Best GMAT Verbal Books

Best GMAT Verbal Books - V2.0

Here are the couple of things you should take notice of before waging the war against GMAT Verbal.

1. Need to figure out your weaknesses? Take a GMATPrep test or one of the other many free GMAT tests available.
2. Looking for a verbal study plan? General GMAT study plan | Verbal GMAT study plan
3. Need to start with basics? (recommended for international applicants) - start with MGMAT Verbal Essentials
4. Need highest score and have time: MGMAT Guides
5. Need specific question practice? use gmat club tags
6. Need help with Grammar? Try Ultimate GMAT Grammar book by GMAT Club

GMAT Verbal Books Catalogue

Official GMAT Books

- By GMAC
These are the official GMAT books. These books are essential for Verbal practice. However do not expect to learn or study from this set. These books contain retired official questions and are considered the best practice materials for GMAT Verbal.


GMAT Official Guide - 2015 Ed

Strengths

1. Contains 907 Real GMAT Questions.
2. Best resource for Verbal (It is hard to replicate the GMAT esque style of questions so the OG is a great resource to develop the GMAT - ear)
3. Question bank - Online
4. Questions are scaffolded according to level of difficulty
5. Contains a Verbal Diagnostic test (Includes a Quant diagnostic as well)
6. It is easy to get questions based on particular topics (either from MGMAT or GMAT Club forum tags)

Weaknesses:

1. Not a suitable prep resource
2. Substantial overlap with other OGs (OG 13 has the same set of questions)
3. Online bank comprises the same questions
4. Fewer questions of high levels of difficulty

GMAT Verbal Review - 2015 Ed

Strengths:
1. 300 real GMAT questions
2. Online question bank.
3. Real GMAT questions retired from past tests
4. The practice questions are organized by level of difficulty
5. The practice questions follow actual GMAT test patterns - great to have one's ear trained.

Weaknesses:
1. The book does not contain any strategies
2. Online question bank comprises the same question pool
3. It does have a few short review sections but they are very weak
4. Mostly low and medium difficulty questions. Not very helpful to a person aiming to get above 700.

Critical Reasoning Books

MGMAT Critical Reasoning Guide - 5th ed
Strengths

1.Complete overhaul from the 4th edition
2.Less emphasis on diagramming and more on CR general strategy
3.Linked to OG questions categorised into Strengthen/Weaken/Assumption/Inference Question types
4.Comprehensive question bank at the end of each topic
5.Unlocks 6 MGMAT Practice CATs
6.Unlocks MGMAT CR Online Question Bank

Weaknesses

1.Small size of the online question bank
2.Requires purchase of OG

Critical Reasoning Bible - Powerscore

Strengths:
1. Clearly divides the CR question types and provides with specific strategy solutions for each type
2. Gets the results - this is the most recommended book on GMAT Club for CR
3. Well laid out, making learning easy and quick

Weaknesses:
1. Though more questions are available than in the MGMAT book/online quiz bank, it could still use more practice questions
Note: This book is very similar in terms of strategies or tips to the MGMAT CR book; there is no value in owning both













Critical Reasoning Grail - Aristotle


Strengths
1.In depth coverage of all critical reasoning Question Types tested on the GMAT
2.Dedicated chapter on 'Provide a Logical Conclusion' Questions- a new question type increasingly being tested on the GMAT
3.question practice set for Intensive practice
4.Quick Recall chapter at the end that provides a quick revision of all CR concepts discussed in the book
5.e-Book Version also available

Weaknesses
5.Requires Purchase of OG
6.Some questions are slightly off the standard GMAT language.

Sentence Correction Books

Manhattan GMAT SC Guide - 5th ed

Strengths:
1. Thorough coverage of GMAT grammar concepts
2. Convenient layout
3. Access to 6 Online MGMAT CAT's
4. OG reference for practice
5 Thorough Appendix chapters at the end for advanced prep
6. Unlocks online SC question bank.

Weaknesses:
1. It may seem to have too much detailing, appearing cumbersome for non natives dealing with SC for the first time.
2. Might requires multiple reading.
Other notes: One of the most referenced books for SC on GMAT Club forum.









SC Grail - Aristotle- 2nd ed

Strengths
1. Detailed revision of the first edition
2. Topicwise breakdown of the entire SC content
3. Main focus on "meaning" of the sentence
4. Comprehensive idiom list
5. Lucid language and jargon free.
6. OG references

Weaknesses
1. Not all questions are GMAT like.











GMAT Club Ultimate Grammar

Strengths:
1. All SC areas covered and explained in detail
2. 500+ exercises and 500+ GMAT-like SC questions
3. GMAT idioms with explanations and examples, tables, usage, problematic words, etc
4. Optional section on punctuation and also section on articles and other often ignored subjects/topics that international students struggle with

Weaknesses
1. Not yet - maybe a tad too long - 294 pages.

Reading Comprehension Books

MGMAT RC Guide - 5th ed

Strengths
1. GMAT like passages (short and long)
2. Seven strategies discussed to tackle any RC passage
3. Question type wise analysis (inference/detail/main idea)
4. Unlocks RC Question bank
5. Unlocks 6 MGMAT CATs

weaknesses
1. Does not cover passage variations (Fiction/non fiction/business etc)
2. Not a lot of practice passages












RC Grail - Aristotle

Strengths
1. Tackles RC by strategies for different question types.
2. Includes passages from the famous RC 99 book (presently discontinued)
3. Reading strategy thoroughly discussed
4. Passages are scaffolded into levels of difficulty

Weaknesses
1. Very long book (over 300 pages)

Verbal Book Bundles

Veritas 10th anniversary books bundle - NEW

Strengths
1. Completely made out of scratch.
2. The CR book has unprecedented quality CRs including GMAT favourites 700 level questions (e.g: Numerical/proportion verbiage in CR)
3. RC uses an uniform STOP strategy, which proves to be quite effective.
4. Advanced verbal book has high quality problems (especially CR and SC)

Weaknesses
1. SC guide feels a little incomplete
2. RC guide has few passages













MGMAT Verbal bundle

Strengths
1. Best verbal books on the market
2. 3 Online question banks and 1 year subscription to MGMAT CATs

Weaknesses
None as such

Online Resources

e-GMAT Verbal Live Prep
If English is your second language - this course is designed for you. It is verbal only and is available in Live or On Demand format
Reviews: 97 | Average Rating: 96% | Average Score Improvement: 80 points
Price: $329 after GMAT Club Discount + Free Access to GMAT Club Tests ($250 value)

Strengths:
1. Strongest Verbal-focused product on the market
2. Large question bank of practice questions: 3,000+
3. 36 hours of live instruction and includes 4 verbal workshops
4. Score guarantee. (Please read the terms and conditions carefully)
5. Access to third party tests (7 CAT's)

Weaknesses:
1. No Quant coverage
2. Probably not an ideal choice for native speakers



GMAT Pill Combo Course
GMAT Pill offers a unique course tailored towards busy professionals whether in the US or International
Reviews: 76 | Average Rating: 98% | Average Score Improvement: 90 points
Price: $397 after GMAT Club Discount + Free Access to GMAT Club Tests ($250 value)

Strengths:
1. Shorter course than most with focus on the big items
2. Strong mobile app
3. Individual SC, RC and CR pills with tons of video and interactive content
4. Score guarantee (please read the terms and conditions carefully)
5. OG Tracker and error log

Weaknesses:
1. Some of the questions seem to resemble OG too closely



Magoosh Premium
One of the most competitively priced courses with one of the best ROI
Reviews: 69 | Average Rating: 94% | Average Score Improvement: 80 points
Price: $99 after GMAT Club Discount

Strengths:
1. Fantastic Price for 250+ video lessons
2. Every question comes with a video explanation
3. 1-year access (one of the longest terms)
4. Score guarantee (please read the terms and conditions carefully)
5. 7-day free trial

Weaknesses:
1. Only 2 CAT's; you will need more




For more verbal resources, check my signature and visit the GMAT Club Verbal forum