We've compiled a list of top GMAT prep books and placed them in different study plans. The first column lists book categories and the purpose behind them and the other columns list approaches to the GMAT from average to most hardcore.
| 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 |
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