GRE to IQ Calculator: Convert Your Score

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is essentially the "SAT for adults." Administered by ETS, it is the standard entrance exam for graduate schools across the United States and the English-speaking world. But beyond its utility for getting into a Master's or PhD program, the GRE is widely recognized by psychometricians as one of the most accurate measures of General Intelligence (*g*) available to the public.

Because the test is taken by a self-selected group of college graduates (who already have above-average intelligence), the GRE is significantly more difficult than the SAT. This allows it to distinguish IQs at the very highest levels (150+), where other tests typically hit a "ceiling."

This guide will explain how your GRE score translates to IQ, how the scoring change in 2011 affects calculations, and why high-IQ societies like Mensa and Intertel accept these scores as proof of genius.

1. The Two Eras: Old vs. New GRE

Before you calculate your IQ, you must identify which version of the test you took.

The Old Scale (Pre-August 2011)

Prior to 2011, the GRE was scored almost exactly like the classical SAT.
Verbal: 200-800
Quantitative: 200-800
Maximum Score: 1600

This version of the test has the strongest historical correlation with IQ. A perfect 1600 on this scale is considered by many high-range testing societies to represent an IQ of approximately 157+ (SD 15), which is higher than the ceiling of the SAT.

The New Scale (Post-August 2011)

In 2011, ETS changed the scoring system to "bunch" scores closer together.
Verbal: 130-170
Quantitative: 130-170
Maximum Score: 340

While the scale changed, the underlying cognitive difficulty did not. Our calculator automatically converts "New" scores into their "Old" equivalents using the official ETS concordance tables before running the IQ calculation.

2. Why the GRE is a "Power" IQ Test

Most standard IQ tests like the Quick IQ Test are designed for the general population (average IQ 100). The GRE is designed for university graduates (average IQ ~115).

This makes the GRE a "High Ceiling" test.
On a standard test, if you get every question right, you might get an IQ of 145. On the GRE, the difficulty ramps up significantly. This "g-loading" makes it excellent for measuring Fluid Intelligence (reasoning) and Crystallized Intelligence (vocabulary).

Learn more about the difference between Fluid vs Crystallized Intelligence.

3. High IQ Society Admission

The GRE is one of the few standardized tests widely accepted by high-IQ societies. Here are the typical cutoffs (Old Scale):

• Mensa (Top 2%): Requires a combined score of ~1250 (Verbal + Quant). This correlates to an IQ of roughly 132. See Mensa Minimum IQ.
• Intertel (Top 1%): Requires a combined score of roughly 1300.
• Triple Nine Society (Top 0.1%): Requires a combined score of 1460. This correlates to an IQ of roughly 148.

4. The Calculation Math

Our calculator uses a linear regression model based on the norms used by the Triple Nine Society and Prometheus Society.

The Baseline: Because the testing pool (grad students) is smarter than the average population, a "average" GRE score (approx 1000 on the old scale) actually indicates an IQ of about 115 (High Average).
The Slope: The GRE rewards high scores heavily. The slope suggests that for every 10 points on the GRE (Old Scale), you gain approximately 0.72 IQ points.

Formula Estimate: IQ = 42 + (0.072 x Old_GRE_Score)
Example: 1600 * 0.072 = 115.2. + 42 = 157.2 IQ.

5. GRE vs SAT vs WAIS

How does your GRE score compare to other metrics?

GRE vs SAT

The GRE is harder. A 1200 on the GRE is more impressive than a 1200 on the SAT. If you took both, you will likely find your GRE percentile is lower, even if your raw score looks similar. Read about IQ vs SAT and ACT.

GRE vs WAIS (Wechsler)

The WAIS is the clinical gold standard. The GRE Verbal section correlates extremely well (0.80+) with the WAIS Verbal Comprehension Index. The GRE Quant section correlates with the WAIS Perceptual Reasoning Index. Read about the Wechsler IQ Test.

6. Can You Improve Your GRE IQ?

Unlike a blood type, your functional IQ (and GRE score) can fluctuate based on brain health.

• Sleep Deprivation: Taking the GRE on 4 hours of sleep can drop your score by 100+ points. See IQ and Sleep.
• Brain Training: Studies suggest that Dual N-Back tasks can improve the working memory capacity required for the GRE Reading Comprehension. Try N-Back Training.

7. Global Averages

A score of 310 (New) or 1150 (Old) puts you solidly in the upper echelon of global intelligence.

• US Average IQ: ~98. See USA average IQ.
• Singapore Average IQ: ~108. See Average IQ Singapore.

Compare your result with our Average IQ by Country interactive map.

8. The Personality Factor

Getting into grad school takes more than just high IQ. It requires Grit and Conscientiousness.

If you have a high GRE score but struggle with productivity, you might have high Openness but low Conscientiousness. We recommend analyzing your personality matrix:

1. Free Big 5 Personality Test (The academic standard).
2. Free Emotional Intelligence Test (Crucial for thesis defense!).
3. High IQ Resources (For those scoring 145+).

Conclusion

Whether you took the GRE in 1990 or last week, your score is a durable testament to your cognitive horsepower. A high GRE score proves you possess the fluid reasoning and vocabulary necessary to tackle complex, abstract problems—the very definition of general intelligence.

Disclaimer: This calculator is based on psychometric concordance tables used by high-IQ societies. It is an estimator, not a clinical diagnosis.