A 320 GRE is the de-facto competitive threshold for most US masters programs outside the top 10. This is the plan we recommend for a working professional studying ~15 hours per week. For score thresholds by program, see what counts as a good GRE score; for the broader test format, see the complete GRE guide.
Week 1: Honest baseline + study calendar
Take a full timed mock in Week 1 — no exceptions. The baseline determines whether 320 in 8 weeks is realistic. From a 305+ baseline it is achievable; from below 295 you should plan for 12 weeks instead.
Weeks 2–4: Concept review by error category
Use the diagnostic error log to build a concept review queue. Most 305-baseline test-takers lose roughly 40% of their points to repeating concept errors that can be closed with 6–8 hours per topic.
Weeks 5–6: Quant timing + Verbal vocabulary push
Drill 600 high-frequency words using spaced repetition (our Top 1000 list ordered by frequency). Run timed Quant sets daily.
Weeks 7–8: Full mocks and taper
One full mock per week, deep review the same day, and a taper in the final week — no new content, only review of the error log. This protects the score from test-week fatigue.
Frequently asked questions
Is 320 a good GRE score for top schools?
For top-10 US programs in CS, business analytics, or engineering, 320 is at or below the median. For everywhere else, 320 is competitive.
Can I work full-time and study for the GRE?
Yes. 15 hours per week (≈2 hours daily + a 4-hour weekend mock) is the most common pattern for working professionals scoring 320+.
Should I retake the GRE if I get 318?
Generally no, unless your target programs publish a median above 320 and your application is otherwise borderline.