The Graduate Management Admission Test, also known as GMAT, is a computer-adaptive test designed to test a student’s analytical, written, quantitative, verbal and reading skills in English. GMAT is considered an entrance exam for more than 7,000 programmes and courses by around 2,300 colleges and universities across the globe for management programmes like Master of Business Administration, Master of Accountancy and Master of Finance, amongst many others. It is conducted multiple times a year, and students can opt to attempt the GMAT up to 5 times a year and for a total of 8 times. The most appropriate way to crack the exam is by analysing its pattern, practising enough and preparing using the best books for GMAT.
What Is The Pattern Of The GMAT?
The GMAT assesses students’ knowledge of English grammar and reading along with mathematical skills like arithmetic, geometry and algebra. The test is broadly divided into four sections. The first section is Analytical Writing Assessment, where candidates have to write an essay within 30 minutes. It is graded on a scale of 0 to 6 in half-point intervals.
The second section consists of Integrated Reasoning. A total of 12 questions are to be solved within 30 minutes. Candidates can expect questions of different formats like table analysis, graphics interpretation, multi-source reasoning and two-part analysis. It is graded on a scale of 1 to 8.
The third section consists of Quantitative Reasoning, where students are tested on their ability to solve quantitative problems, interpret the given graphic data and analyse the information to use it in the best way. A total of 31 questions are to be solved within 62 minutes. It is scored on a range of 0 to 60.
The fourth and final section is the Verbal assessment. Question types usually include reading comprehension, sentence correction, and critical reasoning. A total time duration of 65 minutes is given to complete 36 questions, whereas the scores range from 0 to 60.
How To Draw Up A Study Plan For GMAT?
Before you conduct your research to find the best books for GMAT preparation, it is essential to draw up a study plan and prepare accordingly. First and foremost, you should understand your current capabilities in depth. This would help you analyse your strengths and weaknesses and work on them to better to score more. You should aim for the scores of each section and the total marks, such that you can qualify for whichever programme you want in a university of your choice. Once you go through the pattern of each section and its scoring, you should learn and revise the concepts ample amount of times to obtain the most optimum scores. Lastly, keep practising each concept’s applications so that you are prepared in every way possible.
How To Pick The Best Books For GMAT Preparation?
The most important attribute is your requirement. While some books are designed for learning and understanding the concepts, others are to be used majorly for revising. Also, your choice of the best books for GMAT preparation should depend on your strengths and weaknesses. For instance, if one of the sections comes under your strong suit, then you should focus more on the other weaker sections which may be explained better in other books. Also, consider the format of the book. Some people prefer to read in a paperback format, while others can study efficiently regardless of the format. However, since the actual test is in a computerised format, it is advisable to switch to an online format even if you begin your preparation with physical resource material. Lastly, one of the major factors is the cost. While buying a brand new copy might be expensive, opting for second-hand material is preferable to save money. But you should be aware of the edition of the books you buy and whether or not it will be useful if the need to rewrite the exam comes to be. Students can also search for books online since they are much cheaper.
Which Are The Best Books For GMAT Preparation?
The following list classifies the recommended books for your preparation. You can buy your own GMAT prep guides on Amazon, Flipkart or via any such online services.
| Sr. No. | Name Of The Book | Current Price Of Paperback |
| 1. | GMAT Official Guide | INR 4,077 |
| 2. | GMAT Official Advanced Questions | INR 2,130 |
| 3. | Manhattan Prep’s ‘All the GMAT’ | INR 13,253 |
| 4. | Kaplan GMAT Prep Plus | INR 3,825 |
| 5. | Princeton Review’s “Premium Prep” | INR 2,415 |
| 6. | Official Guide Quantitative Review | INR 2,129 |
| 7. | Nova’s GMAT Math Prep Course | INR 2,775 |
| 8. | Jeff Sackman’s Total GMAT Math | INR 5,154 |
| 9. | Official Guide Verbal Review | INR 1,761 |
| 10. | Powerscore’s GMAT Critical Reasoning Bible | INR 2,662 |
| 11. | Manhattan Prep’s GMAT Strategy Guide | INR 13,253 |
GMAT Official Guide
This book is designed by the makers of the GMAT exam themselves and is an absolute must-have for your prep. It is the most reliable source to access more than a thousand questions from previous years’ exams. It is available in an online format and mobile app too.
GMAT Official Advanced Questions
It is undeniably one of the best books for GMAT preparation for all those aiming for a high score. It consists of more than 300 difficult questions from previous exams, which will give you enough additional practice. This book, too, is available in both an online format and a mobile app.
Manhattan Prep’s ‘All the GMAT’
It is advisable for preparing concepts from scratch since it contains every concept in detail. On getting the complete set from Manhattan Prep, students can acquire the paperback and online content along with additional tools. The paperback content has three books, one each for the quantitative section and the verbal section, and the third for Analytical Writing Assessment and Integrated Reasoning combined. The online content includes two e-books for students aiming for higher scores, a study syllabus to track your progress, and six complete adaptive practice tests. Lastly, the additional tools include a GMAT navigator, strategies for time management and practice problems.
Kaplan GMAT Prep Plus
Although this book covers all the different concepts and strategies for all four sections separately, it is advisable to use this book for revision. Its paperback content contains more than 350 practice questions with solutions, whereas the online content has six practice tests and 200 questions in an online question bank.
Princeton Review’s “Premium Prep”
This book is recommended for revision and not learning the concepts. The paperback content has all the concepts, along with a chapter summary for each of them. Along with practice tests and additional questions, the online content also has two diagnostic tests and weekly study plans.
Official Guide Quantitative Review
The Quantitative Review focuses only on the Quantitative section. It provides additional practice questions from previous exams for practice along with strategies designed to score better in this section.
Nova’s GMAT Math Prep Course
It is a complete guide for Math that elaborates on all the quantitative concepts with examples and practice exercises. A diagnostic test measuring your strengths and weaknesses is included too. If you need to prepare only for the Quantitative section, then this book is a must-have.
Jeff Sackman’s Total GMAT Math
It is another comprehensive and popular book for preparing for the Quantitative section that explains every type of question in the section in detail. The book is divided into multiple sections. Every section contains a compilation of practice questions.
Official Guide Verbal Review
Similar to the Official Guide Quantitative Review, the Verbal Review focuses only on the Verbal section. This book provides additional Verbal questions from previous years’ exams for practice along with strategies for acing this section.
Powerscore’s GMAT Critical Reasoning Bible
This comprehensive book is popular amongst GMAT candidates as it helps you prepare for CR. It includes the basics of GMAT argumentation and practice questions and teaches how to solve the questions using a step-by-step process. Tips for time management are also included.
Manhattan Prep’s GMAT Strategy Guide
If you wish to prepare for any specific sub-section, you can use the Strategy Guide. Several practice questions are also included.
FAQs
1. Which books should I use for GMAT preparation?
GMAT Official Guide, GMAT Official Advanced Questions, Manhattan Prep’s ‘All the GMAT’ and Kaplan GMAT Prep Plus are some of the best books for GMAT preparation.
2. Is scoring 700 in GMAT tough?
Getting 700 on GMAT is hard. It requires an incredible amount of preparation and skill since students will need to solve tough maths problems, apply advanced grammar rules, and extract meaning from dense text and data.
3. Which is the toughest section of the GMAT?
The Quantitative Reasoning portion is considered to be the most difficult part of the GMAT. Rather than using advanced arithmetic and solving complex equations, this section of the test requires you to solve problems by using logic and analytical reasoning to find relevant data.
4. What is the maximum number of GMAT attempts?
Students can opt to attempt the GMAT up to 5 times a year and for a total of 8 times.
5. How much does the GMAT exam cost in India?
The GMAT exam fee in India is US$275, which is approximately ₹21,000.
Thank you for reading our guide to the best books for GMAT preparation! Let us know your queries or suggestions in the comments section below.
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