Best GMAT prep book: How to choose the best GMAT study materials

Let's just say, that preparing for the GMAT is no walk in the park. It demands dedication, time, and the right materials to help you through the challenge – you need to be ready to put in the hours to find the study materials that work best for you. As prospective MBA candidates, we often find ourselves at a crossroads when deciding on the optimal study resources for the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT). This decision becomes even more critical for those of us preparing for the newly introduced GMAT Focus Edition (GFE). This new version of the GMAT demands a shift in our preparation strategies, especially given the limited availability of resources tailored to the Focus Edition. The GMAT prep material can really make or break your confidence on test day.  By strategically investing in the most suitable prep books, candidates can exponentially enhance their prospects of attaining their target scores and securing admission to their desired business school programs.

What is the best GMAT study material?

Ah, the million-dollar question! The reality is that the notion of the "best" material is inherently subjective, hinging upon one's individual learning preferences and requirements. Key to your selection should be resources that offer more than mere practice questions. Instead, prioritize materials that delve into comprehensive explanations, showcase varied strategies, and impart critical test-taking tips. Here’s the encouraging part: a robust GMAT preparation approach often entails the artful amalgamation of diverse resources. Envision it as the assembly of a formidable power team, each member contributing a unique set of skills and expertise to the collective goal of GMAT success.

A strategic point of departure is often the official study material for GMAT crafted by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), the architects of the exam. These resources encompass free online question banks, practice tests, and study guides, providing an authentic glimpse into the GMAT arena. They are quintessential for familiarizing yourself with the exam's structure and the types of questions you'll encounter.

Moreover, leveraging online platforms equipped with adaptive learning technologies can prove immensely advantageous. These innovative tools adjust the difficulty of questions based on your performance, closely mimicking the actual GMAT’s adaptive nature. This personalized approach ensures that you are continually challenged and can pinpoint and address your weak spots effectively.

Does it matter which year GMAT material I study?

The GMAT exam format can change over time, so it's important to use recent study materials that reflect the current exam. However, slightly older resources can still be relevant, especially for honing fundamental skills. Many of the questions have remained the same over the years. The main danger you run into using ultimate materials is studying topics such as geometry and sentence corrections which have been removed from the GMAT Focus. 

What are the best GMAT prep books?

The foundation of any strategic GMAT study plan should undoubtedly be the "Official Guide to the GMAT" developed by the Graduate Admissions Council (GMAC).
Central to the Official Guide Books' excellence is their alignment with the latest GMAT syllabus, including the recently introduced GMAT Focus Edition. This new edition places heightened emphasis on data literacy skills, challenging aspiring MBAs to adapt their study strategies. The Official Guide Book adeptly addresses these new demands, offering tailored content that equips test-takers with the requisite tools for success.

Strengths:

• 1,100 real GMAT questions
• The practice questions follow actual GMAT test patterns - great to have one's ear-trained
• Online system but sometimes hit and miss

Weaknesses:

• The book does not contain any strategies
• It does have a few short review sections but they are very weak
• Mostly low and medium-difficulty questions. Not very helpful to a person aiming to get above 655+.
• Most of the data insights questions are only available online and a brand new book must be purchased to the question bank using a unique code. 

However, while the GMAT Official Guide Book stands as the cornerstone of Focus Edition preparation, it is crucial not to overlook the significance of time-tested resources that have proven instrumental in conquering the classic GMAT.

• Manhattan Prep’s ‘All the GMAT’: Manhattan Prep’s comprehensive set offers aspirants a deep dive into GMAT content with rigorous practice questions, detailed answer explanations, and broad coverage of all test areas, making it an invaluable tool for comprehensive GMAT preparation. In June 2024, a new version of the Manhattan prep books was released.
• Powerscore’s GMAT Critical Reasoning Bible: This GMAT book is particularly adept at honing critical reasoning skills, offering detailed techniques to improve analytical thinking and significantly boost one’s performance in the critical reasoning sections.
• Princeton Review's “Premium Prep”: Known for its user-friendly explanations and strategies, Princeton Review’s comprehensive text helps demystify the daunting aspects of the GMAT for test-takers at all levels. This book is probably the most lightweight and list impactful on score improvement. 

Given the GMAT's evolution, a judicious blend of these resources can cater to a myriad of learning styles and preparation needs, equipping candidates effectively for both the traditional and the Focus Edition of the GMAT. As the landscape of business education continues to evolve, so too must the tools with which future leaders prepare to conquer their admissions challenges.

Why Use a GMAT Prep Book?

These materials are meticulously designed to transcend mere studying by optimizing your preparation time to deliver peak performance outcomes. They equip you with methodical approaches for tackling each segment, the acumen to make educated guesses, and strategies to sidestep prevalent pitfalls. These resources typically offer:

• In-depth Content Coverage. They provide exhaustive reviews of all the subject areas within the ambit of the GMAT, spanning quantitative and verbal dexterity to analytical composition and integrated reasoning.

• Strategic Test-Taking Approaches. Understanding how to strategically navigate the exam can significantly bolster your performance. These tomes impart methodologies that empower you to manage time efficiently, confidently tackle challenging questions, and embrace the exam with unfettered confidence.

• Practice Materials and Simulated Exams. To mirror the tangible experience of the GMAT, They not only gauge your knowledge but also condition you for the stamina and tempo requisite for the actual exam.

What is the best resource to study for the GMAT?

Evaluating your available study time empowers you to make informed resource selections. If your schedule permits intensive preparation, comprehensive GMAT prep courses might be optimal. However, if time is a constraint, consider focused study guides or online practice question banks to maximize efficiency. 

Explore free GMAT resources such as practice exams and online forums. If your budget permits, premium resources like prep courses and personalized tutoring offer enhanced support and guidance.

Free GMAT preparation materials:

1. GMAT club offers free practice test plus thousands of questions in the forum, a downloadable Math book, a free error log, and GMAT club rewards that help you get many resources free. You can also check out GMAT Club's YouTube channel, which is a mini-course on GMAT that covers all the topics. 
2. Khan Academy – Although not specifically designed for the GMAT, Khan Academy offers a treasure trove of lessons encompassing the mathematical and verbal domains crucial to the exam.
3. GMAT Official Starter Kit – Graciously provided by GMAC, this comprehensive kit includes 90 practice questions and two full-length simulated exams, offering a veritable trial run.

Virtual Congregations: A Nexus of Guidance

1. GMAT Club – Transcending a mere forum, GMAT Club stands as a repository of knowledge. It hosts a diverse array of resources such as practice queries, mock exams, incisive performance analyses, and invaluable counsel on MBA applications.
2. Reddit's r/GMAT – Not as resource-rich as GMAT Club, but still an active space to share experiences and gather peer opinions.

GMAT Prep Courses:

Manhattan Prep

Renowned for their scrupulous and meticulous course structure, Manhattan Prep presents both self-guided and live GMAT prep courses, catering to diverse learning preferences.

Magoosh GMAT 

Magoosh positions itself as a financially accessible online GMAT prep course, enriching aspirants with a plenitude of practice questions, didactic video lectures, and mock tests.

Target Test Prep  

Specializes in a focused and highly personalized approach to GMAT preparation, excelling in quantitative sections and offering a structured, progressive study plan for mastery.

eGMAT

Known for its student-centred design, eGMAT delivers a data-driven, adaptive learning experience, with strengths in verbal sections and strategies tailored to improve accuracy.

GMAT Whiz 

GMAT Whiz integrates AI-driven tools to create an adaptive and personalized study plan, helping students optimize their preparation through smart analytics and targeted practice.

Experts’ Global

Provides a well-rounded GMAT prep experience with a blend of video lessons, practice tests, and a distinctive online interface, popular for its test-taking strategies and efficiency-focused curriculum.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) 

Which are the best GMAT prep books for self-study?

1. Manhattan Prep GMAT Strategy Guides
2. Official Guide for GMAT Review
3. The PowerScore GMAT: Critical Reasoning Bible, Reading Comprehension Bible, Verbal Bible
4. Manhattan Prep GMAT 6th edition

Which GMAT prep book should I buy as a beginner? 

Start your GMAT journey with the Official Guide for GMAT Review published by GMAC, which serves as a solid foundation for your studies with reliable practice materials. Along the way, join the lively GMAT Club community, where you’ll find helpful insights, many debriefs and success stories and strategies from others who’ve successfully navigated the exam.