Forum Home > GMAT > Quantitative > Problem Solving (PS)
Events & Promotions
|
|
GMAT Club Daily Prep
Thank you for using the timer - this advanced tool can estimate your performance and suggest more practice questions. We have subscribed you to Daily Prep Questions via email.
Customized
for You
Track
Your Progress
Practice
Pays
Not interested in getting valuable practice questions and articles delivered to your email? No problem, unsubscribe here.
Dec 1310:00 AM EST
-12:00 PM EST
Have you ever wondered how to score a PERFECT 805 on the GMAT? Meet Julia, a banking professional who used the Target Test Prep course to achieve this incredible feat. Julia's story is nothing short of an inspiration.
Dec 1410:00 AM EST
-12:00 PM EST
Think a 100% GMAT Verbal score is out of your reach? Target Test Prep will make you think again! Our course uses techniques such as topical study and spaced repetition to maximize knowledge retention and make studying simple and fun.
Dec 1411:00 AM IST
-01:00 PM IST
Attend this session to learn how to Deconstruct arguments, Pre-Think Author’s Assumptions, and apply Negation Test.- Dec 15
11:00 AM IST
-01:00 PM IST
Attend this free GMAT Algebra Webinar and learn how to master the most challenging Inequalities and Absolute Value problems with ease. 
Dec 1608:00 AM PST
-11:59 PM PST
GMAT Club 12 Days of Christmas is a 4th Annual GMAT Club Winter Competition based on solving questions. This is the Winter GMAT competition on GMAT Club with an amazing opportunity to win over $40,000 worth of prizes!
Top Best GMAT Quantitative Books
This is a RETIRED TOPIC
The Latest version of this discussion is here:
https://gmatclub.com/forum/best-gmat-ma ... 35162.html
Common Book Combinations and Recommendatios
1. Need to figure out your weaknesses in GMAT math? Take a GMATPrep test or GMAT Club's free gmat diagnostic test
2. Rusty with Math or want to be very methodical - start with basics: Manhattan GMAT Foundations of GMAT Math
3. OK with Math but need a good review in a short amount of time: Kaplan Math Workbook + MGMAT Number Properties + MGMAT Word Translations
4. Need highest score and have time: MGMAT Guides + GMAT Club tests
5. Need specific question practice: PR 1012 (has some errors/typos), Quant OG, or use gmat club tags
6. Probability and Combinations review: https://gmatclub.com/forum/combinations- ... 56486.html and MGMAT Word Translations
1. GMAT Math Books
1. Manhattan GMAT (MGMAT) Guides
Recommended for best results if you have the time.
Strengths:
1. Good balance between test taking strategies and background theory explanations
2. Single-topic focus of each guide allows the student to purchase only those guides that pertain to his/her weaknesses
3. Covered concepts are illustrated with examples that are conveniently assigned to either PS or DS section.
4. Access to 6 Online CAT's (same for each book)
5. Additional online practice question banks (different for each book)
Weaknesses:
1. Time and Money
2. Books themselves do not contain many practice questions (though online and OG 12 references more than compensate)
Notes: most often recommended guide is the Manhattan GMAT Number properties and MGMAT Word Translations[rating1]yellow/390957[/rating1]
2. Veritas Prep Guides
Rival of the MGMAT bundle though a bit higher priced.
Strengths:
1. 12 total guides + an intro book for quant + test simulation booklet
2. Practice questions. Every one of the guides is packed with practice questions
3. Fresh questions; you probably have not seen them on forums/etc since these books have just been published
Weaknesses:
1. Price: $250
2. Spacing is a bit strange sometimes with only one question per page
3. Kaplan GMAT Math Workbook
A solid supplement to the Official Guide
Strengths:
1. Fairly comprehensive review of the basic math concepts needed for the GMAT
2. Structure of the book allows you to work from start to finish, building on previous skills learned
3. Sections devoted to Word problem and Data Sufficiency questions
Weaknesses:
1. Statistics, Combinations/Permutations and Probability are not covered
2. Questions do not reflect GMAT questions, but rather are designed to insure that the material is mastered
Notes: Recommended/most interesting problem compilation from Kaplan Math Workbook
Faster than going through the math MGMAT Guides, but also not as thorough
4. Official Guide for GMAT Quantitative Review
Great for additional math practice questions, but don't expect to find any strategies or math lessons 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.
Bottom Line: this book is optional; usually OG 12 is sufficient by itself.
Veritas Prep Combinations & Probability - added 08/24/10
Dedicated Combinations and Probability Guide considered by many to be the best
Strengths:
1. Good strategies
2. Plenty of practice questions
3. Well organized and laid out
Weaknesses:
1. Possibly crosses into non-gmat section but a very minor concern
.
5. Manhattan GMAT Word Translations Guide - added 11/11/09
1936240122
Contains material on Combinations and Probability
Strengths:
1. Coverage of combinations and probability
2. Coverage of Statistics and Overlapping sets problems
3. Comes with 6 MGMAT tests
Weaknesses:
1. As with all MGMAT Guides, lacks practice questions and relies on the Official Guide for additional practice. If you have covered the OG, you may have to look elsewhere for practice, such as GMAT Club's free collection of probability questions: https://gmatclub.com/forum/combinations- ... 56486.html
6. Manhattan GMAT Foundations of GMAT Math - Added 2/5/2010
Great for refreshing math concepts and building confidence in math
Strengths:
1. Works well with other MGMAT books (structured in a similar way)
2. Best book for brushing up on long forgotten math concepts (fractions, powers, etc)
3. Comes with additional online practice questions
Weaknesses:
1. The book has 400 practice questions but they are not in a GMAT format, rather a math-textbook format
2. Long! 300 full-size pages - I think the expectation is that you skip parts that you know
3. No access to MGMAT tests that usually are included with all of the other 8 guides
Notes: recommended instead of the Kaplan Math Foundations. See a very detailed review of the Foundations of GMAT Math by a member
math_refresher.jpg [ 5.02 KiB | Viewed 980915 times ]
Math_Cliffs.jpg [ 10.78 KiB | Viewed 980817 times ]
pr_math.jpg [ 12.1 KiB | Viewed 980003 times ]
kaplan_foundations.jpg [ 7.13 KiB | Viewed 969910 times ]
kaplanmathfoundations.png [ 46.86 KiB | Viewed 881020 times ]
This post is a part of a series on best GMAT Books. Also see:
Best GMAT Guidebooks
Best GMAT Verbal Prep Books
GMAT Fiction - improve reading skills on GMAT
Top 20 Best GMAT books - ranked by GMAT Club members
Best GMAT Guidebooks
Best GMAT Verbal Prep Books
GMAT Fiction - improve reading skills on GMAT
Top 20 Best GMAT books - ranked by GMAT Club members
This is a RETIRED TOPIC
The Latest version of this discussion is here:
https://gmatclub.com/forum/best-gmat-ma ... 35162.html
Common Book Combinations and Recommendatios
1. Need to figure out your weaknesses in GMAT math? Take a GMATPrep test or GMAT Club's free gmat diagnostic test
2. Rusty with Math or want to be very methodical - start with basics: Manhattan GMAT Foundations of GMAT Math
3. OK with Math but need a good review in a short amount of time: Kaplan Math Workbook + MGMAT Number Properties + MGMAT Word Translations
4. Need highest score and have time: MGMAT Guides + GMAT Club tests
5. Need specific question practice: PR 1012 (has some errors/typos), Quant OG, or use gmat club tags
6. Probability and Combinations review: https://gmatclub.com/forum/combinations- ... 56486.html and MGMAT Word Translations
| 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 |
1. GMAT Math Books
1. Manhattan GMAT (MGMAT) Guides
Recommended for best results if you have the time.
Strengths:
1. Good balance between test taking strategies and background theory explanations
2. Single-topic focus of each guide allows the student to purchase only those guides that pertain to his/her weaknesses
3. Covered concepts are illustrated with examples that are conveniently assigned to either PS or DS section.
4. Access to 6 Online CAT's (same for each book)
5. Additional online practice question banks (different for each book)
Weaknesses:
1. Time and Money
2. Books themselves do not contain many practice questions (though online and OG 12 references more than compensate)
Notes: most often recommended guide is the Manhattan GMAT Number properties and MGMAT Word Translations[rating1]yellow/390957[/rating1]
2. Veritas Prep Guides
Rival of the MGMAT bundle though a bit higher priced.
Strengths:
1. 12 total guides + an intro book for quant + test simulation booklet
2. Practice questions. Every one of the guides is packed with practice questions
3. Fresh questions; you probably have not seen them on forums/etc since these books have just been published
Weaknesses:
1. Price: $250
2. Spacing is a bit strange sometimes with only one question per page
3. Kaplan GMAT Math Workbook
A solid supplement to the Official Guide
Strengths:
1. Fairly comprehensive review of the basic math concepts needed for the GMAT
2. Structure of the book allows you to work from start to finish, building on previous skills learned
3. Sections devoted to Word problem and Data Sufficiency questions
Weaknesses:
1. Statistics, Combinations/Permutations and Probability are not covered
2. Questions do not reflect GMAT questions, but rather are designed to insure that the material is mastered
Notes: Recommended/most interesting problem compilation from Kaplan Math Workbook
Faster than going through the math MGMAT Guides, but also not as thorough
4. Official Guide for GMAT Quantitative Review
Great for additional math practice questions, but don't expect to find any strategies or math lessons 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.
Bottom Line: this book is optional; usually OG 12 is sufficient by itself.
Notable Specialized Books - Arithmetic, Probability, Combinations, DS, etc
Combinations & Probability
Veritas Prep Combinations & Probability - added 08/24/10
Dedicated Combinations and Probability Guide considered by many to be the best
Strengths:
1. Good strategies
2. Plenty of practice questions
3. Well organized and laid out
Weaknesses:
1. Possibly crosses into non-gmat section but a very minor concern
.
5. Manhattan GMAT Word Translations Guide - added 11/11/09
1936240122
Contains material on Combinations and Probability
Strengths:
1. Coverage of combinations and probability
2. Coverage of Statistics and Overlapping sets problems
3. Comes with 6 MGMAT tests
Weaknesses:
1. As with all MGMAT Guides, lacks practice questions and relies on the Official Guide for additional practice. If you have covered the OG, you may have to look elsewhere for practice, such as GMAT Club's free collection of probability questions: https://gmatclub.com/forum/combinations- ... 56486.html
6. Manhattan GMAT Foundations of GMAT Math - Added 2/5/2010
Great for refreshing math concepts and building confidence in math
Strengths:
1. Works well with other MGMAT books (structured in a similar way)
2. Best book for brushing up on long forgotten math concepts (fractions, powers, etc)
3. Comes with additional online practice questions
Weaknesses:
1. The book has 400 practice questions but they are not in a GMAT format, rather a math-textbook format
2. Long! 300 full-size pages - I think the expectation is that you skip parts that you know
3. No access to MGMAT tests that usually are included with all of the other 8 guides
Notes: recommended instead of the Kaplan Math Foundations. See a very detailed review of the Foundations of GMAT Math by a member
Attachment:
math_refresher.jpg [ 5.02 KiB | Viewed 980915 times ]
Attachment:
Math_Cliffs.jpg [ 10.78 KiB | Viewed 980817 times ]
Attachment:
pr_math.jpg [ 12.1 KiB | Viewed 980003 times ]
Attachment:
kaplan_foundations.jpg [ 7.13 KiB | Viewed 969910 times ]
Attachment:
kaplanmathfoundations.png [ 46.86 KiB | Viewed 881020 times ]
Attachments
veritas_probability-TOC.gif [ 42 KiB | Viewed 800456 times ]
mgmat_foundations_TOC.gif [ 24.12 KiB | Viewed 798762 times ]
wordtranslations.png [ 24.83 KiB | Viewed 799012 times ]
11 Oct 2009, 01:40
Kudos
Bookmarks
After practicing OG-12, I feel I should understand formulas of arithmetic and geometry in detail. I am fairly good with work problems but require thorough understanding and practice on arithmetic and geometry problems.I am not looking for a very basic math book but slightly above average.
Could you please suggest a book which has above average math formulas and strategies, I am ok if the book doesnt have practice questions.
I am confused among the below listed:
1. Kaplan Math Foundations
2. Kaplan GMAT Math Workbook
3. MGMAT Guides
Could you please suggest a book which has above average math formulas and strategies, I am ok if the book doesnt have practice questions.
I am confused among the below listed:
1. Kaplan Math Foundations
2. Kaplan GMAT Math Workbook
3. MGMAT Guides
11 Oct 2009, 23:53
Kudos
Bookmarks
Tejal
After practicing OG-12, I feel I should understand formulas of arithmetic and geometry in detail. I am fairly good with work problems but require thorough understanding and practice on arithmetic and geometry problems.I am not looking for a very basic math book but slightly above average.
Could you please suggest a book which has above average math formulas and strategies, I am ok if the book doesnt have practice questions.
I am confused among the below listed:
1. Kaplan Math Foundations
2. Kaplan GMAT Math Workbook
3. MGMAT Guides
Could you please suggest a book which has above average math formulas and strategies, I am ok if the book doesnt have practice questions.
I am confused among the below listed:
1. Kaplan Math Foundations
2. Kaplan GMAT Math Workbook
3. MGMAT Guides
Very simple:1. Kaplan Math Foundations - most basic book with some basic examples - good to build confidence but does not really challenge you (good if math is weak or you forgot many things and want to be diligent in review)
2. Kaplan GMAT Math Workbook - good middle of the road book (good time/return ration)
3. MGMAT Guides - extensive review (most results but also most time)
A good combination is Kaplan Math Workbook and MGMAT Number Properties - I will put that up in the first post.
