Powerscore CR vs Manhattan CR Guide

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enjoylife1788: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 38; Joined: Sat Aug 15, 2009 10:31 pm; Location: India

Powerscore CR vs Manhattan CR Guide

by enjoylife1788 » Mon Sep 26, 2011 5:52 am

Hey,

I have started my preparations and have thought of following the BTG's 60 day study plan. I have a dilemma regarding CR Study material. I have both Manhattan's CR Guide and Powerscore's CR Guide. I have heard that Powerscore CR Guide is more comprehensive and has better techniques. Honestly, I havent gone through either of them. But wanted to make sure before i start so that I dont waste my time in redundant prep.

So could someone please let me know which one to follow?

Thanks

Dhrumil Parekh

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Source: Beat The GMAT — Critical Reasoning | Mon Sep 26, 2011 5:52 am

cans: Legendary Member; Posts: 1309; Joined: Mon Apr 04, 2011 5:34 am; Location: India; Thanked: 310 times; Followed by:123 members; GMAT Score:750

by cans » Mon Sep 26, 2011 7:35 am

+1 for powerscore bible

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Cans!!

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theforrestgump: Senior | Next Rank: 100 Posts; Posts: 54; Joined: Tue Aug 30, 2011 12:29 pm; Thanked: 4 times

by theforrestgump » Tue Sep 27, 2011 3:38 am

Same here +1 for CR bible...following is BB's review of the book when compared to the mgmat cr

This is the best CR book out there. Though pretty similar to Manhattan GMAT book, it offers more practice questions in the book and has a slightly better overview of the Critical Reasoning questions.

~~~ Strengths: ~~~
1. In-depth overview of the Critical Reasoning strategies and approaches to questions
2. Clearly divides the CR question types and provides specific strategy for each type as well as the pitfalls and common errors. You will also get to know how the CR questions are made.
3. Good quality GMAT-like practice questions
4. Created by the authors of the best LSAT books (LSAT logic section is much harder than CR on the GMAT; there is actually a decent amoount of overlap in this book with the LSAT book). Speaking of which, for extra hardcore (and absolutely not necessary but still), you can get the PowerScore LR book (comes with quite a few LSAT questions)

~~~ Weaknesses: ~~~
1. Could use more practice questions (more than mgmat though); you will need to find another source of CR questions such as GMAT Official guide 12 or the verbal supplement to the Official Guide (though the verbal OG has questions on the easier side)
2. Some explanations are too convoluted
3. No tests or online excercises/additional content

~~~~ My Suggestions ~~~~
- Read explanations to every question. Even if you got a question right, it does not mean, you solved it correctly (that is you used the correct approach or found all the shortcusts). You will be surpised sometimes and will pick up helpful tips even from explanations of questions you answered correctly
- Follow the actual strategies (DUH). This is probably the most common mistake people make - they start inventing their own approaches. Don't do it until you have a high verbal score. If you don't, just follow!
- If you don't have any Manhattan GMAT books, you want to get at least one, as each comes with access to 6 online CAT tests (these tests are worth the purchase). There is not a whole lot of value to get both Powerscore CR and MGMAT CR; the content is by large the same.

Good luck on your GMAT!
BB, Founder of GMAT Club
GMAT 750 (q49, v42)