Hoping to get into a social science graduate program? If you’re curious about the GRE score you need to be competitive, start by finding out the average scores for test-takers in your field and what top programs expect.
GRE Scores for Social Science Programs (Intended)
When registering for the GRE, test takers can indicate their intended graduate field of study. Since ETS, the test administrator, regularly shares this information with the public, we can see the average Verbal and Quant scores for test takers in common graduate fields.
We’ve used this data to create a table of average scores for GRE takers entering social science fields. Keep in mind, though, these are just the averages for everyone who took the test and plans to enter one of these fields. While this won’t give you the exact GRE score needed for a specific school, it will help you see what the average test taker in your field is scoring.
How Can Knowing Average Score Data Help Me Get into Grad School?
So, why should you know the average GRE scores of other applicants in your chosen field? First, the initial step in applying to grad school is gathering as much data as possible. You need to know everything about the schools offering your degree. For instance, what does each school require for admission? Additionally, what do they value most in an application? These are crucial data points to consider as you plan your strategy. Armed with this information, you can discover the best schools to apply to and tailor your application to show why you’re a great fit.
Moreover, gathering data is crucial when you start prepping for the GRE. One of your most important test prep tools is your ability to collect and analyze data. This includes knowing exactly what the test covers and, just as importantly, what it doesn’t. Additionally, tracking your practice and analyzing your mistakes is essential for improving your studies. Getting an accurate baseline GRE score, understanding the average score of other test-takers, and setting a data-driven score goal are all key.
Too often, GRE takers set score goals based on what they think is good. However, the best GRE score is the one that gets you into your chosen grad program. The key to finding that score is research. Thus, knowing more about the scores of other applicants—and, more importantly, admitted students—will set you up for success.
| Specialty | Verbal | Quantitative |
|---|---|---|
| Economics | 154 | 160 |
| Political Science | 157 | 153 |
| Psychology | 152 | 149 |
| Sociology | 153 | 150 |
| Other | 152 | 149 |
GRE Score Information For Economics Programs
Below, you’ll find a table of average GRE scores for a selection of top Economics PhD programs. You may notice that some big names like Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and Princeton aren’t listed. However, their absence doesn’t mean they aren’t top programs or that they don’t accept the GRE—it simply means they don’t report score information.
Now, here’s what we do know about these programs: they’re among the top in the U.S. and are extremely competitive. Therefore, you should aim for the 90th percentile (163 or above) in Verbal and 168 or above in Quant. While it’s not a strict rule, keep in mind that the top 3 or 4 Economics PhD programs often expect a Quant score of 169 or 170. Overall, a very strong Quant performance is typically required for admission to a top Economics PhD program.
GRE Score Information For Political Science Programs
Moving on, here’s information on a selection of Political Science programs. If a school doesn’t release score data, you can use similar programs nearby as a benchmark.
GRE Score Information For Psychology Programs
Finally, for this selection of top Psychology programs, you’ll notice that some schools are test-optional. In these cases, I generally recommend taking the GRE unless you’re absolutely confident your application is stellar. You can learn more about the decision-making process for test-optional schools here. Remember, since top schools are highly competitive, anything you can do to strengthen your application is advised.
GRE Score Information For Sociology Programs
Finally, we have the GRE scores for top Sociology programs.
Achieving Your GRE Score Goals
Setting your score goal based on your targeted programs’ data is just the first step. Next, you need a solid study plan and the right tools to achieve your desired score. A Magoosh Premium Plan can help provide structure, real ETS questions, and in-depth explanations for problems to help you meet your goals.
