What GRE Score Do You Need To Get Into College?

In this guide to GRE scores by university, you’ll discover that when you think about your future, you probably envision 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 meet the challenge of the GRE: a key test that many international universities use to assess your ability to tackle a demanding graduate program. Therefore, here you will learn the scores required by the best universities in the world, identify the most common mistakes to avoid and learn a structured and focused method that will allow you to reach the required level.

What is a good GRE score?

To get a good GRE score by college, it is essential that it depends on your goal. There is no single score that is considered “passing” or “good enough”. Each college, and even each program within a college, 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 + Quantitative) ranges from 260 to 340. But the important thing is to know what score you need to aim for according to the universities you are interested in.

What do top universities require?

If your goal is institutions like Harvard, Stanford, MIT or Columbia, the bar is set high. Not because it’s impossible, but because these places want students who are not only 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 Univ.	150+	155+	305+	3.5
U. Toronto	155+	160+	315-320	4.0

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Estimated (or recommended) GRE scores for European universities

University	Verbal	Quant	Estimated total	Writing	Country
Imperial College London	156+	158+	320-325	5.0	United Kingdom
London School of Economics (LSE)	157+	161+	318-325	4.5	United Kingdom
University College London (UCL)	154+	155+	310-320	4.0	United Kingdom
Bocconi	165	165	330	N/A	Italy
IESE (median score)	156	161	317	N/A	Spain
ESADE	160+	160+	320+	N/A	Spain
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 exact sciences often require higher scores in the quantitative section, while programs in the humanities may focus more on the verbal section.
Other admissions criteria: In addition to the GRE, prestigious universities consider other factors such as academic record, letters of recommendation, professional experience and personal motivation.
Review of specific requirements: It is essential to check the specific requirements for each program on the official university pages, as some may have additional or different criteria.

These GRE scores by college are not official requirements, but realistic benchmarks based on admitted students. In other words, if you are applying to one of these colleges, these are the numbers you could target as a benchmark.

Every point counts: don’t underestimate the difference

You may think that taking out 314 or 320 doesn’t change much. But the difference can be huge. It can mean going from being waitlisted to receiving a letter of admission. And that, in terms of opportunities, can change your life.

Mistakes that can keep you away from your goal

During GRE preparation, many students make mistakes that have nothing to do with their ability, but rather their method. Here are a few that you should avoid from the beginning:

Believing that English is good enough: Even if you are proficient, the GRE uses specific academic vocabulary and critical thinking structures that must be trained.
Prepare without professional guidance: Watching single videos on YouTube or using generic books does not guarantee progress. The important thing is to have a structured plan, adapted to you.
Do not practice with real simulations: Knowing the theory is not enough. You must practice with tests that simulate the pressure and real time of the GRE.
Leave everything to the end: Achieving a competitive score takes months. The sooner you start, the more prepared you will be and the less stress you will have.

How to achieve the score you need?

It’s not about studying more. It’s about studying better. GRE preparation has to be strategic, and that means working with a professional system.

Here I share with you how an approach that really works, such as Epic Exam Prep, works:

Personalized initial diagnosis: The first step is to know where you stand. Identifying your strengths and weaknesses is key.
Simulations from the beginning: Don’t wait until the end to face the real exam. Practicing during your preparation with authentic exams prepares you emotionally and mentally.
Strategic and dynamic classes: Beyond the content, it is vital to learn how to face each type of question with logic, efficiency and time management.

Constant monitoring: Knowing how you are progressing week by week allows you to adjust your plan and avoid stagnation.

What if you don’t get it right the first time?

No problem. The GRE can be repeated. In fact, many people take it more than once. The key is to know how to use the first attempt as a learning curve, and then adjust:

Analyze your mistakes
Work on time management
Adjust your strategy
Repeat the test with more confidence

In addition, with the ScoreSelect™You only submit the score per college that you are most satisfied with. There is no penalty for trying more than once.

Why do universities value the GRE so highly?

You may be wondering why the GRE score by college matters so much on this test. If you already have good grades, shouldn’t that be enough? The answer is that the GRE doesn’t just measure knowledge. It assesses skills that colleges consider critical:

Your ability to think under pressure
Your logical reasoning
Your argumentative writing
Your time management
Your perseverance and preparation

All of that speaks to you as a student. And above all, it shows commitment. Preparing well with GRE scores per college in mind is a clear signal to any college that you are willing to give your best from the start.

Conclusion: the GRE can be your stepping stone.

The GRE is not just a test. It is 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 get where you dream, start now. Don’t improvise. Don’t leave it to chance. Work with a plan, with people who have already helped hundreds of students, and with a structure that will see you through to test day.

Remember: you are 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.

We hope this article has answered your questions. If you have any questions regarding your GRE preparation, give us a call and we will be happy to explain how EPIC PREP can help you achieve your goals. On the other hand, if you prefer to read on, we leave you a link to our GRE courses.

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