Do you really understand how the GRE is scored? Most test takers don’t. And if you don’t understand the scoring system, there’s a strong chance you’re leaving points on the table.

In this video, Erika Tyler-John, expert GRE instructor with a 339 score, 10+ years of teaching experience, and 4M+ YouTube views, breaks down exactly how GRE scoring works—and how to use that knowledge to your advantage. You’ll learn how the section-adaptive algorithm shapes your score, how raw scores translate to scaled scores, what score bands really mean, and what percentiles actually say about your performance.

We explain how your first section determines the difficulty of your second section, why landing in an easier second section can cap your score potential, and how overlapping score bands function behind the scenes. You’ll also see why every question is worth the same number of points, why strategic guessing matters, and how different question formats affect your odds.

Finally, we break down how Analytical Writing is scored by both a human rater and an e-rater—and what score you should realistically aim for.

What You’ll Learn:

• How GRE Quant and Verbal scoring actually works
• How the section-adaptive algorithm determines your score band
• Why raw score matters more than question difficulty
• Smart guessing and time-management strategies
• How percentiles shift across score ranges
• How Analytical Writing is evaluated

If you want to understand the GRE algorithm in 2026 and approach test day strategically—not blindly—this video is essential.




Whether you’re starting from scratch with your GRE or you’ve been preparing for the GRE for a while, Target Test Prep has a personalized study plan that can help you reach your goal. Sign up for a FREE full-access trial for our 5-star-rated GRE prep course!

Warmest regards,

Scott Woodbury-Stewart
Founder & CEO, Target Test Prep