GMAT Preparation Books: Recommended Study Guides and Practice Books
It can be confusing to prepare for the GMAT without the appropriate materials. Planning your studies is an essential part of preparation. The first steps for anyone serious about the GMAT will be deciding what GMAT books to use.
The right combination of GMAT books can either maximize your learning position in your study plan, regardless of whether you are trying to score 700+ or are in the beginning stages of preparation. From various GMAT official guides to books written by the GMAT experts, this guide will provide all the currently top-rated GMAT study materials available to help you be successful.
Top 5 GMAT Preparation Books (with Author & Highlights)
When preparing for the GMAT, investing in quality resources alongside GMAT self-preparation is essential for success. Books like The PowerScore GMAT Critical Reasoning Bible 2022 and the GMAT Official Guide Books by GMAC offer targeted strategies. They provide real exam questions that are best for effective study. These resources provide clear breakdowns of concepts and practice questions according to the GMAT's structure.
Unlike some online content, these books provide reliable and focused material. It allows for thorough preparation across all sections of the exam from Quantitative and Verbal to Data insights. Having a trusted book allows you to know exactly where to look when dealing with a problem, making your study experience more efficient and effective.
With the vast amount of available GMAT study material, we'll help you select the best GMAT prep book. Here is a list of GMAT books to help ace your prep!
Book Title | Author / Publisher | Price (INR) | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
Manhattan Prep's GMAT Books (MGMAT) | Manhattan Prep | INR 15,000 | Includes 6 full-length adaptive practice tests, topic-specific strategy guides, comprehensive review for each GMAT section (Quant, Verbal), video tutorials, and digital resources. |
GMAT Official Guide Books by GMAC | GMAC | INR 4,999 | 1,000+ practice questions, access to the GMAT online question bank, explanations for both correct and incorrect answers, and real past GMAT exam questions. |
GMAT Official Guide | GMAC | INR 3,499 | Provides practice questions from actual GMAT exams, covers Quantitative, Verbal, and Integrated Reasoning sections, and includes step-by-step problem-solving strategies. |
Kaplan GMAT Prep Plus | Kaplan | INR 4,200 | 6 full-length practice tests, online and mobile resources, drills for each section (Quant, Verbal, IR, and AWA), and concept check sections for tracking progress. |
Veritas Prep Complete GMAT Course Set | Veritas Prep | INR 12,000 | Comprehensive set with books for each section of the GMAT (Math, Verbal, IR, and AWA), adaptive practice tests, in-depth explanations, and an online question bank. |
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Types of GMAT Preparation Books
When considering different GMAT books & GMAT guides, you'll need to figure out what kind of preparation you need. There are several GMAT book types, including official GMAT books, and books focused on each individual section.
Here's a rundown of the main GMAT book types you'll find:
1. Official GMAT Books
These books are written by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), the creators of the GMAT exam. Therefore, these books will be the most genuine, in their portrayal of the actual exam.
GMAT Official Guide (OG): Contains actual past questions that include complete explanations for Quant, Verbal, IR, and AWA sections.
GMAT Official Verbal Review: All about Reading Comprehension, Critical Reasoning, and Sentence Correction questions.
GMAT Official Quantitative Review: Problem Solving and Data Sufficiency. High yield practice questions.
Best for: Realistic practice and familiarization with actual test patterns.
2. Comprehensive GMAT Prep Books
These books lay out an entire GMAT prep plan, covering tips, concepts, drills, and practice exams.
Manhattan Prep GMAT Strategy Guides: Manhattan Prep is known for this clarity and examination of every section of the test.
Kaplan GMAT Complete 2025: This version includes 6 practice tests plus a question bank included online.
Princetown Review GMAT Premium Prep: Includes not just review information, but also adaptive drills and insight on what the experts consider best test taking strategies.
3. Section-Targeted GMAT Books
These books focus on individual sections of the exam, which is great for students looking to improve particular weak areas.
Quantitative Reasoning:
GMAT Advanced Quant by Manhattan Prep for advanced-level questions
GMAT Foundations of Math for novice students
Verbal Reasoning:
PowerScore GMAT Critical Reasoning Bible if you're into a lot of logic-heavy reasoning
GMAT Reading Comprehension Grail targeting RC strategy
Integrated Reasoning & AWA:
GMAT Integrated Reasoning Prep includes multi-source reasoning and data interpretation questions
GMAT Analytical Writing Guide has templates and sample essays
Best for: Specific targeted improvements and scoring higher in specific sections.
How to Choose the Right GMAT Books?
When selecting GMAT books and resources for 2025, focus on these key factors:
Content Relevance: Pick materials that match the latest GMAT format and question types. This way, your practice mirrors the actual exam, improving your readiness.
Practice Questions and Exams: Look for resources that provide a comprehensive range of practice questions along with full-length exams. Detailed explanations for each answer are crucial, as they help you understand the reasoning behind correct and incorrect responses, allowing you to learn from your mistakes.
User Reviews and Expert Recommendations: Take advantage of insights from previous test-takers and GMAT experts. Books with positive reviews often indicate effectiveness and can guide you toward high-quality materials that have helped others succeed.
Candidates should also consider these factors to enhance their exam preparation:
Strong Study Plan: Create a well-rounded study plan that targets all sections of the exam. This may involve prioritizing certain areas, honing time management skills, and utilising strategies for tackling challenging problems.
Solution-based Approach: When studying with prep materials, refer to answer keys that include thorough explanations. These insights clarify various concepts, helping candidates grasp essential principles and improve their problem-solving skills.
Consistent and Relevant Practice: Due to the GMAT's unique format, practicing questions that closely resemble the actual exam is essential for achieving high scores.
By prioritising these elements, you can enhance your GMAT preparation and increase your chances of achieving a competitive score.
GMAT Study Books vs Online GMAT Resources
With GMAT study options, students have the option of GMAT books or GMAT online resources. GMAT books and GMAT online resources also have pros and cons also, so there is not always a best option, rather it depends on how you learn best, your studying timeline, and your goals.
Pros of Using GMAT Books
Structure: GMAT books are divided into chapters, which is helpful to build your knowledge gradually.
Offline: You are not distracted by other online tasks, so you can study without the internet, which is good for clear, focused study sessions.
Authentic: Books like the GMAT Official Guide and the Manhattan Prep GMAT study guides provide vetted and researched, exam-level content.
Notetaking: It is usually easier to highlight, underline and make notes in books that are printed.
Pros of Online GMAT Resources
Interactive, Adaptive Learning: Most online courses and prep platforms offer AI driven insights and customized practice via self-study, group learning, or both.
More Up-to-Date: Online courses can adjust more frequently to reflect course and exam changes (like the new GMAT Focus Edition for example)
Video explanations: Online formats allow students to learn at their own pace visually so they can watch parts explained step-by-step.
Practice Tests: Use mocks and score analytics to improve your performance faster.
GMAT Books vs Online Resources: Comparison Table
Let us compare GMAT books and online resources:
Feature | GMAT Books | Online Resources |
|---|---|---|
Content Structure | Fixed and well-organized | Dynamic and customizable |
Flexibility | Limited to book availability | Accessible anytime, anywhere |
Practice Questions | Static, often limited | Extensive and frequently updated |
Learning Style | Ideal for self-paced readers | Great for visual and interactive learners |
Cost | Limited | Highly adaptive |
Performance Tracking | Manual | Instant feedback with analytics |
6-month Self-Study Plan Using GMAT Prep Books & Online Resources
The following structured plan provides a clear outline to ensure thorough preparation for the GMAT exam over six months; it can be tweaked based on the schedule and requirements of the test-taker:
Month | Focus | Resources | Activities |
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Month 1 | Foundation Building |
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Month 2 | Core Practice |
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Month 3 | Mixed Practice |
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Month 4 | Timed Practice and Review |
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- Revisit topics that need reinforcement. |
Month 5 | Focused Revision |
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Month 6 | Final Preparation and Mock Tests |
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