GRE Exam Score Scaling and Calculation

The GRE (Graduate Record Examination) is a standardized test used for admission to graduate programs in various fields. The exam consists of three sections: Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing. Each section is scored separately, and these scores are then scaled and combined to calculate the final GRE score. Here is a detailed explanation of how the GRE exam scores are scaled and calculated:

1. Verbal Reasoning Section:
- The Verbal Reasoning section of the GRE consists of two sections, each containing 20 questions.
- The raw score for each section is calculated based on the number of correct answers, with no penalty for incorrect or unanswered questions.
- The raw score is then converted to a scaled score using a complex algorithm that takes into account the difficulty level of the questions in that particular section.

2. Quantitative Reasoning Section:
- Similar to the Verbal Reasoning section, the Quantitative Reasoning section also contains two sections, each with 20 questions.
- The raw score for each section is determined based on the number of correct answers, without any penalty for incorrect or unanswered questions.
- The raw score is then transformed into a scaled score using a similar algorithm that takes into account the difficulty level of the questions in that section.

3. Analytical Writing Section:
- The Analytical Writing section of the GRE consists of two essays - an Issue task and an Argument task.
- Each essay is scored on a scale of 0 to 6, with half-point increments.
- Two different evaluators score each essay independently, and if the scores differ by more than one point, a third evaluator is involved to determine the final score.

4. Score Calculation:
- After obtaining the scaled scores for the Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections, they are combined to calculate the overall GRE score.
- The Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning scores are each on a scale of 130 to 170.
- The final GRE score is reported on a scale of 260 to 340, in one-point increments.
- The Analytical Writing score is reported separately on a scale of 0 to 6, in half-point increments.

It is important to note that the scaling and calculation processes for the GRE exam scores are conducted by the Educational Testing Service (ETS), the organization responsible for administering the GRE. These scores are then reported to the test takers and the institutions they have designated to receive their scores.

In conclusion, the GRE exam scores are scaled and calculated through a rigorous process that considers the difficulty level of the questions and the performance of the test takers. The Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections are scored separately and then combined to calculate the overall GRE score, while the Analytical Writing section is scored independently.