Top 5 Best GRE Prep Books in 2024
Passing a GRE test is the last step towards getting into a world-class graduate program. A big part of the preparation process is learning from a great GRE prep book. Anyone who has passed the GRE test will tell you that the quality of your study material determines how much time you will spend preparing. So, if you don’t want to end up studying countless hours prepping for your GRE test, check out our selection of some of these best GRE prep books. That means the better your study material is, the less time you will spend preparing for the test. Of course, the common nominator for every prep book on our list is the continuous stream of positive user reviews.
Some prefer to choose based on the author of the book, how the material is presented, the questions presented there, etc. Our approach, as mentioned above, is more straightforward; the students have the last word. That’s our criteria, and it should be yours as well.
Based on that, here is our selection of the top GRE prep books:
Top GRE Prep Books for 2024
ETS’ Official GRE Super Power Pack
For those seeking an all-encompassing approach, the ETS’ Official GRE Super Power Pack stands out as the authoritative source, directly from the test makers. It offers a comprehensive package with detailed explanations for a vast array of practice questions and full-length tests, ensuring familiarity with the exam’s format and types of questions.
This package contains pretty much anything you need to pass the GRE. The three prep books included in the bundle are:
- The Official GRE Verbal Reasoning Questions
- The Official Guide to the GRE
- The Official GRE Quantitative Reasoning Questions
Buying the bundle will save you a considerable amount of money, but you also get 600 practice questions at your disposal, each answered and explained. Then you also get four GRE tests, complemented by two more computer-based test simulations.
Manhattan Prep GRE Strategy Guides
Manhattan Prep’s offerings, including the GRE Strategy Guides and the 5 Lb. Book of GRE Practice Problems, are renowned for their strategic insights and the breadth of practice problems. These resources are particularly valuable for students looking to deepen their understanding of specific subjects and enhance their problem-solving skills. The combination of strategy guides with the extensive practice problem book makes for a robust study plan, covering both content mastery and test-taking strategies.
Manhattan Prep’s 5 Lb. Book of GRE Practice Problems
This is probably one of the most popular GRE practice books on the market. Some even go that far and say it is the perfect GRE resource.
It features questions of all difficulty levels, which makes this book so popular. That way, students can assess their skill range and easily find their weaknesses. Every question presented in the book is followed by a detailed answer and evenly detailed analyses.
There are over 1,800 practice questions to ensure that no stone is unturned and you build a fundamental understanding of even the most complex topics. Many students who passed the GRE even say that the Manhattan Prep’s 5 Lb book is an excellent addition to the Prep GRE Strategy Guides.
So, if you want to be truly thorough in your efforts to prepare for the GRE test, you may consider buying them altogether.
Kaplan’s GRE Prep Plus
Kaplan’s GRE Prep Plus stands out for its comprehensive coverage and inclusion of the latest test practices, offering over 2,200 practice questions that span a range of difficulties. Each question is accompanied by detailed explanations, and they are also categorized by their level of difficulty to aid in targeted study. However, some critics of Kaplan’s GRE Prep Plus argue that it tends to emphasize memorizing formulas over understanding underlying concepts, which may not align with every student’s learning style.
Barron’s Essential Words for the GRE
Barron’s Essential Words for the GRE is an invaluable resource for those looking to enhance their vocabulary, a critical component of success on the GRE. The book introduces readers to over 20,000 common words that frequently appear on the GRE, complete with thorough explanations to aid in understanding and application. Despite its strengths, the book’s main drawback is the absence of phonemic spelling for the words, which could be a hurdle for some learners in mastering pronunciation.
In sum, selecting the right combination of these resources can provide a well-rounded preparation strategy. Students might consider starting with the ETS’ Official GRE Super Power Pack for a solid foundation, supplementing with Manhattan Prep for strategic and problem-solving skills, Kaplan for extensive practice, and Barron’s for vocabulary enhancement. This holistic approach can help students not only to cover all bases of the GRE but also to tailor their study plan to their individual learning needs and strengths.
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