The Graduate Record Examination, or GRE, is an important step in the graduate school or business school application process. It is a multiple-choice, computer-based, standardized exam, often required for admission to graduate  programs and graduate business programs (MBA) globally.

The GRE has been developed and administered by the testmaker, ETS, to provide graduate and business schools with common measures for comparing applicants’ qualifications and preparedness for graduate-level academic work. The committees of Graduate School and Business School look at one’s  GRE score, along with one’s academic record and supporting materials, to assess their readiness for the rigors of graduate academic study.

What’s the takeaway? A high score on the GRE will have a direct, positive impact on your graduate or business school application.

What is on the GRE?

The GRE exam measures your command on basic arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis as well as college-level vocabulary. More importantly, it measures your ability to analyze and evaluate written material, critical thinking, and problem solving approaches.

What are the GRE sections?

You will receive three scores on the GRE:

Analytical Writing << Verbal Reasoning << Quantitative Reasoning <<

These scores are generated by the following sections:

• . Analytical Writing Assessment section Verbal Reasoning sections

3. Quantitative Reasoning sections

In addition, you will see one of the following sections:

Unscored (may be either Verbal Reasoning or Quantitative Reasoning) Research (used for ETS research purposes)

The Quantitative Reasoning and Verbal Reasoning sections are each scored on a scale of 130 to 170. The mean score for Verbal Reasoning is 151, and the mean score for Quantitative Reasoning is 153. The Analytical Writing Assessment is scored from 0 to 6 in half-point increments, and the mean score is 4.0.

What is a good GRE score?

When considering your GRE score goal, look at the requirements—or minimums, if applicable—at the graduate or business programs to which you’re applying. This will let you know your baseline. If you can find the mean or average GRE score of admitted applicants, you’ll be able to determine what GRE score will make you a competitive applicant. The Verbal and Quantitative sections of the GRE are each scored from 130 to 170. The mean score for Verbal Reasoning is 151, and the mean score for Quantitative Reasoning is 153. The Analytical Writing Assessment is scored from 0 to 6 in half-point increments, and the mean score is 4.0. You can use the tables below to see the relationship between scaled scores and the test takers achieving them.