GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test) is a computer-adaptive test. This test is for assessing the skills that are necessary to get succeed in graduate business programs.
It is an important application component for admission to the top business schools worldwide.
As GMAT is the most popular exam for admission to top business schools, you must prepare from the best resources.
The best resources to prepare for the exam is preparing from the best GMAT preparation books that will cover everything about the GMAT exam.
So in this blog, you will get the list of best books that will help you get your desired score on the GMAT exam.
You will also get some tips to help you choose the best books and tips for preparing for the GMAT exam.
But at the start, you must understand about GMAT exam syllabus.
Let’s get started!
GMAT Exam Syllabus
The GMAT syllabus is divided into four sections.
- Analytical Writing
- Integrated Reasoning
- Quantitative
- Verbal
These four sections have the following type of questions in the exam.
Analytical Writing
- Argument essay
- Issue essay
Integrated Reasoning
- Table Analysis
- Two-Part Analysis
- Multi-source Reasoning
- Graphics Interpretation
Quantitative
- Data Sufficiency
- Problem-solving
These 2 types of Quantitative questions cover the topics given below:
- Arithmetic
- Algebra
- Geometry
- Mensuration
- Word problems
- Statistics
Verbal
- Reading comprehension
- Critical reasoning
- Sentence correction
There are a total of 50 sub-topics covered in these 4 topics.
You will have 3 hours and 30 minutes (including instruction time and break time) for the GMAT exam 2022.
You should also know about the GMAT exam fees before taking the GMAT exam.
GMAT Exam Pattern
| Sections | Number of Questions | Time Limit (mins.) |
| Analytical Writing | 1 Question (1 Essay) | 30 |
| Integrated Reasoning | 12 Questions | 30 |
| Quantitative | 31 Questions | 62 |
| Verbal | 36 Questions | 65 |
| Total | 80 Questions | 187 |
The total number of questions in the exam will be 80, and the total time will be 187 minutes (3 hours 7 minutes) without breaks.
Best GMAT Preparation Books
Books are the best way to prepare for the GMAT. Books provide the best way to practice for the exam. The books have a proper and detailed overview of the exam syllabus, pattern, and essential tips.
Some books are listed below, from which you can choose according to your convenience.
- The GMAT Official Guide
- The Critical Reasoning Bible (PowerScore)
- The GMAT Sentence Correction Strategy Guide (Manhattan Prep)
- Total GMAT Math (Jeff Sackmann)
- GMAT Advanced Quant (Manhattan Prep)
- Manhattan Prep GMAT Strategy Guides
The GMAT Official Guide
This is the first book in the list of best GMAT preparation books.
This is the official book by the GMAT exam creators. There is no substitute for this book when it comes to GMAT preparation.
This book helps you to make your base about the exam strong. In this book, you will clearly understand the exam and exam topics.
You will get proper exams like the question set in this book for GMAT preparation. Once you buy this book, you won’t need to ask yourself how to prepare for GMAT.
It will help students to get a deep understanding of the concepts.
The Critical Reasoning Bible (PowerScore)
This is one of the highly recommended GMAT preparation books for the exam. This book is packed with mini-drill and high-depth theory. This book is useful in clearing your critical reasoning concepts.
This book will provide you with all the necessary strategies that will be useful for you while doing critical reasoning.
This is a must-recommended book by the experts to boost your performance in critical reasoning in the GMAT exam.
The GMAT Sentence Correction Strategy Guide (Manhattan Prep)
This book has a reputation among students as the ultimate Sentence Correction guide. So, consider this book one of the best GMAT preparation books for sentence correction strategies.
This book helps you provide a deep knowledge of basic and advanced English grammar concepts. You will get a proper breakdown of questions in this book.
This book is easy to read and understand compared to the other GMAT resources available in the market.
Total GMAT Math (Jeff Sackmann)
This book is a great source to boost your math knowledge.
This book is best to make your math foundation strong, as this book has a variety of topics you need to study before the GMAT exam.
There are some reviews that this book may confuse you with because of the language in this book.
This book is best for students who do not come with a strong foundation in math. This is one of the best books that help you clear your doubts. This book is the best to revise your math concepts.
One thing to note is that this book is for making your foundation strong, not for making the strategies for the maths exam.
GMAT Advanced Quant (Manhattan Prep)
To boost your quant score, this is one of the best GMAT preparation books. This book is best for advanced quant questions and strategies for test takers.
In this book, the questions’ level may be higher than the actual exam question level.
So this book is best to make your preparation strong and put you forward in your exam preparation.
Manhattan Prep GMAT Strategy Guides
This is not a single book but a set of multiple books by the publisher Manhattan Prep. These books provide the best strategies with a detailed explanation of the different concepts of the GMAT exam.
In this set of books, there are books for each section of the exam that will help you prepare for each section.
The best thing about this exam is that it focuses on the foundation knowledge of a subject.
In this set of books, you will get plenty of exam-based questions that will help you properly know the exam format.
Apart from the foundation knowledge, you will also get access to the online preparation resources for the GMAT exam by Manhattan Prep.
These factors make this book one of the best GMAT preparation books.
Tips To Choose The Best GMAT Preparation Book
- Go for a book that focuses on all the sections of the GMAT exam and provides strategies to improve in those sections.
- The best GMAT book is that it provides numerous exam-based practice tests that will give you a proper idea about the exam pattern and the types of questions you will face in the exam.
- Some books provide you access to their online learning resources. So, go for the book that gives you access to their online resources to clear your concepts more accurately.
Important Tips To Prepare For GMAT At Home
After learning about the best GMAT preparation books, you must also learn some tips to prepare for the GMAT exam.
- You must know the exam syllabus properly, as it will help you understand the questions you will face in the exam.
- You need to find a designated Study zone to study without interference.
- You need to make sure that nothing is distracting you. So keep your social media notifications turned off or put your mobile phone away from you while studying.
- Taking breaks during preparation is very helpful while preparing for the GMAT. Taking breaks will give you time to relax your muscle, and you can concentrate more on your work.
- If you are facing any problem with any topic, ask for help from someone. You can ask for help from your teacher or a friend who has taken the exam.
- Eating well is also very important while preparing for the GMAT. This is because if you eat well, you will feel well and can concentrate more on your studies.
Also, read about the GMAT exam validity before taking the exam.
Conclusion
In this blog, we have discussed the best GMAT preparation books for students.
We have provided the 6 best books that will make your preparation easy. And it will put you in front for your exam preparation.
We have described the GMAT syllabus, pattern, and some tips you can use to prepare for GMAT at home.
We hope we have cleared your queries about the GMAT preparation books and more content like this; keep visiting CourseMentor™.
FAQs
Why GMAT exam?
Students applying to business institutes can stand out during the admissions process by taking the GMAT exam. Institutes are aware that students who sit for the GMAT are seriously related to getting a graduate business degree. They are also aware that it is a useful measure of a student’s chances of succeeding.
Why GMAT is important?
The GMAT exam is used and trusted by business schools to make admissions decisions. You can stand out during the admissions process with the help of the GMAT exam. The most common and trustworthy way of measuring academic success in MBA and other graduate business degree programs is GMAT scores.
Why GMAT is costly?
GMAT registration costs more than $275 because of extra fees for services like cancellation, rescheduling, ESR, and additional score reports. Additionally, the GMAT costs largely depend on where you are applying. Your fees will differ depending on where you live.
How long does it take to prepare for 750 on the GMAT?
The answer to this question may vary from person to person. A student with a strong foundation can easily prepare himself or herself in 2 to 3 months to score 750; otherwise, it can take up to 3 to 4 months.
Can I prepare for GMAT on my own?
Yes, it is possible to prepare for the GMAT exam independently. You must prepare for the exam with full concentration and must follow a strict study schedule. You must be serious about your study if you want to study for GMAT by yourself.
