MIT was an early mover on GRE-optional policies and many of its MS programs no longer accept the GRE at all. The targets below apply only to MIT MS programs that still accept it. For the broader good-score conversation see what is a good GRE score.
GRE policy by department (2026)
EECS: GRE not accepted. Mechanical Engineering: optional. Aero/Astro: optional. Civil/Environmental: optional. Sloan MBA: GRE accepted (and increasingly common). Operations Research Center: GRE optional. Always confirm on the official admissions page.
Score targets where GRE is accepted
Admitted students cluster at Quant 168+ across engineering departments. Verbal targets are softer (158+ is competitive). For Sloan MBA, see the published class profile.
Should you submit if optional?
Submit if your Quant is 167+. Below 165, the score is more likely to hurt than help. The "optional" framing is honest — MIT really does evaluate without it.
Frequently asked questions
Does MIT EECS still accept the GRE?
No — MIT EECS stopped accepting GRE scores in 2020.
What GRE score do I need for MIT?
Where accepted, Quant 168+ is the typical admit threshold. Verbal 158+ is competitive.
Should I take the GRE for MIT MS programs?
Only if your target program still accepts it (most engineering programs do not). Confirm before investing prep time.