GRE Score Converter

How the GRE Score Converter Works

Understanding how your Graduate Record Examination results are created can feel mysterious, yet the underlying math is straightforward once you walk through the process. The GRE contains two scored multiple-choice sections—Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning—each delivering between 0 and 40 raw points. A raw point simply means one additional question answered correctly. ETS then scales those raw totals to the familiar 130–170 reported scores so that a more difficult question set does not unfairly punish a cohort of test takers. This calculator mirrors that conversion by applying the best public estimate of the PowerPrep raw-to-scaled table, which increases the scaled score by roughly one point for every raw point earned. For example, answering 32 verbal questions correctly gives a scaled score of 162, while a near-perfect 39 pushes you to 169. Because the GRE is section-level adaptive, official scoring also considers second-section difficulty, but historical released tables show the linear mapping delivers highly reliable practice estimates, making it useful for planning.

Percentiles add another layer of insight by comparing your scaled scores with recent test takers. The GRE Interpretive Data report is published annually and outlines what share of examinees fall at or below each scaled result. Plugging those percentiles into the calculator highlights how even a single raw point can boost competitiveness. A move from 158 to 160 in Verbal, for instance, shifts you from the 80th to the 86th percentile, suggesting a noticeable jump in applicant pool standing. The total score you see in your ETS account is simply the sum of Verbal and Quant scaled results, yielding a range from 260 to 340. Our tool reproduces that number instantly so you can benchmark programs that publish combined expectations such as 320+ for competitive engineering or policy tracks. For Analytical Writing, the calculator references ETS concordance data that associates each half-point increment from 0.0 to 6.0 with a percentile rank. Because the essay section is hand-scored and double-rated, concordance values change slowly, letting us cache the latest table and present a reliable snapshot of where your writing performance falls relative to peers.

To make the conversion logic tangible, the following table summarizes representative raw scores and how the calculator interprets them. Use it to spot inflection points where a small improvement unlocks a higher percentile tier or a milestone total score that can change the trajectory of your applications.

Raw Verbal	Scaled Verbal	Verbal Percentile	Raw Quant	Scaled Quant	Quant Percentile
28	158	80th	30	160	70th
32	162	90th	34	164	81st
35	165	95th	37	167	89th
39	169	99th	40	170	96th

Table-based planning is especially helpful when you are working backward from target programs. If your dream analytics master’s requires a Quant score of 165 or above, the table shows you need roughly 35–36 raw points. The calculator also produces a copy-ready summary that you can paste into study notes, progress journals, or a meeting agenda with an admissions coach so everyone sees the same scaled and percentile context at a glance. That transparency builds confidence and reduces the temptation to rely on anecdotal score conversions found on message boards that may be outdated or inaccurate.

Step-by-Step Example Scenario

Imagine a test taker who earns 31 raw points in Verbal, 33 in Quant, and a 4.0 on Analytical Writing. Feeding those numbers into the calculator yields a 161 Verbal (88th percentile), 163 Quant (79th percentile), and a combined 324 overall score. The writing score aligns with roughly the 54th percentile, indicating a solid but improvable essay showing. Armed with those metrics, you can make evidence-based decisions about whether to focus on reading comprehension to pick up a few more raw points, or shift attention to quantitative review where a 2-point scaled jump might be faster. Repeating this exercise after each full-length practice test gives you a trendline that highlights consistent strengths and exposes recurring weaknesses.

The calculator’s assumptions intentionally prioritize transparency. We assume an approximately linear raw-to-scaled relationship for both multiple-choice sections because ETS’s disclosed tables have followed that pattern since the test redesign in 2011. We further assume that percentile rankings follow the most recent published interpretive report. While small shifts occur year to year, especially at the very top of the distribution, they rarely move more than a single percentile point. Finally, we treat Analytical Writing as optional input because not every practice exam reports it, yet providing it offers a more complete snapshot for applicants targeting programs with strict writing expectations.

Strategic Guidance for Test Day

Achieving the score jumps highlighted in the table hinges on smart preparation and an intentional test-day approach. Begin with pacing rehearsal: the GRE allots 30 minutes for each Verbal section and 35 minutes for each Quant section. Practicing with a countdown timer trains you to allocate roughly 1 minute and 45 seconds per verbal question and just under 1 minute and 45 seconds per quant item. Deliberate pacing makes it easier to bank the raw points needed to climb percentile tiers. Next, create an error log that categorizes missed questions by concept (for example, strengthen/weaken in Verbal or coordinate geometry in Quant) and by error type (content gap, misread question, or time pressure). Reviewing this log weekly ensures you shore up weaknesses systematically rather than reacting to random misses.

On test day, leverage the section-adaptive design: a strong performance on the first section unlocks a harder second section with higher score potential. That means front-loading accuracy matters more than blazing speed. Tackle easier questions first, mark tougher ones, and return with remaining time. The calculator’s raw-to-scaled mapping illustrates why this matters—dropping just two questions in the first section can cap your final scaled score, even if you go nearly perfect afterward. If you decide a retake is necessary, note that ETS allows you to sit for the GRE once every 21 days, up to five times in any rolling 12 months. Use the 21-day interval strategically by analyzing your most recent score report, revisiting the weak question types highlighted in your error log, and scheduling at least one full-length practice test about a week before the retake to confirm your gains.

Expanded Study Roadmap

A 1000-word explanation would be incomplete without translating the numbers into a tangible roadmap. Begin each study week by reviewing the previous week’s practice results and plugging updated raw scores into the calculator. Note the scaled results and percentiles, then jot down qualitative observations about how the exam felt—were reading passages manageable? Did quantitative comparisons consume too much time? This reflection helps connect quantitative metrics with experiential insights. After the review, set three focused goals aligned with boosting raw points: for example, mastering high-frequency GRE vocabulary roots, drilling function transformations, or improving analytical writing introductions. Each goal should have a measurable output such as completing 50 targeted practice questions or writing two timed essays.

Midweek, revisit the calculator to project how incremental improvements shift outcomes. If your Quant score sits at 162, experiment by adjusting the raw input to 35 to see that 165 is within reach. That quick simulation can re-energize study sessions by showing the payoff of wrestling with a tough concept set. In the evenings, rotate between content review and mixed practice to simulate the mental switching required on test day. For Analytical Writing, outline sample Issue and Argument essays using the official pool. Even if you do not write the full essay daily, constructing introductions and thesis statements keeps the rubric fresh. Close each week with a mini progress audit: record your best simulated scaled scores, note percentile changes, and summarize key lessons learned. Over time, this creates a personalized progress report that you can share with mentors or study partners.

Finally, remember that the GRE is just one component of your graduate application. Use the calculator’s copy summary button to store your latest scores inside a broader admissions planning document alongside GPA, recommendation status, and statement of purpose drafts. The more granular you are about tracking each element, the easier it becomes to pivot resources. If your quant percentile already exceeds target program averages, you might divert study hours to polishing essays or soliciting feedback on your resume. Conversely, if the calculator reveals a percentile gap relative to aspirational programs, you can justify doubling down on test preparation with confidence that the effort aligns with admissions criteria.

Explore More Exam Tools

Preparing for multiple admissions tests? Explore how your profile translates across graduate pathways. The GMAT Percentile Calculator estimates how business schools interpret section results. The MCAT Section Score Calculator brings medical-school concordance tables to your browser, while the LSAT Raw-to-Scaled Calculator demystifies law school scoring. Cross-checking your strengths with each tool clarifies where to invest time and how competitive you are across multiple application tracks.