There is no official passing GRE score. Unlike licensing exams, the GRE is not a pass/fail test. Instead, it is a standardized assessment used by graduate programs to compare applicants. The concept of a passing GRE score is misleading—what matters is whether your score meets or exceeds the expectations of the programs to which you’re applying.
Understanding the GRE Scoring Scale
The GRE General Test reports three scores:
- Verbal Reasoning: 130–170 (in 1-point increments)
- Quantitative Reasoning: 130–170 (in 1-point increments)
- Analytical Writing: 0–6 (in half-point increments)
These scores are relative. A “good” score depends on your field, school, and competitiveness. For example:
- A 155 Verbal might be strong for an engineering program but below average for a literature PhD.
- A 168 Quant may be expected for a data science program but average for physics.
What Programs Look For
Top-tier programs often expect scores in the 80th to 99th percentiles, which typically translates to:
- Verbal: 160+
- Quantitative: 165+
- Analytical Writing: 4.5+
Mid-tier or less competitive programs may accept scores in the 50th to 70th percentiles:
- Verbal: 150–157
- Quantitative: 155–162
- Analytical Writing: 3.5–4.5
Some programs have no minimum score at all. Others state “preferred” or “recommended” ranges. A few, especially in humanities, place more emphasis on writing samples and letters than GRE scores.
No Universal Passing GRE Score
Because the GRE is not pass/fail, there is no such thing as a passing GRE score. Even a score of 140 in Verbal or 145 in Quant is an official result—it just may not be competitive for most programs.
Your goal should not be to “pass,” but to achieve a score that makes your application stand out in your chosen field. Use program websites, admitted student profiles, or GRE score reports to determine realistic targets.
There is no passing GRE score—only competitive ones. Focus on aligning your scores with the expectations of your target schools, not on meeting an arbitrary minimum. Your GRE score is a tool,not a gatekeeper. Use it strategically to strengthen your candidacy.