GRE score for MS in Computer Science | A handy guide!

GRE score for MS in Computer Science | Why pursue CS?

For postgraduate students, computer science programs have become one of the most lucrative and popular courses all over the world. The competition for getting into a good university offering MS in computer science has increased significantly over the last few years. For the same reason, scoring well on the GRE has become increasingly important if you want to pursue MS in computer science.

As a potential candidate, you can certainly ask, ‘what is a good GRE score’ for getting admission to MS in computer science. According to official statistics provided by the ETS, the average GRE score for MS in Computer Science remains between 320 to 330.

Is a GRE score necessary for MS in computer science?

If you want to pursue MS in computer science from top universities in the world, it is mandatory to opt for the GRE and score well on the test. Apart from the Michigan Institute of Technology, all the other top-ranking institutes that offer MS in computer science ask for GRE scores.

Similar to GPA, GRE scores are regarded as indicators of your academic accomplishments. Moreover, with the help of the GRE scores, universities and colleges get an idea about your abilities. Therefore, not having a GRE score for MS in Computer Science can limit your chances of getting into top colleges or universities.

Components of the GRE exam

There are a total of three sections in the GRE (verbal, analytical, and quantitative), and you need to score certain marks in the individual sections to increase your chances of getting into a good university.

1. Quantitative reasoning

It is the most important section of the GRE, and a lot of universities put emphasis on the quantitative reasoning score before enrolling in their computer science course. On average, you need to score at least 165 in this section in order to qualify for the best universities, and the perfect score on this paper is 170.

2. Verbal reasoning

Although the verbal reasoning section is not as important as the quantitative reasoning section, it can set you apart from the other candidates. To be on the safer side, you should try to score at least 155 on this paper because the average score is 150. Scoring better here will give you an edge over other applicants who want to pursue the computer science course at the same university.

3. Analytical writing

The full mark in the analytical section is only 6, and an average applicant who wants to pursue MS in computer science scores 3.5 on this paper. As a computer science applicant, you don’t need to put extra effort into this section but try to score at least 3.5 or more for better opportunities.

GRE score for MS in Computer Science at top US universities

Here is a list of top universities in the United States that offer MS in computer science with their minimum GRE score requirements-

University	GRE score requirement
University of Wisconsin, Madison	Verbal- 144 Quantitative- 160 Analytical- 3.5 Total GRE score- 317
University of Illinois, Chicago	Verbal- 152 Quantitative- 151 Minimum GRE total- 300
Georgia Institute of Technology	Verbal- 153 Quantitative- 155 Analytical- 3.0
University of Massachusetts, Amherst	Verbal- 158 Quantitative- 164 Analytical- 3.5
Johns Hopkins University	Verbal- 153 Quantitative- 156 Analytical – 3.0
Northwestern University	Verbal- 156 Quantitative- 169 Analytical – 3.5
University of Texas, Austin	Verbal- 159 Quantitative- 163 Total GRE score – 317
Ohio State University	Quantitative- 164
University of California, Los Angeles	Quantitative- 167
University of Pennsylvania	Verbal- 160 Quantitative- 168 Analytical – 4.2

What is an ideal GRE score for MS in Computer Science?

If you want to enroll in an average university for MS in computer science, you should have at least a score of 320 on the GRE. However, you also need to note that 330 is the ideal GRE score that will help you get into the best universities of your choice (but the catch is that you need to have a perfect score in the quantitative reasoning section).

To fulfill your dream of getting into the best university, you should primarily concentrate on the Quant section of the GRE along with other topics. Verbal reasoning is also a potential scoring section, therefore, you must prepare well for the same.

Key takeaways

• Getting a good GRE score is extremely important if you want to pursue MS in computer science from the top universities in the world.
• Quantitative reasoning is the most important section for computer science applicants, so try to score as much as possible in this paper.
• There are a total of three sections in a GRE exam, namely, quantitative reasoning, verbal reasoning, and analytical writing.
• You need to score more than 320 on the GRE exam if you want to ensure getting selected for your application to the best universities that offer MS in computer science.

We hope you enjoyed reading this blog. In case of any queries, or assistance with your GRE prep, reach out to us or drop a comment below!

Liked this blog? Read next: Your guide to UC Berkeley computer science masters

FAQ

Q1. Is 316 a good GRE score for MS in CS?

Answer- No, 316 is a moderate GRE score for MS in Computer Science. However, it is acceptable for a lot of universities and colleges. If you want to enroll in the best universities offering MS in computer science, you need to score more than 325 on the GRE.

Q2. Is a GRE score of 320+ easy?

Answer- Since the average GRE score ranges between 300 and 311, receiving more than 320 as your GRE score is no easy feat. Therefore, if you score more than 320 on the GRE, then it can help you take admission to better universities and courses. Additionally, a ‘good GRE score’ depends on your target university since it varies with the institution.

Q3. What is the lowest acceptable GRE score?

Answer- Although the average GRE score remains between 300 and 311, the lowest acceptable GRE score is considered to be 260. It is the minimum score you need to achieve if you want to enroll in a foreign university. It is true that the GRE score requirement changes depending on the university or college, but anything less than 260 is not acceptable by any university.