The first step in succeeding on the GMAT is making sure that you are preparing with the right materials. Dana Jinaru, a self studier who scored a 770, has reviewed the top GMAT books to help you filter the good references from the bad. Read her full book reviews below.
GMAT Overview Books
The Official Guide for GMAT Review, 12th Edition
Rating: 
Dana’s perspective: A must have for all test takers! Features over 900 official, retired GMAT questions
Appropriate for: All test takers
Practice problems: 907
Practice tests: None
Full Review: Read the full review
Purchase: Buy from Amazon.com
Kaplan GMAT 2010 Premier Live Online
Rating: 
Dana’s perspective: Good GMAT strategy guide, but doesn’t go deep on concepts
Appropriate for: All test takers
Practice problems: 345
Practice tests: 6
Full Review: Read the full review
Purchase: Buy from Amazon.com
Cracking the GMAT, 2010 Edition
Rating: 
Dana’s perspective: Decent intro to the GMAT, but inadequate for people seeking higher scores
Appropriate for: Test takers seeking 600-level scores
Practice problems: 280+
Practice tests: 4
Full Review: Read the full review
Purchase: Buy from Amazon.com
Kaplan GMAT Advanced 2009-2010 Edition
Rating: 
Dana’s perspective: Not recommended. This book lacks structure and doesn’t cater well to top scorers
Appropriate for: Test takers seeking 600-level scores
Practice problems: 320
Practice tests: None
Full Review: Read the full review
Purchase: Buy from Amazon.com
GMAT Verbal Books
The Official Guide for GMAT Verbal Review
Rating:
Dana’s perspective: Excellent GMAT Verbal practice makes this book worthwhile
Appropriate for: All test takers, especially those who require additional verbal practice
Practice problems: 300
Practice tests: None
Full Review: Read the full review
Purchase: Buy from Amazon.com
Kaplan GMAT Verbal Workbook
Rating:
Dana’s perspective: Excellent GMAT Verbal guide, with great balance between concepts and practice problems
Appropriate for: Test takers who struggle with GMAT Verbal
Practice problems: 250
Practice tests: None
Full Review: Read the full review
Purchase: Buy from Amazon.com
Manhattan GMAT Sentence Correction GMAT Preparation Guide, 4th Edition
Rating:
Dana’s perspective: This is the best GMAT Sentence Correction guide available!
Appropriate for: Test takers who struggle with GMAT Verbal
Practice problems: 187
Practice tests: 6
Full Review: Read the full review
Purchase: Buy from Amazon.com
The PowerScore GMAT Critical Reasoning Bible
Rating:
Dana’s perspective: Simply the best GMAT Critical Reasoning book available
Appropriate for: Test takers who struggle with GMAT Verbal
Practice problems: 50
Practice tests: None
Full Review: Read the full review
Purchase: Buy from Amazon.com
GMAT Math Books
The Official Guide for GMAT Quantitative Review, 2nd Edition
Rating:
Dana’s perspective: Decent GMAT Math practice, but not enough difficult questions
Appropriate for: Test takers who need more GMAT Math practice
Practice problems: 300
Practice tests: None
Full Review: Read the full review
Purchase: Buy from Amazon.com
Kaplan GMAT Math Workbook
Rating:
Dana’s perspective: Valuable GMAT math refresher, especially good for people with rusty math skills
Appropriate for: Test takers who struggle with GMAT Math
Practice problems: 600+
Practice tests: None
Full Review: Read the full review
Purchase: Buy from Amazon.com