The Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) exam was created and is distributed by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). The GRE math subject test consists of 66 multiple-choice questions, covering calculus, algebra and various other math topics. The scores you receive from this exam are submitted with your graduate school application packet to help the admissions department determine your current knowledge base.
Subject Test Versus General Exam
The mathematics subject test should not be confused with the quantitative reasoning section of the general GRE exam. The math subject test is taken separately than the general exam and people that take this exam are specifically signing up for it. The main crowd taking the subject test are people with a strong math background with an undergraduate degree that are applying to math graduate programs. Plus, the scoring range is different for both exams.
How the Test is Scored
Scoring for the math subject test is a two-step process. First, you receive a raw score. This score is computed from the number of correct answers you chose minus one-fourth the number of incorrect answers. ETS then takes this raw score and converts it into a scaled score.
Scoring Range
The scoring range for a GRE math subject test is 200 to 990. In addition to the scaled test score, you will also receive a percentile rank. This rank indicates how you measure up against other test takers taking this GRE subject exam. For instance, if you get an 81 percent for your percentile rank, 81 percent of the other test takers got a lower score than you did.
Average Scores
According to GREGuide.com, the average GRE math subject test taker scores between a 440 and 810. There is no specific “good” score defined by the ETS. Check with the graduate school you are applying to for their minimum GRE score requirements or the average admitted student’s GRE score. If your current score isn't high enough for your chosen college, you can always take this subject exam again in hopes of raising your score.
