Hard Questions

This topic has expert replies
Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 3
Joined: Sun Jun 28, 2009 5:55 am

Hard Questions

by welch junior » Sun Jun 28, 2009 6:30 am
I tried to look for "Advanced" GMAT books on Amazon. The reviews are very contradictory: some say that the Manhattan series is outstanding, others call it a waste of money, the reviews on the EZ series apparently have been written by its authors, Kaplan is bashed by some and praised by others...
That's why i need your help. What books should i buy to be prepared for the harder questions on the GMAT? The only book specifically designed for that is the Kaplan Advanced. The reviews about it however are not positive.
Any advices will be helpful.
Source: — GMAT Strategy |

User avatar
Site Admin
Posts: 2567
Joined: Thu Jan 01, 2009 10:05 am
Thanked: 712 times
Followed by:550 members
GMAT Score:770

by DanaJ » Sun Jun 28, 2009 8:22 am
Manhattan is extremely well-regarded on this forum, particularly their SC guide. I've also heard positive reviews about their CATs and I understand you get full access to these CATs if you buy just one of their books.

Kaplan 800 is indeed pretty challenging in some respects, but lacking in others. I still hold my view that Kaplan verbal (particularly CR) does not match the quality of OG verbal questions, but I was pretty impressed by their tips in the Kaplan Premier program. However, if straightforward math problems are an issue for you, Kaplan 800 is indeed strong in this area. Its focus on this type of problems comes with the "sacrifice" of word problems, which weren't as stellar.

Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 3
Joined: Sun Jun 28, 2009 5:55 am

by welch junior » Mon Jun 29, 2009 8:54 am
Thank you Dana. You say "particularly their sc guide". Do they have any other material for the gmat?

I am quite good in Math. I had one mistake in 2 GMAT tests i took in Princeton and Kaplan. I am looking for more advanced questions. Any other advice you can provide?

I will buy the Manhattan series as you recommended and use it to study. What about the 3 Powerscore Bible Books?

User avatar
Site Admin
Posts: 2567
Joined: Thu Jan 01, 2009 10:05 am
Thanked: 712 times
Followed by:550 members
GMAT Score:770

by DanaJ » Mon Jun 29, 2009 8:59 am
Manhattan GMAT has something like 8 books, three for verbal and five for quant.

If you feel you're done with maths, then concentrate on verbal. I personally only used the PowerScore CR Bible. To me, it was one of the best resources I laid my hands on. PowerScore is also well-known in the LSAT business, which is basically a harder version of the GMAT verbal, so I'd trust their books. Most people also recommend the above-mentioned SC guide for SC practice. Can't help you any further, though, since I haven't used anything else.

Newbie | Next Rank: 10 Posts
Posts: 3
Joined: Sun Jun 28, 2009 5:55 am

by welch junior » Mon Jun 29, 2009 9:01 am
Thanks! One last question: should i use LSAT material to practice for GMAT?

User avatar
Site Admin
Posts: 2567
Joined: Thu Jan 01, 2009 10:05 am
Thanked: 712 times
Followed by:550 members
GMAT Score:770

by DanaJ » Mon Jun 29, 2009 9:34 am
That really depends. To my understanding, LSAT material is pretty advanced. It has to be, since there's no quant portion in the LSAT and logical reasoning is a great part of being a lawyer. If you feel that you have already mastered all available material for the GMAT and want to improve on CR, then go for it. Otherwise, I wouldn't advise you to start with the harder stuff before finishing with the easy stuff.