GRE to IQ Calculator

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is an important test for students aiming to attend graduate school. Many people wonder how the GRE relates to IQ and if it can be used to measure intelligence. 

That’s why we wrote this article! We’ll explore the GRE, what it measures, how it compares to IQ tests, and what your GRE score really says about your abilities.

What Is the GRE?

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a standardized test designed to assess cognitive skills that are critical for success in graduate and professional schools. It evaluates areas such as problem-solving, reasoning, and critical thinking, providing schools with a consistent metric to compare applicants from diverse educational and cultural backgrounds. These skills overlap with those assessed in high school and college-level tests but are adapted to reflect the rigor and complexity of graduate-level education.

The GRE was first introduced in 1936 by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching in partnership with the Educational Testing Service (ETS). Its original purpose was to create a standardized evaluation system for students applying to graduate programs. Over time, the test has evolved significantly, reflecting shifts in educational priorities and methodologies.

Initially, the GRE focused on general knowledge and broad reasoning abilities, but as higher education expanded and specialized fields emerged, the test was refined to assess specific skill sets. In the 1950s and 1960s, the GRE saw an increase in usage as more graduate programs in the United States began requiring it for admission.

Modern updates to the GRE include the introduction of a computer-based format in the early 1990s and the launch of the GRE revised General Test in 2011. This update introduced changes such as a more flexible scoring system and test structure, allowing for a more accurate assessment of a candidate's abilities. 

 Today, according to ETS, the GRE is administered in over 160 countries and accepted by thousands of graduate and professional programs worldwide, including business schools, where it often competes with the GMAT for MBA admissions.

What Does the GRE Measure?

The GRE isn’t just about academic knowledge.It is designed to assess cognitive skills. These are the abilities that help you analyze problems, think critically, and come up with solutions. In many ways, the GRE is similar to IQ tests because it evaluates how you think, not just what you know.

For example:

• The Verbal Reasoning section tests your ability to understand and interpret complex ideas, which is a key part of intellectual ability.
• The Quantitative Reasoning section measures how well you work with numbers and logic, which reflects problem-solving skills.
• The Analytical Writing section challenges your ability to organize ideas and think critically about issues.
• The Critical Thinking component assesses your ability to evaluate arguments, identify assumptions, and make logical connections.

These skills overlap with what IQ tests measure, but the GRE also requires preparation and practice, so it’s not purely about natural ability!

So, is the GRE just an IQ test?

Not quite. While the GRE measures skills similar to IQ tests, such as reasoning, analytical thinking, and problem-solving, it’s not purely a test of intelligence. The GRE also reflects how much effort you’ve put into preparation and how familiar you are with the test format.  Unlike IQ tests, which focus on innate cognitive abilities, the GRE also evaluates skills that can be developed through preparation, such as advanced vocabulary, math concepts, and test-taking strategies. Think of the GRE as a combination of intelligence and preparation, making it a more academic-focused assessment.

What Are Some Common IQ Tests?

IQ tests are designed to measure a person’s cognitive abilities, often referred to as “general intelligence” or “g”. Some well-known IQ tests include:

• Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS): A popular test that measures verbal and performance intelligence through a variety of tasks.
• Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scales: One of the oldest IQ tests, which evaluates reasoning, problem-solving, and memory.
• Raven’s Progressive Matrices: A nonverbal test that focuses on pattern recognition and abstract reasoning.

If you’ve taken an IQ test before, you might notice similarities to GRE questions. Both types of tests often involve puzzles, logical reasoning, and vocabulary questions. For example, solving a math problem on the GRE’s quantitative section isn’t too different from answering questions on an IQ test that measures numerical reasoning.

How Well Does the GRE Correlate With IQ?

The GRE and IQ have a strong correlation because both measure similar abilities, such as reasoning and problem-solving, as mentioned earlier in this article.

Research supports this. It shows that GRE scores and IQ scores are strongly correlated, with studies like Frey and Detterman (2004) finding correlations as high as 0.72. Studies, such as those by Kuncel et al. (2001) and Pesta et al. (2019), have found that GRE scores can often predict IQ with a high degree of accuracy.

Here’s why:

• Both tests measure crystallized intelligence, which includes knowledge and skills you’ve learned over time (like vocabulary).
• They also measure fluid intelligence, which is your ability to solve new problems without relying on prior knowledge.
• Both the GRE and IQ tests assess cognitive flexibility, which refers to your ability to adapt to new information, shift between different ideas, and approach problems from multiple angles.

However, the GRE isn’t a perfect substitute for an IQ test. Unlike traditional IQ tests, the GRE requires preparation and familiarity with the test format. Therefore, someone who studies more might score higher, even if their innate abilities are the same as someone who doesn’t.

How Do We Convert GRE Scores to IQ?

In the above GRE to IQ calculator, we use percentile matching to estimate IQ from GRE scores. This means we look at where your GRE score ranks among all test-takers and match it to the same percentile on the IQ scale. 

For example: if your GRE score is in the 90th percentile, it means you scored higher than 90% of test-takers. On the IQ scale, this would roughly correspond to an IQ of 120, which is above average. 

It's important to note that percentile-based estimates do not account for individual differences in test-taking abilities or external factors that may influence performance, such as test anxiety or preparation. Therefore, while the estimate can give a general idea, it may not fully reflect your cognitive potential or overall intelligence.

GRE Scores Percentiles and IQ Conversion

Historically, the average IQ of GRE test takers is 120, which is in the top 16% of the population. This is due to the fact that GRE test-takers are usually more academically advanced than the average population. 

In the table below, you can see an equivalent IQ score based on the total GRE score (GRE Composite score), calculated by adding both the Verbal and Quantitative scores, with a combined maximum of 340.

GRE Composite Score	Percentiles	IQ (Estimated)
340	99-100	160
338	99-100	142
335	99-100	140
332	98-99	137
329	96-99	135
326	94-97	133
323	92-97	130
320	86-96	128
317	80-93	126
314	71-92	123
311	64-88	121
308	56-86	119
305	52-83	117
302	40-80	114
298	33-71	112
295	27-64	110
292	23-56	107
289	20-44	105
286	18-37	103
283	15-30	100
280	13-30	98

I Have a Low GRE Score, Does That Mean My IQ Is Low?

Not at all! A low GRE score doesn’t automatically mean you have a low IQ. Many factors can affect your performance on the GRE, including:

• Preparation: If you didn’t study much or weren’t familiar with the test format, your score might not reflect your true abilities.
• English Proficiency: If English isn’t your first language, the verbal section might be more challenging for you.
• External Factors: Life circumstances, such as personal challenges, lack of resources, or health issues, can impact your ability to perform well on the test, regardless of your cognitive potential. These factors can hinder focus, study time, or test-day performance, but they don’t define your intelligence.
• Test Anxiety: Stress and nerves can lower your performance, even if you’re highly intelligent.

In short, your GRE score reflects more than just your intelligence. It’s a mix of how well you prepared, your comfort with the test, and your cognitive skills.

What Affects Your GRE Score?

Several factors can influence how well you do on the GRE. Your score reflects more than just your intelligence. Moreover, just like you can prepare for an IQ test, the GRE is shaped by preparation, test-taking strategies, and personal circumstances. 

Here's a closer look:

1. Study habits
   Consistent, focused studying is key to improving your score. Many students dedicate 40–240 hours to preparation, depending on their target improvement. Regular practice and addressing specific weaknesses are essential for progress.
2. Educational background
   A strong foundation in math or advanced English can make the GRE easier. If these areas aren’t your strengths, extra preparation will help bridge the gap.
3. Test conditions
   Factors like test anxiety, fatigue, and distractions can affect your performance. Staying well-rested, managing stress, and maintaining a positive mindset can significantly improve your test-day experience.
4. Mistake analysis
   Reviewing mistakes after practice tests is crucial. Identify whether the error was due to misunderstanding the question, struggling with a concept, or rushing. Focusing on these weak points can help you improve more efficiently.
5. Study plan and time management
   A structured study plan is essential. Break your preparation into manageable chunks, set clear goals, and allocate time effectively. For instance, improving by 10 points might require around 80 hours of focused study.
6. Practice and feedback
   Full-length practice tests simulate the exam environment and help track your progress. Use the results to refine your study plan and focus on problem areas.
7. Personal factors
   Your ability to learn quickly and study effectively also impacts your performance. Active learning methods – like solving problems and reviewing errors – are more effective than passive approaches like reading notes.
8. Preparation’s role
   While the GRE tests cognitive skills, it’s also highly trainable. Students who dedicate time to preparation can make substantial improvements, though progress may slow as they reach higher scores. Consistent practice builds confidence and solidifies strategies for test day.

What Does This Mean for You?

If you’re thinking about retaking the GRE or improving your IQ test score, here’s what you should keep in mind:

• Prepare smartly: Focus on your weak areas and practice those. This works better than just spending endless hours studying.
• Have realistic goals: Don’t expect a huge improvement. Most score increases are small, and they come from getting used to the test, not becoming “smarter.”
• Stay focused: Motivation helps a bit, but real progress comes from targeted practice and understanding the material.
• Consider timing: If you’re planning to retake, give yourself enough time between attempts to actually improve. Rushing into a retake without targeted preparation might not lead to a better score.

Retaking these tests can give you a small boost, but don’t forget: your score is only part of the picture. Colleges, jobs, and opportunities care about your overall skills, effort, and personality, not just a number on a test.

Perfect GRE Scores: What You Need to Know

1. What is a perfect GRE score?

You’ll get a perfect GRE score if you achieve the highest possible score in all three parts of the GRE test. Therefore, this corresponds to 170 in both the Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections (so 340 combined score), and a 6.0 in the Analytical Writing section.

2. How common is a perfect GRE score?

Perfect GRE test scores are extremely rare. According to ETS (the organization behind the GRE), only about 1% of test-takers achieve a 170 in either Verbal or Quantitative sections. Scoring a 6.0 in Analytical Writing is even less common.

3. Do you need a perfect score to get into a top grad school?

Not at all! While a strong GRE test score can help your application, grad schools look at more than just test scores. Admissions committees value a well-rounded application more than perfection in one area. Your GPA, recommendation letters, personal statement, and work or research experience matter a lot too. A score close to the program’s average is usually good enough. Still, a perfect score can be a great confidence booster!

4. What’s harder: getting a 170 in Verbal or Quant?

It depends on your strengths. Many test-takers find Quantitative Reasoning tougher, as it requires strong math skills and quick problem-solving. On the other hand, Verbal Reasoning challenges your vocabulary and reading comprehension.

5. Can you get a perfect score with just practice?

While practice can critically improve your score, reaching a perfect score often requires a mix of natural aptitude, familiarity with the test format, and extensive preparation. Furthermore, achieving a perfect score often requires not only consistent effort but also the ability to stay focused and manage test-day stress effectively.Even experienced GRE test takers may not hit a perfect score every time. 

Frequently-Asked Questions

Can retaking the GRE or an IQ test really boost your score?

If you’ve taken the GRE or an IQ test and didn’t get the score you wanted, you might be wondering if retaking it will help you improve. The answer? It depends, but don’t expect a huge jump in your score.

For the GRE, a large study with nearly a million GRE test takers found that scores tend to improve a little the second time around. On average, people scored about 1.5 points higher in both the Quantitative and Verbal sections. Why the slight improvement? Mostly because people are more familiar with the test format and less likely to repeat the same mistakes. However, if your first score was really high or really low, it’s likely to move closer to the average on your second try. This is called "regression to the mean."

For IQ tests, studies show that while scores can go up with practice or training, the gains don’t reflect an actual boost in intelligence. These improvements are usually just about getting better at answering that specific test’s questions. The most important part of an IQ test, the "g factor," which predicts success in education and work, doesn’t really change with more practice.

In both cases, it’s important to remember that improvement through retakes usually has limits. After the initial boost from familiarity and practice, additional attempts may yield diminishing returns. That is because the core abilities measured by these tests tend to stabilize.

Can AI like GPT pass the GRE?

Yes, AI can perform well on the GRE. According to Business Insider, OpenAI’s GPT-4 scored impressively on the GRE, ranking in the 99th percentile for the verbal section and the 80th percentile for the quantitative section. However, its performance wasn’t perfect, as GPT-4 scored in only the 54th percentile on the writing section. This shows that while AI excels in processing and analyzing structured data, tasks requiring creativity and human-like nuance, such as essay writing, remain challenging for it. The takeaway? AI might help with prep, but humans still hold the edge over the creative and applied reasoning.

What’s the average IQ of a GRE test-taker?

The average IQ of a GRE test-taker is estimated to be around 105, a score which is slightly above the general population’s average IQ of 100. This estimate aligns with the academic rigor associated with GRE test-takers, who are typically individuals pursuing higher education. 

Based on ETS data, the average Verbal Reasoning score is 151.29, and the average Quantitative Reasoning score is 156.93. These scores suggest strong cognitive abilities, especially in reasoning and problem-solving. 

While GRE scores don’t directly translate to IQ, the correlation between cognitive ability and GRE performance supports this approximation.

What’s a good GRE score? 

What counts as a "good" GRE score depends on the program you’re applying to and its specific requirements. On average, the Verbal and Quantitative sections are scored on a scale of 130-170, with a mean score of 151.29 for Verbal and 156.93 for Quantitative, as shown in ETS statistics. Analytical Writing is scored on a scale of 0-6, with an average score of 3.49.

For competitive programs, a score above the average is often required. For example, top MBA programs like Stanford have average GRE scores of around 165 for both Verbal and Quantitative sections. Similarly, elite law schools such as Yale report average scores close to 168 in Verbal and 166 in Quant. 

Other competitive graduate programs also have high expectations. For instance, top engineering programs like those at MIT or Caltech often see average Quantitative scores in the 165–170 range, with Verbal scores typically around 160. Highly ranked psychology programs, such as those at Harvard or Princeton, generally expect scores around 160–165 in both Verbal and Quantitative sections. Each program may have slightly different expectations, but strong scores are crucial for gaining admission to these selective schools.

A "good" GRE score generally places you in the 75th percentile or higher. This means Verbal and Quant scores above 160 and Analytical Writing scores of 4.5 or higher are often considered strong. For math-focused fields, Quantitative scores carry more weight, while Verbal scores are more critical for humanities and social sciences.

Lastly, while GRE scores are an essential factor in applications, they’re just one part of the admissions process. So, what’s the secret to standing out in a competitive admissions process? It’s important to research the average scores for your target programs and prepare strategically to meet or exceed those benchmarks.

Can your GRE score get you into a high-IQ society like Mensa?

On top of standardized IQ tests, many high-IQ societies accept GRE and SAT scores as potential qualifiers for membership. These societies, including Mensa and others, often use standardized test scores as a basis for admission, provided the scores meet their specific criteria.

For Mensa, for example, an accepted GRE score depends on when the test was taken. If you took the GRE before 2001, a score of 1875 is required. Similarly, SAT scores taken before certain years may also qualify. For instance, an SAT score of 1250 (if taken between 1974 and 1994) meets Mensa’s eligibility requirements. However, SAT scores from more recent years may not be directly accepted.

Other high IQ societies, such as the International High IQ Society (IHIQS), Triple Nine Society, Intertel, or the Prometheus Society, might also accept GRE and SAT scores depending on the percentile rank and the date the test was taken. For example, many societies have qualifying scores in the 95th percentile or higher.

If you're thinking about joining one of these exclusive groups, be sure to carefully review their specific admission requirements for both GRE and SAT scores, as the criteria can vary by organization and year of the test.

How well does the GRE predict success?

The GRE is often used to predict academic success in graduate school, but its accuracy is limited. Research shows that the GRE is a good predictor of first-year GPA, but its ability to predict long-term success is less clear (Kuncel et al., 2010). Success in graduate school depends on many factors, including motivation, creativity, and persistence. Unfortunately (or fortunately!), these qualities are not measured by the GRE.