You have to juggle a lot of pieces when you’re preparing to apply for an MBA program. You need to decide where you’re applying, shape up your resume, identify and request references, craft a compelling personal statement, ensure your transcripts are in order, and take the GMAT. This, of course, leads to trying to decide on the best GMAT prep courses and best GMAT prep books.
Getting ready for the GMAT, or Graduate Management Admission Test, is probably the least sexy option out of the bunch. It can be hard to make a plan, particularly if you’re still a student or if you work full-time (or both). Preparation is a multi-step process that requires focus, planning, and frankly, a willingness to take several practice tests.
Fortunately, test prep isn’t a one-person show. Dozens of companies are out there to step in, read lines with you, and even direct the production of your GMAT preparation. Choosing which test prep materials to use is a lot like hiring a director: Fit is very important.
It is crucial to know what you want out of your test prep materials to ensure the right fit. As you choose from the sea of materials out there, consider the following:
Reconciling your test prep vision with the materials available to you can be difficult, time consuming, and frustrating. I’ve spent years advising students on the best ways to prepare for graduate admission applications and found that the answer is often to try several options.
Test prep is an individual process and should be tailored to fit your needs. Here are my recommendations for some of the best GMAT prep books out there, where they might fit with your goals, and some tips and tricks for working with test prep materials to maximize their benefit.
GMAT Official Guide 2020: Book + Online Question Bank
Written by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), the GMAT Official Guide 2020: Book + Online Question Bank is my top choice for GMAT Test Prep books for overall preparation—especially if you’re just starting out.
With over 1,000 questions in the actual book and an online question bank to supplement your review, GMAC’s Official 2020 GMAT Guide Book is the best place to start your GMAT preparation. There is also a mobile app that facilitates test prep on the go.
This guide is written by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), which administers the GMAT, ensuring that the information and practice questions align perfectly with what is expected of you on the actual test.
My runner up for best overall GMAT prep book is Kaplan’s GMAT Prep Plus 2020. Kaplan often notes that they “invented test prep” and the quality of their materials supports that claim. They even offer a money-back guarantee if the test prep materials don’t meet your standards.
With detailed explanations, six full-length online practice tests, a 200-question online Quiz Bank, and over 1,200 practice questions, Kaplan’s GMAT Prep Plus 2020 is a one-stop shop for preliminary test preparation.
GMAT Official Guide 2020 Bundle: 3 Books + Online Question Bank
While most students might struggle to get through the 1,000 practice questions in GMAC’s Official Guide 2020, go-getters and the ever-prepared should seek out GMAC’s Official Guide 2020 Bundle.
If you really want to hit the ground running and comprehensively prepare for the GMAT, GMAC’s Official Guide 2020 Bundle covers all the bases. This bundle packs all the punch of the Official Guide 2020 with an additional 500 original questions from real GMATs.
The real benefit is the inclusion of 600 bonus questions across the verbal and quantitative sections. These additional, focused reviews are perfect if you want to continue to build, develop, and test your skills.
GMAT Complete 2020: The Ultimate in Comprehensive Self-Study for GMAT by Kaplan
My runner up for the best test prep books for advanced and continuing preparation is Kaplan’s GMAT Complete 2020: The Ultimate in Comprehensive Self-Study for GMAT.
Like Kaplan’s GMAT Prep Plus 2020, the Complete 2020 offers a money-back guarantee if you’re dissatisfied with your experience. It also boasts over 2,000 questions, six practice tests, a larger 500-question Online Quiz Bank, and video workshops to help you strengthen your test-taking skills.
My honorable mention for the best test prep books for advancing and continuing GMAT preparation is Manhattan Prep’s All the GMAT.
Manhattan Prep is well-known in the test prep community for its comprehensive and extensive guides. Their All the GMAT bundle is just one example.
The three-book bundle boasts two additional e-books, six practice tests, question explanations, video lessons on test and time management strategies, an online syllabus designed to keep you on track, and tons of questions to prepare you to take the GMAT.
GMAT Official Advanced Questions
Alone in its category, my best in show for pushing yourself is GMAC’s GMAT Official Advanced Questions book.
The book offers test-takers 300 additional hard questions in the verbal and quantitative sections drawn directly from GMAC’s question banks. With explanations, strategies, and an Online Question Bank, the Advanced Questions allow you to push yourself to the highest score you can achieve.
Applying to graduate school is expensive and test prep is a huge part of those expenses. In addition to having to pay to take the test, you’ll have to cover the costs of materials and test prep programs. Here are my tips to mitigate damage to your bank account while maximizing your potential for success on the GMAT:
Preparing for the GMAT probably won’t be the most fun part of your application process, but finding the best test prep materials for your goals is a great place to start. Whether you’re a first time test-taker or a returning test-taker, the test prep books ranked here can you help you hit the target score you need to get into your dream school.