated Reasoning section. The Analytical Writing Assessment was removed in the Focus Edition.
How do GRE and GMAT scores compare?
Most business schools now accept both the GRE and GMAT equally. ETS and GMAC publish comparison tools, but broadly: a GRE score of 320 (V+Q) corresponds roughly to a GMAT Focus score around 645–665. A 330 GRE corresponds to roughly 705–725 GMAT. These are approximations; schools evaluate both on a percentile basis.
How long are GRE and GMAT scores valid?
GRE scores are valid for 5 years from the test date. GMAT Focus Edition scores are also valid for 5 years. Most programs require that scores fall within this window when you apply, so a score from 2020 would still be valid for applications through 2025.
Can I retake the GRE or GMAT?
Yes. You can take the GRE up to 5 times in a 12-month period, with at least 21 days between attempts. You can take the GMAT Focus Edition up to 5 times in a rolling 12-month period, with a lifetime limit of 8 attempts. Most schools consider your highest score (score choice on GRE) or your most recent score, depending on their policy.