GRE Total Marks: 340 (Verbal 170 + Quant 170) – Score Chart 2026

Introduction

Understanding GRE exam total marks is important before setting a target score or beginning your preparation. The scoring system may initially look confusing because the GRE reports Verbal, Quantitative and Analytical Writing results on different scales.

The current GRE General Test has 27 Verbal questions, 27 Quantitative questions and one 30-minute Analyze an Issue task. The test takes about 1 hour and 58 minutes. In this blog, we explain the GRE score range, section-wise marks, score calculation and how to choose a practical target.

What Are the Total Marks in the GRE Exam?

The maximum GRE General Test score is 340, while the minimum possible total is 260. This total is calculated by adding the Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning scaled scores.

For example, a Verbal score of 158 and a Quantitative score of 164 produce a GRE total score of 322. If the Analytical Writing score is 4.5, the complete score report would show 158 Verbal, 164 Quantitative and 4.5 Analytical Writing—not 326.5.

How Are GRE Exam Total Marks Distributed?

The GRE marks distribution is divided across Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning and Analytical Writing. Only the first two measures contribute to the 260–340 total.

Verbal Reasoning

Verbal Reasoning is scored from 130 to 170 in one-point increments. It tests reading comprehension, text completion, sentence equivalence and the ability to understand relationships between words and ideas.

• Section 1: 12 questions in 18 minutes
• Section 2: 15 questions in 23 minutes
• Total: 27 questions
• Reported score: 130–170

Read our complete GRE Verbal Reasoning guide to understand its question types and preparation requirements.

Quantitative Reasoning

Quantitative Reasoning is also scored from 130 to 170 in one-point increments. It measures arithmetic, algebra, geometry, data analysis and quantitative problem-solving skills.

• Section 1: 12 questions in 21 minutes
• Section 2: 15 questions in 26 minutes
• Total: 27 questions
• Reported score: 130–170

Explore the GRE Quantitative Reasoning guide for a more detailed explanation of the syllabus and question formats.

Analytical Writing

Analytical Writing includes one Analyze an Issue task lasting 30 minutes. It is scored from 0 to 6 in half-point increments. The score is reported separately and does not increase or reduce the GRE exam total marks out of 340.

The previous Analyze an Argument task was removed when ETS introduced the shorter GRE General Test in September 2023.

These timings and question counts follow the official ETS GRE General Test structure .

How Are GRE Scores Calculated?

GRE scores are calculated using raw performance, section-level adaptation and equating. The final Verbal and Quantitative results are reported as scaled scores rather than simple percentages.

Raw score

Your raw score is based on the number of questions answered correctly in the operational Verbal or Quantitative sections. Within a section, each question contributes equally to the raw score.

Section-level adaptation

Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning are section-level adaptive. Your performance in the first section determines the difficulty level of the second section for that measure. The test does not change difficulty after every individual question.

Equating and scaled scores

ETS converts the raw score into a 130–170 scaled score through a process called equating. This process accounts for small differences in difficulty across test editions and adaptive routes.

No negative marking

The GRE does not deduct marks for an incorrect response. Candidates should attempt every question, even if they need to make an informed guess.

ETS explains the official process on its Understanding GRE General Test Scores page.

What Are the Minimum and Maximum GRE Scores?

The minimum possible GRE total score is 260, and the highest possible score is 340. Analytical Writing remains separate from both totals.

What Is a Good GRE Score?

The latest ETS data reports mean scores of 151.39 in Verbal Reasoning, 157.62 in Quantitative Reasoning and 3.46 in Analytical Writing. However, a good GRE score depends on the programme, university and sectional expectations rather than one universal total.

The following ranges are general MiM-Essay planning estimates. They are not official ETS categories or guaranteed university admission cut-offs.

These ranges should be used only for initial planning. Quantitative programmes may prioritise the Quantitative Reasoning score, while reading- and writing-intensive programmes may pay more attention to Verbal Reasoning and Analytical Writing.

Official source: ETS GRE 2026–27 score interpretation data

How Do GRE Scores Differ From GRE Percentiles?

A GRE score shows performance on the test scale, while a percentile shows the percentage of recent test takers who scored below a particular sectional score. ETS publishes percentiles separately for Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning and Analytical Writing.

The following examples use the latest ETS percentile data based on people who took the GRE between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2025.

A combined score such as 320 does not have one official ETS percentile. For example, 160 Verbal and 160 Quantitative produces the same 320 total as 150 Verbal and 170 Quantitative, but the two profiles have very different sectional percentiles.

Percentile ranks can change when ETS updates its reference group. Applicants should therefore use the latest ETS data instead of relying on older percentile charts.

Official source: ETS GRE General Test Interpretive Data

Are GRE Subject Test Marks Included in the Total?

No, GRE Subject Test marks are not included in the GRE General Test total of 260–340. The General Test and Subject Tests use separate score scales and are reported independently.

GRE Subject Tests are currently available in Mathematics, Physics and Psychology. Each Subject Test uses a score range of 200–990 in 10-point increments, although the actual score range for an individual test may be narrower. Available subscores range from 20 to 99.

Applicants should compare a Subject Test score only with scores from the same subject. For example, a score of 680 in Mathematics is not directly equivalent to a score of 680 in Physics.

What Should Indian Applicants Know About GRE Marks?

Indian applicants should select a target score according to the course, university and strength of the complete application—not according to a single generic GRE cut-off.

• Check whether the programme requires, recommends or makes the GRE optional.
• Compare your Verbal and Quantitative scores separately with the programme’s official class profile.
• Prioritise Quantitative Reasoning for highly quantitative programmes.
• Do not ignore Analytical Writing simply because it is excluded from the 340 total.
• Plan the exam early enough to leave time for a possible retake.

GRE scores remain reportable for five years after the test date, according to the official ETS score-reporting policy .

How Can You Improve Your GRE Total Score?

Improve your GRE total score by identifying your weaker measure, practising the current test format and reviewing the reasons behind incorrect answers.

Follow a Section-Wise GRE Preparation Strategy

Improve your GRE total score by setting separate Verbal and Quantitative targets, practising the current test format and reviewing every mistake. Spend more time on your weaker section and use timed mock tests to improve accuracy and speed.

Set a section-wise target

Break your desired total into Verbal and Quantitative targets. A target of 320 could mean 158 Verbal and 162 Quantitative, but your preferred balance should reflect your chosen programme.

Use current-format practice tests

Practise with tests containing 27 Verbal questions, 27 Quantitative questions and one Analyze an Issue task. Old four-hour mock tests do not accurately reproduce the present testing experience.

Analyse errors instead of only counting them

Separate errors into concept gaps, reading mistakes, time-management problems and avoidable calculation errors. This makes each practice test more useful.

Practise both adaptive sections

Strong performance in the first section affects the difficulty of the second. Practise maintaining accuracy under time pressure rather than focusing only on isolated questions.

Use our GRE sample papers to practise the current structure, then build a focused plan with this GRE preparation guide.

Related Blogs

• GRE Score Guide
• GRE Exam Pattern
• GRE Sample Paper
• GRE Preparation Guide

Conclusion

GRE total marks range from 260 to 340, based on the combined Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning scores, while Analytical Writing is reported separately. Applicants should set sectional targets according to their chosen programme, compare their scores with official university profiles and use the latest ETS percentile data when evaluating performance.