Best GMAT Verbal Prep Books (Reviews & Recommendations)

Best Verbal GMAT books - general GMAT guides and specialized books for Critical Reasoning, Sentence Correction, and Reading Comprehension.




1. General Verbal Review Materials
1.1 Official guide for GMAT Verbal Review 2nd Edition
Excellent for additional verbal practice questions, but don't expect to find any grammar rules or verbal strategies here.
Strengths:
1. 300 real GMAT questions
2. Real GMAT questions retired from past tests
3. The practice questions are organized by level of difficulty
4. 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. It does have a few short review sections but they are very weak
3. Mostly low and medium difficulty questions. Not very helpful to a person aiming to get above 700.
Note: See detailed comparison between First and Second Editions here: the-official-gmat-verbal-review-1st-edition-vs-2nd-edition-83882.html?view-post=628557#p628557



1.2 GMAT Verbal Bible: A Comprehensive System for Attacking GMAT Verbal Questions
Great alternative to Kaplan Verbal Workbook but not as good as dedicated PowerScore books (CR and SC)
Strengths
+ Great SC Material
+ Great CR Material
+ Great RC strategies
+ Condenses information into all-in-one verbal workbook that competes well against Kaplan GMAT Verbal Workbook
Weaknesses:
- Less practice/instruction than SC Book
- Less practice/instruction than CR Book
- Almost no Reading Comprehension practice (section includes only 2 passages with 4 questions each)
- Overall could use more practice questions (true about all PowerScore books)
Bottom Line:
If you are looking for a great all-in-one Verbal workbook that you can cover in a few weeks, this is a great choice - it condenses 700 pages of PowerScore books into 400. However, minuscule number of practice questions, especially in the RC section, make it unattractive.




1.3 Kaplan GMAT Verbal Workbook
Good Verbal review but only 650-700 level. Specialized books recommended for a higher score.
Strengths:
1. Realistic strategies for every part of Verbal section
2. Useful Idioms and Vocabulary list
3. Good paper and publishing quality
Weaknesses:
1. Few hard verbal questions
2. Some questions (CR) are not very representative of the "authentic" questions

Other notes: All the practice questions from this book are available on CD-ROM that comes with Kaplan Premier Program




1.4 Princeton Review Verbal Workout for the GMAT
Slightly outdated and fairly basic(600-650 level).
Strengths:
1. Could be a good book for non-native speakers or beginners, maybe...

Weaknesses:
1. Strategies seem to focus on "tricks" and unrealistic assumptions
2. Could use more practice questions
3. Generally easy practice questions
4. Paper quality
Other notes: The new edition of the main PR book Cracking the GMAT(with DVD) does a much better job at covering the verbal section than this book.




2. Critical Reasoning

2.1 The PowerScore GMAT Critical Reasoning Bible
Considered the best GMAT book for Critical Reasoning questions.
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
For chapter by chapter book notes, see this post: summary-of-the-powerscore-cr-book-82539.html




2.2 Manhattan GMAT Critical Reasoning
Second best - comes with access to MGMAT's 4 online CAT tests yet refers to the OG for practice questions
Strengths:
1. Strategies that work
2. Explanations to the OG questions are very clear
3. Comes with access to 6 online CAT tests (all Manhattan GMAT books have this feature)
Weaknesses:
1. Requires purchase of OG 11 or Verbal OG. No practice questions in the book - instead it provides reference to questions in the Official Guide
2. Online question bank is comparatively small
Note: This book is very similar in terms of strategies or tips to the PowerScore CR book; there is no value in owning both




2.3 LSAT Critical Reasoning
If you need to turbocharge or nuke your Critical Reasoning this may be a book to consider. Note - not a pure GMAT book and does contain significant amount of irrelevant information. With that said, a good source of 700+ questions.
Discussion of LSAT materials for use on GMAT










3. Sentence Correction

3.1 Manhattan GMAT Sentence Correction
Highly recommended. Considered the best book for SC.
Strengths:
1. Thorough coverage of GMAT grammar concepts
2. Convenient layout
3. Access to 6 Online MGMAT CAT's
Weaknesses:
1. Practice question are not provided but refer to the 11th edition of the Official Guide and the Official Guide Supplements
Other notes: One of the most referenced books for SC on GMAT Club forum.





3.2 The PowerScore GMAT Sentence Correction Bible
Very close second book for CR.
Strengths:
1. In-depth coverage of relevant grammar points
2. Convenient layout, which simplifies reference to needed material
Weaknesses:
1. More focus on grammar and rules, less on strategies and methods
2. Could use more practice questions




3.3 Kaplan GMAT Verbal Foundations
Great for non-native speakers and those very rusty with grammar.
Strengths:
1. Focus on areas that are often disregarded such as Infinitive and Gerund verb usage, modifiers, commonly confused words, etc
2. 200 GMAT-style questions and 100+ other questions and quizzes
3. 4.5 pages of GMAT Idioms with explanations and examples
4. Good section on style - word choice, being concise, being appropriate - esp. what words/contractions not to use

Weaknesses
1. Several areas could be strengthened (article usage)
2. No index






4. Reading Comprehension

4.1 Manhattan GMAT Reading Comprehension
Winner by default but deserves high remarks for trying.Strengths:
1. The only GMAT book fully dedicated to RC (contains 69 questions)
2. Comes with RC passages and questions unlike the other MGMAT materials that only refer to OG
Weaknesses:
1. Too few practice questions to deliver a significant score improvement





4.2 GRE Prep for RC from Princeton Review
Might be a good additional material if RC is the stumbling blockStrengths:
1. Contains good practice passages and questions for RC
Weaknesses:
1. Is not designed specifically for GMAT and contains some GRE-specific sections







4.3 PowerScore LSAT Reading Comprehension Bible
For hardcore RC practice only! Usually not necessary and only to be used by 700+ applicants. It is a level higher than GMAT.
See a review of this book by bmillan01 review-of-powerscore-s-rc-bible-86718.html









Other Books You May Find Helpful:
Fiction books to read for GMAT - improve your RC/SC and enjoy doing it.

Book Bundles and Study Plans at a Glance
	Standard Plan	Advanced Plan	Ultimate Plan	Beyond Hardcore Plan
General Strategy Books Explain how GMAT works, provide general principles and strategies, give an idea about weaknesses, provide practice tests	Kaplan Live Online + comes with 6 practice tests	Kaplan Live Online + comes with 6 practice tests Kaplan GMAT Advanced - Poor guidebook, more of a question collection	Kaplan Live Online + comes with 6 practice tests Kaplan GMAT Advanced - Poor guidebook, more of a question collection GMAT Test Simulation Booklet + Great for practice	Kaplan Live Online + comes with 6 practice tests Kaplan GMAT Advanced - Poor guidebook, more of a question collection GMAT Test Simulation Booklet + Great for practice
Quant Books Refresh math principles, fill gaps, and learn patterns	Kaplan Math Workbook - missing probability and combinations	Kaplan Math Workbook - missing probability and combinations MGMAT Number Properties	4 Quant MGMAT Guides Kaplan Math Foundations	4 Quant MGMAT Guides Kaplan Math Foundations Probability and Combinations for Dummies
Verbal Books Refresh grammar rules, aquire CR and RC strategies	Kaplan Verbal Workbook OR: PowerScore Verbal Bible	CR: PowerScore CR or MGMAT CR RC: MGMAT RC SC: PowerScore SC or MGMAT SC	CR: PowerScore CR or MGMAT CR RC: MGMAT RC SC: PowerScore SC or MGMAT SC SC: Kaplan Verbal Foundations	CR: PowerScore CR or MGMAT CR CR: LSAT Critical Reasoning RC: MGMAT RC RC: LSAT Reading Comprehension SC: PowerScore SC or MGMAT SC SC: Doing Grammar
Practice Questions Additional practice	Official Guide 12th + 900 retired real GMAT questions	Official Guide 12th + 900 retired real GMAT questions Verbal Official Guide + 300 retired verbal GMAT questions Quant Official Guide + 300 retired quant GMAT questions	Official Guide 12th + 900 retired real GMAT questions Verbal Official Guide + 300 retired verbal GMAT questions Quant Official Guide + 300 retired quant GMAT questions Princeton Review 1012 + Great target practice	Official Guide 12th + 900 retired real GMAT questions Verbal Official Guide + 300 retired verbal GMAT questions Quant Official Guide + 300 retired quant GMAT questions Princeton Review 1012 + Great target practice Paper GMAT Tests + Official Retired tests available from GMAC
Tests Simulated Practice GMAT tests	GMATPrep, Kaplan, Free tests	GMATprep, Kaplan, MGMAT, some GMATClub tests	GMATprep, PowerPrep, GMAT Focus, Kaplan, MGMAT, GMATClub tests	GMATprep, PowerPrep, GMAT Focus, Kaplan, MGMAT, PR, GMATClub tests

Thanks for the information.

I have already given the test once and scored 640 , tho I have been scoring well in my full lenght tests.. I completed the following for my first GMAT:

1. Kaplan Premier Program - 2008 Edition
2. Princeton- Cracking the GMAT 2008 Edition
3. OG11
4. Manhattan SC Grammar Guide

Can you please tell me which which books i shud do for my second preparation? Also recommend from where I should take full length test (I purchased 800 score tests, but found the relatively easy)

Thanks-
Manisha

Take a look at the Kaplan Math Foundations or Kaplan Verbal Foundations - these are not strategy books but rather the "meat and potatoes" of gmat designed to get your basics fully covered.

For tests - try the GMAT Club tests (Math is 700+ level - I can guarantee you will find them very hard).

I'm am planning to begin studying for the GMAT. I would like to start with critical reasoning, as I find it more fun than the other topics. I noticed the PowerScore CR is the most highly recommended, followed by Manhattan as a close second. In looking on Amazon I notice the PowerScore book is dated 2005, and the Manhattan is dated 2009. Is the Manhattan book perhaps preferable due to it being more current? Any tips for a newbie are appreciated also.

Thanks so much!
Ken

Welcome to the GMATClub Ken!

The reason Manhattan GMAT Book was published in 2009 was to catch up with the new version of the Official Guide 12 edition. Manhattan books use questions from the Official Guide rather than offer their own practice. I would not worry too much about the publication date - both books are excellent and you will do well with either. The strategies and approaches have not changed.

Guys,

I am looking Verbal practice work book along with some online tests.

I have MGMAT SC 2003 edt. Is it advisable to get the latest one. I will get 4 practice test. But i belive the SC rules will be the same. So Not sure. Please advise.

I have gone through the Kaplan MAth + Verbal book. Is it advisable to get the Verbal alone for additional workouts.
on the whole i am looking for strong verbal workout book and online exams to calculate my score.

Personally I think the 3rd (for OG11) and 4th (for OG12) editions of Manhattan SC book have a good amount of new content that is quite useful. If you are in the US I would recommend taking a look at it at Borders or Barnes and Noble before buying.

I am not sure how the 1st/2nd edition compares to the 3rd/4th. I know that 3rd and 4th are the same in terms of theory and the only difference are the question references.

If you get the 4th edition, you will need OG 12 to do exercises or OG 11 if you buy the 3rd edition. However, buying any of those editions you will get access to 6 tests. You will most likely gain nothing in terms of grammar. Another option is the PowerScore SC but most argue that it won't add any points either for SC. However, you will get some practice questions - not many but some.

My recommendation would be to get PowerScore SC and then Manhattan CR or Manhattan RC so that you get the 6 practice tests.


Yes. Verbal workbook has a a couple of the practice sets at the end of the book overlap with the exercises on the CD/DVD/Online, but those are only "additional" questions, so you are still getting quite a few questions and great tips - both Math and Verbal Workbook are worth their $15 value in terms of info they provide. However, if you have done Manhattan SC, you probably won't gain much and will cover the SC section in a few days.

Just get Manhattan RC and Manhattan CR - that's the best combination based on the feedback by many.

Have you covered OG 12 completely? If yes, then go the PowerScore route - you can get a PowerScore Verbal Bible - good all-in-one workbook

Thank you.

As said above i will try Manhattan CR, RC and Power SC.

But i have gone through OG 11. How different is OG 12 from OG11. Do you advise me go through it before my exams.
Is it completely different with new set of questions.

30% of questions in OG12 are new.
See this discussion - it answers that specific question: the-official-guide-for-gmat-12-merged-76806.html

Cheryl Moore-
Murnane Brandt

This GMAT book was very helpful

If you have Kaplan Premier Program, you probably won't find Kaplan GMAT Verbal Workbook all that useful. All questions in the verbal workbook are also in Premier Program's CD-ROM.

Please be specific about the overlap.
In my experience the overlap is only for the 3 verbal sets included in the back of the book, which are provided only as additional practice rather than core exercises. All of the strategies, target practice (70% of the book) does not overlap. In my view - the valuable portion of the book does not overlap - please let me know if I am off.

Sorry, I should clarify. The overlap is with the practice tests and not with the strategies/appendices/etc.

In the versions of the Kaplan books I have (Verbal Workbook 3rd edition and Premier Program 2006), all of the practice sets (9 sets in Part 3 of the book) overlap with those available in Premier Program CD-ROM.

hi BB,

Could you pls suggest me some books in which fundamentals and strategies are good??

which would you suggest for a basic Verbal review:

1) Kaplan GMAT Verbal Workbook

or

2) Powerscore Verbal Bible

thanks for the help and the great list!

Iggy

PowerScore Verbal Bible for sure

Thanks for the reply bb!

What if I decide to get a “specialized book” for each of the Verbal sections? Do you still suggest getting a more general Verbal workbook?

For example, do you think it’s useful getting Powerscore’s Verbal Bible if I get the 3 Manhattan GMAT strategy guides? Or would it be a waste since I already have the specialized books which probably cover the same subjects but more in depth?

Thanks for the help! This site is amazing!!!

Iggy

You can get just the specialized books - I doubt your score will increase much by using both the PowerScore Verbal Bible and then specialized MGMAT Guides. You only have so much time. I'd rather invest it into basics (Kaplan Verbal Foundations or Doing Grammar).

Get
1. PowerScore CR
2. MGMAT SC
3. MGMAT RC
4. You need to have OG12/OG11 to use the MGMAT books.