What books should I buy at start of 2012 year?

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Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
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I received my bachelors two years ago, worked for two years, recently quit (by choice) with the companies blessings, took a month vacation to see family overseas, and am now at the very early stages of preparing for my GMAT studying. As shown in this thread, I will be using the online community (blogs, forums, etc) to help me prepare for the exam.

The thing I would like to know is what are the most recent books that I should buy. Has the 2012 editions of the GMAT Official Guides and Kaplan's come out yet? If I use a recent previous version, like 2011, 2010, or 2009, will the material be significantly different then the 2012 version of the exam I will be taking this year?

Thanks for any tips.
Source: — GMAT Strategy |

Junior | Next Rank: 30 Posts
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by fueledGMAT » Thu Jan 05, 2012 7:16 pm
kellogs,

I would say that it depends on when you plan on taking the GMAT. If you are trying to get in before June, I strongly recommend the OG 12th edition, and I would use last years Manhattan books. The test is undergoing some significant changes in June, with a new section replacing one of the Analytical Writing Assessments. If you don't expect to make the test before then, I would hold off and get the new materials being released this year. The Kaplan 2012 Premier guide has a small chapter on the new section, but there is not a significant amount of material out at this time. The new integrated reasoning section does have some practice questions available at https://www.mba.com/the-gmat/nex-gen/int ... rmats.aspx, but that is essentially all you will find at this time. According to GMAC, the OG 13th edition will not be available until April, and I assume that the other courses will follow suit soon after. My advice to you is to use what is out there now and take the test before the June 5th changeover. I hope this helps.

v/r

Shaun
"Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away." ~ Antoine de Saint-Exupery