Best GMAT preparation Books
There are literally thousands of books and online resources to help you prepare for the GMAT. In this blogpost, we suggest 4 books that critics and test takers have found particularly useful. To make sure you choose the right one for you, take a free online test from start to finish to identify your strengths and weaknesses. Check out your selected business schools minimum and average GMAT entry scores and define your personal goal. Then, read the information below and get the book that best suits your needs.
Complete GMAT Strategy Guide Set, 6TH EDITION
(Manhattan Prep GMAT Strategy Guides)
# 1 Bestseller in Business School Guides (Amazon)
Resources: 10-book set
Approach: comprehensive and highly demanding
Contents: GMAT Roadmap; Number Properties; Fractions, Decimals, & Percents; Algebra; Word Problems; Geometry; Critical Reasoning; Reading Comprehension; Sentence Correction; Integrated Reasoning & Essays; online computer-adaptive practice exams and Question Banks (one-year access).
Manhattan Prep’s study materials are famous for often being more difficult than those you’ll be asked to work with in the actual GMAT. Its authors are GMAT instructors that score in the 99th percentile and follow the test’s official guidelines. This is the right choice for you if your aim is to surpass the 700 mark.
The Official Guide to the GMAT Review 2017 Bundle, 2nd edition
Question Bank + Video
# 1 Bestseller in GMAT Preparation Books (Amazon)
Resources: 3 books (global, quant, and verbal); online
Approach: global with specific focus on the verbal and quantitative sections
Contents: 100-question diagnostic test; over 900 questions from past tests with detailed answers; study tips; test strategies; customizable online tests.
Published by the General Management Admissions Council (GMAC), this is the only study set that contains official GMAT questions. Students identified typos in previous editions that have since been corrected. In terms of practice, this is probably your best option. Review materials are however limited (the GMAC also sells complementary study materials).
Cracking the GMAT Premium Edition, 2017
with 6 Computer-Adaptive Practice Tests
(Graduate School Test Preparation)
2017 Princeton Review Edition
Resources: book; online (Premium Portal)
Approach: overarching, covering pre-exam diagnostics and study plans; test prep materials with varying degrees of difficulty; and tips for post-exam academic interviews
Contents: 6 full tests with detailed score reports; review materials and drills for each section; 180 prep questions; step-by-step explanations of the most difficult exercises; test strategies; study plans; essay examples; online tutorials; advice on business school applications and funding (Premium Portal)
The Princeton Review GMAT series is a user-friendly solution for all students, with the added bonus of helping you devise a study plan that deals with your strengths and weaknesses. Depending on how they use it, students can study for higher or average GMAT scores. The additional information on business school applications is also relevant, given that the GMAT is only one part of the process. The downside of this book in our opinion is the few prep questions included. You will most likely need to get a complementary book.
GMAT Premier 2017
with 6 Practice Tests: Online + Book + Videos + Mobile (Kaplan Test Prep)
Resources: book; online; mobile app
Contents: 6 full tests; over 1200 prep questions; 130 hours of video tutorials; 40 questions + answers explained in detail for higher scorers.
Approach: comprehensive, focusing both on test contents and test strategies
Kaplan study materials are directed to the common student. They cover the GMAT in its entirety and avoid distracting concepts. Kaplan also offers intensive, regular or self-paced online courses (prices vary according to the chosen modality) and a unique opportunity to take a mock test at a Pearson Vue center to help you familiarize with the actual test day environment.
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