What is a good GRE score out of 340 for MS admissions in the USA?
A GRE total of 315 to 325 out of 340 is a good, competitive score for MS admissions in the USA. Top-10 programmes like MIT and Stanford expect 325 plus with near-perfect 167-170 Quant, top-50 schools accept 312-324, and scores of 300-311 suit universities ranked 51-100.
A combined GRE score of 315 to 325 out of 340 puts you in genuinely competitive territory for MS admissions in the USA, but what counts as good shifts with your target university tier and your field. Admissions committees read your sectional split just as closely as your total, so aim strategically rather than chasing 340.
GRE Score Tiers for US MS Admissions
| University Tier | Target GRE Range | Example Universities |
|---|---|---|
| Elite (Top 10) | 325 to 340 | MIT, Stanford, Carnegie Mellon, UC Berkeley; STEM needs near-perfect 167-170 Quant |
| Competitive (Top 11-50) | 312 to 324 | Purdue, Georgia Tech, USC, Arizona State, Northeastern |
| Good average (Top 51-100) | 300 to 311 | Mid-tier state universities; focus on meeting departmental minimums |
Sectional Targets by Field of Study
| Field | Quant (130-170) | Verbal (130-170) | AWA (0-6) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engineering / CS (STEM) | 165 plus (crucial) | 150 plus | 3.5 plus |
| Life Sciences / Chemistry | 158 to 164 | 155 plus | 4.0 plus |
| Humanities / Social Sciences | 150 to 155 | 160 plus (crucial) | 4.5 plus |
| Business Analytics / MIS | 162 plus | 153 plus | 4.0 plus |
My Advice
Set your target by tier and field before your first mock: for engineering, everything rides on pushing Quant to 165 plus, while Verbal at 150 buys you leniency. Pair the score with a GPA near 3.5 out of 4.0, a sharp Statement of Purpose and strong recommendations, and remember a high GRE can partially buffer a weaker GPA at many programs.
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