Rules for GRE are clear. The Educational Testing Service (ETS) does not publish a single global list of minimum scores for every university to follow. It changes for every university.
You must visit official website of your target college to find the specific GRE cut off required for admission to their program. Aim for a high score. Scoring significantly higher than the published GRE exam cut off will greatly improve your chances of getting accepted into a top school. It gives you an advantage.
Not only helpful for admission but also for financial a,id. A high score might also make you eligible for valuable scholarships to study abroad. Based on your academic records and your test performance you can get financial aid.
Competition is high. Since there is no standard GRE cut off for everyone, you need to research each school individually to be safe. Be very careful. Start your prep. This test is widely recognized, so meeting the right GRE exam cut off is the first step toward your dream degree abroad. Work hard today.
- What is GRE Cutoff?
- GRE Cutoff for the Top Universities in the World
- What is a Good GRE Score?
What is GRE Cutoff?
Candidates planning to pursue MS Studies and MBA abroad would require GRE scores as part of their admission process. As mentioned earlier, the ETS (Educational Testing Service) has not laid down any fixed cut-off for the GRE. Each year, over half a million candidates from 160 countries appear for the GRE General Test across 1,000 test centres.
Over 1,200 business schools around the world accept GRE scores for graduate programmes. The exam has been developed to evaluate the verbal, analytical and mathematical skills of the candidates appearing for the GRE test. GRE is available in a computer-based format at a test centre or at home via the GRE at Home format and has a user-friendly design. Individuals applying to graduate schools in order to pursue a Master of Science (MS) or MBA are required to take the GRE exam.
GRE Total Marks
| GRE Sections | Minimum GRE Scores | Maximum GRE Scores |
|---|---|---|
| Analytical Writing | 0 | 6 |
| Verbal Reasoning | 130 | 170 |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 130 | 170 |
| GRE total marks | 260 | 340 |
*Analytical Writing is not part of your total GRE score.
Commonly asked questions
Any score above 320 in GRE 2026 is considered good for admission. Almost all top universities worldwide can accept this score. Securing admission also depends on several other factors. Universities look for multiple factors in a student's profile.
The ETS does not release the GRE cut-off after every exam. The GRE score required for admission varies depending on the university and programme you're applying to. It is natural that the top universities in the world tend to have higher GRE exam score requirements than less competitive programs. So, check the university's website for this.
There is no official eligibility for GRE Exam. Students of any age with any educational background can appear for exam. GRE 2026 is an assessment test for admission to graduate courses.
GRE Cutoff for the Top Universities in the World
In this section, we are going to be providing GRE cut-off scores for top universities in the world. Given below is a range of GRE cut-off scores for top universities. Candidates looking to take admission to the universities mentioned below can use the GRE cut off scores as a benchmark. For more information on modest GRE scores, candidates are advised to visit the official website to learn about score requirements.
| GRE Exam Eligibility Universities |
GRE Eligible Verbal Scores |
GRE Eligible Quantitative Scores |
GRE Eligible Writing Scores |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) |
158 |
159 |
5.3 |
| Stanford University |
159 |
158 |
4.8 |
| University of California, Berkeley |
153 156 |
167 |
4.5 |
| The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) |
155 |
167 |
5.0 |
| University of Virginia |
163 |
166 |
4.5 |
| University of Michigan Ann Arbor |
160 |
167 |
5.0 |
| University of North Carolina Chapel Hill |
158 |
160 |
4.5 |
| Georgia Institute of Technology |
158 |
167 |
4.3 |
| University of California San Diego |
162 |
160 |
5.5 |
| University of Illinois Urbana/Champaign |
155 |
165 |
4.0 |
| University of Wisconsin Madison |
163 |
163 |
4.5 |
| University of Washington |
156 |
167 |
4.0 |
| Pennsylvania State University |
150 |
165 |
3.0 |
| University of Florida (UFL) |
154 |
165 |
3.0 |
| The University of Texas, Austin |
155 |
165 |
4.0 |
| Ohio State University |
156 |
165 |
4.0 |
| California Institute of Technology |
160 |
157 |
5.0 |
| Duke University |
160 |
160 |
4.5 |
| The University of Chicago |
158 |
167 |
4.0 |
| Northwestern University |
160 |
160 |
5.0 |
| Washington University in St. Louis |
161 |
160 |
5.0 |
| Johns Hopkins University |
163 |
164 |
4.8 |
| Rice University |
160 |
167 |
5.0 |
| Emory University |
153 |
163 |
4.0-6.0 |
| University of Notre Dame |
165 |
165 |
5.3 |
| Vanderbilt University |
157 |
166 |
4.8 |
| College of William and Mary |
158 |
160 |
4.5 |
| Johns Hopkins University |
159 | 162 | 4.2 |
Average GRE Score for Universities
As informed, the average GRE score is highly dependent on your university/programme admission guidelines. However, to give candidates an understanding of what their average GRE score might look like candidates can take a look at the table below
| GRE Section |
Average GRE Score |
|---|---|
| GRE Verbal Reasoning Section |
149.97 |
| GRE Quantitative Reasoning Section |
152.57 |
| GRE Analytical Writing Section |
3.48 |
Commonly asked questions
Harvard University does not have a fixed minimum GRE score requirement for every course it offers. Some of its popular programs, have set minimum required GRE scores. STEM programs like Engineering and Computer Science are some demanding courses at Harvard.
There is not a fixed cut for Graduate Record Examination to study abroad. Some top universities release course-wise GRE cut-offs for admission. Other than this, not every university in the USA or the world announces a minimum required score for the GRE exam.
If you get low GRE score focus on other factors. Good academic score and LOR are some of those factors which universities look for. Also, you can apply for courses where GRE is optional.
What is a Good GRE Score?
A good GRE score depends on your target university. Check the GRE cut off on university’s department website and aim higher to make your application eligible. Reference tables can give a general idea of good scores, but they may not reflect specific college requirements.
Best GRE Score Range 2026
| GRE Score Range Category | GRE Verbal Section | GRE Quantitative Section | GRE Analytical Writing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Best GRE Score Range 2026 | 163 to 170 | 165 to 170 | 5.0 to 6.0 |
| Competitive GRE Score Range 2026 | 158 to 162 | 159 to 164 | 4.5 |
| Good GRE Score Range 2026 | 152 to 158 | 153 to 158 | 4.0 |
Candidates can check out GRE Cut Off scores for universities by Country. Candidates are advised to visit official website or get in touch with our Study Abroad Counsellors.
Commonly asked questions
Yes, 320 is a very strong score for Germany. Most German universities look for a score around 300 to 310. If you have 320, you are well above average. It will help you get into top schools like TU Munich or RWTH Aachen. Focus more on the Quant score for engineering courses.
GRE does not announce cut off score or passing marks. Universities across the world release minimum GRE score required for admission in their programs. Getting a high score increase the chances of getting admission in your required score. You can the university wise GRE passing score on the official website of university.
No, there is no universal GRE cutoff. Each university releases its own GRE score requirements based on courses and admission eligibility. Always refer to the official website of your desired university to know the exact required GRE score for getting admission in the desired course.
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Hello Reshmi. If you are looking for assistance with university admissions, do reach out to our team of Shiksha Study Abroad Counsellors: https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/apply You can know all about the University of Houston, here: https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/usa/universities/university-of-hous
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Hello Akshat. Yes, GRE dates for September to December have been updated on our GRE exam dates page: https://studyabroad.shiksha.com/exams/gre/important-dates Please feel free to go ahead with your GRE slot booking.