How Do Revised GRE Scores Compare to Current GRE Scores?

As GRE is changing so does the GRE score. This is also one of the most significant changes that will come in effect with revised GRE. New 1-point increment system will be introduced from November 2011. So let’s have a look on changes in scoring pattern and how this will effect your university admission.

Basic Facts about GRE Score :

First have a look on how current system is working:

Verbal section –the current verbal section works on 200- 800 scale. There is  +10 increments in scores eg. 210,220.. so on. Total possible scores are 71.Acoording to statistics, averagely two-third GRE takers score between 360 and 600 in verbal section.

Analytical Writing Section – scoring for this section reports on o-6 scale. AWA score is a collective round up score which is assigned by 2 GRE Readers. Roughly, on an average 90% students score 3 in this section.

Now see how revised system will work:

Verbal section –new revised section will report on 130-170 scale. There will 1 point increment eg. 131,132.. so on. Total possible scores will be 41.

Analytical writing section- this section will continue to score on same old 0-6 scale.

Though, scoring pattern is changing but GRE score will be valid for same 5 years as it was in past.


What ETS is saying :

According to ETS, old pattern (+ 10 increments) was not good in case of two almost near scores as it gives an impression that there is huge difference in scores eg. If one student has scored 200 and other student has 210 then this +10 increment giving an impression of huge difference, but in reality it is just one point increment. New revised system will sort out this problem as new pattern (+1 increment) will give clearer picture to compare students with almost near scores. So, there will not much difference between students who have scored 135 and 136 respectively.

How changed scoring pattern will effect your University admission:

Many students are suffering with this dilemma, whether to go with current pattern or wait for revised GRE for better scoring, number of comments that I receive daily prove this statement very true. So question is, whether changed pattern will help you in grabbing your favorite Graduate School or this will make your dream more difficult to fulfill. I think only time will tell the answer when this system will implement next year. Still if we do rough analysis, in case of old pattern suppose if university cut off for GRE is 1100 then students with 1000 score might have an opportunity to get enrolled, but with 1-point increment if required score is 150 then students with 145 score will have least(may be no) opportunity to secure admission. On the other hand, suppose two students have score 139, 140 then students with higher score surely have an advantage over student who have score 139.

If you are planning to take GRE exam from August 2011, you have to do your own analysis for positive and negatives of new GRE 2011 pattern that include changed GRE scoring pattern also. So when you are thinking about to go with current or revised GRE also think about whether to go with current or revised scoring pattern.