Table of Contents
Key Takeaways:
- The official GMAC GMAT Preparation books remain the most accurate source, with over 1,500 real GMAT questions.
- 94% of test takers use GMAT prep books as part of their study strategy.
- Top-rated GMAT Preparation books typically cover all three sections: Quantitative, Verbal, and Data Insights. On average, successful GMAT test-takers spend 121 hours preparing, often using a combination of books and online resources.
- The GMAT Official Guide Bundle, updated annually, includes three books with 1,900+ questions and costs around $70.
- Third-party GMAT Preparation books often offer more in-depth explanations and additional practice questions beyond official materials
Preparing for the GMAT can be a challenging journey, but having the right resources at your fingertips can make all the difference. As you set your sights on pursuing a master's degree abroad, selecting the best GMAT Preparation books is crucial for achieving your target score.
This comprehensive guide explores top-rated GMAT study materials, offering insights to help you choose the resources that align with your learning style and goals. Whether you're aiming for a top business school or seeking to enhance your quantitative and verbal skills, we've got you covered with expert recommendations and tips to maximize your GMAT preparation.
List of Best GMAT Preparation Books
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If you are a first-time test taker, it is possible to feel lost among the sheer options of books, test preparation materials, and GMAT preparation guides available. In this blog, we have made it easier for you to find the best GMAT preparation books.
| Book | Author |
| GMAT Official Guide Bundle 2024-25 | GMAC (Graduate Management Admission Council) |
| Princeton Review GMAT Premium Prep, 2024 | The Princeton Review |
| GMAT All the Verbal: Manhattan Prep | Manhattan Prep |
| GMAT Complete by Kaplan | Kaplan |
| Power Score GMAT Verbal Bible | Power Score |
| GMAT For Dummies | Lisa Zimmer Hatch |
| Kaplan GMAT 800 | Kaplan |
1. GMAT Official Guide Bundle 2024-25
Published by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), this bundle is considered the gold standard among the GMAT preparation books. It includes four key resources: the main GMAT Official Guide, plus separate Quantitative, Verbal, and Data Insight Review guides.
The 2024-25 edition features over 1,600 practice questions from all categories – easy, medium, and difficult. It also includes online access to an exclusive question bank and customizable practice sets.
What makes this bundle invaluable is that the questions and explanations come directly from the test makers.
2. Princeton Review GMAT Premium Prep, 2024
Often touted as the all-in-one solution to GMAT preparation, this book includes six full-length computer-adaptive practice tests along with detailed topic reviews across Verbal, Math, and Integrated Reasoning.
With over 120 GMAT practice questions and diagnostic warm-ups, each sorted by difficulty, the Princeton Review GMAT Premium Prep is perfect to gain a realistic test-day experience and progressively build your skills.
3. GMAT All the Verbal: Manhattan Prep
Manhatten Prep All the GMAT is an expanded GMAT study guide that consolidates 10 previous GMAT preparation books into three GMAT Focus prep books.
This guide is highly regarded, featuring two exclusive e-books with advanced content and six full-length adaptive practice tests. It also includes online bonus materials and a study syllabus to help you map out your GMAT study plan effectively.
4. GMAT Complete by Kaplan
Almost every Kaplan series is held in extremely high regard by the actual test takers and reviewers of the GMAT. The best part about them is their detailed answer explanation after every chapter. The same goes for Kaplan's GMAT Complete guide as well.
With over 2,000 practice questions across the GMAT Quant and Verbal sections, this guide mirrors the GMAT's format and adaptivity so you gain a realistic test experience. Its online Quiz Bank, featuring 500+ questions, further allows you to customize your practice by topic.
Mind that the questions in Kaplan are much more difficult compared to the actual questions in the tests, and this bundle doesn't contain Data Insights questions.
5. Power Score GMAT Verbal Bible
Powerscore is only to help you brush up on your Verbal skills for GMAT. It is a set of 3 books, each dedicated to critical reasoning, reading comprehension, and sentence correction respectively.
These books contain detailed explanations to help you clear your basic concepts and understand the reasoning behind the answers.
However, the only major problem with these books is that they do not contain any practice problems. You should buy the Powerscore Trilogy if you aim to build a solid foundation for the verbal section of the test.
6. GMAT For Dummies
The ‘For Dummies’ series published by Wiley Publications includes a collection of books on various topics with the assumption that the people reading them have absolutely no idea what it is, hence the name.
The GMAT for Dummies book is no exception. Due to the basic assumption, this book consists of various test-taking methods and strategies to help you understand the base of the test. It will help you understand how to manage your time during the test, how to process each question and also guess and eliminate options.
If you do not have anyone to guide you through the entire process, this book can be your go-to mentor. Along with the book comes a CD that includes 7 computerized practice sets and a large number of flashcards to help you brush up on your concepts. If you purchase the Dummies book, you have to buy another prep material to provide you with enough practice test questions for the application of your concepts.
7. Kaplan GMAT 800
Kaplan GMAT 800 is specifically for students aiming for top scores (700+) on the GMAT. It focuses on the most difficult question types across all sections of the exam.
What sets this book apart is its concentration on advanced concepts and challenging practice questions that go beyond what's typically found in standard GMAT preparation books. It includes detailed explanations for each question so students can actually understand the logic behind them.
The book also offers advanced strategies for time management and error reduction.
While not suitable as a primary resource for most students, it's an excellent supplement for those who have already mastered the basics and are looking to push their scores into the highest ranges.
How to Choose the Right Books
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Finding suitable materials is the first step in the GMAT preparation kit. However, this initial step might be intimidating for many due to the plethora of test preparation firms promoting their books.
Here are some factors you must consider when choosing "your ideal" GMAT preparation books or resources:
- Your current level - You may need focused resources for your weak areas.
- Content coverage - Whatever book or bundle you choose, it must cover all the current GMAT sections.
- Practice Questions - Look for the prep material that mirrors the difficulty level of the actual GMAT and also includes the questions directly from previous exams.
- Your chosen prep book must include in-depth explanations and strategies from experienced instructors
- Additional Resources - Almost every GMAT preparation book comes with bonus online resources, such as question banks, flashcards, video tutorials, and study plans. If yours don't, you should consider a better option.
- User Reviews and Recommendations - Read reviews from other test-takers and educators. Books that consistently receive high ratings, like those from Manhattan Prep or the Princeton Review, are often reliable choices.
Finally, consider your personal learning style. Do you prefer detailed topic-wise explanations or targeted practice sets? Choose wisely!
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Conclusion
Selecting the right study materials is crucial for GMAT success, and these top GMAT books offer a wealth of knowledge, practice, and strategies. The Official Guide for GMAT Review, All the GMAT Manhattan Prep, Kaplan GMAT 800, The PowerScore GMAT Verbal Trilogy Bible, and the Princeton Review GMAT Premium Prep are among the best resources available for 2024-25 GMAT preparation.
By incorporating these books into your study plan, you'll gain the necessary skills, knowledge, and confidence to excel in the GMAT and pave the way for a successful business school journey.
