{"id":13592,"date":"2024-08-16T09:00:01","date_gmt":"2024-08-16T16:00:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/?p=13592"},"modified":"2021-05-06T00:00:58","modified_gmt":"2021-05-06T07:00:58","slug":"gre-scores-by-graduate-program-fields","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/gre\/gre-scores-by-graduate-program-fields\/","title":{"rendered":"GRE Scores by Graduate Program Fields"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

\nRemember the days of undergrad when you could apply to college undeclared and spend time exploring different fields? Good times. Grad school applications, however, aren\u2019t that flexible. If you\u2019re applying to graduate school, you\u2019ve likely already chosen an academic discipline and have a career goal in mind. To ensure you can compete with fellow applicants, you\u2019ll need to know the average GRE scores<\/a> for your specific program, department, or discipline before taking the GRE.<\/p>\n

How Do Graduate School Applications Work?<\/h2>\n

\nYour grad school research will be far more focused than it was for undergrad. The concepts of safety and reach schools don\u2019t apply the same way to most graduate programs, especially in research-heavy fields. In these programs, even applicants with high GPAs and GRE scores can be rejected if their research topics don\u2019t align closely with the department.<\/p>\n

\nThink of your entire education as a pyramid. You start with basic knowledge, become more specialized in high school and college, and then dive even deeper in graduate school, where you contribute new knowledge to your field.<\/p>\n

\nIn graduate school admissions, program fit becomes much more critical. If you want to research the 19th-century English novel, avoid applying to programs where advisors focus on different areas. Similarly, if your interest is in neuroscience and aging, a program specializing in adolescent neuroscience won\u2019t be a good match. Admissions committees closely consider this fit. So, while it\u2019s important to look at the average GRE scores of any program, make sure you\u2019re choosing programs that align with your research interests\u2014even if the GRE score feels like a stretch!<\/p>\n

Setting Your Goal GRE Score Based on Your Intended Field of Study<\/h2>\n

\nNow that you\u2019ve decided to pursue a graduate degree, your choice of programs is fairly narrow. It\u2019s crucial to tailor your application to your intended field of study. You\u2019re competing against the best in your field, so every aspect of your application matters. This includes work experience, research and publications, volunteer work, recommendation letters, and personal essays. Make sure each part of your application reflects your strengths and aligns with your chosen field to stand out in a competitive pool.<\/p>\n

\nEach graduate field has a typical range of GRE scores among its accepted students. For instance, math-heavy disciplines prefer higher Quant scores and are more lenient with lower Verbal scores. In contrast, Arts & Humanities programs often value higher Verbal scores and are less concerned with Quant. Education-related programs, on the other hand, may require the GRE as a formality and often just expect a minimum score on each section. Understanding these tendencies helps you tailor your application to fit your field\u2019s expectations.<\/p>\n

\nEach field and program is different, so it’s important to do your research before you start to prep for the GRE. Who knows \u2014 maybe you don’t need as high a score as you thought.<\/p>\n

Determine Your Program or Department’s Requirements<\/h2>\n

\nA great way to determine your program\u2019s requirements is by asking the admissions office directly. They may not always be forthcoming, but you might find some that are very helpful. Most graduate programs have dedicated admissions staff. Some programs list averages or minimums on their admissions websites, while others might connect you with a recently admitted student who can answer your questions. It\u2019s worth asking to see what information is available.<\/p>\n

Average GRE Scores by Field<\/h2>\n

\nThe tables below show average score data from the ETS’s most recent test taker data.<\/p>\n

\nI always recommend trying to score above<\/em> average in your intended graduate field. Depending on the competitiveness of your specific program, you should\u00a0try to be in the 80th percentile or above. If you’re looking at a top university, take a look at our GRE scores for top universities<\/a> post.<\/p>\n

GRE Scores by Field of Study<\/h2>\n

\nUse the links below to jump to the section that best fits your intended graduate field of study. If your field of study isn’t listed, then look at the field that most closely resembles your own. An easy way to think of this is to imagine that you’re filling out the personal information section of the GRE an are presented with the options below. Pick the option that is the best fit.<\/p>\n

    \n
  1. Social Sciences<\/a><\/li>\n
  2. Arts and Humanities<\/a><\/li>\n
  3. Education<\/a><\/li>\n
  4. Business<\/a><\/li>\n
  5. Other Fields<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    \nWithout further ado, here are the estimated GRE scores by intended graduate field of study, grouped by program discipline:<\/p>\n

    <\/a>
    \n\"Social<\/p>\n

    Social Sciences<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    Intended Graduate Program<\/th>\nVerbal Reasoning Mean<\/th>\nQuantitative Reasoning Mean<\/th>\nAnalytical Writing Mean<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
    SOCIAL SCIENCES (Overall)<\/td>\n153<\/td>\n153<\/td>\n3.8<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Anthropology & Archaeology<\/td>\n155<\/td>\n149<\/td>\n4.0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Economics<\/td>\n154<\/td>\n161<\/td>\n3.8<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Political Science<\/td>\n157<\/td>\n153<\/td>\n4.3<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Psychology<\/td>\n152<\/td>\n149<\/td>\n3.9<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Sociology<\/td>\n153<\/td>\n150<\/td>\n4.0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

    <\/p>\n

    <\/a>
    \n\"Arts<\/p>\n

    Arts & Humanities<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    Intended Graduate Program<\/th>\nVerbal Reasoning Mean<\/th>\nQuantitative Reasoning Mean<\/th>\nAnalytical Writing Mean<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
    ARTS & HUMANITIES (Overall)<\/td>\n157<\/td>\n153<\/td>\n4.1<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Arts – History, Theory, & Criticism<\/td>\n157<\/td>\n151<\/td>\n4.2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Arts – Performance & Studio<\/td>\n153<\/td>\n152<\/td>\n3.7<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    English Language & Literature<\/td>\n157<\/td>\n149<\/td>\n4.2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Foreign Languages & Literatures<\/td>\n156<\/td>\n152<\/td>\n4.1<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    History<\/td>\n156<\/td>\n149<\/td>\n4.2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Philosophy<\/td>\n160<\/td>\n154<\/td>\n4.3<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Other<\/td>\n156<\/td>\n152<\/td>\n4.0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

    <\/p>\n

    <\/a>
    \n\"Education,<\/p>\n

    Education<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    Intended Graduate Program<\/th>\nVerbal Reasoning Mean<\/th>\nQuantitative Reasoning Mean<\/th>\nAnalytical Writing Mean<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
    EDUCATION (Overall)<\/td>\n150<\/td>\n148<\/td>\n3.7<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Administration<\/td>\n150<\/td>\n149<\/td>\n3.6<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Curriculum & Instruction<\/td>\n151<\/td>\n148<\/td>\n3.9<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Early Childhood<\/td>\n146<\/td>\n146<\/td>\n3.3<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Elementary<\/td>\n149<\/td>\n147<\/td>\n3.6<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Evaluation & Research<\/td>\n151<\/td>\n148<\/td>\n3.8<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Higher<\/td>\n152<\/td>\n149<\/td>\n4.0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Secondary<\/td>\n154<\/td>\n151<\/td>\n4.0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Special<\/td>\n148<\/td>\n145<\/td>\n3.4<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Student Counseling & Personnel Services<\/td>\n149<\/td>\n146<\/td>\n3.7<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Other<\/td>\n152<\/td>\n151<\/td>\n3.8<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

    <\/p>\n

    <\/a>
    \n\"Business,<\/p>\n

    Business<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    Intended Graduate Program<\/th>\nVerbal Reasoning Mean<\/th>\nQuantitative Reasoning Mean<\/th>\nAnalytical Writing Mean<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
    Accounting<\/td>\n149<\/td>\n157<\/td>\n3.3<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Banking & Finance<\/td>\n151<\/td>\n162<\/td>\n3.4<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Business Administration & Management<\/td>\n153<\/td>\n154<\/td>\n3.9<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Other<\/td>\n151<\/td>\n157<\/td>\n3.6<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

    <\/p>\n

    <\/a>
    \n\"other<\/p>\n

    Other Fields<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    Intended Graduate Program<\/th>\nVerbal Reasoning Mean<\/th>\nQuantitative Reasoning Mean<\/th>\nAnalytical Writing Mean<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
    Architecture & Environmental Design<\/td>\n150<\/td>\n155<\/td>\n3.5<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Communications & Journalism<\/td>\n151<\/td>\n150<\/td>\n3.7<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Family & Consumer Sciences<\/td>\n149<\/td>\n148<\/td>\n3.7<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Library & Archival Sciences<\/td>\n157<\/td>\n149<\/td>\n4.0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Public Administration<\/td>\n153<\/td>\n150<\/td>\n3.8<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Religion & Theology<\/td>\n158<\/td>\n151<\/td>\n4.2<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Social Work<\/td>\n148<\/td>\n144<\/td>\n3.6<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

    <\/p>\n

    Scores by Program Breakdown<\/h2>\n

    For a more detailed look at some of the above disciplines, check out the following Magoosh GRE posts:<\/p>\n