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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GMAT TIGER

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23 Oct 2009, 23:24

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OG 10th Edition - "The Holy Book"

Did I miss or it was not mentioned above?

I cannot stop myself mentioning it anywhere as probably the best one.

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24 Oct 2009, 08:40

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GMAT TIGER, I have heard that before. Why do you prefer the 10th edition over others?

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24 Oct 2009, 21:09

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bmillan01

GMAT TIGER, I have heard that before. Why do you prefer the 10th edition over others?

I also prefer to have 10th ed along with 11/12th editions.

My experience is that the book is really comprehensive and includes more questions. The difference betweeen 11th/12th ed and 10th ed is that 11/12th ed books are selective and have few questions but more detail and elegant explanations.

10th ed gives you more practice that all three 11th ed books (or 12th ed books).

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25 Oct 2009, 11:48

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bmillan01

GMAT TIGER, I have heard that before. Why do you prefer the 10th edition over others?

Thanks GT! As always great insight.
Thank you for the recommendation - I will add the book to the master list - still available from third party sellers on Amazon.

A bit more about OG 10 of what I know:
Positives
- 1,400 questions vs. 900 in the OG 11 and OG 12
- Price - right now it is under $10 with shipping for a used copy
- Not too much overlap with OG 11 or OG 12

Negatives
- Significant overlap with PowerPrep (previous version of the GMAT prep software). If you are not planning to use PowerPrep, then this is fine. Also overlap with ETS paper tests
- I would guess the questions on average are somewhat easier but can't really remember anything about the book anymore.

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25 Oct 2009, 16:53

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Whoa, 500 more questions! That's quite impressive. But I see BB's point about overlap with Powerprep. Still, a pretty generous source of questions.

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27 Oct 2009, 14:12

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Please suggest a Good Book for RC?

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27 Oct 2009, 14:20

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dmetla

Please suggest a Good Book for RC?

MGMAT RC listed above - THE ONLY RC BOOK. Kaplan Verbal Workbook and PowerScore Verbal Bible have good RC sections but not as in-depth.

Also, take a look at GMAT fiction - very helpful for RC and SC practice.

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28 Oct 2009, 07:15

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dmetla

Please suggest a Good Book for RC?

I just purchased Powerscore's RC guide. Once I finish it, I will write a review. But the book is kind of thick, so it might take awhile.

I should point out that this book is actually an LSAT guide. However, it provides good practice for 700 level questions.

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28 Oct 2009, 08:09

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dmetla

Please suggest a Good Book for RC?

That would be great!
I usually shy away from recommending LSAT materials though many more advanced (desperate) members used them.

One part I am surprised with, is that why PowerScore does not publish a dedicated RC guide for the GMAT. They have RC covered in their Powerscore Verbal Bible, and they have stand-alone PowerScore CR and PowerScore SC guides, but no RC

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28 Oct 2009, 09:02

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I asked myself the same question about Powerscore. Only Manhattan offers a proper RC manual, but their guide doesn't seem that great.

I'll keep you posted.

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29 Oct 2009, 20:16

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Well, I started Powerscore RC the other day. So far, it seems good.

But then I checked out the reading passages a little further down the road. Whoa, this is hardcore study material. Although a review now would obviously be premature, I thought I should document my initial response.

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31 Oct 2009, 09:23

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Sorry for the third post in a row, but I found a review on this book. In case anyone is particularly anxious or curious about purchasing this book, this provides some details.

https://www.top-law-schools.com/forums/v ... =6&t=40634

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04 Dec 2009, 10:23

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I brought "Manhattan GMAT Sentence Correction", it's pretty good. I was able to learn SC in more detail, and see more examples. My prep class just didn't give me enough detail and examples on SC, so this is helpful.

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My review of the McGraw Hill GMAT Verbal by Doug Pierce.

This book is a grade better than McGraw Hill's GMAT Math book.

It does a good job of breaking down the question types, which actually simplifies the test-taking experience. If you can recognize what the test is looking for (especially in RC and CR questions) you can really take off. It might be a little less strong on SC. It was enough to get me a 99th percentile score on the GMATPrep2. You have to actually do the exercises in order to learn this stuff though.

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How basic is the Kaplan's Verbal Foundation?

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terpsihora

How basic is the Kaplan's Verbal Foundation?

It's only grammar but gmat-relevant grammar and much more than in a typical SC book. If you are international, you may want to get it. Otherwise don't bother.

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20 Jan 2010, 22:29

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Is there a recommended list of vocab to study for the whole verbal section? I did a little research and on the forum and it seems the one compiled by Manhattan is widely used.

Thanks in advance

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lonewolf

Is there a recommended list of vocab to study for the whole verbal section? I did a little research and on the forum and it seems the one compiled by Manhattan is widely used.

Thanks in advance

There is not much of vocab. There are idioms, and you can find a very comprehensive list in the verbal section.
GMAC ran some statistics and they found that studying vocabulary does not help with GMAT score.

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25 Jan 2010, 03:34

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lonewolf

Is there a recommended list of vocab to study for the whole verbal section? I did a little research and on the forum and it seems the one compiled by Manhattan is widely used.

Thanks in advance

Cool, thanks again bb

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04 Mar 2010, 12:50

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hello guys,
Is "Powerscore.LSAT.logic.reasoning.bible" a good study material?
I came to know from my friend about the same but it is actually for LSAT.. can anyone pls throw some light on the usefullness w.r.t. GMAT?

br.

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