GRE percentiles indicate an individual’s score rank compared to others who took the test during the same period. Percentile rank is calculated by dividing the total number of scores below the score being ranked by the total number of scores in the batch, multiplying the result by 100. GRE percentiles correlate with scores received based on when the test was taken and can be compared to the average percentage rank received by individuals from similar fields of study.
The term “GRE percentiles” refers to the percentage rank of an individual’s score received on the Graduate Record Examination. Each section of the GRE is scored on a predetermined scale. After the examinee completes the test, they will receive a report indicating their score for each section of the test, as well as the percentage rank for each score. GRE percentiles indicate the percentage of participants who took the test during the same period and received a lower score than the examinee.
The percentage rank is calculated by dividing the total number of scores below the score being ranked by the total number of scores in the batch, multiplying the result by 100. For example, if a examinee got the 125th best score on 500 tests – takers , the percentile rank would be calculated by first dividing 375 by 500 to arrive at 0.75, then multiplying 0.75 by 100 to arrive at 75, or the 75th percentile. GRE percentiles are calculated by the organization administering the test and are reported to test takers along with their scores.
GRE percentiles correlate with scores received based on when the test was taken. A score that falls into the 75th percentile in one year may fall into a completely different percentile in another year. In other words, an individual who scores a certain score on this year’s quantitative reasoning section may be in the 75th percentile, but an individual who received the same score three years earlier may have ranked in the 65th percentile, depending on the scores received by others who took the test during the same period.
Another way to look at percentage rank is to compare the GRE percentiles received with the average percentage rank received by individuals from similar fields of study. This is because individuals from the math, science, and engineering fields tend to score higher in the quantitative reasoning section, and individuals who studied social sciences and humanities tend to score higher in the verbal reasoning section. Graduate program admissions officers who use GRE scores as part of their decision-making process compare scores among groups of prospective graduate students from the same or similar fields of study.
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