The Graduate Record Examination, GRE, is a standardised test conducted for admission to various master’s and doctorate programmes in graduate schools, mostly in the US and Canada. It tests students in subjects like Mathematics, Physics and Psychology, while the duration is 170 minutes. The test is offered several times a year and can be attempted by a student for a maximum of 3 times in one year. It analyses the student’s skills of verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, analytical writing, and critical thinking. It also contains specific data analysis or interpretation, arguments and reasoning, algebra, geometry, arithmetic, and vocabulary sections, all of which students can practise by referring to some of the best books for GRE preparation.
What Is The Structure Of The GRE?
GRE is conducted in two forms – computer-based and paper-based. The computer-based test has six sections. The first section is Analytical Writing which involves two further sub-sections of issue and argument tasks. It is graded on a scale of 0 – 6 in half-point increments. The essays for this section are to be written on a computer using a programme designed specifically for the test. As the name suggests, the issue task consists of an issued topic for which the student must write an essay within 30 minutes. Whereas, in the argument task, a compilation of facts and considerations leading to a conclusion is given to the student, based on which they are expected to write an essay that evaluates the argument.
The second and third sections are Verbal sections each. They assess the student’s reading comprehension, critical reasoning, and vocabulary. Each section comprises six text completion, ten critical reading questions, and 4 sentence equivalence, the answers of which are scored on a scale of 130 -170 in 1-point increments.
The fourth and fifth sections comprise two quantitative sections which test the student’s knowledge of basic mathematics and reasoning skills. Scored on a scale of 130 – 170, in 1-point increments, each section contains around eight quantitative comparisons, three data interpretation questions, and nine problem-solving items.
The sixth section is either an experimental or a research-based section. It can be similar to the Verbal section or the Quantitative section. There is no certain way to know which of the given sections is the experimental one since it is not demarcated. It also does not count towards the total score, but it is advised that the student should focus on each section equally. Sometimes, a research section at the end can be expected.
The paper-based GRE has six sections too, but it does not contain any experimental section. Instead, the sub-sections of Analytical Writing are given as two separate sections.
How To Make A Study Plan For GRE Preparation?
When you select the best books for GRE prep, not only do they contain the concepts and practice problems, but they are also designed to help you learn the concepts or revise them depending on your needs. Hence, it is essential to begin by making a study plan. The first step is to analyse your current understanding of the topics and figure out your strengths and weaknesses. By studying the pattern or structure of the test, you can get a fair idea of the areas which require more effort. Next, you should decide on a goal for your total test score, along with the scores of each section. Then, learning and revising each concept several times will make your foundation strong. And lastly, practising the sample questions will prepare you for the test properly.
How To Select The Best Books For GRE Prep?
Once you comprehend your requirements and expectations from a preparation guide, it becomes easier to make your pick. Certain guides are designed to give the readers a complete explanation of all the concepts, whereas other guides are meant to be used only for revision. Books specifically aiming at certain sections are also available, which should be used in case you wish to increase your score in that particular part of the test. Also, the cost of books is a major attribute. New copies might be too expensive to buy. Instead of which, students can consider purchasing second-hand material. However, the edition of the book must be noted if it is a used copy. Also, you should pay heed to the format of the book, whether it is a paperback or an online copy. While you may go ahead and select the best books for GRE preparation, if you aren’t comfortable with the format, you may not be able to study as efficiently.
Which Are Some Of The Best Books For GRE Preparation?
The list below comprises the top-rated books most suitable for your preparation. You can buy your own GRE prep guides on Amazon, Flipkart or via any such online services.
| Sr. No. | Name Of The Book | Current Price Of A Paperback |
| 1. | Official GRE Super Power Pack, 2nd Edition | INR 5,892 |
| 2. | Kaplan’s GRE Prep Plus 2023 | INR 5,767 |
| 3. | Manhattan Prep’s 5 lb. Book of GRE Practice Problems | INR 2,793 |
| 4. | The Princeton Review’s GRE Premium Prep | INR 1,119 |
| 5. | GRE Prep by Magoosh | INR 1,535 |
| 6. | Manhattan Prep’s GRE Strategy Guides, 4th Edition | INR 24,999 |
| 7. | Test Prep Books’ GRE Prep 2022-2023 Review | INR 3,456 |
| 8. | Barron’s GRE Essential Words, 5th Edition | INR 299 |
| 9. | The Princeton Review’s 1,027 GRE Practice Questions, 5th Edition | INR 897 |
| 10. | Mometrix’s GRE Prep, 5th Edition | INR 2,102 |
Official GRE Super Power Pack, 2nd Edition
This book is designed by the test-makers themselves and provides 4 full-length GRE practice tests combined with a compilation of additional practice questions. The practice questions also come with easy-to-understand explanations.
Kaplan’s GRE Prep Plus 2023
This GRE prep book is an absolute must-have for students looking to study through a step-by-step plan. It comes with five full-length online practice tests, one full-length test in the book, one-year online access to Kaplan’s GRE prep material, and a compilation of the best test-day tips and strategies.
Manhattan Prep’s 5 lb. Book of GRE Practice Problems
This prep book consists of more than 1,800 practice problems which enable students to thoroughly practise for every section of the exam. They also provide access to online resources and up-to-date study material.
The Princeton Review’s GRE Premium Prep
It includes five online practice tests, two tests in the book, comprehensive answer explanations, and section-based drills. They also provide in-depth score reports for the online tests to help the students determine their strengths and weaknesses.
GRE Prep by Magoosh
Each aspect of the GRE is elaborated in easy-to-follow terms in this prep book. Hundreds of practice questions, a full-length test, sample study plans, and helpful answer explanations and tips make it one of the best books for GRE prep.
Manhattan Prep’s GRE Strategy Guides, 4th Edition
It is a set of eight guides that cover the most important strategies and content which students need to know. Each book consists of topics like geometry, word problems, or algebra. This provides an all-inclusive overview of the exam and prepares you for every type of question.
Test Prep Books’ GRE Prep 2022-2023 Review
Expert test-taking strategies, practice questions, and detailed answer explanations are some of the key highlights of this book. Question types like arithmetic, data analysis, and reading comprehension are explained in an easy-to-follow manner.
Barron’s GRE Essential Words, 5th Edition
This prep book is a suitable option for those who wish to improve their vocabulary and revise the definitions of hundreds of graduate-level words. With a pre-test at the beginning, you can acquire an estimate of your initial understanding and preparation. Whereas in the end, a post-test measures how far you’ve come.
The Princeton Review’s 1,027 GRE Practice Questions, 5th Edition
This book is excellent for familiarising yourself with each section of the GRE. Along with a full-length diagnostic test and another full-length test online, you also get 73 additional verbal, math, and essay drills.
Mometrix’s GRE Prep, 5th Edition
This book contains 650+ practice questions with in-depth explanations, a chapter dedicated to each GRE question type, and an individual performance summary too. They also provide access to video tutorials.
FAQs
1. Which are the best books for GRE review?
Kaplan’s GRE Prep Plus 2023, The Princeton Review’s GRE Premium Prep and Official GRE Super Power Pack are some of the highly recommended GRE prep books.
2. Which section of GRE is the hardest?
One of the more difficult sections of the GRE is its vocabulary since half of the Verbal Reasoning section tests your knowledge of quite sophisticated vocabulary.
3. Is the GRE tough for Indian students?
It was found that for Indian students, the Quantitative section is comparatively easier since most people have already done engineering. At the same time, the Verbal section proves to be tough as a lot of word lists are supposed to be remembered.
4. How many attempts are allowed for the GRE?
The maximum number of attempts allowed in one year is 5. Also, there should be a minimum gap of 21 days between two consecutive retakes.
5. How much does the GRE cost in India?
The GRE fee in India for 2023 is $228 or around INR 18,800.
6. For how many months is the GRE score valid?
GRE scores are valid for five years.
Thank you for reading our guide to the best books for GRE preparation! Let us know your queries or suggestions in the comments section below.
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