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What is the lowest minimum GRE score?

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Rituparna Nath

Content Writer at Study Abroad Exams

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Understanding the GRE minimum score for admission requires the candidate to know what the lowest possible score that can be scored in GRE. GRE verbal and GRE quant are both marked on a GRE score range of 130 – 170. Therefore, the lowest score is not 0 but 130 in each of them, with the total GRE score being 260. In case of minimum awa score required in GRE, which is marked in a comparatively different manner, the lowest is 0.

GRE Minimum score: Who gets it?

If we look carefully into the GRE score percentile table, we will be noticing that a GRE verbal score 131 or 132 holds as low 1%. This states that the count of candidates scoring that number is almost negligible. As the percentage count is so low, it is almost considered a zero. This states one or less percentage of the whole test-taking population scores lesser around 131 – 132.

In the case of GRE quant, the GRE score range of 133 – 134 is 1 percentage of the whole test-taking population which is negligible to count.

Is there a predetermined minimum GRE score?

As already catered to, most universities have their GRE minimum scores aligned to the program or field of study. Programs which are mostly inclined towards the verbal part will require a higher verbal score and vice versa.

The best way to score higher than the university recommended minimum GRE score is:

  1. Jot down the selected grad schools;
  2. Search up for the minimum GRE scores (mostly the information is found on the admission/FAQ page);
  3. Search for the highest GRE score from that list for admission;
  4. Add 2 – 3 marks to the score and that will be your target score to surpass the minimum score requirement.

There is quite a difference between the GRE scores required for verbal and quant-based on the field of study. For instance, arts and humanities require average GRE scores of 157 on the verbal section whereas a 150 in quant. On the contrary, a physical science stream requires a 158 in quant and a 151 in verbal.

GRE scores ranges (Quant, Verbal, Combined)

The GRE score range total runs from 260 to 340. Perfect GRE scores are 170 in each section, 340 combined. The table below shows the Verbal, Quantitative, and combined scores:

Sections Score Range Perfect Score Competitive Scores Average score Below Average Score
GRE Verbal 130-170 170 157+ 151 145
GRE Quant 130-170 170 161+ 154 147
Combine Multiple Choice Scores 260-340 340 NA NA NA
AWA 0-6 6.0 4.5+ 4.0 3.5

What minimum GRE score for grad school?

The table below provides a helpful minimum GRE score list , that are the average scores for all schools. To get the competitive GRE scores reports, you must research for the specific colleges and universities that you are targeting.

Intended Graduate Major Field Average Verbal Score Average Quant Score
Business 150 154
Education 150 147
Engineering 149 160
Humanities & Arts 156 150
Life Science 151 151
Physical Science 150 160
Social Science & Behavioural Science 153 152
Other Fields 151 150
Undecided 148 154
No Major Provided(or not listed) 149 150

Is a 280 a good GRE score?

Though it is not impossible to secure admission if Carnegie Mellon, UT Austin, Yale, Cornell are the names in your grad school list, then you will have to retake the GRE for a higher score. (They generally require a GRE score range of 310-330).

If your score is relatively lesser, retaking the GRE exam is the best way out. Few preparation tips to be remembered while retaking:

  • Pace up while you’re practising: If you'd leave a few questions untouched because of lack of time then it is high time you enforce yourself on the questions. Practice papers for GRE is a great source for help. Allot maximum of two minutes in the quant question for the first few sessions.

Remember: Never leave a question untouched.

  • Mug up the fundamentals: Start mugging up the basis of quant and verbal. Write them down in notebooks to read them whenever you’re free. Devote a week or two in quant formulas and vocabularies (or the sections you’re facing issues with). Remember, there is no shortcut to success.
  • Convert your weakness into strength: All you need is smart practice for this. Learn to overcome your fear by practising hard.

What is the lowest possible GRE Score?

The lowest possible GRE score is not 0. The two multiple-choice GRE sections, Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning, are each scored on a scale from 130-170 in one-point increments. The lowest possible score on each of those sections is 130.

Analytical Writing section is slightly different as it is scored from 0-6 in half-point increments. The lowest score for Analytical Writing is a 0.

The minimum score in GRE terms, then, would be a 260 combined Verbal and Quantitative score with an Analytical Writing score of 0.

Minimum GRE score for Admission

The minimum GRE score required for admission is based on the list of grad schools you’re targeting and the program you’re going to apply in. Most of the universities have their predetermined GRE scores and some of the universities also don't require GRE. There are instances when a university which states that it doesn’t have any GRE cut off, will accept a low GRE score. It may happen they will just eliminate those low GRE score reports.

A minimum GRE score for Harvard admission is even considered when the scores are not taken much into consideration but with such a low score in the display, the school might disqualify the candidate.

University of Houston, Clear Lake demands average GRE scores of 146 each in verbal and quant. This GRE score range is quite a low one compared to the other universities. The list of universities for GRE scores 290 – 300 will help you curate the preferred universities along with information about fees and other important details. This list shows that even if your score is relatively lesser, one can secure admission in a proper university.

Universities GRE Scores
Missouri State University 290
South Arkansas University 284 +
Murray State University 288
Troy University GRE Verbal: 150
GRE Quant: 140
Western Kentucky University GRE Verbal: 143
GRE Quant: -
Alabama A & M University GRE Verbal: 146
GRE Quant: 140
Bridgewater State University 281 – 290

GRE minimum score for MS in Top Universities

Minimum GRE score for admission in top universities varies depending on the number of applications and their quality. Here in the table are the minimum GRE score for MIT, Stanford and more.

The minimum marks in GRE for top universities is generally a bit high, so in case the candidates are determined to study in the best universities abroad, they have to get the best GRE preparation.

*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.

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