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A good GRE score is 327 or higher. Scoring at this level places you in the 80th percentile or above (top 20% of test-takers), based on the newest GRE General Test Interpretive Data. Here's how that breaks down by section:
That means you should aim for at least a 327 GRE score to be competitive.
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Most medical schools use the GRE for programs within schools of medicine, such as:
For MD/PhD dual-degree applicants, some programs ask for GRE scores alongside the MCAT, particularly when the PhD component falls outside traditional biomedical sciences.
If you already have strong GRE scores and you're exploring dual-degree or research-heavy medical pathways, those scores can work in your favor. But if your goal is a traditional MD seat at a competitive program, you’ll need to take a different test. Build your GRE study schedule around where you actually want to end up, not which exam feels easier to prepare for.
Your GRE score functions as one data point inside a larger evaluation. No admissions committee pulls up your GRE score in isolation and automatically admits or rejects you. How much weight it carries depends entirely on the program type and what else your application brings to the table.
STEM programs lean hardest on the Quantitative section. A 165+ Quant score tells an engineering or computer science admissions committee you can handle graduate-level math without remediation. Verbal and Analytical Writing scores matter less here, though they won't ignore an obviously bad Verbal score.
Humanities and social science programs emphasize the opposite. Verbal and Analytical Writing signal whether you can process dense academic texts and construct rigorous arguments.
However, a balanced profile across both sections matters more than one dominant score, because graduate programs demand both quantitative and communication skills from day one.
Find whether your target program weighs Quant, Verbal, or both, and then allocate your prep time where it directly impacts your competitiveness.
The GRE scores Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning on identical 130–170 scales in one-point increments, giving you a combined score range of 260–340.
Analytical Writing uses a separate 0–6 scale scored in half-point increments. Your Analytical Writing score doesn't factor into that combined total. Admissions committees evaluate it independently.
Score tiers work like this in practice:
Yes, a score of 320 is considered a good score on the GRE. An overall GRE score of 320 shows that you rank in the top 60% of test-takers.
Yes. You can retake the GRE once every 21 days, up to five times within any 12-month period. Your scores stay valid for five years from your test date, and ETS offers ScoreSelect, meaning you choose which test dates to send to schools. If your first attempt misses the mark, retaking is a low-risk move since admissions committees only see the scores you want them to see.
Most graduate programs accept any score within five years, but some PhD programs and medical-related tracks require two to three years in certain cases. Check your target program's admissions page for specific expiration policies before assuming your older score still qualifies.
Yes, a strong application can compensate for a lower GRE score. Most graduate programs run holistic admissions reviews, which means your GPA, research experience, letters of recommendation, and personal statement all factor into the decision. A 305 might not disqualify you from a program that averages 315 if the rest of your profile demonstrates clear academic readiness and relevant experience.
The average overall GRE score is 309 among all test-takers who tested between July 1, 2021, and June 30, 2024. That breaks down as an average Verbal Reasoning score of 151 and an average Quantitative Reasoning score of 158.
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