Key GRE statistics from the 2024 ETS report

Educational Testing Service (ETS), makers of the GRE Test, publishes a yearly Snapshot of the Individuals Who Took the GRE General Test, a comprehensive report of key GRE statistics. Their 2024 report is a deep dive into the volume and performance data for test takers who took the GRE General Test between July 1, 2018, and June 30, 2023. The report includes detailed information on test takers' backgrounds and the factors that affected their GRE performance.

This post is a snapshot of ETS’s GRE snapshot. We examine the key GRE statistics on gender, age, U.S. citizenship, ethnic group, region, as well as the characteristics of students taking the GRE for MBA admissions. Hopefully, this will help you find the GRE test score range that will benefit your application. Let’s dig in!

Report overview

For this report, ETS looked at the records of test takers who took the GRE General Exam from July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2023. The data are broken up into 5 reporting periods:

• July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019 (2018-19)
• July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020 (2019-20)
• July 1, 2020 to June 30, 2021 (2020-21)
• July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022 (2021-22)
• July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023 (2022-23)

If test takers had more than one set of scores for the GRE General Test, the most recent scores were used.

The data include on-site and at-home tests starting in 2020, when ETS introduced this option in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to ETS, the data in this report are not representative of the population planning to attend graduate school or of the qualities and performance of students presently enrolled in graduate school. It is just a snapshot of GRE test takers specifically.

These figures are presented without bias or opinion. Furthermore, the ETS has flagged that measurement errors may occur as part of the standard process of evaluating a large and imperfect data set. Think of the data below as guides in your own GRE pursuits, not an evaluation of any group.

How many people take the GRE test each year?

319,101 people took the GRE Test between July 1, 2022 and June 30, 2023, a 6.6% decrease from 2021-22. The aggressive decline in test takers during the years impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic seems to have slowed down.

Looking at the chart above, you can clearly see a very different story in test-taking trends for U.S. citizens versus non-U.S. citizens. GRE test takers who were U.S. citizens declined by 21% from 124,151 to 97,676 between 2021-22 and 2022-23. This decline was offset by a gain in non-U.S. citizen GRE test takers of 1.8%, from 217,392 to 221,404. 2021-22 was the first year that non-U.S. citizen test takers overtook U.S. citizen test takers, and the gap widened substantially in 2022-23. There are now 50% more GRE test takers who are non-U.S. citizens than U.S. citizens.

Most GRE test takers took their exam in the U.S. (122,997 in 2022-23), but a large share of examinees tested in India, China, and across Europe. India's number of test takers rose dramatically in 2021 with little change in 2022-23, nearly overtaking the U.S. with 110,512 test takers.

U.S. GRE test takers per year by ethnic group

In the U.S., the largest group of GRE test takers was White, representing 51% of the total. The next largest ethnic group was Asian at 9%, then Black at 8%. If you combine Mexican, Puerto Rican, and Other Hispanic groups, as ETS does in the following chart, Hispanics are the largest non-White ethnic group of GRE test takers in the U.S. with 10,485 students, or a little over 10% of the total.

When you remove White examinees, you can see that the decline in U.S. GRE test takers was consistent across all remaining ethnic groups. The lone exception is Asian test takers, who declined more slowly than the others as a group.

GRE test takers per year by age

GRE test takers are skewing younger, as the number of people 18-22 taking the GRE has increased from 46% of the total in 2018-19 to 53% in 2022-23. All other test taker cohorts have slowly declined in their percentage of the total.

As you can see, the trend lines for each age group follow similar patterns, which shows that the overall composition of GRE test takers’ age has not changed dramatically in the last 5 years.

GRE test takers per year by gender

In 2021-22 and 2022-23, the number of men taking the GRE was greater than the number of women taking the GRE for the first time in recent years. The shift from U.S. citizens to non-U.S. citizens largely drove this trend. The U.S. has a predominantly female GRE test taker population, while countries like China and India have a predominantly male GRE test taker population.

Average GRE test scores for men and women

Slightly more men took the GRE than women in 2022-23, 53% to 47%. Men outscored women on the GRE Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections, while women outscored men on the Analytical Writing section.

But when you dig deeper, you can see a big difference when you break out the gender of the test takers by country. Let’s explore that in the next section.

GRE test takers by U.S. citizenship and gender

Suddenly, these statistics look very different. Among U.S. citizens, far more women took the GRE than men. Almost 61,000 (62%) of GRE test takers in this group were female, and only 36,500 (37%) were male. This trend mirrors the recent report from AEI.org that showed that women earned 60% of all master’s degrees in 2020.

Outside of the U.S., it’s a different story: 60% of GRE test takers outside of the U.S. were men, while only 40% were women.

As we noted above, the majority of GRE test takers (69%) were not U.S. citizens, while less than a third were.

GRE scores for U.S. citizens and non-U.S. citizens

Men who were U.S. citizens recorded higher performance than non-U.S. citizen men in both the GRE Verbal Reasoning and Analytical Writing sections. However, these same U.S. citizens scored considerably lower on the GRE Quantitative Reasoning section, highlighting an interesting pattern.

Similarly, among female test-takers, women without U.S. citizenship matched their U.S. citizen counterparts in the Verbal Reasoning section but scored lower on Analytical Writing. Most notably, non-U.S. citizen women achieved significantly higher results in the GRE Quantitative Reasoning section than U.S. citizen women.

Overall, these GRE Quantitative Reasoning statistics reveal that while native English speakers, mainly U.S. citizens, maintain a slight edge in the Verbal Reasoning and Analytical Writing sections, they are consistently outperformed in GRE Quantitative Reasoning by international test-takers. These results likely reflect the applicant pool for the exam abroad, where many are preparing for STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) graduate programs in the United States.

GRE test takers by country, with average GRE scores by country

In the report, ETS includes a breakdown of the number of GRE test takers in each country and their average scores. To save you from reading a list of 160+ countries, we’ve pulled out the data for the top twelve by volume below:

The United States and India have the most GRE test takers by far, with about 100,000 each, and China is third with just over 50,000 GRE test takers. After that, there is a huge gap: the next country on the list, Nigeria, had 4,580 test takers. Only thirteen countries had more than 1,000 GRE test takers.

India has overtaken the U.S. in total GRE test takers, with 113,304 in 2023 to the United States’ 97,676.

Let’s take a quick look at the top 3 countries. The average GRE Verbal score in the United States was 151.8; the average GRE Verbal score in India was 150.1; and the average GRE Verbal score in China was 153.8. These scores show the strength of China’s English language education in its most globally mobile students.

The average GRE Quant score in the United States was 150.5; the average GRE Quant score in India was 161.5; and the average GRE Quant score in China was 166.2. China’s remarkable average quant score is only 3.8 points below the maximum possible score of 170.

The average GRE Analytical Writing score in the United States was 3.9, while the average GRE Analytical Writing score was 3.1 in India and 3.4 in China. The United States gets the best of this category among these 3 countries, likely because its population has more experience writing in English.

Which country has the highest average GRE Quantitative Reasoning score?

China has the highest GRE Quantitative average score, with test takers achieving an impressive GRE average score of 166.2. Compared to global GRE average scores, this standout performance highlights just how competitive China’s average GRE scores are in the Quant section, setting a high benchmark for what is considered a good GRE score out of 340.

Which country has the highest average GRE Verbal Reasoning score?

American Samoa achieved the highest average GRE Verbal Reasoning score among all countries and territories, recording an exceptional average GRE score of 161.6. However, this result is from a relatively small test group of only 124 GRE test takers during this reporting period.

For GRE countries with larger sample sizes (reporting over 1,000 GRE test takers), Canada led the way in GRE Verbal Reasoning performance, attaining an average of 155.8. These results highlight notable differences in GRE Verbal Reasoning proficiency by country and help illustrate how GRE scores can vary depending on both sample size and region.

Which country has the highest average GRE Analytical Writing score?

Singapore achieved the highest average GRE Analytical Writing score among all GRE countries, with an impressive mean of 4.5 out of 6. The United Kingdom followed closely as another top-performing GRE country in Analytical Writing, recording an average score of 4.4. Regarding participation, Singapore had 568 GRE test takers, while the UK saw 603 individuals sit for the GRE Analytical Writing section.

GRE test takers by region

Looking at GRE country statistics reveals that the most significant year-over-year change occurred in China, where the number of GRE test takers increased by 37% between 2021-22 and 2022-23. This substantial rise in GRE participation from China was key in offsetting declines seen in other major countries. In contrast, GRE country data revealed a sharp 19% decrease in test takers from the United States over the same period, contributing heavily to the global drop outside China.

Alongside the declines in the United States, India also experienced a decrease in GRE candidates, further highlighting China’s outsize contribution to recent GRE country trends. Overall, China stands out as the primary GRE growth country between 2021-22 and 202-23 while numbers shrank in other prominent nations.

What is the average age of GRE test takers?

The average age of all GRE test takers is 22 (weighted by the number of test takers). The average age of GRE test takers was the same for men and women.

53% of all GRE test takers were under 23, and an additional 25% were 23-25. 78% of all GRE test takers were under 25, which shows us that most GRE test takers are studying for the GRE soon after finishing their undergraduate degrees at 22.

These test takers are likely looking to move into graduate school programs immediately after their undergraduate program or after a short 1-2 year stint in the workforce. The table above backs this up: the largest share of respondents (21%) had less than 1 year of work experience when taking the GRE. 31% of GRE test taker respondents had less than 3 years of work experience.

The remaining 20% of test takers were 26 or older. 1% of GRE test takers were over 40, which shows that the window for graduate school closes for most after 40 years old.

GRE test scores by age

For this section, we’ll focus on GRE test takers under 40, as they account for 99% of the GRE test taker population and provide the most relevant context for understanding GRE percentiles.

When analyzing GRE percentiles by age, test takers between 18 and 22 years old achieve higher average GRE scores than almost all other age groups with the exception of the under-18 group, which is a statistical outlier. Among GRE test takers in this typical undergraduate and graduate candidate age band, both men and women consistently earn higher mean scores than those in older age groups, impacting their overall GRE percentiles.

Breaking down further by gender shows that these scoring patterns are apparent within each GRE test section. For both men and women, younger test takers tended to attain higher mean scores and GRE percentiles in both Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning. Women continued outperforming men in Analytical Writing, a trend observed uniformly across all age categories. Men generally achieved higher percentiles in Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning, irrespective of age group.

These consistent trends show how average scores and GRE percentiles vary based on age and sex. For more data on demographic performance, refer to the 2024 ETS GRE® General Test Snapshot report.

GRE Test takers by major (undergrad)

While the declining number of people across majors matches the overall trend toward fewer GRE test takers, some interesting patterns remain. GRE test takers in Engineering and Physical Sciences have declined the least in the last 5 years, while GRE test takers in Education, Humanities and Arts, and Social and Behavioral Sciences have declined the most as a percentage.

GRE Test takers by intended graduate school majors

Among intended graduate school majors, Engineering, Business, and Physical Sciences bucked the overall decline in GRE test takers and steadily grew between 2021-22 and 2022-23. A common theory for why these majors defied the trend was the shift to test-optional policies among U.S. universities and graduate schools during the COVID-19 pandemic, which was less commonly enacted among STEM programs than others.

Instead, this trend was caused by the growth in GRE test takers from India for each of these 3 categories, which you can see below. The slight increase in test takers intending to major in business suggests that the exam is becoming more popular for MBA admissions, as the GMAT reigned supreme for many years.

When you factor in the Indian GRE test takers above, it is clear that Indian test takers are driving trends in majors among the worldwide GRE population. The distribution of intended graduate majors in India is heavily weighted toward STEM.

GRE scores by major (intended graduate school major)

When considering GRE scores, what is a good GRE score out of 340 will vary depending on your intended major. For example, GRE average scores for Verbal Reasoning are typically highest among students applying to Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences programs. In contrast, majors such as Business, Engineering, and Physical Sciences often have the highest GRE Quantitative Reasoning scores.

Understanding what is an average GRE score and how it compares to the average score on GRE tests taken by those in your specific field can help you set appropriate goals. These trends exist because different graduate programs prioritize certain skills, so the most competitive GRE scores will depend on what each major values most.

What’s a good GRE score for MBA programs?

The average GRE score for MBA applicants is 155.1 Verbal Reasoning, 153.5 Quantitative Reasoning, and 4.1 Analytical Writing. Getting higher than these scores will put you in a good position when applying to a standard MBA program. Of course, the GRE score you need depends greatly on the program you are applying to, so be sure to look up the median Verbal, Quant, and Writing scores for that program when setting your targets.

If you’re applying to an MBA program, you might wonder if you should take the GMAT or GRE. While business school admission committees long favored the GMAT, the GRE is now just as widely accepted. The GRE Quantitative Reasoning section is less complex than the GMAT’s, which makes it easier to get a higher score. This means that you likely have a better chance of getting a score in one of the top GRE percentiles and standing out as a candidate for a top business school. Our article on the GMAT vs. GRE has more information for test takers interested in an MBA.

GRE test takers targeting MBA programs by ethnic group

Most GRE test takers targeting MBA programs were White, representing 49% of the total subset. The next largest ethnic group of GRE test takers applying to MBA programs was Black, representing 13%, and Asian, also representing 13% of the total population.

Among the named ethnic groups, Asian MBA applicants had the highest average GRE scores for all 3 sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing.

GRE test takers targeting MBA programs by age

The GRE has become increasingly popular among MBA applicants, who tend to be older than the general GRE test taker population. Only 44% of those taking the GRE for MBA admission are under 25, compared to 78% across all GRE test takers. The most significant age group for GRE test takers pursuing MBA programs is 26-30, making up 40% of candidates.

The data show that among GRE test takers applying to MBA programs, the 26-30 age group achieved the highest average Verbal Reasoning and Analytical Writing scores. Test takers aged 18-22 posted the best Quantitative Reasoning results. Additionally, about 15% of GRE test takers applying to MBA programs are over 30, and fewer than 4% are over 35.

The dominance of the 26-30 age group for MBA hopefuls highlights the importance of tailored preparation strategies for this demographic. These statistics offer valuable insights for anyone considering GRE study programs as part of their pathway to an MBA.

GRE scores for MBA applicants by gender

56% of GRE test takers applying to MBA programs were men. This number skews more heavily male than the total GRE test-taking audience, which is 53% male.

Men applying to MBA programs had higher average scores than women on the GRE Verbal Reasoning and GRE Quantitative Reasoning sections. In comparison, women scored higher than men on the GRE Analytical Writing section.

What types of MBA programs are GRE applicants planning to enroll in?

Full-time MBA programs remain the top choice among individuals submitting GRE scores for their MBA applications. Recent data shows that 83% of GRE test takers planning to pursue an MBA prefer enrolling in full-time study programs over part-time or executive tracks.

When considering taking the GRE or GMAT for MBA admissions, note that applicants seeking full-time MBA programs through the GRE route generally demonstrate high average Verbal and Quantitative scores.

GRE applicants to MBA programs: Work experience and GRE scores

18% of GRE applicants to MBA programs have less than 1 year of work experience, which shows they’re applying to business school right after finishing their undergraduate degree. 32% of GRE applicants to MBA programs have less than 3 years of work experience, and 74% of GRE applicants to MBA programs have less than 8 years of work experience.

Except for those with 8 years of work experience or more, MBA applicants with more work experience had higher average GRE scores. MBA applicants with 5-7 years of work experience scored highest on the GRE Verbal Reasoning section, while those with 3-4 years of experience scored highest on the GRE Quantitative Reasoning and Analytical Writing sections.

GRE applicants to MBA programs: Online and on-campus

Among GRE test takers considering MBA programs, 75% of 2023 MBA applicants indicated a clear preference for completing their MBA degree entirely on campus, reflecting a 2% increase compared to the previous year. 9% sought hybrid MBA programs that blend on-campus coursework with online components. Only 3% of GRE test takers pursuing an MBA preferred an exclusively online MBA program, making it the smallest group. For most applicants, the benefits of networking and immersive campus experiences continue to outweigh the flexibility that studying through online MBA programs can offer.

GRE test takers applying to traditional, on-campus MBA programs had the highest average GRE scores across all test sections. Conversely, those applying specifically to MBA programs online, including fully online MBA and blended MBA online programs, had the lowest mean GRE scores. This pattern suggests that online MBA options may be less selective or target a different segment of students who typically have lower GRE results.

Conclusion

The ETS report on GRE test takers reveals that the demographic profile of the average GRE test taker is evolving, with a notable increase in international candidates and a greater proportion of participants from Physical Sciences and Engineering backgrounds. This shift has contributed to changes in GRE score trends and how GRE scores average out across different groups.

We hope this overview provides valuable insight into the diverse populations taking the GRE and highlights key factors influencing overall GRE scores. Reviewing mean GRE scores by country, major, gender, ethnic group, and more can help you determine your target score and better understand performance benchmarks.