No, there is no official passing score for GRE. The GRE (Graduate Record Examination) is not a pass/fail test. Instead, it reports scaled scores that graduate programs use to compare applicants. ETS—the organization that administers the exam—does not define a minimum threshold to “pass.” Thus, there is no universal passing score for GRE.
Your GRE score ranges from 260 to 340 (combined Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning), with Analytical Writing scored separately from 0 to 6. What matters is how your score aligns with your target programs’ expectations—not whether you “passed.”
Some universities set internal minimums—such as 300 or 150 per section—but these are institutional guidelines, not ETS requirements. Falling below them may reduce your chances, but it does not constitute failing the exam.
How Programs Use GRE Scores
While there’s no passing score for GRE, competitive programs often publish average scores of admitted students. For example, a master’s program might report an average GRE of 315. Scoring significantly below that could weaken your application—but again, it’s not a failure.
In the era of GRE-optional admissions, many schools no longer require the test at all. In those cases, the concept of a passing score for GRE becomes irrelevant.
If you’re applying to programs that still require the GRE, research their typical admitted score ranges. Aim to meet or exceed them—not an arbitrary pass mark.
Your goal is not to clear a threshold set by ETS, but to present a competitive profile.
Focus on relevance, not pass/fail logic—because the GRE doesn’t work that way.