The GMAT is a standardized test that measures your analytical, verbal, quantitative, and integrated reasoning skills. It is one of the most important factors for business school admissions, as it reflects your readiness for an advanced business education.

Preparing for the GMAT can be challenging, especially if you have a busy schedule or limited resources. That’s why using prep books can be a great way to boost your GMAT score and confidence. Prep books can help you learn the concepts, strategies, and techniques that are tested on the GMAT, as well as provide you with practice questions, tests, and explanations.

But how do you choose the right GMAT prep book for your needs? There are so many options available in the market, each with its own features, pros, and cons. To help you make an informed decision, we have reviewed some of the best GMAT prep books in 2023 based on expert research and evaluation. We have also included some tips on how to use them effectively and some additional resources for your GMAT preparation.

Why Use GMAT Prep Books?

GMAT prep books offer several benefits for your GMAT study. Here are some of them:

• They cover all the topics and question types that are tested on the GMAT, so you don’t miss anything important.
• They provide clear and concise explanations of the concepts and methods that are required for solving GMAT problems.
• They offer tips and tricks to help you save time, avoid mistakes, and improve your accuracy and efficiency on the test.
• They include hundreds or thousands of practice questions and tests that simulate the real GMAT experience and difficulty level.
• They give you feedback and insights on your strengths and weaknesses, so you can focus on your improvement areas.
• They are affordable, accessible, and flexible. You can use them at your own pace and convenience, anywhere and anytime.

According to insights from experts and successful GMAT takers, using prep books can significantly improve your GMAT score if you use them properly and consistently.

Top-Ranked GMAT Prep Books

Based on our expert team’s research and evaluation, we offer the following list of the best GMAT prep books available:

• Kaplan GMAT Prep Plus
• The Princeton Review GMAT Premium Prep
• Manhattan Prep All the GMAT
• GMAC GMAT Official Guide
• Mometrix Test Preparation GMAT Prep Book

Here is a brief overview of each top-ranked book, including its unique features, pros, and cons.

Kaplan GMAT Prep Plus

Kaplan is one of the most trusted names in test preparation, and its GMAT Prep Plus book is one of its best-selling products. This book offers a comprehensive guide to the GMAT, covering all the sections, topics, and question types that are tested on the exam. It also provides over 350 practice questions with detailed answer explanations, six online computer-adaptive practice tests with score reports and analysis, online video lessons by Kaplan instructors, an online quiz bank with over 200 questions, and a mobile app for studying on the go.

Some of the unique features of this book are:

• It includes a chapter on analytical writing assessment (AWA), which is often overlooked by other books.
• It offers strategies for integrated reasoning (IR), which is one of the most challenging sections of the GMAT.

Some of the pros of this book are:

• It covers all the content and skills that are required for the GMAT in a clear and concise manner.
• It provides realistic and updated practice questions and tests that reflect the actual GMAT format and difficulty level.
• It gives you access to online resources that enhance your learning experience and convenience.

Some of the cons of this book are:

• It may not be sufficient for advanced or high-scoring students who need more challenging and in-depth practice.
• It may contain some errors or typos, which can be confusing or misleading for some students.

The Princeton Review GMAT Premium Prep

The Princeton Review is another reputable name in test preparation, and its GMAT Premium Prep book is one of its most popular products. This book offers a complete guide to the GMAT, covering all the sections, topics, and question types that are tested on the exam. It also provides over 1,200 practice questions with detailed answer explanations, six online computer-adaptive practice tests with score reports and analysis, online video tutorials by The Princeton Review experts, an online study plan tool, and a mobile app for studying on the go.

Some of the unique features of this book are:

• It includes a chapter on data sufficiency (DS), which is one of the most unique and tricky question types on the GMAT.
• It offers strategies for sentence correction (SC), which is one of the most important sections of the GMAT verbal section.

Some of the pros of this book are:

• It covers all the content and skills that are required for the GMAT in a clear and concise manner.
• It provides realistic and updated practice questions and tests that reflect the actual GMAT format and difficulty level.
• It gives you access to online resources that enhance your learning experience and convenience.

Some of the cons of this book are:

• It may not be sufficient for advanced or high-scoring students who need more challenging and in-depth practice.
• It may contain some errors or typos, which can be confusing or misleading for some students.

Manhattan Prep All the GMAT

Manhattan Prep is one of the most respected names in test preparation, and its All the GMAT bundle is one of its most comprehensive products. This bundle consists of three books: All the Quant, All the Verbal, and All the Strategy. These books offer an in-depth guide to the GMAT, covering all the sections, topics, and question types that are tested on the exam. They also provide over 2,000 practice questions with detailed answer explanations, six online computer-adaptive practice tests with score reports and analysis, online video lessons by Manhattan Prep instructors, an online study plan tool, an online question bank with over 2,000 questions, an online interactive math quiz bank with over 500 questions, an online interactive verbal quiz bank with over 500 questions, an online interactive IR quiz bank with over 100 questions.

Some of the unique features of these books are:

• They include chapters on advanced topics such as number properties, geometry, algebra, probability, statistics, combinatorics, critical reasoning (CR), reading comprehension (RC), and AWA, which are often neglected by other books.
• They offer strategies for all the question types and subtypes that are tested on the GMAT, such as problem solving (PS), DS, SC, CR, RC, IR, and AWA.

Some of the pros of these books are:

• They cover all the content and skills that are required for the GMAT in a thorough and detailed manner.
• They offer a comprehensive and rigorous practice, with plenty of examples and exercises to challenge your understanding and application.
• They provide realistic and updated practice questions and tests that reflect the actual GMAT format and difficulty level.
• They give you access to online resources that enhance your learning experience and convenience.

Some of the cons of these books are:

• They may be overwhelming or intimidating for beginner or intermediate students who need a more simplified or concise approach to the GMAT.
• They may contain some errors or typos, which can be confusing or misleading for some students.

GMAC GMAT Official Guide

GMAC is the official organization that administers the GMAT, and its GMAT Official Guide is the official source of GMAT practice material. This guide offers a comprehensive guide to the GMAT, covering all the sections, topics, and question types that are tested on the exam. It also provides over 1,900 practice questions with detailed answer explanations, two online computer-adaptive practice tests with score reports and analysis, an online question bank with over 1,900 questions, an online flashcard tool with over 350 flashcards.

Some of the unique features of this guide are:

• It includes real questions from past GMAT exams, which are the most authentic and reliable source of GMAT practice material.
• It offers insights from the test makers on how to approach each question type and what skills are tested on each section.

Some of the pros of this guide are:

• It covers all the content and skills that are required for the GMAT in a clear and concise manner.
• It provides realistic and updated practice questions and tests that reflect the actual GMAT format and difficulty level.
• It gives you access to online resources that enhance your learning experience and convenience.

Some of the cons of this guide are:

• It may not be sufficient for advanced or high-scoring students who need more challenging and in-depth practice.
• It may contain some errors or typos, which can be confusing or misleading for some students.

Mometrix Test Preparation GMAT Prep Book

Mometrix is one of the leading names in test preparation, and its GMAT Prep Book is one of its most affordable products. This book offers a complete guide to the GMAT, covering all the sections, topics, and question types that are tested on the exam. It also provides over 300 practice questions with detailed answer explanations, a full-length practice test with score report and analysis, online video tutorials by Mometrix experts, an online study plan tool, and a mobile app for studying on the go.

Some of the unique features of this book are:

• It includes a chapter on test anxiety, which is a common problem for many GMAT takers.
• It offers strategies for all the question types and subtypes that are tested on the GMAT, such as problem solving (PS), DS, SC, CR, RC, IR, and AWA.

Some of the pros of this book are:

• It covers all the content and skills that are required for the GMAT in a clear and concise manner.
• It provides realistic and updated practice questions and tests that reflect the actual GMAT format and difficulty level.
• It gives you access to online resources that enhance your learning experience and convenience.

Some of the cons of this book are:

• It may not be sufficient for advanced or high-scoring students who need more challenging and in-depth practice.
• It may contain some errors or typos, which can be confusing or misleading for some students.

How to Choose the Right GMAT Prep Book

Choosing the right GMAT prep book can make a big difference in your GMAT preparation and performance. However, there is no one-size-fits-all solution for every student. The best GMAT prep book for you depends on several factors, such as your current skill level, learning style, and specific needs.

Here are some factors to consider when choosing a GMAT prep book:

• Your current skill level: You should choose a GMAT prep book that matches your current skill level and helps you reach your target score. For example, if you are a beginner or intermediate student who needs to learn the basics and improve your fundamentals, you may benefit from a comprehensive and concise book such as Kaplan GMAT Prep Plus or Mometrix Test Preparation GMAT Prep Book. On the other hand, if you are an advanced or high-scoring student who needs to master the advanced topics and challenge yourself with harder questions, you may benefit from a thorough and rigorous book such as Manhattan Prep All the GMAT or Veritas Prep Complete GMAT Course Set.
• Your learning style: You should choose a GMAT prep book that suits your learning style and preferences. For example, if you are a visual learner who likes to see diagrams, charts, graphs, and images to understand concepts better, you may benefit from a book that uses these elements extensively such as The Princeton Review GMAT Premium Prep or The PowerScore GMAT Critical Reasoning Bible 2022. On the other hand, if you are an auditory learner who likes to hear explanations and instructions to understand concepts better, you may benefit from a book that comes with online video lessons or tutorials such as Kaplan GMAT Prep Plus or Mometrix Test Preparation GMAT Prep Book.
• Your specific needs: You should choose a GMAT prep book that addresses your specific needs and goals. For example, if you need to focus on a particular section or topic that is your weakness or interest area, you may benefit from a book that covers that section or topic in depth such as Manhattan Prep’s GMAT Foundations of Math or The PowerScore GMAT Critical Reasoning Bible 2022. On the other hand, if you need to get an overview of the whole test and practice all the sections and topics equally, you may benefit from a book that covers everything comprehensively such as Kaplan GMAT Prep Plus or The Princeton Review GMAT Premium Prep.

To help you choose the right GMAT prep book for your needs, you can also read reviews from other users and experts online or offline. You can also take advantage of free trials or samples offered by some books or publishers before buying them.

Additional GMAT Preparation Resources

While using prep books can be very helpful for your GMAT preparation, they are not the only resources available. There are other resources that can complement your GMAT study and enhance your GMAT performance. Here are some of them:

• Online courses: Online courses can provide you with structured and interactive lessons, quizzes, tests, and feedback on the GMAT. They can also offer you personalized guidance, support, and motivation from instructors and peers. Some of the best online courses for GMAT preparation are Magoosh GMAT, Target Test Prep GMAT, e-GMAT, and Economist GMAT Tutor.
• Tutoring: Tutoring can provide you with one-on-one or small group instruction, coaching, and mentoring on the GMAT. It can also offer you customized solutions, tips, and advice for your specific needs and goals. Some of the best tutoring services for GMAT preparation are Manhattan Prep GMAT, Veritas Prep GMAT, Kaplan GMAT, and Magoosh GMAT.
• Practice tests: Practice tests can provide you with realistic and updated simulations of the actual GMAT experience and difficulty level. They can also offer you valuable insights on your strengths and weaknesses, progress and performance, and areas of improvement. Some of the best practice tests for GMAT preparation are GMAC GMAT Official Practice Tests, Manhattan Prep GMAT Practice Tests, Kaplan GMAT Practice Tests, and Magoosh GMAT Practice Tests.
• Forums and blogs: Forums and blogs can provide you with useful information, advice, and insights on the GMAT from experts and fellow test takers. They can also offer you opportunities to ask questions, share experiences, and learn from others. Some of the best forums and blogs for GMAT preparation are GMAT Club Forum, Beat The GMAT Forum, Magoosh GMAT Blog, and Manhattan Prep GMAT Blog.

GMAT Study Strategies

Using the right resources for your GMAT preparation is important, but using them effectively is equally important. Here are some effective strategies for using GMAT prep books and other resources:

• Plan your study: Before you start your GMAT preparation, you should set a realistic target score and a feasible study schedule. You should also choose the best resources that suit your needs and goals. You should then follow your plan consistently and diligently until you achieve your desired results.
• Review the concepts: Before you practice the questions or take the tests, you should review the concepts that are tested on the GMAT. You should understand the theory behind each topic and question type, as well as the methods and techniques for solving them. You should also learn the strategies and tricks for saving time, avoiding mistakes, and improving accuracy and efficiency on the test.
• Practice the questions: After you review the concepts, you should practice the questions that are related to them. You should try to solve as many questions as possible from different sources and difficulty levels. You should also check your answers carefully and review your explanations thoroughly. You should analyze your errors and learn from them. You should also track your progress and performance using online tools or apps.
• Take the tests: After you practice the questions, you should take the tests that simulate the real GMAT experience and difficulty level. You should try to take at least four to six full-length tests before your actual test date. You should also follow the same rules and conditions as the real test, such as timing yourself, taking breaks, using scratch paper, etc. You should also review your score reports and analysis in detail. You should identify your strengths and weaknesses, as well as your improvement areas.
• Revise and refine: After you take the tests, you should revise and refine your knowledge and skills on the GMAT. You should focus on your weak areas or topics that need more attention or practice. You should also reinforce your strong areas or topics that need more confidence or consistency. You should also polish your test-taking strategies and techniques for each section and question type.

Choosing the right GMAT prep book can make a big difference in your GMAT preparation and performance. We hope this article has helped you find the best GMAT prep book for your needs and goals. We wish you all the best for your GMAT preparation journey.