Best Verbal GMAT books - general GMAT guides and specialized books for Critical Reasoning, Sentence Correction, and Reading Comprehension. This thread is officially retired. See the Best Verbal Books 2012 post here This post is a part of a series on best GMAT Books. Also see: Best GMAT Guidebooks Best GMAT Math Books GMAT Fiction - improve Reading Comprehension skills on GMAT 1. General Verbal Review Materials verbal og2.gif 1.1 Official guide for GMAT Verbal Review 2nd Edition Excellent for additional verbal practice questions, but don't expect to find any grammar rules or verbal strategies 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. yellow/0976570912 Note: See detailed comparison between First and Second Editions here: the-official-gmat-verbal-review-1st-edition-vs-2nd-edition-83882.html?view-post=628557#p628557 gmat verbal.jpg 1.2 GMAT Verbal Bible: A Comprehensive System for Attacking GMAT Verbal Questions Great alternative to Kaplan Verbal Workbook but not as good as dedicated PowerScore books (CR and SC) Strengths + Great SC Material + Great CR Material + Great RC strategies + Condenses information into all-in-one verbal workbook that competes well against Kaplan GMAT Verbal Workbook Weaknesses: - Less practice/instruction than SC Book - Less practice/instruction than CR Book - Almost no Reading Comprehension practice (section includes only 2 passages with 4 questions each) - Overall could use more practice questions (true about all PowerScore books) Bottom Line: If you are looking for a great all-in-one Verbal workbook that you can cover in a few weeks, this is a great choice - it condenses 700 pages of PowerScore books into 400. However, minuscule number of practice questions, especially in the RC section, make it unattractive. yellow/0980178266 kaplan_verbal.jpg 1.3 Kaplan GMAT Verbal Workbook Good Verbal review but only 650-700 level. Specialized books recommended for a higher score. Strengths: 1. Realistic strategies for every part of Verbal section 2. Useful Idioms and Vocabulary list 3. Good paper and publishing quality Weaknesses: 1. Few hard verbal questions 2. Some questions (CR) are not very representative of the "authentic" questions Other notes: All the practice questions from this book are available on CD-ROM that comes with Kaplan Premier Program yellow/1419553054 PR_workout.jpeg 1.4 Princeton Review Verbal Workout for the GMAT Slightly outdated and fairly basic(600-650 level). Strengths: 1. Could be a good book for non-native speakers or beginners, maybe... Weaknesses: 1. Strategies seem to focus on "tricks" and unrealistic assumptions 2. Could use more practice questions 3. Generally easy practice questions 4. Paper quality Other notes: The new edition of the main PR book Cracking the GMAT(with DVD) does a much better job at covering the verbal section than this book. yellow/0375764623 2. Critical Reasoning powerscore_critical_reasoning.jpg 2.1 The PowerScore GMAT Critical Reasoning Bible Considered the best GMAT book for Critical Reasoning questions. 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 MGMAT 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 MGMAT CR book; there is no value in owning both For chapter by chapter book notes, see this post: summary-of-the-powerscore-cr-book-82539.html yellow/0972129634 mgmat_cr.jpg 2.2 Manhattan GMAT Critical Reasoning Second best - comes with access to MGMAT's 4 online CAT tests yet refers to the OG for practice questions Strengths: 1. Strategies that work 2. Explanations to the OG questions are very clear 3. Comes with access to 6 online CAT tests (all Manhattan GMAT books have this feature) Weaknesses: 1. Requires purchase of OG 11 or Verbal OG. No practice questions in the book - instead it provides reference to questions in the Official Guide 2. Online question bank is comparatively small Note: This book is very similar in terms of strategies or tips to the PowerScore CR book; there is no value in owning both yellow/0981853307 ps_lsat.gif 2.3 LSAT Critical Reasoning If you need to turbocharge or nuke your Critical Reasoning this may be a book to consider. Note - not a pure GMAT book and does contain significant amount of irrelevant information. With that said, a good source of 700+ questions. Discussion of LSAT materials for use on GMAT yellow/0980178207 3. Sentence Correction mgmat_sc.jpg 3.1 Manhattan GMAT Sentence Correction Highly recommended. Considered the best book for SC. Strengths: 1. Thorough coverage of GMAT grammar concepts 2. Convenient layout 3. Access to 6 Online MGMAT CAT's Weaknesses: 1. Practice question are not provided but refer to the 11th edition of the Official Guide and the Official Guide Supplements Other notes: One of the most referenced books for SC on GMAT Club forum. yellow/0981853366 powerscore_sc.jpg 3.2 The PowerScore GMAT Sentence Correction Bible Very close second book for CR. Strengths: 1. In-depth coverage of relevant grammar points 2. Convenient layout, which simplifies reference to needed material Weaknesses: 1. More focus on grammar and rules, less on strategies and methods 2. Could use more practice questions yellow/0972129650 ultimate GMAT Grammar.gif 3.3 GMAT Club's Ultimate GMAT Grammar Ultimate Grammar Book for the SC section of the GMAT. 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. We suspect a few typos may be found yellow/102387 kaplan_foundations_verbal.jpg 3.4 Kaplan GMAT Verbal Foundations Great for non-native speakers and those very rusty with grammar. Strengths: 1. Focus on areas that are often disregarded such as Infinitive and Gerund verb usage, modifiers, commonly confused words, etc 2. 200 GMAT-style questions and 100+ other questions and quizzes 3. 4.5 pages of GMAT Idioms with explanations and examples 4. Good section on style - word choice, being concise, being appropriate - esp. what words/contractions not to use Weaknesses 1. Several areas could be strengthened (article usage) 2. No index yellow/160714087 4. Reading Comprehension mgmat_rc.jpg 4.1 Manhattan GMAT Reading Comprehension Winner by default but deserves high remarks for trying. Strengths: 1. The only GMAT book fully dedicated to RC (contains 69 questions) 2. Comes with RC passages and questions unlike the other MGMAT materials that only refer to OG Weaknesses: 1. Too few practice questions to deliver a significant score improvement yellow/0981853358 GRE_verbal.jpg 4.2 GRE Prep for RC from Princeton Review Might be a good additional material if RC is the stumbling block Strengths: 1. Contains good practice passages and questions for RC Weaknesses: 1. Is not designed specifically for GMAT and contains some GRE-specific sections yellow/0375765735 powerscore_lsat.jpg 4.3 PowerScore LSAT Reading Comprehension Bible For hardcore RC practice only! Usually not necessary and only to be used by 700+ applicants. It is a level higher than GMAT. See a review of this book by bmillan01 review-of-powerscore-s-rc-bible-86718.html yellow/0980178223 Other Books You May Find Helpful: Fiction books to read for GMAT - improve your RC/SC and enjoy doing it.

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Best GMAT Verbal Prep Books (Reviews & Recommendations)

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whatthehell

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13 Jul 2009, 13:52

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I found Manhattan Review Sentence Correction Guide for free in their website. Is this the one that people recommend in order to improve SC skills?

Besides SC guide for free, doesn Manhattan provide other resources as well that I do not know about?

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13 Jul 2009, 14:05

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whatthehell

There is a difference between Manhattan GMAT and Manhattan Review - two completely different companies....

The one recommended is the Manhattan GMAT SC

chinaikchee

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14 Jul 2009, 08:02

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Hi. I need help in RC. I have MGMAT RC book (2005 edition). Would anyone recommend buying the MGMAT latest RC edition? OR there would not be any value in owning both. Any other advise on how to tackle RC more efficiently? Thanks a lot!

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14 Jul 2009, 09:23

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chinaikchee

Probably not worth buying the 4th edition. I believe there has not been much change.
For me, RC required a more comprehensive approach than just using some strategies - I had to start reading a lot to train my brain to process tightly condensed information - see this post for details: GMAT Fiction. The other recommendation - follow the strategy for RC exactly and precisely. If you are out of practice materials, you can get Kaplan Verbal Workbook or PR 1012.

chinaikchee

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thanks a lot! i have finished the OG11 and Verbal Review (OG). Now proceeding to RC 1000. Will try those books next.

brohan

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21 Jul 2009, 10:52

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Hi BB,

What are the differences between the OG 12th ed and OG for GMAT Verbal Review ? Does the Verbal review book contain a high number of different questions to necessitate purchasing it ?

Thanks.

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21 Jul 2009, 11:17

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brohan

The books are completely different and do not contain any overlapping questions.
OG 12 has 900 questions, and OG Quant and OG Verbal each have 300 questions. For best results, do not use these questions as your guidebooks or study materials - instead as a way to practice AFTER you have done preparing. See this post for details: gmat-study-plan-for-gmat-novices-start-your-gmat-journey-80727.html

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31 Jul 2009, 16:36

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Under CR, why is the powerscore LSAT Logic Games listed? :shock:

Their logic games won't help anyone AT ALL except for introducing one to sufficient and necessary clauses. Did you mean to put up the LSAT Logical Reasoning bible?

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02 Aug 2009, 23:50

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bipolarbear

Under CR, why is the powerscore LSAT Logic Games listed? :shock:

Their logic games won't help anyone AT ALL except for introducing one to sufficient and necessary clauses. Did you mean to put up the LSAT Logical Reasoning bible?

Hm... I think so. Thank you!

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08 Aug 2009, 10:08

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hiiiii

i am new to board

there are many books for verbal ...can you plz help in choosing a verbal book from above list ?

English is my Third language so it is poor...so keeping that in mind which book should i refer ?

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08 Aug 2009, 15:52

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chiank123

Here you go: top-gmat-prep-books-guides-reviews-comments-77703.html

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13 Aug 2009, 00:21

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thanks for the great inputs

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13 Aug 2009, 01:10

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The Verbal Official Guide has been updated.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/047044 ... 0470449756

GMAC came out with the 2nd edition of the Verbal Official Guide on 8/10.
I got one of the first copies. The book has 75 new questions compared to the first edition but looks like nothing else has changed. The first intro section is exactly the same. I have gone through the RC section - it has 5 new passages and it looks like questions have been replaced proportionately in each of the sections.

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25 Aug 2009, 14:00

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THANKS ALOT.... this is great information

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08 Sep 2009, 17:46

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GMAT Club,

I think you guys might be able to help me: I've been studying for the last month and a half fro the GMAT, but would like to polish my "SC foundations" knowledge, as well as my Math and SC practice. Hence, I'm looking for three things:

1. The best "SC foundations" source (I'm a bit confused by all the different rankings)
2. The best (and hardest) Math and SC question collection books available

I'm aiming at a 720+ score, and have already covered the basics to a good degree. I need practice books that would really push me to my limits. I've already got the OG12, Kaplan's GMAT Advanced, Kaplan's Math Workbook and Kaplan's GMAT Premier. Would those 4 books suffice? Should I get anything else? Again, I'm aiming at a 720+, and the questions in all of those four books look fairly easy.

Regards,
Márcio Guilherme.

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16 Sep 2009, 21:12

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Thought I'd chip in my 2 cents on verbal preparation:

1. It's going to be very hard to get a high score if you don't speak English as a first language (and even then, if you don't speak it well). I don't think there's any way around it. To compensate for this: READ everything you can as preparation for the GMAT. Read the NY Times, Wall Street Journal, google news, cnn... anything you can, so that the verbal section becomes a bit manageable. This isn't something you can prepare for in a month... it's going to take several months of reading regularly to improve your overall verbal (assuming you're a non-native speaker).

2. Sentence correction: Arguably the easiest part of verbal to improve in. The Manhattan GMAT Sentence Correction book is a must buy, unless you're getting close to 100% right in your practice tests. It's not a terribly large book, and it's very easy to follow.

3. Reading comprehension: Arguably the hardest part to improve in, especially for non native speakers (see #1 above). I didn't use any specific book for reading comprehension. I did take several full length practice LSAT tests in the past, and those contained several reading comp passages. However, the LSAT tests don't give you an analysis of the right or wrong answers, so I wouldn't recommend them as a study guide.

4. Critical reasoning: I've been meaning to do a quick analysis on this because, based on what I've read, most 700+ posters on here have studied verbal using the LSAT Logical Reasoning Bible. The strategies they give are advanced, and many might be too advanced for the GMAT. However, I felt very prepared after studying this book, even though I studied it awhile back.

In my eyes, therefore, there are 2 clear "must buys" - the MGMAT SC and the LSAT CR Bible. One final word of advice - don't buy loads of different books in hopes of learning more than 1 strategy. You're going to waste a lot of time and in the end it probably won't help your score. If you're going to buy another book for extra practice problems - then that's ok. But don't forget you'll also have access to plenty of practice problems if you buy the MGMAT SC book (it comes with 6 free full length CAT tests and explanation of answers).

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17 Sep 2009, 09:49

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Mario, sorry, did not see your post right away.
The 2 best books for SC are Manhattan GMAT SC and PowerScore SC

If you are week in grammar or English is not your native language, a good book many recommend is Doing Grammar.

For math, you can check out GMAT Club Tests - these are very hard math questions assembled as tests and also as target practice (Arithmetic, Number Properties, Probability, etc).

Hope this helps.

marcioguilherme

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17 Sep 2009, 09:51

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Shadowsjc - thank you for your thoughts as always - Kudos and appreciate it!

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30 Sep 2009, 00:40

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I have been going through all the verbal posts. Thank you guys.

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04 Oct 2009, 15:15

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Thanks to this list, I was able to pick out the best verbal books: Powerscore CR, Manhattan SC, and OG Verbal (2nd edition).

My favorite was Powerscore CR. For me at least, the book's style was great and I didn't feel drained while reading it. Manhattan SC is great too, but a little dry.