GRE Exam Results 2026 – Latest GRE Results, GRE Score Report & GRE Test Results Explained
Waiting for your GRE exam results can be nerve-wracking. Whether you are aiming for an Ivy League university or a specialized STEM program, understanding your scorecard is crucial.
For 2025, ETS has streamlined the process. If you take the shorter GRE, you no longer have to wait two weeks; your official scores are typically reported in just 8–10 days. The new ETS interface has also made it easier to view your diagnostic information.
This guide covers everything you need to know about GRE results, how to read your GRE score report, interpreting the GRE grading scale, and exactly when you can expect your GRE test results.
What Are GRE Exam Results? (Understanding GRE Test Results)
Your GRE results are not just a single number. They are a breakdown of three distinct skills that universities analyze to see if you are ready for graduate-level work.
The GRE General Test reports three specific scores:
- Verbal Reasoning: Measures your ability to analyze written material.
- Quantitative Reasoning: Tests your basic math skills and data interpretation.
- Analytical Writing (AWA): Assesses your critical thinking and essay writing skills.
Unlike school exams, the GRE uses a “scaled score,” meaning your raw performance is adjusted for difficulty. This ensures that a score of 160 on a hard test is equivalent to a 160 on an easier test.
GRE Results Release Timeline – When Are GRE Test Results Declared?
One of the best features of the computer-delivered GRE is instant gratification (mostly). You see your unofficial scores for Math and English immediately after you finish the test.
Here is the exact timeline for 2025:
- Unofficial Scores: Displayed on your screen at the test center right after you finish. Includes Verbal and Quant only.
- Official Scores: Available in your ETS account 8–10 days after your test date. This includes your AWA essay score.
Table: GRE Results Declaration Timeline (2026)
Score Type | Sections Included | Release Time | Notes |
Unofficial | Verbal & Quant | Immediately (Test Day) | These scores rarely change. You can rely on them to decide if you want to report scores. |
Official | Verbal, Quant & AWA | 8–10 Days | You will receive an email notification when this report is ready. |
Diagnostic | Detailed Breakdown | 10–15 Days | Shows which specific question types you got right or wrong. |
GRE Score Report – What’s Included in the Official GRE Score Report?
Your official GRE score report is the document universities actually see. It contains much more than just your marks.
Key Components:
- Scaled Scores: Your main scores for Verbal (130–170), Quant (130–170), and AWA (0–6).
- Percentile Ranks: A number indicating what percentage of test-takers you performed better than.
- Intended Major: The field of study you selected during registration.
- Score Recipients: The list of universities you sent your scores to on test day.
- Test Date: The specific date you attempted the exam.
Table: GRE Score Report Components
Component | Description | Importance for Admissions |
Scaled Score | Your actual score (e.g., 320/340). | High: Used for initial cut-offs. |
Percentile Rank | Your rank vs. other students (e.g., 90th percentile). | Very High: Shows your relative competitiveness. |
AWA Score | Essay score from 0–6. | Medium: Critical for Humanities/Arts programs. |
Test History | Scores from all tests in the last 5 years (unless you use ScoreSelect). | Low: Universities usually focus on your best score. |
GRE Grading Scale – How GRE Scores Are Calculated
The GRE grading scale can be confusing because it doesn’t start at zero. The lowest possible score on Verbal or Quant is 130.
- Verbal Reasoning: Scored on a 130–170 scale (1-point increments).
- Quantitative Reasoning: Scored on a 130–170 scale (1-point increments).
- Analytical Writing: Scored on a 0–6 scale (0.5-point increments).
How it works:
The GRE is “section-level adaptive.” This means the difficulty of your second section depends on how well you did in the first. If you answer most questions correctly in the first Verbal section, your second Verbal section will be harder—but it will also give you a chance to earn a higher score.
Table: GRE Grading Scale Breakdown
Section | Score Range | Description | What the Score Means |
Verbal | 130 – 170 | 1-point steps | 150 is average; 160+ is competitive. |
Quant | 130 – 170 | 1-point steps | 153 is average; 165+ is excellent for STEM. |
AWA | 0 – 6.0 | 0.5-point steps | 4.0 is average; 5.0+ shows strong writing skills. |
GRE Exam Results Section-Wise – Verbal, Quant & AWA Score Details
Universities often look at section scores rather than just the total. For example, an Engineering program cares heavily about Quant but might be lenient on Verbal.
- Verbal: Focuses on vocabulary and reading comprehension. A “good” score is usually 158+.
- Quant: Focuses on math concepts. Top programs often expect 165+.
- AWA: Focuses on clarity and logic. Most universities are happy with a 4.0 or 4.5.
Mini Table: Section-Wise GRE Test Results
Section | Score Range | Average Score (Global) | Difficulty Level |
Verbal | 130 – 170 | ~151 | Moderate to High |
Quant | 130 – 170 | ~158 | Moderate |
AWA | 0 – 6.0 | ~3.5 | Moderate |
GRE Percentile Scores – Understanding Your Rank
Percentiles tell you where you stand compared to everyone else who took the test. A 90th percentile score means you scored better than 90% of test-takers.
Key Insight: The Quant section is extremely competitive. A perfect score (170) might only be the 94th percentile, whereas a 170 in Verbal is the 99th percentile.
Table: GRE Percentile Comparison (Approximate)
Score | Verbal Percentile | Quant Percentile |
170 | 99th | ~94th |
165 | 96th | ~78th |
160 | 85th | ~64th |
155 | 67th | ~45th |
GRE Results for Indian Students – What You Must Know
For Indian students, the competition is fierce, especially in the Quantitative section.
- High Quant Expectations: Because many Indian applicants come from Engineering backgrounds, admissions committees often expect Quant scores above 160 or 165.
- Verbal Hurdles: A Verbal score of 152–155 is decent, but aiming for 158+ can set you apart for scholarships.
Cutoffs: Top US universities (like Carnegie Mellon or Georgia Tech) often look for a total score of 320+ for Master’s programs.
How to Access Your GRE Exam Results Online
You don’t need to wait for a letter in the mail. Accessing your scores is fully digital.
- Log In: Go to the official ETS website (ets.org) and log into your account.
- Navigate: Click on the “View Scores and Score Recipients” link on your dashboard.
- Download: You can download a PDF version of your official score report for free.
- Notification: ETS will send you an email as soon as your official scores are ready (usually Day 8-10).
Sending GRE Score Reports to Universities (Free & Additional Reports)
On test day, you can choose up to 4 universities to send your scores to for free. If you wait until after the test, you will have to pay.
- Free Reports: You must select these at the test center immediately after finishing the exam.
- Additional Reports: If you want to apply to more colleges later, you can order “Additional Score Reports” (ASRs) online.
- Cost: The fee is $35 (approx. ₹2,900) per university recipient.
Table: GRE Score Report Sending Options
Type | Cost | Number of Universities | Processing Time |
On Test Day | Free | Up to 4 | Sent immediately with official results |
After Test Day | $35 / ₹2,900 | Unlimited (Paid) | ~5 Business Days |
GRE Score Validity – How Long GRE Results Are Valid
Your GRE scores are valid for 5 years from your test date.
- Example: If you took the test on August 1, 2025, your scores are valid until July 31, 2030.
- Strategy: Many students take the GRE during their final year of college (when their study brain is active) and use the scores to apply for an MBA or Master’s 2–3 years later.
Common Issues with GRE Results & How to Resolve Them
Sometimes, things don’t go as planned.
- Scores Not Available: If 10 days have passed and you see “Not Available,” check your email. ETS might be reviewing your session for security reasons.
- Missing AWA Score: Occasionally, the essay score takes 1-2 extra days.
- Incorrect Personal Details: If your name is spelled wrong, contact ETS support immediately. Do not create a new account.
- Score Cancellation: If you accidentally canceled your scores on test day, you can reinstate them for a fee of $50 within 60 days.
How to Improve Your GRE Results – Strategies After Your First Attempt
Didn’t get the score you wanted? Don’t panic. You can retake the GRE once every 21 days (up to 5 times a year).
- Analyze the Diagnostic: Use the free diagnostic service in your ETS account to see which question types (e.g., Geometry vs. Algebra) lowered your score.
- Focus on Weaknesses: If your Verbal score was low, read high-quality academic articles daily. If Quant was low, drill the specific concepts you missed.
- Use Official Prep: The ETS PowerPrep practice tests are the closest thing to the real exam. Use them to benchmark your progress.
Conclusion – Understanding GRE Results for Better Admissions Decisions
Your GRE exam results are a powerful tool in your study abroad journey. By understanding the nuances of the GRE grading scale and knowing exactly what your GRE score report communicates to admissions officers, you can make smarter decisions about where to apply.
Remember, if your first attempt wasn’t perfect, the GRE is flexible. You have the options to retake, improve, and succeed.
Want to improve your GRE score? [Check out our top-rated GRE preparation resources here.
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Have a question?
Unofficial scores (Verbal & Quant) are available immediately after the test. Official scores (including AWA) appear in your ETS account within 8–10 days.
It includes your scaled scores for all three sections, your percentile ranks, and your test date. It also lists the universities you sent scores to.
The GRE uses adaptive scoring. Your raw score (number of correct answers) is converted to a scaled score (130–170) based on the difficulty of the questions you faced.
Verbal and Quant are graded on a 130–170 scale. Analytical Writing is graded on a 0–6 scale.
You can select 4 universities for free on test day. Later, you can log in to your ETS account and pay $35 per university to send additional reports.
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