What GRE Score Do You Need to Get Into College?
The GRE score you need depends on the university and program you want to apply to: it can range from 300 to 340 points, depending on how competitive your goal is.
When you think about your future, you probably imagine yourself studying at a prestigious institution in a vibrant city and being part of a program that brings you closer to your personal and professional goals. However, to turn that vision into reality, you must overcome the challenge of the GRE: a key exam that many international universities use to assess your ability to handle a demanding graduate program.
As a result, here you’ll learn about the scores required by the world’s top universities, identify the most common mistakes you should avoid, and learn a structured, focused method that will enable you to reach the required level. If your goal is to attend highly competitive universities, prepare with our GRE prep course. As a European GRE and GMAT preparation specialist with offices in Madrid, Barcelona, Milano, and Zürich, EPIC Prep has helped students across Europe in Spain, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, and beyond prepare for the GRE since 2010.
Table of Contents
What is a Good GRE Score?
There is no single GRE score that is considered “good”; it depends on the university and program you are applying to. There is no single score that is considered a “pass” or “sufficient.” Each university—and even each program within the same university—may have its own expectations.
To give you an idea, the GRE is scored like this:
- Verbal Reasoning: 130 to 170 points
- Quantitative Reasoning: 130 to 170 points
- Analytical Writing: 0 to 6 points
The total score (the sum of Verbal and Quantitative) ranges from 260 to 340. But the important thing is to know what score you need to aim for based on the universities you’re interested in.
If you’d like to learn more about how these results are calculated and reported, our comprehensive guide to GRE scores explains the ScoreSelect™ process and score delivery times. Mastering each section individually is also key: in our guide on Master the Verbal and Quantitative sections of the GRE We explain specific strategies for each section.
What Scores do Top Universities Require?
Universities such as Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and Columbia seek candidates with GRE scores well above average, along with an exceptional academic record. Not because it’s impossible, but because these institutions want students who are not just good, but exceptional in how they think, reason, and write.
These are the recommended ranges:
| University | Verbal | Quant | Estimated Total | Writing |
| Harvard | 160+ | 165+ | 325+ | 4.5+ |
| MIT | 158+ | 167+ | 325+ | 4.0+ |
| Stanford | 160+ | 165+ | 325+ | 4.5 |
| Berkeley | 155+ | 160+ | 315–320 | 4.0 |
| Columbia | 158+ | 160+ | 318–322 | 4.0 |
| NYU | 153+ | 155+ | 308–312 | 3.5+ |
| Boston University | 150+ | 155+ | 305+ | 3.5 |
| University of Toronto | 155+ | 160+ | 315–320 | 4.0 |
Call us and find out why our students have been achieving their goals since 2010.
What GRE Scores Do European Universities Require?
In Europe, the combined GRE score required by the most sought-after universities ranges from 310 to 330 points, depending on the program’s selectivity. The most competitive ones—such as Bocconi, ETH Zurich, Imperial College London, and the University of Mannheim—seek candidates with a GRE score of 320 or higher.
| University | Verbal | Quant | Estimated total | Writing | Country |
| Imperial College London | 156+ | 158+ | 320–325 | 5.0 | United Kingdom |
| London School of Economics (LSE) | 161+ | 163+ | 324+ | 4.5 | United Kingdom |
| University College London (UCL) | 154+ | 155+ | 310–320 | 4.0 | United Kingdom |
| London Business School (LBS) | 160+ | 160+ | 320+ | 4.0 | United Kingdom |
| Bocconi | 165 | 165 | 330 | N/A | Italy |
| IESE (median score) | 156 | 161 | 317 | N/A | Spain |
| IE Business School | 160+ | 160+ | 320+ | N/A | Spain |
| INSEAD | 160+ | 160+ | 320+ | N/A | Spain |
| ESADE | 160+ | 160+ | 320+ | N/A | Spain |
| HEC Paris | 160+ | 160+ | 320+ | N/A | France |
| Technical University of Munich (TUM) | N/A | 157+ | 310–320 | 3.5 | Germany |
| University of Mannheim | 159+ | 163+ | 320–325 | N/A | Germany |
| ETH Zurich | N/A | 160+ | 320–330 | 4.0 | Switzerland |
| KTH Royal Institute of Technology | 150+ | 150+ | 300–310 | 3.0 | Sweden |
| Delft University of Technology | N/A | N/A | 307+ | N/A | Netherlands |
| Leiden University | N/A | N/A | 306+ | N/A | Netherlands |
| Maastricht University | 144+ | 144+ | 288–300 | 3.0 | Netherlands |
Important notes:
- Variability by program: The required scores can vary significantly depending on the program of study. For example, programs in engineering or the exact sciences typically require higher scores on the quantitative section, while programs in the humanities may place greater emphasis on the verbal section.
- Other admission criteria: InIn addition to the GRE, prestigious universities consider other factors such as academic records, letters of recommendation, professional experience, and personal motivation.
- Review of specific requirements: ItIt is essential to check the specific requirements for each program on the universities’ official websites, as some may have additional or different criteria.
- Point difference: A difference of just a few points on your GRE score can mean the difference between being placed on the waitlist and receiving an acceptance letter.
These GRE scores by university are not official requirements, but they are realistic benchmarks based on admitted students. In other words, if you’re applying to one of these universities, these are the scores you could use as a reference to set as your goal.
What Mistakes Should You Avoid When Preparing for the GRE?
As we explained in our guide on the most common mistakes when preparing for the GRE, these mistakes have nothing to do with the student’s ability, but rather with the study method they use.
- Believing that your English proficiency is sufficient: Even if you have a good command of English, the GRE uses specific academic vocabulary and critical thinking structures that require practice.
- Studying without professional guidance: Watching random videos on YouTube or using generic books doesn’t guarantee progress. What’s important is having a structured plan tailored to you.
- Don’t just practice with mock tests: Knowing the theory isn’t enough. You need to practice with exams that simulate the pressure and time constraints of the actual GRE.
- Leaving everything to the last minute: It takes months to achieve a competitive score. The sooner you start, the better prepared you’ll be and the less stress you’ll have.
How Can You Achieve the GRE Score You Need?
The goal is to work within a structured system—initial assessment, realistic simulations, and weekly follow-ups—not to study more hours. Preparing for the GRE requires a strategic approach, and that means using a professional system.
Here’s how an approach that really delivers results—like the one from EPIC Exam Prep—works:
- Personalized Initial Assessment: The first step is to figure out where you stand. Identifying your strengths and weaknesses is key.
- Practice Tests from the Start: Don’t wait until the end to take the actual exam. Practicing with real exams during your preparation helps you get ready emotionally and mentally.
- Strategic and dynamic classes: Beyond the content itself, it is vital to learn how to approach each type of question using logic, efficiency, and time management.
- Consistent tracking: Knowing how you’re progressing week by week allows you to adjust your plan and avoid hitting a plateau.
Can You Take the GRE Again?
Yes: You can retake the GRE once every 21 days, up to a maximum of five times within a continuous 12-month period (365 days), even if you canceled the score from a previous attempt. The key is to use your first attempt as a learning experience and then make adjustments:
- Analyze Your Mistakes
- Work on time management
- Adjust your strategy
- Take the exam again with more confidence
Plus, with the ScoreSelect™ system, you only submit the score from the test you’re most satisfied with to each college. There’s no penalty for taking the test more than once. Before setting your next test date, check out our guide on How to Register for the GRE to find out about deadlines and available test centers.
Why do Universities Place So Much Value on the GRE?
The GRE is so important to universities because it doesn’t just assess knowledge: it measures your ability to think under pressure, your logical reasoning, and your argumentative writing.
In addition, it evaluates:
- Your Time Management
- Your perseverance and preparation
All of that speaks to who you are as a student. Above all, it shows commitment. Preparing thoroughly, taking your GRE score into account, is a clear sign to any university that you’re willing to give it your all right from the start.
Conclusion: The GRE can be Your Springboard
The GRE isn’t just a test. It’s an opportunity. It’s the step that separates your present from an international future. And it’s up to you to prepare with the right approach.
If you want to achieve your dreams, start now. Don’t wing it. Don’t leave it to chance. Work with a plan, with people who have already helped hundreds of students, and with a structure that supports you all the way through to test day.
Remember: you’re not alone. What seems difficult today will be part of your story tomorrow. You just need the right tools, and at EPIC Prep, we provide them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the highest score you can get on the GRE?
The maximum GRE score is 340 points: 170 in Verbal Reasoning plus 170 in Quantitative Reasoning. The Analytical Writing section is scored separately, on a scale of 0 to 6, and is not added to the total. The minimum possible score is 260.
What GRE score is required to get into a competitive European university?
It depends on the program, but highly competitive universities such as Bocconi generally require a combined score of between 315 and 320, with at least 160 on the Quantitative section. Others, such as the London School of Economics, require combined scores of 324 or higher.
How long does it take to prepare for the GRE?
A student starting from scratch typically needs between 10 and 15 weeks of structured preparation. If you have an upcoming exam date, it is possible to prepare for the GRE through an intensive 5- to 7-week program, and those who already have an advanced level can improve their score in 3 to 5 weeks.
Can you retake the GRE exam if you don’t get the required score?
Yes, you can retake the GRE up to five times within a continuous 12-month period, with a minimum of 21 days between each attempt. Thanks to the ScoreSelect™ system, you only send the score from the test date of your choice to colleges and universities, so a low score on one attempt won’t affect your application.
Can you take the GRE at home?
Yes. The GRE General Test can be taken at an ETS-authorized test center or via the “at home” option, which is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The at-home version has the same content, format, and security measures as the in-person version.
We hope this article has answered your questions. If you have any questions about your preparation, please contact us and we will be happy to explain how EPIC Prep can help you achieve your goals.
