Assessing your test scores – do you need to take them again?
When it comes to applying for a master’s in the U.S. or Canada, taking your entrance exam is one of the most important items to cross off your study abroad checklist. High test scores can help you gain admittance to the top postgraduate programs in the U.S. – but exactly how high do your scores need to be?
Read on to learn what test you need to take for your dream program of study, scores you should aim for and when you should consider retaking your test.
Why are test scores important when pursuing a master’s in the U.S.?
Entrance tests assess a student’s readiness for the rigors of graduate study. They provide a standardized way to compare the capabilities of students from different educational backgrounds.
Entrance tests are an especially great resource for international students. They can help international students prove their academic proficiency to admissions committees that may not be familiar with their home countries’ educational institutions.
What if my target master’s program in the U.S. is “test optional”?
Even if your graduate program doesn’t require an entrance exam, entrance tests can still strengthen your application and help you stand out in a competitive applicant pool.
Strong test scores can help you:
- Compensate for an unexceptional undergraduate GPA.
- Unlock international student resources such as assistantships, fellowships and merit-based scholarships.
- Demonstrate your commitment to postgraduate study.
What test score do I need for my master’s in the U.S.?
More competitive programs require higher test scores. To ensure your test scores are high enough for your target universities, check whether they are at or above the average score of their most recent incoming class.
At minimum, you’ll want to score above the average for all test takers; for a stronger application, you’ll want to score above the 75th percentile, meaning you outperform 75% of test takers.
Here’s an overview of the various graduate program entrance tests, score ranges you should aim for and MPOWER-eligible schools with top programs in each field:
Medical School (MCAT)
The Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) evaluates your capabilities in four sections:
- Biological and biochemical foundations of living systems
- Chemical and physical foundations of biological systems
- Psychological, social and biological foundations of behavior
- Critical analysis and reasoning skills (CARS)
MCAT score range: 472 to 528 points
Overall average MCAT score: 500 points
75th percentile MCATscore:508+ points
Average MCAT scores at top MPOWER-eligible medical programs:*
- University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Heersink School of Medicine: 509 points
- University of Southern California (USC) Keck School of Medicine: 517 points
- Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine: 520 points
Dental School (DAT)
The Dental Admission Test (DAT) consists of four sections:
- Survey of the natural sciences
- Quantitative reasoning
- Reading comprehension
- Perceptual ability test (PAT)
The DAT used to be scored on a scale of 1 to 30, but as of March 2025, the DAT is scored on a scale of 200 to 600 points in 10-point increments.
Overall average DAT score: 410 points
70th-80th percentile DAT score: 430 to 440 points
Average DAT scores at top MPOWER-eligible dental programs:*
- Rutgers University School of Dental Medicine: 22 points (460 points)
- University of Illinois at Chicago College of Dentistry: 20 points (420 points)
- Harvard University School of Dental Medicine: 24.9 points (510 points)
Law School (LSAT)
The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) tests an applicant’s reading comprehension, logical reasoning and argumentative writing in a multiple-choice section and a written essay.
LSAT score range: 120 to 180 points
Overall average LSAT score: 154 points
75th percentile LSAT score: 161 points
Average LSAT scores at top MPOWER-eligible law programs:*
- George Washington University Law School: 168 points
- Boston University School of Law: 170 points
- Columbia University Law School: 173 points
Business School (GMAT)
The Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) assesses students’ readiness for advanced study in business by testing their quantitative, verbal and data analysis skills.
GMAT score range: 205 to 805 points
Overall average GMAT score: 555 points
75th percentile GMAT score: 645 points
Average GMAT scores at top MPOWER-eligible business schools:*
- Indiana University at Bloomington (IU) Kelley School of Business: 683 points
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Sloan School of Management: 730 points
- New York University (NYU) Stern School of Business: 733 points
Other graduate and doctoral programs (GRE)
A wide variety of master’s and Ph.D. programs, in fields from education to engineering, take the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) as part of the admissions process.
A good GRE score (75th percentile) for each section is:
- Verbal reasoning: 158+ points (out of 170)
- Quantitative reasoning: 165+ points (out of 170)
- Analytical writing: 4.5+ points (out of six)
Your GRE score may be evaluated differently based on your field of study. For instance, STEM programs such as the University of Maryland, College Park M.S. in computer science, typically focus more closely on students’ quantitative score than verbal score.*
English proficiency exams (TOEFL or IELTS)
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and International English Language Testing System (IELTS) test your English proficiency in four sections:
- Reading
- Writing
- Listening
- Speaker
The TOEFL scores each section on a zero to 30 point scale, for an overall score of zero to 120 points. The IELTS is scored on a zero to nine point scale. Most master’s in the U.S. require an IELTS score between 6.0 and 7.5 and a TOEFL score of 80-100+ points. Be sure to check the requirements for your target programs.
*Schools mentioned in this post do not endorse MPOWER’s loans and MPOWER is not affiliated with the schools noted here.
When should you retake your test?
If your scores fall below the average at your dream master’s program in the U.S., you may want to retake your exam. These tests, however, can be taxing and expensive. When should you retake the exam, and when should you redirect your energy toward other items on your study abroad checklist?
Before reregistering, ask yourself the following questions:
- Did you fail to prepare as best as you could? Do you know that, with a more concerted effort, you could improve your score?
- Is your test score significantly lower than your practice test scores? Have you been routinely capable of achieving higher scores in the past?
- Did an external factor impact your performance? Were you ill or distracted by a personal difficulty on exam day?
- Can you identify a specific area of improvement? Did you score much lower in one section of the test than in others, or do you need to work on your time management?
If you answered yes to one or more of these questions, you may be able to significantly improve your test scores by retaking the exam.
Final thoughts: Assessing your test scores for a master’s in the U.S.
Retaking entrance tests takes time, energy and money – but an improved score can turn your dream master’s in the U.S. at an MPOWER-eligible school into a reality.
For more advice on entrance exams, immigration, international student funding and more, check out MPOWER Financing’s blog. MPOWER offers informative blog posts to empower you at every step of the application process.
