GMAT Strategy

I decided to review the materials I have used and I hope one of the mods will sticky this and others can add reviews.

Kaplan Premier

Ideal For: Someone Targeting a score around 600

Pros: It provides a good overview of the test. It has good strategies for reading comprehension, and decent strategies for everything else. I think the passages are a bit more awkward than the actual reading comp passages that one can expect to encounter on the GMAT, so this allows for good practice on harder passages in my opinion.

Cons: The book has typos throughout, but it is usually not hard to understand what the text meant to convey. The math review isn't sufficient to answer all of the questions in the GMAT Official Guide.

How to use this book:

I recommend using this book as your first GMAT book. It is great to get a good understanding of the test and it provides a good overview. What you will learn from this book will give you a good indication of what areas you need to focus on and target.

Princeton Review GMAT 2010

Ideal For: Someone targeting a 600

Pros: The book provides a good overview for the test. I think PR has the best guessing strategies out of all of the major test prep companies.

Cons: I think the questions are easier than they should be. Most of the questions are 300-600 level, with a handful of advanced questions sprinkled in. I think its clear that they only have questions that fit neatly into how they suggest to tackle the material, instead of providing questions that will resemble those you are likely to encounter on your actual test day.

How to use this book:

Same as Kaplan Premier. I recommend using this book as your first GMAT book. It is great to get a good understanding of the test and it provides a good overview. What you will learn from this book will give you a good indication of what areas you need to focus on and target.

Kaplan 800

Pros: Good practice questions to really challenge you. I found it was great in helping me to determine not only the subject I was answering incorrectly, but also the specific sub category of the subject that I was getting wrong.

Cons: It doesn't really teach anything, so you shouldn't go through it until you have gone through other materials.

How to use this book:

Use this book as you get closer to your test date. In my opinion it asks math questions awkwardly at times, so that can be a good or bad thing depending on whether you get frustrated easily. If you don't get frustrated easily it will provide you with questions from a different angle and increase your confidence in being prepared for the exam.

Princeton Review Math Workout

Ideal for: People who need an additional math over view

Pros: The book reviews all of the major topics covered on the GMAT, with the exception of minimizing/maximizing problems, and remainder theory.

Cons: Doesn't go in depth enough on any of the topics. There are a limited number of 700+ level questions (although some of the geometry questions are challenging)

How to use this book:

If you are rusty at math and you don't have the time to go through each of the Manhattan GMAT math guides, then this is a solid math book. You will only be prepared to answer questions in the 500-600 range though.

Barrons GMAT

Ideal for: Those who desire to fail

Pros: None

Cons: Too many to list

How to Use this book:

ONLY buy this book if you have exhausted all other math questions.

Manhattan GMAT Number Properties

Ideal for: Those targeting a top score

Pros: Very thorough. Provides insights into every possible number properties question that you may come across. Very detailed explanations with every problem set.

Cons: Would like to have seen more data sufficiency questions

How to Use this book:

Go through it from cover to cover twice. It is a great resource and according to kaplan, number properties questions make up a quarter of the math test.

Manhattan GMAT Fractions Decimals and Percents


Ideal for: Those that need to brush up on fractions, decimals, and percents

Pros: Very detailed explanations and teaches the material as easily and efficiently as possible

Cons: Would have liked to have seen more FDP word problems (only four good ones in the book)

How to use this book:

If after going through either Kaplan Premier or Princeton Review you determine that you need additional help with FDP, then go through this book front to back.

Manhattan GMAT Equations Inequalities and VICs

Ideal for: Those that are targeting a top score

Pros: The book provides very detailed analysis and teaches difficult material in a clear and concise way. The book provides you with solid questions at the end of each chapter to ensure that you have thoroughly mastered the material.

Cons: None

How to use this book:

Go through it cover to cover and make sure you go through the advanced chapters as well.

Manhattan GMAT Word Translations

Ideal for: Those that are targeting a top score

Pros: This book as well as MGMAT Number Properties are must haves in my opinion. This book teaches Permutations and Combinations the simplest way out of all of the test prep companies. Before I purchased this book I struggled with DIRT (distance rate and time) problems but after going through this book, I get all of those problems right. Also, the chapter on ratios is very good as well.

Cons: Would have liked to have seen Combinatorics and Probability advanced chapters with additional questions.

How to use this book:

Go through the entire book and really focus on your problem areas. After going through a chapter attempt to find similar problems in other books and apply what you have learned to ensure you have complete understanding.



I think that's it for my reviews, the only other book I have is the MGMAT Sentence Correction guide and that is a clear must have to most.