Best GMAT Verbal Books [Updated 2022 Edition]

Best GMAT Verbal Books - Updated Jan 2022

Here are the couple of things you should take notice of before waging the war against GMAT Verbal.

1. Need to figure out your weaknesses? Take a GMATPrep test or one of the other many free GMAT tests available.
2. Looking for a verbal study plan? General GMAT study plan | Verbal GMAT study plan
3. Need to start with basics? (recommended for international applicants) - start with Manhattan Prep Verbal Essentials
4. Need highest score and have time: Manhattan Prep Guides
5. Need specific question practice? use gmat club tags
6. Need help with Grammar? Try Ultimate GMAT Grammar book by GMAT Club

Official GMAT Books

- By GMAC
These are the official GMAT books. These books are essential for Verbal practice. However do not expect to learn or study from this set. These books contain retired official questions and are considered the best practice materials for GMAT Verbal.

GMAT Official Guide - 2022 Ed

Strengths

1. Contains 907 Real GMAT Questions.
2. Best resource for Verbal (It is hard to replicate the GMAT esque style of questions so the OG is a great resource to develop the GMAT - ear)
3. Question bank - Online
4. Questions are scaffolded according to level of difficulty
5. Contains a Verbal Diagnostic test (Includes a Quant diagnostic as well)
6. It is easy to get questions based on particular topics (either from Manhattan Prep or GMAT Club forum tags)

Weaknesses:

1. Not a suitable prep resource
2. Substantial overlap with other OGs
3. Online bank comprises the same questions
4. Fewer questions of high levels of difficulty

GMAT Verbal Review - 2022Ed

Strengths:
1. 300 real GMAT questions
2. Online question bank.
3. Real GMAT questions retired from past tests
4. The practice questions are organized by level of difficulty
5. 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. Online question bank comprises the same question pool
3. It does have a few short review sections but they are very weak
4. Mostly low and medium difficulty questions. Not very helpful to a person aiming to get above 700.

Verbal Book Bundles

Manhattan Prep: All Verbal GMAT - 7th Edition

Strengths
1. Solid material & guide that helped many score V40+
2. Comes with lots of online resources (practice questions, advanced chapters, etc)
3. Great one book to rule them all
4. Best value - it is only $39! You should also consider getting the full MGMAT bundle, which will give you access to 6 MGMAT Tests.

Weaknesses
1. The online companion can sometimes be tedious.

Critical Reasoning Books

Manhattan Prep CR Guide - 6th Ed

Strengths

1.Complete overhaul from the 4th edition but largely similar to the 5th
2.Less emphasis on diagramming and more on CR general strategy
3.Linked to OG questions categorised into Strengthen/Weaken/Assumption/Inference Question types
4.Comprehensive question bank at the end of each topic
5.Unlocks Manhattan Prep CR Online Question Bank

Weaknesses

1.Small size of the online question bank
2.Requires purchase of OG

Critical Reasoning Bible - Powerscore

Strengths:
1. Clearly divides the CR question types and provides with specific strategy solutions for each type
2. Gets the results - this is the most recommended book on GMAT Club for CR
3. Well laid out, making learning easy and quick

Weaknesses:
1. Though more questions are available than in the Manhattan Prep book/online quiz bank, it could still use more practice questions
Note: This book is very similar in terms of strategies or tips to the Manhattan Prep CR book; there is no value in owning both





Critical Reasoning Grail - Aristotle


Strengths
1.In depth coverage of all critical reasoning Question Types tested on the GMAT
2.Dedicated chapter on 'Provide a Logical Conclusion' Questions- a new question type increasingly being tested on the GMAT
3.question practice set for Intensive practice
4.Quick Recall chapter at the end that provides a quick revision of all CR concepts discussed in the book
5.e-Book Version also available

Weaknesses
5.Requires Purchase of OG
6.Some questions are slightly off the standard GMAT language.

Sentence Correction Books

Manhattan Prep SC Guide - 6th Ed.

Strengths:
1. Thorough coverage of GMAT grammar concepts
2. Convenient layout
3. OG reference for practice
4. Thorough Appendix chapters at the end for advanced prep
5. Unlocks online SC question bank.

Weaknesses:
1. It may seem to have too much detailing, appearing cumbersome for non natives dealing with SC for the first time.
2. Might require multiple reading.
Other notes: One of the most referenced books for SC on GMAT Club forum.




SC Grail - Aristotle- 2nd ed

Strengths
1. Detailed revision of the first edition
2. Topicwise breakdown of the entire SC content
3. Main focus on "meaning" of the sentence
4. Comprehensive idiom list
5. Lucid language and jargon free.
6. OG references

Weaknesses
1. Not all questions are GMAT like.




GMAT Club Ultimate Grammar

Strengths:
1. All SC areas covered and explained in detail
2. 500+ exercises and 500+ GMAT-like SC questions
3. GMAT idioms with explanations and examples, tables, usage, problematic words, etc
4. Optional section on punctuation and also section on articles and other often ignored subjects/topics that international students struggle with

Weaknesses
1. Not yet - maybe a tad too long - 294 pages.

Reading Comprehension Books

Manhattan Prep RC Guide - 6th ed

Strengths
1. GMAT like passages (short and long)
2. Seven strategies discussed to tackle any RC passage - Overhaul from 6th ed
3. Question type wise analysis (inference/detail/main idea)
4. Unlocks RC Question bank

weaknesses
1. Does not cover passage variations (Fiction/non fiction/business etc)
2. Not a lot of practice passages



RC Grail - Aristotle

Strengths
1. Tackles RC by strategies for different question types.
2. Includes passages from the famous RC 99 book (presently discontinued)
3. Reading strategy thoroughly discussed
4. Passages are scaffolded into levels of difficulty

Weaknesses
1. Very long book (over 300 pages)

Online Resources

e-GMAT GMAT Course
If English is your second language - this course is designed for you. Course includes both Quant and Verbal content. 2, 4, or 6 months are available
Reviews: 2,300+ | Average Rating: 4.7 out of 5 | Average Score Improvement: 77 points
Price: $199 after GMAT Club Discount + Free Access to GMAT Club Tests ($250 value)

Strengths:
1. Strongest Verbal-focused product on the market
2. Large question bank of practice questions: 3,000+
3. Score guarantee. (Please read the terms and conditions carefully)
4. Access to third party tests (7 CAT's)

Weaknesses:
1. Probably not an ideal choice for native speakers




Magoosh Premium
One of the most competitively priced courses with one of the best ROI
Reviews: 318 | Average Rating: 4.6 out of 5 | Average Score Improvement: 76 points
Price: $249 after GMAT Club Discount

Strengths:
1. Fantastic Price for 250+ video lessons
2. Every question comes with a video explanation
3. 1-year access (one of the longest terms)
4. Score guarantee (please read the terms and conditions carefully)
5. 7-day free trial

Weaknesses:
1. Only 2 CAT's; you will need more





Target Test Prep GMAT Online Course
The Target Test Prep GMAT Course is a powerful web-based, self-study platform that is helping students earn impressive GMAT math scores.
Reviews: 92 | Average Rating: 100% | Average Score Improvement: 93 points
Price: $149/month

Strengths:
1. Free 5-day trial is available for a test-drive
2. Brand New Verbal Course with latest strategies was launched in 2021
3. 3,000+ Realistic Practice Problems
4. 800+ HD Videos and 500+ Lessons
5. Includes GMAT Club Tests for 6 months ($250 value) when you sign up through GMAT Club





EMPOWERgmat
Great value and deal on a course - you only have to pay $85 to get started and get full access to the course
Reviews: 198 | Average Rating: 4.9 out of 5 | Average Score Improvement: 86 points
Price: $85 for the first month after GMAT Club Discount

Strengths:
1. Fantastic Price for the course
2. Every question comes with a video explanation and database of OG video explanations
3. 3-day Full course trial available
4. GMAT Score booster with guarantee (conditions apply)

Weaknesses:
Number of CAT's needs to be more




For more verbal resources, visit the GMAT Club Verbal Resources Sub-forum