Best GMAT Math Prep Books (Reviews & Recommendations) : Quantitative Questions

jeckll

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Re: Best GMAT Math Prep Books (Reviews & Recommendations) [#permalink]

31 Oct 2009, 18:09

Do the current Manhattan books (4th ed) still refer to the 11th ed of OG as the OP states? I have the 12th ed OG (and quant OG) and am looking for the best guide to help me increase my quant score. Don't have a problem spending a hundred or so on the Manhattan books if they are the best ones to get, but if they refer to the 11th ed of OG, that seems like a negative, no?

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Re: Best GMAT Math Prep Books (Reviews & Recommendations) [#permalink]

31 Oct 2009, 19:37

jeckll wrote:

Do the current Manhattan books (4th ed) still refer to the 11th ed of OG as the OP states? I have the 12th ed OG (and quant OG) and am looking for the best guide to help me increase my quant score. Don't have a problem spending a hundred or so on the Manhattan books if they are the best ones to get, but if they refer to the 11th ed of OG, that seems like a negative, no?

My fourth edition states on the front cover that the book is "updated for the 12th edition of the Official Guide!" You can click on the book's image on Amazon for a close-up view:

https://www.amazon.com/Number-Properties ... 0982423845

I am currently using the Manhattan math series, and I like these books. Each chapter has about 15 practice questions (sometimes more, sometimes less). These end-of chapter questions, which are not OG problems, test and reinforce what has just been covered.

I say go for it!

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Re: Best GMAT Math Prep Books (Reviews & Recommendations) [#permalink]

01 Nov 2009, 08:01

During a conversation with a friend, it hit me that I really haven't been exposed to GMAT math content since high school. I was an urban studies major and was able to satisfy a math requirement with a game theory course..lol. A while back, another friend (SAT tutor) recommended Peterson's GMAT/GRE Math Review. I also took note of GMATClub's review of Kaplan's Math Workbook. Initially, I looked at both but opted to really digg into the Peterson's book. I haven't really touched the Kaplan book maybe because of it's organization? Peterson's seemed to break down the content really well and in my case, served as a good primer to some Manhattan GMAT materials I'll be using the rest of the way.

L

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Re: Best GMAT Math Prep Books (Reviews & Recommendations) [#permalink]

01 Nov 2009, 15:51

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gottabwise wrote:

During a conversation with a friend, it hit me that I really haven't been exposed to GMAT math content since high school. I was an urban studies major and was able to satisfy a math requirement with a game theory course..lol. A while back, another friend (SAT tutor) recommended Peterson's GMAT/GRE Math Review. I also took note of GMATClub's review of Kaplan's Math Workbook. Initially, I looked at both but opted to really digg into the Peterson's book. I haven't really touched the Kaplan book maybe because of it's organization? Peterson's seemed to break down the content really well and in my case, served as a good primer to some Manhattan GMAT materials I'll be using the rest of the way.

Thanks for the feedback (I will try to review the book) - would be interested to hear your feedback about Peterson's after you are done with MGMAT guides.

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Re: Best GMAT Math Prep Books (Reviews & Recommendations) [#permalink]

02 Nov 2009, 17:53

I have just went through the Kaplan Math Foundations and the MGMAT NP book. The Kaplan book is very basic, I am very rusty in math but I found that it was difficult for me to relate the material in this book to actual GMAT questions. The MGMAT NP book on the otherhand is very relevant and is specifically targeted to the GMAT questions, I really saw a connection between the material and the actual questions in the og. I am excited to start the rest of the series. I'll keep you posted.

L

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Re: Best GMAT Math Prep Books (Reviews & Recommendations) [#permalink]

03 Nov 2009, 01:15

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trzaskm wrote:

I have just went through the Kaplan Math Foundations and the MGMAT NP book. The Kaplan book is very basic, I am very rusty in math but I found that it was difficult for me to relate the material in this book to actual GMAT questions. The MGMAT NP book on the otherhand is very relevant and is specifically targeted to the GMAT questions, I really saw a connection between the material and the actual questions in the og. I am excited to start the rest of the series. I'll keep you posted.

Thanks!
Yes, probably the fact that quite a few questions in the Kaplan Math Foundations are not GMAT-format questions does not help either. So, not recommended?

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Re: Best GMAT Math Prep Books (Reviews & Recommendations) [#permalink]

03 Nov 2009, 05:47

trzaskm wrote:

Thanks!
Yes, probably the fact that quite a few questions in the Kaplan Math Foundations are not GMAT-format questions does not help either. So, not recommended?

No I would not recommend the Kaplan Book, right now I am trying to make my way through all of the Manhattan GMAT Quant Books. I actually was going to buy the Kaplan Verbal Foundations but after going through the Quant I think I am just going to stick with the Manhattan GMAT set.

L

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Re: Best GMAT Math Prep Books (Reviews & Recommendations) [#permalink]

03 Nov 2009, 08:13

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trzaskm wrote:

Thanks!
Yes, probably the fact that quite a few questions in the Kaplan Math Foundations are not GMAT-format questions does not help either. So, not recommended?

No I would not recommend the Kaplan Book, right now I am trying to make my way through all of the Manhattan GMAT Quant Books. I actually was going to buy the Kaplan Verbal Foundations but after going through the Quant I think I am just going to stick with the Manhattan GMAT set.

The only reason you may need the Verbal Foundations book is if your grammar is very weak. If you are not international, don't get it. If you are, do the MGMAT SC first, and then see your results - you may need to.

L

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Re: Best GMAT Math Prep Books (Reviews & Recommendations) [#permalink]

11 Nov 2009, 11:10

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lonewolf wrote:

Guys, I am not sure if this had been addressed before but how useful is MGMAT Word Translation? From most of the posts so far, it seems that a lot people skipped it.

I am actually planning to add it to the list. The word-translations book has Combinations and Probability coverage.

See this list of the most popular GMAT Books: top-20-best-gmat-books-on-gmat-club-76582-20.html

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Re: Best GMAT Math Prep Books (Reviews & Recommendations) [#permalink]

14 Nov 2009, 04:41

I am a bit suprised to find that no one has mentioned this book:
EZ Solutions - Test Prep Series - Math Practice - Advanced Workbook - GMAT (Ez Solutions: Test Prep Series)(https://www.amazon.com/EZ-Solutions-Prac ... 362&sr=8-1)

Has anyone else used this?

Like the title implies, this is definitely not the book you want to get if have just started studying for GMATs. But if you have studied Quant quite a bit and you are looking for extra practice, this is definitely the book to get.

One caveat: The problems in this book do not resemble the GMAT questions at all. Instead what you will find is A LOT of different problems, each aimed at giving you practice or testing a very specific topic. If you can complete the problems in this book, that means you have already mastered the key topics you will need to do well in the GMAT.

I this this difference is very important. With a lot of these GMAT books, we often get caught up trying to solve problems that we forget that the most important thing to do is to make sure that we understand the concepts being tested in GMAT.

The book covers a broad range of topics including, Number Properties, Word Problems, Geometry, and Prob&Statistics.

After completing the problems in this book, I am sure you will see an improvement in your overall quant scores (I'm talking to 600-690 group here).

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Re: Best GMAT Math Prep Books (Reviews & Recommendations) [#permalink]

19 Dec 2009, 23:07

bb wrote:

gottabwise wrote:

During a conversation with a friend, it hit me that I really haven't been exposed to GMAT math content since high school. I was an urban studies major and was able to satisfy a math requirement with a game theory course..lol. A while back, another friend (SAT tutor) recommended Peterson's GMAT/GRE Math Review. I also took note of GMATClub's review of Kaplan's Math Workbook. Initially, I looked at both but opted to really digg into the Peterson's book. I haven't really touched the Kaplan book maybe because of it's organization? Peterson's seemed to break down the content really well and in my case, served as a good primer to some Manhattan GMAT materials I'll be using the rest of the way.

Thanks for the feedback (I will try to review the book) - would be interested to hear your feedback about Peterson's after you are done with MGMAT guides.

Peterson's is great as a primer for leading up to quant review. It starts with the basics...PEMDAS...and builds up from there. Kaplan's book on the other hand starts with a concept like ratios and gives you no initial foundation. The tips are good but where's your foundational knowledge if you've been away from math for years? Ultimately, Manhattan GMAT's strategy guides are super. I'm progressing very well. However, I wouldn't recommend them to until after you've done an initial review with something like Peterson's or even Princeton's basic math review book.

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Re: Best GMAT Math Prep Books (Reviews & Recommendations) [#permalink]

08 Jan 2010, 12:45

Hi,
I've taken 2 practice tests already and my scores have ended up WELL below where I want to be. At this point, I think I need to go back to basics before I can move forward with GMAT specific stuff and taking practice tests again. I looked over the wrong answers I had on the practice tests, and my weak areas are sentence correction, reading comprehension, a mix of math issues, and data sufficiency (far and away the area where I missed THE MOST questions).

Based on that, I plan to revisit general math concepts using "The Ultimate Math Refresher for the GRE, GMAT, and SAT (Paperback)" before going back to studying GMAT specific math concepts again. Has anyone else used this book?

Also, does anyone have recommendations on the best book(s) for data sufficiency?

Thanks

L

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Re: Best GMAT Math Prep Books (Reviews & Recommendations) [#permalink]

08 Jan 2010, 19:26

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meliha wrote:

Also, does anyone have recommendations on the best book(s) for data sufficiency?

Thanks

The only DS book I know of is this one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/188905 ... 1889057541

I have this book but have not spent time to review it yet - it is LONGGGG

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Re: Best GMAT Math Prep Books (Reviews & Recommendations) [#permalink]

13 Jan 2010, 00:45

Hi, I am hoping somebody can help me with my selection of maths guides.

I was a physics UG and am now finishing my PhD so I have been using maths daily for the last 7 years. Of course, for the standardised tests one generally needs to know "shortcut rules" to do well under timed conditions. If there is no time pressure one will approach questions differently...

Given this difference, I was wondering if other physicists or engineers had any advice on the choice of maths books. (Or anybody else...)

I am considering the MGMAT Guides but are they really useful for somebody with my background? Or should I just do problems and try to concentrate on the questions that make me stumble? (I am preparing for 750+.)

Also while we are at it: in the forum "the four quant MGMAT guides" is often mentionned. Are there not five? (i.e. the guides numbered 1-5.)

Many thanks!

L

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Re: Best GMAT Math Prep Books (Reviews & Recommendations) [#permalink]

13 Jan 2010, 09:12

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funky wrote:

Hi, I am hoping somebody can help me with my selection of maths guides.

I was a physics UG and am now finishing my PhD so I have been using maths daily for the last 7 years. Of course, for the standardised tests one generally needs to know "shortcut rules" to do well under timed conditions. If there is no time pressure one will approach questions differently...

Given this difference, I was wondering if other physicists or engineers had any advice on the choice of maths books. (Or anybody else...)

I am considering the MGMAT Guides but are they really useful for somebody with my background? Or should I just do problems and try to concentrate on the questions that make me stumble? (I am preparing for 750+.)

Also while we are at it: in the forum "the four quant MGMAT guides" is often mentionned. Are there not five? (i.e. the guides numbered 1-5.)

Many thanks!

You are correct - there are 5 MGMAT Math Guides; 3 Verbal Guides and 1 Intro Guide (Foundations of GMAT Math)
If you are good with math, take a diagnostic test and see how you do. If you get above 42, would suggest you try a Kaplan Math Workbook - it is shorter and gives you a decent review. If less, then MGMAT.

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Re: Best GMAT Math Prep Books (Reviews & Recommendations) [#permalink]

01 Feb 2010, 10:59

can you kindly advice me some books as a good review of data sufficienty questions?

L

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Re: Best GMAT Math Prep Books (Reviews & Recommendations) [#permalink]

01 Feb 2010, 14:53

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lucalelli88 wrote:

can you kindly advice me some books as a good review of data sufficienty questions?

There is only one dedicated DS book: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/188905 ... 1889057541

I would suggest focusing on areas you lack rather than question types, though you can if you want to. PR 1012 also has DS questions (though it has some typos here and there).

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Re: Best GMAT Math Prep Books (Reviews & Recommendations) [#permalink]

04 Feb 2010, 07:52

Hi guys!

I've read through this section, and I see that to get the best practice for the quant section of the GMAT, you guys recommend the Manhattan Guides. Based on the thread, the Manhattan Guides lack practice questions and the books often refer to the OG for questions. You pointed out that the OG's difficulty ranges from easy to medium. My question is - what's in the Manhattan Guides that provide additional value over the OG's material? Are these books good if you're aiming for 700+? Are there other books out there that provide a 700-800 difficulty collection of questions?

I know that EZ guides got a bad rap in this forum because of their unethical practices but has anyone used them and did you find them useful, or would it just muddle your brain?

Thanks for the tips here! They really are quite helpful. :D

gmatclubot

Re: Best GMAT Math Prep Books (Reviews & Recommendations) [#permalink]

04 Feb 2010, 07:52

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	5 Quant MGMAT Guides MGMAT Math Foundations	5 Quant MGMAT Guides MGMAT 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