If you are going to buy a single book it should be the 13th edition of the Official Guide to the GMAT by GMAC. (Any book that says "Official Guide" that is not published by GMAC is not "official" since it is not written by the test maker).
The OG 13 as it is called, contains more than 900 questions that are written by the people who bring you the GMAT. This book also has some limited strategy advice prior to the problem sets.
In your other posting to this forum you mentioned being rusty in math and English (perhaps grammar?) skills. If this is true then you will likely need to get some additional materials that not only offer lots more practice questions but also take you through the math and grammar skills. Just as an example, most of the 12 volumes of the Veritas Prep books begin with a "skillbuilder." This way you study the basics of geometry before you work through the geometry lesson,and then you have geometry-specific homework.
It is actually better to use a set of books (a single volume is unlikely to be able to take you through all of the material on the GMAT) BEFORE you use the OG 13. Why is that? Because the OG 13 Quant is not organized by topic, such as Algebra, Statistics, and Arithmetic. So that is great practice for AFTER you have learned the skills, you will not know exactly what is coming - like on the real exam.
Essential Materials for everyone:
OG 13th edition
GMATPrep Free Software (including 90 practice questions and 2 Practice Tests).
Nearly 100% essential
GMATPrep Add-on "Prep Pack 1" with another 400 official GMAT questions
Free GMAT exams from good companies Like Veritas, M-GMAT, Kaplan, etc.
If you need more practice exams
GMATPrep add-on "Exam Pack 1" with two additional official practice exams.
Also additional exams available from outside companies listed above.
Need more than 900 (OG13) + 400(Prep Pack 1) Official GMAT questions?
Verbal Review 2nd edition from GMAC
Quant Review 2nd edition from GMAC
Many (most?) People should start with a good set of strategy guides:
The big names in GMAT offer these sets Veritas, M-GMAT, Kaplan are probably best known.
Some things to look for:
If you have any deficiencies in math and grammar make sure that the set contains something like the "skillbuilder" I discussed above. Something that provides you with the basics and gives you some quizzes on the concepts and formulas before you get into actual GMAT type questions.
A volume on Data Sufficiency can be very helpful as this type of question requires its own strategy and can really be a sticking point for many students.
Make sure that the set gives you some really tough questions since the one thing that the official materials lack is questions at the top end. GMAC acknowledges that most questions in the Official Guides are below the 75th percentile. So if you plan to score higher than this you may need to see some more examples of tough questions.
Always be on the lookout for free resources.
I will give you two examples of great FREE resources.
1) The Veritas Question Bank. A treasure chest of free questions! https://www.veritasprep.com/gmat-question-bank/
2) Beat The GMAT! If you find that you have a weakness that you need to address someone here has written about it...
GMAT prep books
This topic has expert replies
Source: Beat The GMAT — GMAT Strategy |
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David@VeritasPrep
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GMAT/MBA Expert
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[email protected]
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Hi ScoreMBA,
What kind of a timeline are you on? Once you can define the details, it'll be easier to offer advice. Many Test Takers need more than a book (or two) to hit their goals, so you need to be flexible enough to adapt your plan.
1) When are you planning to take the GMAT?
2) How much time have you given yourself to study? How many hours/week will you be able to commit to the process?
3) What is your score goal?
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
What kind of a timeline are you on? Once you can define the details, it'll be easier to offer advice. Many Test Takers need more than a book (or two) to hit their goals, so you need to be flexible enough to adapt your plan.
1) When are you planning to take the GMAT?
2) How much time have you given yourself to study? How many hours/week will you be able to commit to the process?
3) What is your score goal?
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
Hi Rich,
1. I'm planning to take the GMAT in August this year, but want to see my scores before picking a date.
2. I can start preparing actively for GMAT after June 7. Aim to spend approx 15 hrs per week for 10 weeks. I'm trying to pick up some basic concepts before June, so I can hit the ground running when I start studying actively.
3. I'm aiming for 700+. 720+ would be a bonus.
Thanks a ton!
1. I'm planning to take the GMAT in August this year, but want to see my scores before picking a date.
2. I can start preparing actively for GMAT after June 7. Aim to spend approx 15 hrs per week for 10 weeks. I'm trying to pick up some basic concepts before June, so I can hit the ground running when I start studying actively.
3. I'm aiming for 700+. 720+ would be a bonus.
Thanks a ton!
GMAT/MBA Expert
-
[email protected]
- Elite Legendary Member
- Posts: 10392
- Joined: Sun Jun 23, 2013 6:38 pm
- Location: Palo Alto, CA
- Thanked: 2867 times
- Followed by:511 members
- GMAT Score:800
Hi ScoreMBA,
I like how you've set out your timeline - by working on the basic knowledge/concepts issues now, you'll be better able to focus on tactics during the summer. If you're looking to reacquaint yourself with the basic "math" that's necessary for the GMAT, then Khan Academy is a great place to build your skills back up (and its free).
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
I like how you've set out your timeline - by working on the basic knowledge/concepts issues now, you'll be better able to focus on tactics during the summer. If you're looking to reacquaint yourself with the basic "math" that's necessary for the GMAT, then Khan Academy is a great place to build your skills back up (and its free).
GMAT assassins aren't born, they're made,
Rich
