What Is a Good GRE Score for Top Universities?

If you’re aiming for a top university, you’ve probably asked yourself some version of this question: What is actually a good GRE score? The frustrating—but honest—answer is that there’s no single “magic number.” A strong GRE score depends heavily on where you’re applying and what type of program you’re targeting.

At Brujo Method, we help applicants move beyond generic score targets and build strategic GRE goals that make sense for their profile and their dream schools. Below, we break down what a “good” GRE score really looks like by region and program type.

First: How Top Universities Really Use the GRE

Before looking at numbers, it’s important to understand how admissions committees think about GRE scores:

• The GRE is one component of a holistic application (alongside GPA, work experience, essays, and recommendations).
• Schools rarely publish official minimum scores—but they do have internal benchmarks.
• A competitive score can strengthen your application, while a weaker score can often be offset by other strengths.

That said, for top-tier programs, your score usually needs to be at or above the program’s average range to be truly competitive.

What’s Considered a Strong GRE Score Overall?

As a general reference for highly competitive programs:

• Verbal Reasoning: 158–165+
• Quantitative Reasoning: 160–168+
• Analytical Writing: 4.0–5.0+

But these ranges shift depending on where and what you’re applying to.

GRE Scores by Region

1. United States

Top U.S. universities—especially Ivy League schools, M7 business schools, and elite STEM programs—tend to expect higher overall GRE scores, particularly in Quant.

Competitive ranges for top U.S. programs:

• Verbal: 160–165+
• Quant: 162–168+
• Writing: 4.0–5.0+

Quant scores matter a lot for:

• MBA and business-related programs
• Economics, data science, engineering, and analytics degrees

Verbal scores carry extra weight in:

• Public policy
• Law-adjacent programs
• Humanities and social sciences

2. Europe (UK & Continental Europe)

European programs generally take a more holistic and contextual approach to GRE scores. While strong scores help, schools are often more flexible—especially for candidates with solid academic backgrounds.

Competitive ranges for top European programs:

• Verbal: 158–163+
• Quant: 160–166+
• Writing: 4.0+

Key differences vs. the U.S.:

• Slightly lower score expectations overall
• More emphasis on academic transcripts and prior quantitative coursework
• GRE is often optional, but a strong score can significantly strengthen your application

3. Canada

Canadian top universities fall somewhere between the U.S. and Europe in terms of score expectations.

Competitive ranges:

• Verbal: 158–163+
• Quant: 160–166+
• Writing: 4.0+

Quant is especially important for:

• Business analytics
• Finance
• Engineering and technical master’s programs

4. Asia (Top Global Programs)

Leading programs in Asia—such as those in Singapore and Hong Kong—often place strong emphasis on Quant scores, particularly for business and technical degrees.

Competitive ranges:

• Verbal: 155–160+
• Quant: 165–168+
• Writing: 4.0+

For international applicants, a strong GRE can help demonstrate academic readiness in a highly competitive pool.

GRE Scores by Program Type

1. MBA and Business Master’s Programs

For top MBA and management-related programs:

• Quant: 162–168+ (often the most important section)
• Verbal: 158–165+
• Writing: 4.0–5.0+

Business schools want proof that you can handle:

• Data-driven coursework
• Statistics, finance, and economics

A strong Quant score can sometimes compensate for a lower GPA.

2. STEM Programs (Engineering, Data Science, Analytics)

STEM-focused programs care far more about Quant than Verbal.

• Quant: 165–170
• Verbal: 155–160+
• Writing: 3.5–4.5+

For these programs, a very high Quant score can make you competitive even if your Verbal score is more average.

3. Social Sciences & Humanities

These programs typically prioritize Verbal and Writing skills.

• Verbal: 160–165+
• Quant: 155–160+
• Writing: 4.5–5.5

Strong writing and verbal reasoning scores help signal your ability to succeed in reading- and research-heavy coursework.

Is a Lower GRE Score Still OK?

Yes—depending on your profile.

You may still be competitive with a slightly below-average GRE score if you have:

• A strong undergraduate GPA
• Relevant work or research experience
• Outstanding essays and recommendations
• A clear and compelling career narrative

This is where strategy matters more than raw numbers.

A Note for LATAM Applicants

If you’re applying from Latin America, your GRE score can play an especially important strategic role.

Many top universities in the U.S., Europe, and Canada are less familiar with the grading scales and academic rigor of LATAM universities. As a result, admissions committees often rely more heavily on standardized test scores to benchmark your academic readiness against applicants from other regions.

What this means in practice:

• A strong GRE score can significantly offset a lower or harder-to-interpret GPA.
• Quantitative scores are particularly important for LATAM applicants targeting MBA, finance, analytics, or STEM programs.
• For European programs where the GRE is optional, submitting a solid score can help you stand out in a competitive international pool.

For many LATAM candidates, aiming slightly above the published averages—especially in Quant—is a smart way to reduce risk and strengthen the overall application.

How Brujo Method Helps You Set the Right GRE Target

At Brujo Method, we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all score goals.

Enrolling in the Brujo Method’s GRE courses gives you access to targeted lessons and expert coaching, helping you focus on your weakest areas and develop an effective study plan.

If you’re unsure what score you should be aiming for, that’s exactly where we come in.