It is well known that the GRE General Test consists of three parts, each composed of two sections or tasks:
· Verbal (divided into two sections)
· Quantitative (divided into two sections)
· Writing (consists of two tasks)
The Writing section is scored by human raters, with a perfect score of 6 and a baseline of 0.
The Verbal and Quantitative sections are entirely multiple-choice, scored by computer automatically, with a perfect score of 170 and a baseline of 130. Even if you answer all questions incorrectly or leave them blank, you will still receive 130 points.
These factors contribute to the confusion and myths surrounding the GRE scoring rules.
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Difficulty and Scoring
The complexity of GRE scoring lies in the fact that it not only depends on the number of correct answers but also incorporates question difficulty.
GRE test questions are categorized into three difficulty modes: easy, medium, and hard.
In both the Verbal and Quantitative sections, the first section is always in medium mode. The test-taker's performance on the first section directly influences the difficulty mode of the second section.
If you perform well on the first section, the second section will be in hard mode. Conversely, if your performance is poor, the second section will present slightly easier questions, entering easy mode. Of course, if your performance is average, the second section will remain in medium mode.
Isn't the easy mode appealing? Why would you want to make things harder for yourself?
Well, easy mode is actually not that great.
The reason is simple: even if you answer all questions correctly in easy mode, your final score will be lower than if you had made five mistakes in hard mode.
The GRE is also known as an "adaptive process." If a test-taker encounters hard or easy mode in the second section, the relationship between the number of correct answers and the final score changes accordingly.
Therefore, hard mode is a "bonus factor". Both correct and incorrect answers are part of the raw score, but a difficulty bonus is also added. In essence, the GRE scoring rule balances difficulty coefficients and accuracy.
Is There a Scoring Formula?
Since the difficulty mode of the second section depends on the accuracy of the first section, we first need to determine the specific correlation between the two.
Based on score reports from most students:
If you answer 0–6 questions correctly in the first section, the second section enters easy mode, and your maximum score is 150.
If you answer 7–12 questions correctly in the first section, the second section enters medium mode.
If you answer 13–20 questions correctly in the first section, the second section enters hard mode, and you will score at least 150.
From student score reports, if you get 7 questions right in the first section, you may enter either easy or medium mode in the second section—it depends on the difficulty coefficients of the correctly answered questions.
Similarly, if you get 13 questions right in the first section, both medium and hard modes are possible for the second section.
Although ETS does not disclose its precise scoring method, experts have deduced approximate scoring formulas by analyzing over 200 GRE score reports and combining experience.
For Verbal:
Suppose you answer 20 questions correctly in total.
If you get 15 right in the first section and 5 right in the second, your Verbal score is likely 155.
If you get 10 right in each section, your Verbal score is likely 152.
If you get 5 right in the first section and 15 right in the second, your Verbal score is likely 148.
Additionally, even with the same number of correct answers per section, scores can differ. For example, different test-takers who both answer 8 correctly in the first section and 6 correctly in the second may receive scores of 146, 147, or 148.
For Quantitative:
Most Chinese students answer 13 or more questions correctly in the first section, so the second section usually enters hard mode.
Globally, Quantitative performance is generally better than Verbal.
Therefore, if a test-taker encounters hard mode in the second section, the Quantitative scoring formula is:
Deduction = Number of incorrect answers – 1
Example: Out of 20 questions, if you get 4 wrong, 3 points are deducted, and your score is likely 167.
This means there is generally a 1-question tolerance; you can still score a perfect 170 even with one wrong answer.
Analytical Writing Scoring Rules
For the two essays in the Analytical Writing section, the scoring process involves four steps.
Step 1: Human Rating
First, a trained and carefully selected rater reviews and scores the essay.
Step 2: Computer Scoring
Then the essay is scored using e-rater®, a computer program developed by ETS that identifies essay features and evaluates writing proficiency.
Step 3: Reconciliation
If the human score and the computer score are very consistent, the final score is the average of the two.
If they are inconsistent, a second human rater scores the essay, and the final score is the average of the two human ratings.
Step 4: Calculating the Writing Total
The final scores of the two essays are averaged and rounded to the nearest half-point on the 0–6 scale.
How to Score High
Different fields have different GRE score requirements. For humanities, top universities often require a total score above 330, with emphasis on Verbal and Writing. For science and engineering, requirements generally range from 320 to 330, with emphasis on Quantitative.
ETS offers a GRE practice test system called POWERPREP, which includes two sets of official practice questions. POWERPREP simulates real test conditions and can predict your GRE score relatively accurately.
Additionally, the Official GRE Guide series is essential. Of course, practicing with real questions is also very helpful.
For test-takers who completed their basic education in China, the Quantitative section usually yields good scores, but the average Verbal score for Chinese test-takers is noticeably lower.
Test Preparation Strategies
In fact, vocabulary is not only the foundation but also the main thread running through GRE preparation. Therefore, the first two months can focus on vocabulary, the last month on writing, and the remaining time on doing a large number of real GRE questions or practice exercises.
The GRE requires not only a vast vocabulary but also a deep command of word usage.
To conquer GRE vocabulary, in addition to perseverance and dedication, you should do the following:
1. Create and follow your GRE vocabulary memorization plan;
2. Doing more practice questions improves vocabulary retention efficiency;
3. Build connections between words, such as roots, affixes, similarities, synonyms, antonyms, etc.
In addition to targeted training, GRE vocabulary collections, vocabulary lectures, and other approaches, apps and mini programs can also facilitate blended learning across multiple memory contexts. The combination of printed books + courses + mini programs stimulates the brain from multiple dimensions, making memorization far more efficient than simply reciting word lists and enhancing retention.
During GRE preparation, vocabulary study should be a continuous process. If you interrupt this habit for any reason, the learning effect will diminish significantly—that is the law of memory. So once you start preparing, vocabulary should become a daily habit; even if you are short on time, keep memorizing a certain number of words every day.
Especially in today's fragmented time, students can use spare moments to open the Bi Kao Ci mini program, check in daily, and constantly remind and motivate themselves.
As the saying goes, "Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated in a hundred battles."
On one hand, demystifying the GRE scoring rules helps test-takers prepare more strategically.
On the other hand, students must not underestimate any part of the GRE. With a thorough understanding of the test, diligent and comprehensive preparation will help you secure your desired offer!
