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GRE Percentile Calculator 2026

Enter your GRE Verbal, Quantitative, and AWA scores to see your percentile rankings and benchmark against your target programme. Percentile data verified against official ETS tables (2022–2024).

ℹ️ GRE Optional at many universities: MIT, Stanford, Harvard, CMU, University of Michigan, and many other top programmes have permanently waived GRE requirements. Always verify on the specific programme’s admissions page before registering for the GRE.

📊 Your GRE Scores

Score 155 = 84th percentile | 160 = 93rd percentile

Score 160 = 91st percentile | 165 = 96th percentile

Programme Score Benchmarks — Competitive Ranges

ProgrammeVerbalQuantAWAV+Q Total
MS CS / AI / ML155+ (84th %ile)163+ (94th %ile)4.0+318+
MS Engineering152+ (75th %ile)161+ (92nd %ile)3.5+313+
MBA / Business158+ (90th %ile)158+ (88th %ile)4.5+316+
MS Sciences155+ (84th %ile)158+ (88th %ile)4.0+313+
Humanities / Social Sci161+ (95th %ile)150+ (68th %ile)4.5+311+
PhD (any field)158+ (90th %ile)160+ (91st %ile)5.0+318+

⚠️ Many universities including MIT and Stanford have made GRE optional. Verify on the specific programme’s admissions page. Source: ETS GRE score data 2022–2024, published programme admissions statistics.

GRE Score → Percentile Quick Reference (ETS Official 2022–2024)

ScoreVerbal %ileQuant %ileAWA ScoreAWA %ile
17099th99th6.099th
16799th97th5.596th
16598th96th5.084th
16296th93rd4.562nd
16093rd91st4.044th
15890th88th3.528th
15584th82nd3.014th
15275th74th2.57th
15069th68th2.03rd
14757th58th——
14548th51st——
14025th31st——

Source: ETS official GRE Score Percentile Tables 2022–2024, ets.org/gre. GRE scores are valid for 5 years from test date.

GRE strategy for Indian students — from IMFS experts

  • Indian students typically excel in Quant: Engineering and science graduates from IITs, NITs, and strong state universities often score 160–167 in Quant with 4–6 weeks of focused preparation. Focus more time on Verbal — it has higher impact on your profile differentiation.
  • Verbal is the bigger differentiator: Most Indian applicants score 148–155 in Verbal. Scoring 158+ (90th percentile) in Verbal significantly strengthens your application — especially for CS/AI programmes where Verbal is used to assess SOP and research potential.
  • AWA 4.0 is the floor — not the goal: AWA 4.0 meets most programme benchmarks. AWA 5.0+ is impressive and useful for PhD applications. Focus on structuring arguments clearly — quality of reasoning matters more than volume of writing.
  • GRE is valid for 5 years: Scores from 2021 onwards are valid through 2026. If your score is approaching the 5-year mark, check with your target universities before deciding whether to retake.
  • Retake strategy: You can retake GRE once every 21 days, up to 5 times in 12 months. Most universities accept the highest score (ScoreSelect). If you scored 315+ (V+Q) with strong Quant (160+) and weak Verbal, a targeted 4-week Verbal preparation can add 5–8 points.
  • GRE optional does not mean GRE harmful: Submitting a strong GRE score at a GRE-optional programme is always advantageous. Only skip submission if your score is below the programme’s typical range.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good GRE score for MS in USA in 2026?

For MS CS/AI/ML at top-50 US universities: Verbal 155+ (84th %ile) and Quant 163+ (94th %ile). For MS Engineering: Verbal 152+ and Quant 161+. Many top universities including MIT, Stanford, and CMU have made GRE optional — always check the specific programme’s admissions page. Source: ETS percentile tables 2022–2024.

What is the GRE Quant percentile for 160, 162, 165, 170?

GRE Quant percentiles (ETS official): 160 = 91st percentile. 162 = 93rd percentile. 165 = 96th percentile. 167 = 97th percentile. 170 = 99th percentile. Quant scores are compressed at the high end — 160+ is common among Indian engineering graduates due to strong math preparation. Verbal is usually the differentiator.

Is GRE required for studying abroad in 2026?

It depends on the country and university. USA: Many top programmes have made GRE optional since 2024 — always verify on the specific programme page. UK, Australia, Canada, Ireland, Germany: GRE is generally not required. Some English-taught German MS programmes may recommend it as supporting evidence. Never assume — check the admissions page of each programme you are applying to.

How long are GRE scores valid?

GRE scores are valid for 5 years from the test date. If you took GRE in 2021, your scores expire in 2026. You can retake GRE once every 21 days, up to 5 times in a 12-month period. Use ETS ScoreSelect to send only your best scores. Source: ETS official, ets.org/gre.

Should I retake the GRE if my score is below benchmark?

Yes, if your V+Q is more than 5 points below the programme benchmark. Focus on your weakest section — Verbal typically has more room for improvement for Indian students. 4–6 weeks of structured preparation with IMFS can add 8–15 points to your total score. Use the ScoreSelect option to only send your best attempt. If the programme is GRE-optional and your score is marginally below benchmark, consider not submitting.

What is the GRE score required for Germany?

GRE is generally not required for German public university admissions. German universities assess applicants primarily on academic grades (using the Bavarian Formula) and motivation letters. Some English-taught MS programmes at TU Munich and RWTH Aachen may recommend Quant 155+ as supporting evidence for STEM applicants — but it is not mandatory. Use the IMFS German Grade Calculator to check your grade eligibility for Germany.

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