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GRE Study Materials: Best Books For GRE Preparation (Updated List 2024)

Updated on 13 June, 2024

Akansha Semwal

Akansha Semwal

Study Abroad Expert

gre study materials

In 2023, around 1,13,304 Indian students took the Graduate Records Examination (GRE) test, a standardized test for graduate admissions. The exam is now for approximately 1 hour and 58 minutes, with a reduction from six to five sections. With the increasing competition to ace the exam, selecting the right GRE preparation books is paramount.

With many options available in the market, which one to buy can be confusing. Some popular choices of GRE books include –  ETS Official Guide, Barron's 6 GRE Practice Tests, ETS Official GRE Verbal Reasoning Practice Questions & Official GRE Quantitative Reasoning Practice Questions. You can select one of the 11 best books for GRE preparation enlisted in this article and enable your dream of studying abroad. 

11 Popular Books for GRE Preparation

Top scores in the GRE will help you get admission to the best graduate school for a master’s or PhD program. 

The books mentioned below are considered the best GRE study materials for 2024. 

  1. Official GRE Super Power Pack
  2. GRE Complete 2024 (GRE Prep Plus 2024)
  3. Princeton Review GRE Premium Prep, 2024
  4. Manhattan Prep GRE Strategy Guides
  5. Manhattan Prep 5 lb. Series, Fourth Edition
  6. Mometrix GRE Prep 2024-25 
  7. 1,027 GRE Practice Questions, Fifth Edition: GRE Prep for an Excellent Score
  8. Essential Words for the GRE, Fourth Edition
  9. GRE Analytical Writing: Solutions to Real Essay Topics Book by Vibrant
  10. GRE Prep, 2022-23: 3 Full-Length Practice Tests and GRE Study Book [12th Edition]
  11. GRE Prep by Magoosh

5 Things to Look for in GRE Book

Multiple GRE study books are available; however, they may differ in style, presentation, practice questions, and more. 

The following tips will help you choose the right GRE practice books for your preparation:

  1. Focus on the Layout: Ensure the book has a clear organization of topics and sub-topics. Check if it provides a comprehensive overview of sections, such as quantitative reasoning, verbal reasoning, and analytical writing.
  2. Number of Practice Tests: Verify if the book offers GRE practice tests. It should feature at least a couple of practice tests within the book. Sometimes, publishers can offer additional practice tests online, so ensure enough practice questions are included in your GRE book.
  3. Level of practice questions: When it comes to the level of practice GRE problems, working with test-like GRE exam study material is essential to reflect the content, formatting, and difficulty level of the actual exam.
  4. Detailed Answer Explanations: Check if the best book for the GRE offers detailed answer explanations along with tips and tricks for solving them.
  5. Test-Taking Strategies: These GRE prep materials should provide insights on attempting the test and building effective test-taking strategies.

Recommended Reads:

GRE Exam Eligibility CriteriaGRE Exam DatesGRE Test Centers
GRE Exam fee in IndiaHow to Register for GRE Exam in IndiaIs GRE Required for Masters in Canada
Sections in GRE ExamHow to Prepare for Verbal in GREHow to Score 170 in GRE Quant

Download these useful guides to ace your GRE preparation

GRE Quant Guides
GRE verbal Sample
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Details of Popular GRE Study Material 

Publisher: McGraw Hill

Price: ₹5,234 (approx) plus shipping

Author: Educational Testing Service

The three-book series comprises – “The Official Guide to the GRE General Test, Third Edition,” “Official GRE Quantitative Reasoning Practice Questions, Volume 1, Second Edition,” and “Official GRE Verbal Reasoning Practice Questions Volume 1, Second Edition”. 

These books will give students four GRE tests and additional GRE practice questions. The practice questions you find here come with explanations.

GRE Complete 2024 (GRE Prep Plus 2024)

Publisher: Kaplan Publishing

Price:  ₹6,104 for 3-book set

Author: Kaplan Test Prep

If you are going to make a master study plan, this bundle is for you. You will get a total of three books, namely “GRE Prep Plus 2024”, “GRE Math Workbook,” and “GRE Verbal Workbook”. You will get test-day strategies and tips for scoring well on your first attempt. With the help of this guide, access to the online practice material is also provided.

Princeton Review GRE Premium Prep, 2024

Publisher:  The Princeton Review

Price: ₹1,227

Author: Princeton Review 

The book contains four computer-based practice tests for a real-time assessment. Techniques for success and a thorough content review are also included. 

Manhattan Prep GRE Set of 8 Strategy Guides, 4th Edition 

Publisher: Manhattan Prep Publishing

Price:₹15,436

Author: Manhattan Prep

Eight books or guides come with strategies that will help you score high in your exam. These books are: 

  • The Algebra GRE Strategy Guide
  • The Number Properties GRE Strategy Guide
  • The Fractions, Decimals, & Percents GRE Strategy Guide
  • The Text Completion & Sentence Equivalence GRE Strategy Guide
  • The Geometry GRE Strategy Guide
  • The Word Problems GRE Strategy Guide
  • The Reading Comprehension & Essays GRE Strategy Guide
  • The Quantitative Comparisons & Data Interpretation GRE Strategy Guide

The purchase of this set allows one year of access to six Manhattan GRE’s practice sets online. 

Manhattan Prep 5 lb. Series, Fourth Edition

Publisher: Manhattan Prep

Price: ₹1,425

Author: Manhattan Prep

It is one of the best GRE study materials and contains over 1,800 practice problems. With the help of this book, you can prepare for each section of the GRE. The book has up-to-date test content along with online resources.

Mometrix GRE Prep 2024-25 

Publisher: Mometrix Test Preparation 

Price: ₹1,900

Author: Mometrix Test Preparation

You will get over 650 practice questions along with their explanations in this book. You can also find chapters that are dedicated to every type of GRE question. You can also personalize your study plan with an individual performance summary that you find in this book.

1,027 GRE Practice Questions, Fifth Edition: GRE Prep for an Excellent Score

Publisher: Princeton Review

Price: ₹1,891   ₹906

Author: Princeton Review 

With several practice questions, you will get familiar with each GRE section before the exam. You will get a full-length practice exam in the book to understand the extent of your preparation. The book's other content includes 73 extra verbal, math, and essay questions. 

Essential Words for the GRE, Fourth Edition

Publisher: New Age International

Price: ₹1,503

Author: Philip Geer

If you want to improve your vocabulary and definitions of 800 graduate-level words, this book is right. At the beginning of the book, you will find a pre-test, and, in conclusion, there is a post-test. These will help you better understand where you are in your preparation. 

GRE Analytical Writing: Solutions to Real Essay Topics Book by Vibrant

Publisher: Vibrant Publishers

Price: ₹2,158 (approx)

Author: Vibrant Publishers

It is one of the best books for essay writing practice. You can find 145 samples of essays in this book. You can also find detailed guidelines on essay writing. You can train yourself using this book to avoid mistakes during the test.

GRE Prep, 2022-23: 3 Full-Length Practice Tests and GRE Study Book [12th Edition]

Publisher: TPB Publishing 

Price: ₹3,619 (approx)

Author: TPB Publishing

In this book, you will find practice test questions, expert test-taking strategies, and explanations of answers in detail. 

The book helps students brush up on several types of questions, from data analysis and arithmetic to reading comprehension and verbal reasoning.

GRE Prep by Magoosh

Publisher: RTC Publishing

Price: ₹1,417 

Author: Magoosh, Chris Lele, Mike McGarry

It is a prep book with 130 practice questions, tips on each GRE section, and a complete practice test. The book also has video explanations.

Apart from knowing the right books for the GRE exam preparation, you should also keep the tips stated in the next section to stand out.

GRE Preparations Tips

Achieving success in the GRE requires a strategic approach. Here are essential do's and don'ts to guide your GRE preparation.

Do's for GRE Preparation

Ensure your GRE preparation is on track with these recommended practices.

Do's

Description

Study RegularlyCreate a well-structured study schedule with specific time slots for each GRE section.
Use Official MaterialsUtilize official GRE exam material such as ETS publications and practice tests.
Understand ConceptsFocus on understanding the underlying concepts from the GRE preparation books in each section rather than rote learning.
Practice RegularlyRegularly practice with timed tests and questions to improve your speed and accuracy.
Review MistakesAnalyze and learn from your mistakes by understanding why you missed certain questions.
Seek FeedbackSeek feedback from tutors, study partners, or online forums to identify areas for improvement.
Stay PositiveMaintain a positive mindset, focus on your progress, and believe in your ability to succeed.

Don'ts for GRE Preparation

Avoid common pitfalls in GRE preparation by steering clear of these practices.

Don'ts

Description

ProcrastinateAvoid procrastination and study irregularly, as it can lead to gaps in your preparation and increased stress.
Rely on Unofficial MaterialsDo not rely solely on unofficial GRE materials or outdated study guides that may not accurately reflect the GRE format.
Memorize Without UnderstandingAvoid memorizing without comprehension, as it can lead to difficulty in applying knowledge to test questions.
Neglect Consistent PracticeDo not neglect consistent practice or rely solely on theoretical knowledge without practical application.
Ignore MistakesAvoid ignoring mistakes or failing to understand the patterns of errors, as this can hinder improvement.
Avoid Seeking FeedbackDo not avoid seeking feedback or constructive criticism, as it can limit your ability to address weaknesses.
Panic During TestsDo not panic or stress excessively during practice or tests, as it can lead to impaired performance.
Dwell on Past FailuresDo not dwell on past failures or doubts about your abilities, as this can impact your confidence and overall performance.

Conclusion 

The above-mentioned GRE study materials are helpful if you are engaged in self-study or coaching to crack the test. With their help, taking the test will feel less stressful, and you can easily tackle the GRE questions and achieve your study abroad goal. 

Disclaimer: All the prices are indicative.

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FAQs

How to prepare for the GRE?

The following tips will help you prepare for the GRE- 

  1. Maintain a consistent GRE study schedule.
  2. Read a lot of non-fiction that is analytical.
  3. Recognize your strengths and weaknesses.
  4. Take a few practice exams.
  5. Keep track of your progress.

How to prepare for the GRE online for free?

To prepare for GRE online, one can find free resources on Magoosh, Quizlet, ETS PowerPrep, and Leap Test Platform, among others. There are several education channels on YouTube too that students can follow for their test preparation.

What is the best GRE prep book?

Magoosh GRE Material (Verbal and Quants), Manhattan 5 lb. book, and Official ETS Material are among the best resources for GRE.

Where to buy GRE prep books?

You can buy GRE Prep books both online and offline. Magoosh GRE Material (Verbal and Quants), Manhattan 5 lb. book, and Official ETS Material are among the best resources for GRE.

How is Barron's GRE book?

Barron's GRE prep book includes valuable information on the quantitative and verbal components of the GRE. This book contains two full-length practice exams with answer keys; the practice questions at the end of each chapter are less helpful than the actual GRE.

It also gives you access to two more online practice tests, each with explanations for the different types of practice questions.

How is Manhattan Prep 5Lb book for GRE?

Manhattan Prep's 5 Lb. Book of GRE Practice Problems is certainly the heaviest GRE book! It is appropriate for students at all levels of preparation. You can focus your skill range and test your shortcomings by increasing the difficulty level of the practice problems. 

It's a one-stop prep solution with math and verbal practice questions and terminology and idioms. A thorough explanation and analysis accompany each practice question. 

Furthermore, this book comes with many online tools, including a large GRE practice question bank, an online GRE introduction, and an archive of challenging GRE problems.

Which is the best book for GRE, Kaplan or Manhattan?

Kaplan's GRE Prep includes a comprehensive guide with several study alternatives, access to videos and online tutoring, and countless online practice tests. Math is basic and solely teaches the formula.

Manhattan GRE Prep has a specific reading comprehension section, a solid quantitative section, and an advanced quantitative section. There is almost no good resource for the verbal section, and there is no worthy reference for the text and sentence completion.

Which is the best practice book for GRE data interpretation?

Manhattan Mock Test Series (A set of 6 mock tests), Barrons GRE practice problems, and ETS Power prep tests are some best books for GRE data interpretation.

Which is the best GRE book for verbal?

ETS Official GRE Guide, Manhattan Verbal, and Barron's Verbal Book are among the best books for GRE Verbal.

Disclaimer: All the salary figures/fees/expenditures are indicative.

Akansha Semwal

Study Abroad Expert

Akansha Semwal is a content marketer at upGrad and has also worked as a social media marketer & sub-editor. Experienced in creating impressive Statement of Purpose, Essays, and LOR, she knows how to captivate the attention of Admissions Committee. Her research-driven;study-abroad articles helps aspirants to make the prudent decision. She holds a bachelor's & master's degree in Literature from the University of Delhi.

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