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Best GMAT Books 10 Jan 2010, 18:10
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I've been reading that several of the GMAT prep books don't teach concepts very well or there are errors in some of the theories. Might it be better just to use school textbooks (eg. grab a high school Finite book for the permutations/combinations questions).
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You won't be too far off there. A high schooler will likely do very well on the GMAT. No jokes.
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Best GMAT Books 29 Jan 2010, 13:05
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If I'm planning on buying all 8 MGMAT strategy guides + the 3 OG books, should I also buy the Kaplan comprehensive book to start off with, or will the MGMAT books be sufficient for my studying?

I have LR Bible for Verbal, so I am mainly concerned with the Quantitative section. Aiming for 700+.
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Best GMAT Books 30 Jan 2010, 16:58
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If I'm planning on buying all 8 MGMAT strategy guides + the 3 OG books, should I also buy the Kaplan comprehensive book to start off with, or will the MGMAT books be sufficient for my studying?

I have LR Bible for Verbal, so I am mainly concerned with the Quantitative section. Aiming for 700+.
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You should be just fine with your stockpile :)
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Best GMAT Books 30 Jan 2010, 19:53
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Sorry, I am a bit late to this. I got all my books today already, and found this forum right now. Probably should have asked first regarding books, and then bought them. These are what I have:

GMAT OG Review - 12th Edition
GMAT OG Quantitative Review - 2nd Edition
GMAT OG Verbal Review - 2nd Edition
GMAT Kaplan Premier - 2010/2011 Edition

Any recommendations/comments would be really appreciated!

Edit: Should have mentioned that historically I have been strong Mathematically, but not in Verbal parts. SAT example (though this was 4 years ago) - Math 800 and Verbal 500
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Best GMAT Books 31 Jan 2010, 18:59
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jcole
Sorry, I am a bit late to this. I got all my books today already, and found this forum right now. Probably should have asked first regarding books, and then bought them. These are what I have:

GMAT OG Review - 12th Edition
GMAT OG Quantitative Review - 2nd Edition
GMAT OG Verbal Review - 2nd Edition
GMAT Kaplan Premier - 2010/2011 Edition

Any recommendations/comments would be really appreciated!

Edit: Should have mentioned that historically I have been strong Mathematically, but not in Verbal parts. SAT example (though this was 4 years ago) - Math 800 and Verbal 500
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You're in good shape - Go through Kaplan (leave OG's alone for now). You can wait to figure out what Verbal books to get then, but may as well based on your history get MGMAT SC, PowerScore CR, and MGMAT RC. For quant get Kaplan Math Workbook and as long as you don't fall asleep with books and actually understand/remember/keep notes on what you are doing, you should get a solid 700 score. If your quant is under 46, you may want to get MGMAT Word Translations and MGMAT Number properties in addition.
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Best GMAT Books 01 Feb 2010, 08:30
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Thank you, Sir!

Going through Kaplan now.
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Best GMAT Books 05 Feb 2010, 08:46
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Dumb question but...

Ive been working through my OG12 and have noted I keep stumbling in 1) DS and 2) Number properties. Im more or less good with everything else. Id like to get the MGMAT book for each of those- if I buy it through Amazon, do I still get access to the 8 CAT exams or do I HAVE to buy them from the MGMAT website?


Quant is my weakness, but I really think its just coming down to DS- I get the hang of those and Ill be sitting pretty.
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Best GMAT Books 05 Feb 2010, 09:28
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FlimFlam
Dumb question but...

Ive been working through my OG12 and have noted I keep stumbling in 1) DS and 2) Number properties. Im more or less good with everything else. Id like to get the MGMAT book for each of those- if I buy it through Amazon, do I still get access to the 8 CAT exams or do I HAVE to buy them from the MGMAT website?


Quant is my weakness, but I really think its just coming down to DS- I get the hang of those and Ill be sitting pretty.
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1. MGMAT has 6 online cats
2. All new books have access to the tests (regardless of distribution channel)
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Best GMAT Books 05 Feb 2010, 16:44
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Hi BB,

I am studying from OG 13th Edition and I have gone through the Math/DS/SC sections. I am yet to go through CR/RC.

I am planning to get my second book and my need is mainly more practise and also learning more concepts on maths and verbal. I am still not 100% confident fundamentally as I think I need lots and lots of practice and learning.

Is Kaplan GMAT 2010: Premier Live Online (Kaplan Gmat Premier Live) (Paperback) good for me and my needs?

can you please suggest...

Many Thanks.

Cheers.
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Best GMAT Books 05 Feb 2010, 17:14
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You actually want to start somewhere other than OG 12 (OG 13 is not out yet :))
OG 12 is for practice only AFTER you have already brought yourself up to a level where you can practice and learn from questions things other than basic math and grammar, which are much faster to pick up from guidebooks. So definitely would suggest you get MGMAT Guides or Kaplan Premier before you sink more time and waste good official questions.

I think I have a new analogy - think of OG 12 as of expensive wine - you would not want to quench your thirst with wine; instead you want to savor it but you can do that only AFTER you are no longer thirsty and can actually pick up the oaky flavor or tart texture. You can swish it around in your mouth and take your time sipping it, allowing it to breathe and get better. But reverse the process and you are you end up drunk/still thirsty/and without wine :)
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Best GMAT Books 05 Feb 2010, 18:03
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You actually want to start somewhere other than OG 12 (OG 13 is not out yet :))
OG 12 is for practice only AFTER you have already brought yourself up to a level where you can practice and learn from questions things other than basic math and grammar, which are much faster to pick up from guidebooks. So definitely would suggest you get MGMAT Guides or Kaplan Premier before you sink more time and waste good official questions.
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wouldn't this mean that mgmat guides are not good to start off with since they don't contain problems--just refer to the og's? we should start off with problems written by test prep comanies?
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Best GMAT Books 05 Feb 2010, 18:35
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wouldn't this mean that mgmat guides are not good to start off with since they don't contain problems--just refer to the og's?
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That's not accurate. The MGMAT Guides do not have a ton of practice questions; that's true. BUT they do have online question banks which differ with each book and are sufficient at the end of the day. The OG questions are then targetted for specific area, and that's a bonus. The key again is not wasting hard official questions and taking them only AFTER you know how to approach them.

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we should start off with problems written by test prep comanies?
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This does not matter so much - all you want to do is not waste official questions and cover the material tested on the questions before you take them. Otherwise, it is backwards :)
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Best GMAT Books 05 Feb 2010, 19:02
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Thanks for the clarification! I would have done it wrong otherwise :)

Posted from my mobile device
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Thanks for the clarification! I would have done it wrong otherwise :)

Posted from my mobile device
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Actually some folks are able to prep using just questions. However, it works only if you are very strong in grammar, logic, and math and usually is a longer and more tedious process for 90% of folks.
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Best GMAT Books 06 Feb 2010, 03:25
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You actually want to start somewhere other than OG 12 (OG 13 is not out yet :))
OG 12 is for practice only AFTER you have already brought yourself up to a level where you can practice and learn from questions things other than basic math and grammar, which are much faster to pick up from guidebooks. So definitely would suggest you get MGMAT Guides or Kaplan Premier before you sink more time and waste good official questions.

I think I have a new analogy - think of OG 12 as of expensive wine - you would not want to quench your thirst with wine; instead you want to savor it but you can do that only AFTER you are no longer thirsty and can actually pick up the oaky flavor or tart texture. You can swish it around in your mouth and take your time sipping it, allowing it to breathe and get better. But reverse the process and you are you end up drunk/still thirsty/and without wine :)
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Thanks BB. I would now go ahead and get the KaplanPremier and start off with that book, and revisit OG :-) Thanks a ton again for the help. I think there is a Kaplan book that has released recently which is,

Kaplan GMAT 2010-2011: Premier (Kaplan GMAT Premier Program (w/CD)) (Paperback)

i guess this is the same as the old one, but a bit more new. hope this serves my purpose !!

Cheers.
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Best GMAT Books 06 Feb 2010, 04:19
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bb ~
I believe I recently read that you are preparing to retake the GMAT for PHD admission, and you selected the Veritas review program. I recognize Veritas offers more classroom hours, but in review of the recommended resources and books, I do not see their materials receiving any mentions or acknowledgement. So, would you recommend the purchase of the MGMAT or Kaplan bundle in coordination with preparation for the Veritas course? Please, other chime in as well. Thanks. mva
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bb ~
I believe I recently read that you are preparing to retake the GMAT for PHD admission, and you selected the Veritas review program. I recognize Veritas offers more classroom hours, but in review of the recommended resources and books, I do not see their materials receiving any mentions or acknowledgement. So, would you recommend the purchase of the MGMAT or Kaplan bundle in coordination with preparation for the Veritas course? Please, other chime in as well. Thanks. mva
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Thanks! Nope. Not planning to retake GMAT - quite happy with my 750.
Veritas does not have stand-alone books (only classroom course books). Their books are somewhat popular but are fairly rare/hard to find. You are welcome to do as much as you would like in preparation for the course, just make sure you don't burn yourself out.

Instead of picking the Kaplan Bundle or the MGMAT one, I would perhaps instead get MGMAT Math Foundations and Kaplan Verbal foundations and just cover those two (may be very fast if you are good), and then only after the course when I get my practice test results, would decide if I need additional help. The course should be self-sufficient for your needs and provide you with everything you need for a high score.

If you end up taking the Veritas course, please post your feedback - would love to hear your thoughts.
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Best GMAT Books 06 Feb 2010, 09:16
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Is the Kaplan GMAT 2010-2011 Premier with CD-ROM (Kaplan GMAT Premier Program (w/CD)) (Paperback) really that helpful?


I'm reading the reviews on amazon and they are very very mixed. I'm trying to figure out what Gmat books to buy.. and so far, all I have on my list is the OG. I need one good overall review book but the reviews on that Kaplan one are swaying me a bit.

After that, I figured maybe I'd just buy one book specializing in Math, and another in Verbal. I already know i'm going to have to brush up on my Math skills.

What's the best overall review book out there? Thanks!
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Thanks BB. I would now go ahead and get the KaplanPremier and start off with that book, and revisit OG :-) Thanks a ton again for the help. I think there is a Kaplan book that has released recently which is,

Kaplan GMAT 2010-2011: Premier (Kaplan GMAT Premier Program (w/CD)) (Paperback)

i guess this is the same as the old one, but a bit more new. hope this serves my purpose !!

Cheers.
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Yes, same exact thing. Kaplan has not changed almost anything in their books for the past 3 years, so if all of them are pretty much the same (the only variable is the number of typos but it's not bad). I would not buy a used book though as they come with unique online access codes for additional tests and quizzes.
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Best GMAT Books 06 Feb 2010, 09:32
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Is the Kaplan GMAT 2010-2011 Premier with CD-ROM (Kaplan GMAT Premier Program (w/CD)) (Paperback) really that helpful?


I'm reading the reviews on amazon and they are very very mixed. I'm trying to figure out what Gmat books to buy.. and so far, all I have on my list is the OG. I need one good overall review book but the reviews on that Kaplan one are swaying me a bit.

After that, I figured maybe I'd just buy one book specializing in Math, and another in Verbal. I already know i'm going to have to brush up on my Math skills.

What's the best overall review book out there? Thanks!
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The best overall book is Kaplan Premier. It's by far not the deepest book of all of them but definitely the best (between Princeton Review, Peterson, etc). I would challenge you to find something better. You can ignore the reviews on Amazon - there is no better book in its class, but there are definitely better specialized resources, and people's expectations are just not set right. Of course MGMAT CR will be more detailed. Duh.... :roll:

Anyway, I have no interest of selling you on Kaplan - we are not even partnering with them if you notice around the website. Getting specialized books works too - review the other threads (math books and verbal books) for recommendations and please provide your feedback as well if you find something very useful. I own about 30-40 GMAT Books and always look for new stuff.
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