GRE Score

GRE scores are valid for five years. It’s best if you take the exam as close to your undergraduate years as possible so it will be easier to retain information. However, if you don’t think you’ll be returning to grad school within five years, you might as well wait until you’re within that time frame.

Scoring is a little bit different for both forms of the GRE general test and the GRE subject tests. Both versions of the quantitative and verbal sections are scored on a scale from 200 to 800, while the analytical writing section is scored on a six point scale.

The paper-based test GRE scores are determined by the sum of correct answers, and there is no penalty for incorrect or blank answers. Candidates are free to skip questions and return to them later. Because of this testing freedom, experts suggest answering all questions and not leaving any unanswered. However, don’t waste your time on a difficult question just to answer it. Answer the easiest questions first, then return to the more difficult ones later.

Computer-adaptive test scores are determined by the number of questions answered, the number of correct and incorrect questions answered and the level of difficulty in questions. You may not go back and change an answer once you’ve submitted it because the computer scores the question immediately. Random guessing can also lower your GRE scores considerably because of the question pattern. Since questions must be answered to proceed with the exam, you should eliminate as many answer choices as possible to make an educated guess if the answer is not obvious. It is highly recommended to spend more time on the early questions to make sure you get as many of them correct as possible. If sections aren’t finished on the exam, your GRE score depends on the number of questions answered.

The GRE subject test also has its own scoring system. The number of correct answers minus one-fourth the number of incorrect answers determines the final score. Like the computer-adaptive GRE general test, it’s not very likely that random guessing will significantly increase your score. As a matter of fact, it could very well hurt your GRE subject test score. If you can attempt to make an educated guess, go for it. Otherwise, answer all the easiest questions first and return to the others later.

You and your designated recipients will be sent official GRE scores 10 to 15 days after the computer-based test, four to six weeks after the GRE subject tests and six weeks after the paper-based exam. You are able to see unofficial GRE scores immediately following the computer-based test at the test center, but the score will not yet include your writing section because of the delayed scoring process for that section.