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Last Updated: November 19, 2023

5 Best Books for GMAT Focus

The Graduate Management Admission Test is a standardized test commonly used to test readiness to achieve admissions into Business, Management, and other related graduate programs. The test consists of four sections: quantitative, verbal, analytic writing, and a new integrated reasoning section. This popular and rigorous test is administered in over 110 countries.

The score range for the examination is between 200-800 and though it is enough to score above 600, the best score that can provide candidates with admission to the colleges they prefer is above 700. Achieving a score above 700 can be tough for candidates since it requires at least 12 hours of study in a week and a few months of preparation. But at the same time, having the right method of study can often make the experience better for candidates.

Beginning on January 31, 2024, the GMAT will be fully replaced with an updated version known as the GMAT Focus Edition. Starting November 7, 2023, both the test versions will be available. GMAT Focus is divided into three sections: Data Insights, Verbal Reasoning, and Quantitative Reasoning. The GMAT Focus Edition total score range is 205-805. All three sections make up the candidate's total score.

Candidates often prepare for the exam by enrolling in an online class for GMAT, by having a private tutor, or through rigorous self-study. But while opting for any of these options, they must put themselves through the best prep books available to achieve a score above 700. This page contains a list of the best books that students choose to study based on their budget and requirements. The list is as follows-

List of Books available for GMAT Focus Edition

BooksPrice
GMAT Prep 2024/2025 For Dummies with Online Practice: 11th Edition$29.95
All the GMAT (Manhattan Prep GMAT Strategy Guides) 8th Edition$199.99
GMAT Official Guide 2023-2024 Bundle, Focus Edition: 1st Edition$99.99
GMAT Official Guide Data Insights Review 2023-2024, Focus Edition: 1st Edition$20.95
GMAT Official Guide Quantitative Review 2023-2024, Focus Edition: 1st Edition$20.95
GMAT Official Guide Verbal Review 2023-2024, Focus Edition: 1st Edition$20.95

1
GMAT Prep 2024/2025 For Dummies with Online Practice: 11th Edition

Cost: $29.99
Publication Date: September 30, 2023
This reliable guide, which has been updated for the new GMAT Focus Edition, will take readers through the fundamentals of the test and provide them with time-saving test-taking techniques. Whether they have a lot of time before an exam, readers can prepare effectively with detailed study plans. The features of the book are:

2
All the GMAT (Manhattan Prep GMAT Strategy Guides) 8th Edition

Cost(Pre-order Price): $199.99
Publication Date: May 6, 2024
The publisher of the book is Manhattan Prep. The GMAT All Quantitative and Data Insights book and the GMAT All Verbal book are both part of this All the GMAT book set. A sheet that is printed and has a special serial code that can be used once to access online resources. Problem-solving, Critical Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, Data Sufficiency, Tables and graphs, Two-Parts, Multi, Source Reasoning, Fractions, Decimals, Percents, Ratios, Statistics, Algebra, Word Puzzles, and Numerical Properties are all covered in the book and online resources. The book's study material includes:

3
GMAT Official Guide 2023-2024 Bundle, Focus Edition: 1st Edition

Cost: $99.99
Publication Date: June 7, 2023
This official GMAT Focus Edition bundle contains the GMAT Official Guide, GMAT Verbal Review, GMAT Data Insights Review, and GMAT Quantitative Review in addition to an online question bank. Following are some of the features of this bundle:

4
GMAT Official Guide Data Insights Review 2023-2024, Focus Edition: 1st Edition

Cost: $20.95
Publication Date: June 7, 2023
This official guide includes a book, a mobile app, online question banks, and digital flashcards. The book covers more than 80 Data Sufficiency questions from the GMAT Focus Edition's new Data Insights section. Readers are able to learn from thorough explanations of the answers that go into great detail about how the GMAT formulates questions. With questions arranged from easiest to hardest in order of difficulty, gradually improve their performance. Other features of this book are:

5
GMAT Official Guide Quantitative Review 2023-2024, Focus Edition: 1st Edition

Cost: $20.95
Publication Date: June 7, 2023
A book, Online Question Bank, Digital Flashcards, and Mobile App are all included in this official guide. With more than 150 questions that are not in the Official Guide, the GMAT Official Guide Quantitative Review offers concentrated practice to help candidates excel in the exam's Quantitative Reasoning portion. Other features of the book are:

6
GMAT Official Guide Verbal Review 2023-2024, Focus Edition: 1st Edition

Cost: $20.95
Publication Date: June 7, 2023
Similar to the Quantitative and Data-Insights versions of this guide, the official version comprises a book, an online question bank, digital flashcards, and a mobile app. To gain mastery over reading comprehension and critical reasoning, readers can practice with purpose by working through more than 200 additional Verbal Reasoning questions with thorough explanations provided. Some key features include:

List of Best Current GMAT Prep Books

BooksPriceParameters
Mometrix-GMAT Prep Book 2021-2022$30.99
  • Practice Tests
  • Video Tutorials
  • Subject Review
GMAT Official Guide-2021 Bundle$33.82
  • Flashcards
  • Performance Tracker
  • Online Content
  • Practice Tests
Kaplan-GMAT Prep Plus 2021$38.48
  • Practice Tests
  • Quix Bank
  • 1200+ Questions and Explanations
Veritas Prep Complete GMAT Course Set-2018$73.98
  • 1000+ Questions
  • Online Question Bank
  • Content Review
Manhattan Prep-All the GMAT 2019$165.99
  • Practice Tests
  • Detailed Content Review

1
Mometrix-GMAT Prep Book 2021-2022

Cost: $30.99

This book contains practice test questions along with detailed answers for each of the questions mentioned. They also offer video tutorials for students who need to understand difficult concepts related to GMAT. The book focuses on the tips and strategies that can help students crack the examination along with a complete review of the content which will let students understand when and where to apply the strategies that have been mentioned.

The book costs $30 which is a relatively cheaper rate when compared to other guides by competitors. They have split the content in the book section-wise with each section in the exam containing 4 sub-sections and more. Reviewers claim that the book has helped them in their self-study. In its price range, it is supposed to be the best prep book available for the GMAT.

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2
GMAT Official Guide 2021 Bundle: 1st Edition

Cost: $33.82

This is the official book from GMAC (Graduate Management Admission Council). it contains over 1895 real GMAT practice questions along with detailed answers for each question. The book comes with an overview of the examination along with information regarding the content and format of the test. The questions in the book have been organized based on the difficulty level.

The cost of the bundle is $33 which is comparatively low considering how it includes the content for all four sections of the examination. There are over 1760 pages in them and reviewers claim to have found the book extremely beneficial while preparing for the GMAT.

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3
GMAT Prep Plus 2021- Kaplan

Cost: $38.48

This book is highly rated by reviewers and test-takers to provide authentic test preparation. Reviewers claim that people who have prepared using the book have a better chance of gaining admission to business schools by clearing the GMAT. In addition to the standard GMAT prep book, Kaplan also offers nine GMAT prep courses and other retail products.

Though the book is fragile and bound to fall apart, this does not diminish the quality of the content the book has according to them. The book is a great choice at $38 when other books with similar content charge twice the amount in general.

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4
Veritas Prep Complete GMAT Course Set-2018th Edition

Cost: $73.98

This bundle of 12 books is the most comprehensive book set available for the preparation of the GMAT. The GMAT practice test they offer is adaptive. For a total of $73, they offer students a content review that has been divided according to sections and sub-sections. The cons of the book are that the book is lengthy and is not suitable for last-minute preparers.

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5
Manhattan Prep-All the GMAT 2019

Cost: $165.99

This book is an updated version of the 6th Edition of All the GMAT by Manhattan Prep. While the previous version has 10 books in all, all 10 of them have been compiled into 3 books for the convenience of students.

The bundle contains books called All the Quant, All the Verbal, and All the Integrated Reasoning and Essay guides which take up over 1910 pages and cost $165.99 in total. The price is higher in comparison to other guides available but reviewers claim that the book has content worth paying the amount for.

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