Scoring on the GRE can be fairly confusing to the uninitiated.
Each of the three sections is scored separately and these numbers
can mean very different things depending on the program and
schools to which you are applying.
To begin with, you will receive a "scaled score" within a
range of 200-800 for the verbal and quantitative sections. You
will receive a score on a scale of 0 to 6 for the writing
section.
In addition to scaled scores, you will receive a percentile
rank. This calculation places your performance relative to those
of a large sample population of other GRE takers. From the
percentile rank, graduate schools are able to determine what your
scaled scores are worth. So in effect, even if everyone received
high scaled scores, schools are still able to differentiate
candidates by using the percentile rank.
So, What's a Good Score?
Some schools have cut-off scores, below which they do not even
consider applicants. Large state university programs are
generally more likely to do this. You owe it to yourself to find
out what GRE scores impress the schools in which you're
interested. And then, work hard until you get those scores.
The score you'll "need" also depends on the area in which
you're hoping to study. For example, a 600 Quantitative score
might be fine if you're planning to study history. However, it
might not be distinctive if your planned field is engineering or
in the sciences. A 600 Quantitative score would probably fall
into the 58th percentile range and thus be a handicap at more
selective schools.
Keep in Mind...
At the end of the exam, you will be asked if you want to see
and keep your score or not. If you answer "yes," you are
given your score and it is entered into your ETS record. If you
answer "no," you are not given your score and no score is
entered.
Requested score reports are sent to schools within 10-15 days
after the exam. All non-cancelled GRE testing administrations
will be listed (and usable) in your ETS record for 5 years.