Best Books for GRE Preparation

The GRE test prep needs updated curriculum with right guidance with GRE preparation material in order to ace the test. Here are the top 10 GRE test preparation books. GRE study materials help candidates to ace the GRE score. Here are the GRE study material free PDFs with GRE exam preparation books:

1. The Official Guide To The GRE General Test, Third Edition

Great for people who are taking the GRE! The official GRE guide a very in detailed study guide that will go from overview of each section to providing GRE practice tests, sample questions, and in depth understanding of concepts

PROS

• Ideal for beginners
• Classifies the questions into levels
• In depth understanding of concepts
• ETS style phrasing of questions
• Authentic questions

CONS

• This book is nearly identical to the previous (2nd) edition.
• Explanations Can be Inaccessible In some sections
• A Disconnect Between the Math Review and the Questions
• No Vocabulary Lists

The Official Guide To The GRE General Test, Third Edition- Check PDF

2. Official GRE Super Power Pack, Second Edition

The three-book series comprises of “The Official Guide to the GRE General Test, Third Edition”, “Official GRE Quantitative Reasoning Practice Questions, Volume 1, Second Edition,” and “Official GRE Verbal Reasoning Practice Questions Volume 1, Second Edition”. Students will get four GRE tests and additional GRE practice questions in these books. The practice questions you find here come with explanations.

PROS

• Deep understanding of the format of GRE
• 4 complete, real GRE tests 2 in the book and 2 online
• 600 real practice exam questions with detailed answer explanations

CONS

• Doesn’t properly explain some questions

3. Manhattan Prep GRE Strategy Guides

GRE study guide offers 1800 complete practice questions The Manhattan GRE Strategy Book series is called the “Holy Grail” for GRE preparation. A total of eight books or guides come with strategies that will help you score high in your exam. These Manhattan GRE prep books are:

• The Algebra GRE Strategy Guide
• The Number Properties GRE Strategy Guide
• The Fractions, Decimals, & Percents GRE Strategy Guide
• The Text Completion & Sentence Equivalence GRE Strategy Guide
• The Geometry GRE Strategy Guide
• The Word Problems GRE Strategy Guide
• The Reading Comprehension & Essays GRE Strategy Guide
• The Quantitative Comparisons & Data Interpretation GRE Strategy Guide

PROS

• well-explained strategies that deal with most of the question type
• engaging and conversational in nature
• close to the real questions in GRE
• help you understand your weaker areas.

CONS

• It unnecessarily focuses too much on vocabulary than the sentence structure.
• students may feel the verbal section a lot more difficult than it actually is.
• does not offer too many ‘hard-level’ questions that you might be looking for, especially if you are aiming at a high score.

4. Manhattan Prep 5 lb. Series, Third Edition

This best-selling GRE study book is coupled with an online suite of lessons, practice problems and an interactive learning platform. Also enables you for self-paced learning practice. GRE exam best books have up-to-date test content along with online resources. The latest edition offers over 2,000 problems with easy-to-follow explanations written by our top-scoring instructors. Organized into 29 chapters, these cover every type of question you'll encounter on GRE exam pattern.

PROS

• The writing is authoritative and easy-to-read
• Gives you access to six online multistage GRE-like tests.
• Provides you with strategies and tricks on how to tackle down questions on GRE.

CONS

• Questions are not assigned to difficulty level
• Some questions in geometry are unrealistically easy
• Some questions in probability-based chapters are irrelevant

Manhattan Prep 5 lb. Series, Third Edition – Check PDF

5. Magoosh GRE Prep

One of the most budget friendly books in the GRE study guide. Their video resources are highly useful for the beginners. It is a prep book with 130 practice questions, tips on each GRE section. Their prep options are highly affordable, while still seeming to offer most of the same resources as other GRE prep guides.

PROS

• Effective and proper GRE study plan
• Deep library of insightful video lessons with actionable test taking strategies
• Practice problem answer explanations in both text and video format.
• Email assistance available from GRE tutors.

CONS

• problems escalate straight from easy to hard.
• Video lesson production quality is a little lacking.

6. The Princeton Review GRE Premium Prep

This book contains four computer-based practice tests for a real-time assessment. Techniques for success and a thorough content review are also included. With the purchase of this prep book, you also receive $100 toward an online GRE course presented by the experts at the Princeton Review.

PROS

• Filled with tips on how to improve your GRE score
• Detailed examples of how to approach all question types.
• Expansive vocabulary list.

CONS

• Quants section in this book is very easy.

7. Essential Words for the GRE, Fourth Edition

If you are looking for a book to improve your vocabulary. This book contains definitions of more than 800 graduate-level words, and also provides an option of pretest and post-test to understand your level of improvement.

PROS

• A lengthy word list with extensive practice exercises
• Answers are provided for all exercises and for all questions in the pre- and post-test.
• Best book for GRE vocabulary improvement

CONS

• It is not a complete GRE prep book and only focuses on vocabulary, so you may need to supplement your studying with other resources to fully prepare for the exam.

Essential Words for the GRE – Check PDF

8. 1,027 GRE Practice Questions, 5th Edition: GRE Prep for an Excellent Score (Graduate School Test Preparations)

This book gives you everything you need to work your way to the top. Candidates will find tips & strategies for tackling GRE syllabus. There is tons of material to show you what to expect on the exam, and all the practice you need to get the score you want. It includes 1 diagnostic test in the book to assess your preparation, 1 full-length practice test online to train for test day. 73 additional verbal, math, and essay drills (containing an additional 970+ questions).

PROS

• Gives you tactics on how to use the information on the test to answer itself
• Provides practice questions that are basically the same as what you might find on the test
• Bonus vocabulary content online from Word Smart for the GRE to help prepare for Sentence Equivalence questions.

CONS

• Some people find the explanations detailed enough to fully understand the concept

9. GRE Analytical Writing: Solutions to Real Essay Topics Book by Vibrant

One of the best books for essay GRE AWA practice. A variety of approaches are used, from using first-person point of view to employing historical and literary references. The sample essays along with the rubrics, prompts and tips make essay writing easy for even beginners.

PROS

• 72 Solved Issue and Argument topics solved using simple methods and expert strategies
• Detailed strategies to approach each Issue and Argument task
• Detailed strategies to enhance your critical thinking skills

CONS

• Focuses more on the essay writing practice and needs other books for complete preparation.

10. CliffsNotes Math Review for Standardized Tests 3rd Edition

This book reflects Common Core math changes to many of the most widely administered standardized tests. This is a great all-in-one book for anyone trying to regain or strengthen his/her math fundamentals in preparation for a standardized test. 

PROS

• Each review section includes a diagnostic test, in-depth math review, practice problems, and a chapter-end review test.
• help provide the rote practice needed to build and strengthen the math fundamentals
• comprehensive in nature

CONS

• needs another book for practice of higher-level questions.

Utilize all of the resources available to you in your GRE prep books, courses, mobile apps, and online. The use of flashcards can be extremely helpful in bumping up your vocabulary skills. You can make your own flashcards, or you can find GRE vocab lists online or in your chosen GRE prep materials.

Choosing the best GRE prep book at a time sticks to the essential ones ,clearing the base of subjects, improving mathematical skills and use of vocabulary. Practicing real GRE exam study material can make a real difference in your scores. Consistent and timed practice can help you ace any exams with ease.

FAQs

Ques. What are some of the best recommended GRE preparation books?

Ques. Are GRE prep books available for individual sections of the exam?

Ques.  Are practice tests included in GRE prep books?

Ques. How can I select the right GRE prep book for my preparation?

Ques. Is it advisable to use multiple GRE prep books simultaneously?

Ques. Are there GRE prep books specifically focused on vocabulary building?

Ques. Do GRE prep books offer explanations for answers?

Ques. Are there any GRE prep books designed for non-native English speakers?

Ques. Can I find GRE prep books in digital formats?

Ques. Do GRE prep books offer test-taking tips and strategies?

Ques. Can GRE prep books be used for self-study?

Ques. Are there any updated editions of GRE prep books available?

Ques. Do GRE prep books offer online resources or supplementary materials?

Ques. Are there GRE prep books for students aiming for high scores?

Ques. Can I find GRE prep books that cater to specific study schedules?