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Best GMAT Prep Books and only the best
Below are our reviews of the best GMAT Books. However, people kept asking for my personalized recommendation over and over. So here it is - just tells you what to get
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.
1. Official Guide for GMAT Review 12th ed - Must Have
Published by the creators/owners of the GMAT. Must have for the advantage of having access to 900 real gmat questions but will need Strategy/Study guide to build up math/verbal skills and test-taking strategies.
Strengths:
1. 900 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, esp. in verbal
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.
Other Notes: Differences between 11th and 12th Editions.[rating1]yellow/0470449748[/rating1]
2. Manhattan Prep set of 10 Strategy Guides
Not to be over-zealous but I would say the most comprehensive self-prep money can buy
Strengths:
1. Very in-depth overview of every GMAT subject in 10 dedicated guides (each is 100-200 pages long)
2. Includes access to 6 online practice tests
3. Hundreds of additional targeted practice questions available online (get free access by using the codes inside of each book)
4. Includes the best of the best gmat books such as: MGMAT Number properties, MGMAT Word Translations, MGMAT SC, MGMAT CR, and MGMAT RC
Weaknesses:
1. Requires Official Guide for best results (additional practice questions)
Other Notes:You can buy these separately but it won't be as good of a deal.[rating1]yellow/098417804[/rating1]
3. Veritas Prep Complete Course Set: 12 GMAT Strategy Guides
Very strong challenger to the Manhattan GMAT set
Strengths:
1. Very in-depth overview of every GMAT subject in 12 dedicated guides (each is 100-200 pages long)
2. Comes with a test simulation booklet and a basic math book for those who need extra help (MGMAT charges extra for these)
3. A gmat book for any subject, including probability, combinations, DS, etc
4. Has more practice questions (by far) than the Manhattan set
Weaknesses:
1. Could have used less paper - some books have only one question per page
2. Expensive! $250 on VeritasPrep
Other Notes: See a photo review of this set | Read a review of the books by Mohater[rating1]yellow/1936240165[/rating1]
4. Kaplan GMAT Premier with CD-ROM
Recommended. Well-rounded guide for GMAT preparation. Questions are usually harder than GMAT and sometimes a bit off; however, the book comes with 5 GMAT Tests (1 in the book and 4 online)
Strengths:
1. Good review of fundamentals and valuable strategies - good first GMAT Book
2. 6 GMAT Tests included for the price of $27 with free shipping from Amazon
Weaknesses:
1. Several questions overlap with Kaplan 800 book
2. Not representative CAT scores
3. Some areas such as combinations or probability are not covered in sufficient detail
Other Notes: This is the same book as Kaplan GMAT Comprehensive Program (slightly cheaper) - the only difference is that this book has 4 additional CAT Tests on the CD, which makes it worth it. As of 7/10/2009, the CD version of the book has been out of print. Only the Online version is currently available - it is the same book except all testing material is online and limited to 6 months of usage.[rating1]yellow/1419552953[/rating1]
5. Kaplan GMAT 800 (aka Kaplan GMAT Advanced)
This book is a great idea - create a resource for those who already mastered the lower levels of GMAT, do not require any information about the test or basic strategies but need to focus on higher difficulty questions, but it has its weaknesses, one of them, not living up to its name. Though a great marketing name, many feel it should realistically set expectations as a 650-700 bookStrengths:
1. Good for additional practice questions as a supplement
2. Contains more advanced strategies
3. Saves time for advanced test-takers
Weaknesses:
1. Review of mathematical content is not thorough enough and actually fairly basic
2. Guessing as well as Plug-in-the-number strategies are overused
3. Some questions are not very realistic (do not follow the GMAT patterns)
4. Very few 750-level questions
Other Notes: Discussion on GMAT 800.[rating1]yellow/1419552554[/rating1]
6. Test Simulation Booklet with Marker ("Scratch Paper")
The laminated booklet and marker are exactly as the ones you will get at the test center. Great product to get familiar with the special laminated scratch paper.
[rating1]yellow/0979017580[/rating1]
1. Official Guide for GMAT Review 10th ed - Great source of additional REAL GMAT questions
Strengths:
1. More questions - 1,400 questions vs. 900 in the OG 11 and OG 12
2. Price - right now it is under $10 with shipping for a used copy
3. Not too much overlap with OG 11 or OG 12
Weaknesses:
1. Significant overlap with GMATPrep and PowerPrep. Also some overlap with ETS paper tests is reported.
2. I would guess the questions on average are somewhat easier but can't really remember anything about the book anymore.[rating1]yellow/0886852404[/rating1]
2. Princeton Review Cracking the GMAT
Average. Most feel that the book focuses mostly on shortcuts/tricks, while undermining the value of thorough knowledge involved in confidently answering the question. Many testtakers also feel question explanations are not detailed enough. The book comes with 2 online GMAT CAT Tests.
Strengths:
1. 2 online adaptive GMAT tests included
Weaknesses:
1. Questions in the book do not reach the difficulty level of the real GMAT.
2. Some areas such as function questions, series questions, complex word problems, combined probability with combinations are not covered in the book.[rating1]yellow/0375429263[/rating1]
3. Princeton Review 1,012 GMAT Questions
Not a guidebook and contains only practice questions.
Strengths:
1. Review of factorials, probability, combinations, groups, Yes/No DS, assumption, and parallel structure questions
2. Good split between PS and DS in math
Weaknesses:
1. A lot of errors in explanations!
2. Weaker RC section
3. Verbal questions are a bit off but all non OG Verbal questions are off.[rating1]yellow/0375429271[/rating1]
Fiction books to read for GMAT - improve your RC/SC and enjoy doing it.
Feel free to suggest other books you have liked or critique our recommendations :wink:
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This discussion is officially retired - Please see Best GMAT Books 2014 for the latest GMAT Book Recommendations
Usually these books are a great starting point - they get you familiarized with the test format, sections, timing, and main strategies. They also give you a feel about each section of the GMAT. Most people, however, find these books not sufficient alone to provide a solid GMAT preparation and supplement them with at least one specialized Quantitative and Verbal GMAT Book. Our recommendation is to get The Official Guide for GMAT Review + One other general GMAT book. For dedicated/specialized Math or Verbal GMAT guidebook, see:
Best GMAT Math Prep Books (Reviews & Recommendations)
Best GMAT Verbal Prep Books (Reviews & Recommendations)
Top 20 GMAT Books as voted by GMAT Club members
Top 20 GMAT Books as voted by GMAT Club members
Below are our reviews of the best GMAT Books. However, people kept asking for my personalized recommendation over and over. So here it is - just tells you what to get
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.
| 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 Premier + comes with 6 practice tests | Kaplan Premier + comes with 6 practice tests Kaplan 800 - Poor guidebook, more of a question collection | Kaplan Premier + comes with 6 practice tests GMAT Test Simulation Booklet + Great for practice | Kaplan Premier + comes with 6 practice tests 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 MGMAT Word Translations | Manhattan Prep Guides MGMAT Math Foundations | Manhattan Prep Guides MGMAT Math Foundations |
| Verbal Books Refresh grammar rules, acquire CR and RC strategies | Kaplan Verbal Workbook OR: PowerScore Verbal Bible | Manhattan Prep Guides or Veritas Guides or PowerScore Guides | Manhattan Prep Guides or Veritas Guides or PowerScore Guides SC: Ultimate GMAT Grammar | CR: PowerScore CR or Manhattan Prep CR RC: Manhattan Prep RC RC: LSAT Reading Comprehension SC: Ultimate GMAT Grammar + PowerScore SC or Manhattan Prep SC SC: Doing Grammar SC: examPAL SC Basics |
| 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, Manhattan Prep, some GMATClub tests | GMATprep, PowerPrep, GMAT Focus, Kaplan, Manhattan Prep, GMATClub tests | GMATprep, PowerPrep, GMAT Focus, Kaplan, Manhattan Prep, PR, GMATClub tests |
1. Official Guide for GMAT Review 12th ed - Must Have
Published by the creators/owners of the GMAT. Must have for the advantage of having access to 900 real gmat questions but will need Strategy/Study guide to build up math/verbal skills and test-taking strategies.
Strengths:
1. 900 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, esp. in verbal
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.
Other Notes: Differences between 11th and 12th Editions.[rating1]yellow/0470449748[/rating1]
2. Manhattan Prep set of 10 Strategy Guides
Not to be over-zealous but I would say the most comprehensive self-prep money can buy
Strengths:
1. Very in-depth overview of every GMAT subject in 10 dedicated guides (each is 100-200 pages long)
2. Includes access to 6 online practice tests
3. Hundreds of additional targeted practice questions available online (get free access by using the codes inside of each book)
4. Includes the best of the best gmat books such as: MGMAT Number properties, MGMAT Word Translations, MGMAT SC, MGMAT CR, and MGMAT RC
Weaknesses:
1. Requires Official Guide for best results (additional practice questions)
Other Notes:You can buy these separately but it won't be as good of a deal.[rating1]yellow/098417804[/rating1]
3. Veritas Prep Complete Course Set: 12 GMAT Strategy Guides
Very strong challenger to the Manhattan GMAT set
Strengths:
1. Very in-depth overview of every GMAT subject in 12 dedicated guides (each is 100-200 pages long)
2. Comes with a test simulation booklet and a basic math book for those who need extra help (MGMAT charges extra for these)
3. A gmat book for any subject, including probability, combinations, DS, etc
4. Has more practice questions (by far) than the Manhattan set
Weaknesses:
1. Could have used less paper - some books have only one question per page
2. Expensive! $250 on VeritasPrep
Other Notes: See a photo review of this set | Read a review of the books by Mohater[rating1]yellow/1936240165[/rating1]
4. Kaplan GMAT Premier with CD-ROM
Recommended. Well-rounded guide for GMAT preparation. Questions are usually harder than GMAT and sometimes a bit off; however, the book comes with 5 GMAT Tests (1 in the book and 4 online)
Strengths:
1. Good review of fundamentals and valuable strategies - good first GMAT Book
2. 6 GMAT Tests included for the price of $27 with free shipping from Amazon
Weaknesses:
1. Several questions overlap with Kaplan 800 book
2. Not representative CAT scores
3. Some areas such as combinations or probability are not covered in sufficient detail
Other Notes: This is the same book as Kaplan GMAT Comprehensive Program (slightly cheaper) - the only difference is that this book has 4 additional CAT Tests on the CD, which makes it worth it. As of 7/10/2009, the CD version of the book has been out of print. Only the Online version is currently available - it is the same book except all testing material is online and limited to 6 months of usage.[rating1]yellow/1419552953[/rating1]
5. Kaplan GMAT 800 (aka Kaplan GMAT Advanced)
This book is a great idea - create a resource for those who already mastered the lower levels of GMAT, do not require any information about the test or basic strategies but need to focus on higher difficulty questions, but it has its weaknesses, one of them, not living up to its name. Though a great marketing name, many feel it should realistically set expectations as a 650-700 bookStrengths:
1. Good for additional practice questions as a supplement
2. Contains more advanced strategies
3. Saves time for advanced test-takers
Weaknesses:
1. Review of mathematical content is not thorough enough and actually fairly basic
2. Guessing as well as Plug-in-the-number strategies are overused
3. Some questions are not very realistic (do not follow the GMAT patterns)
4. Very few 750-level questions
Other Notes: Discussion on GMAT 800.[rating1]yellow/1419552554[/rating1]
6. Test Simulation Booklet with Marker ("Scratch Paper")
The laminated booklet and marker are exactly as the ones you will get at the test center. Great product to get familiar with the special laminated scratch paper.
[rating1]yellow/0979017580[/rating1]
New to the GMAT? - Free Guides
Other Books You May Find Helpful:
1. Official Guide for GMAT Review 10th ed - Great source of additional REAL GMAT questions
Strengths:
1. More questions - 1,400 questions vs. 900 in the OG 11 and OG 12
2. Price - right now it is under $10 with shipping for a used copy
3. Not too much overlap with OG 11 or OG 12
Weaknesses:
1. Significant overlap with GMATPrep and PowerPrep. Also some overlap with ETS paper tests is reported.
2. I would guess the questions on average are somewhat easier but can't really remember anything about the book anymore.[rating1]yellow/0886852404[/rating1]
2. Princeton Review Cracking the GMAT
Average. Most feel that the book focuses mostly on shortcuts/tricks, while undermining the value of thorough knowledge involved in confidently answering the question. Many testtakers also feel question explanations are not detailed enough. The book comes with 2 online GMAT CAT Tests.
Strengths:
1. 2 online adaptive GMAT tests included
Weaknesses:
1. Questions in the book do not reach the difficulty level of the real GMAT.
2. Some areas such as function questions, series questions, complex word problems, combined probability with combinations are not covered in the book.[rating1]yellow/0375429263[/rating1]
3. Princeton Review 1,012 GMAT Questions
Not a guidebook and contains only practice questions.
Strengths:
1. Review of factorials, probability, combinations, groups, Yes/No DS, assumption, and parallel structure questions
2. Good split between PS and DS in math
Weaknesses:
1. A lot of errors in explanations!
2. Weaker RC section
3. Verbal questions are a bit off but all non OG Verbal questions are off.[rating1]yellow/0375429271[/rating1]
Fiction books to read for GMAT - improve your RC/SC and enjoy doing it.
Feel free to suggest other books you have liked or critique our recommendations :wink:
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13 Apr 2009, 01:10
Kudos
Bookmarks
reserved for future use
bipolarbear
Joined: 11 Dec 2008
Last visit: 16 Sep 2013
Posts: 353
Own Kudos:
Given Kudos: 12
Location: United States
Schools: HBS '15 (D) Stanford '15 (WL) Wharton '15 (WL)
GMAT 1: 760 Q49 V44
GPA: 3.9
11 May 2009, 20:26
Kudos
Bookmarks
Well, clearly the Official Quant and Verbal books need to be on the list.
I think most people agree that Manhattan GMAT sentence correction is one of the best books out there...
I think most people agree that Manhattan GMAT sentence correction is one of the best books out there...
Several errors for the majority of people will not decrease the value of the whole book. I like the point by 
