GRE: Practicing to Take the General Test 10th Edition (Practicing to Take the Gre General Test) Reviews

• Helpful.....Sort of

  
  By A2EBK30QYQPM51 on 2002-10-02
  So, you want to take the GRE. You think to yourself "Gee, I should take a lot of practice tests", so now you want to buy this book. Well, it's somewhat helpful, but you'll find that the real test, taken on the computer, feels much different.

  I had much more trouble finishing on time for the real test than I did in these practice tests- particularly for the analytical section. The questions on the real test seemed harder than these practice tests. All my friends who have recently taken the GREs and studied with practice tests agree with that, so it's not just me. You also cant go backwards, look ahead, omit questions, or sketch notes on the paper [i usually like to draw on the diagram in the math section]

  Rather than paying money for this book, just go download ETS's powerprep software. It's free, and it has two practice tests exactly the way you'll see them when you take it for real. Take one test, identify your weakness, study that part, take the other practice test, and then you're ready. Besides, the GRE is so similar to the SAT, you dont need to study too much for it.

  In short, dont treat this as a collection of practice tests, but treat it as a collection of practice problems, and that makes it less helpful for test preparation.
  
  

• Led Astray by ETS

  
  By on 1999-11-01
  I exptected this book to be one of the best since it is written by the people whose motto is: 'We prepare the tests -- let us help prepare you.' I was beyond disappointed. I'll make this simple. THIS BOOK IS GOOD FOR: Individuals who have enough self-initiative to take the practice tests, check their answers, and determine by themselves how ETS came up with the 'best' answer. THIS BOOK IS NOT GOOD FOR: anyone else! There are 6 GRE practice tests. GREAT! However, only one of them has complete explanations! This is extremely frustrating when trying to figure out how and why you answered certain questions wrong because you need to figure it out for yourself. If you answered the question wrong in the first place, it's very possible that you still won't have a clue as to why you answered it wrong after you see the correct answer. Practice exams should most certainly explain what the 'best answer' is so that when it comes to taking the real thing you know the methodology behind choosing the answers. Sorry ETS.
  
  

• Please consider navigating through the GRE website first

  
  By A29XPLUP3BNF4K on 2006-01-31
  You'll find the book helpful, BUT PLEASE NOTE that all of the review content and most of the book is posted FREE of charge on the GRE website (www.gre.org)--the website published by the same authors of this book. The reviews contained in the book are identical as are the exercises and answers.
  The website also provides you with two computer-based GRE's (FREE) and an additional paper GRE (FREE). According to which test (paper or computer-based) you wish to take, you can more accurately simulate the testing conditions with those options.
  
  To navigate to those pdf's, just go to www.gre.org; click on the the "General Test" and find the "Test Preparation" tab (you may need to download Acrobat Reader, which is also...free). The website is provided by GRE, and they've simply posted all the content (besides the particular paper-published exams) on-line. Go figure. *shrug* Of course, you can have all of the website content and the additional exams (if you have money to toss around).
  
  The content unique to the book (and the $14 you paid) are 7 tests including one with full explanations. The test that I have gone through contains some typographical errors as well as some ambiguous asteriks without clear explanations. Though they're not catastrophic mistake, they're a bit disappointing and definitely embarassing (I blush for you GRE). If you wish more than simple practice questions, and more along the lines of vocab words to know, etc., I'd recommend you look elsewhere, or just save the money and invest it on a healthy breakfast before the test, or a hard drink after.
  
  

• Paper test scores are an accurate reflection of the CAT

  
  By on 2001-12-30
  Since I was studying for the GRE on a shoestring budget, I skipped the expensive test prep courses and bought this book, along with 2 others, to help me prep for the test. My initial concern when I ordered this book was that it wouldn't be able to accurately predict what kind of score I would get on the computer based test, since the entire book is (obviously) full of paper based tests which are set up in a totally different format than the CAT. Yup, I was pretty skeptical of ETS's claims that scores on the paper test should correlate with those of the CAT.

  When I finally took the GRE, I was surprised to find that my scores on the CAT were pretty close to how I had scored on the practice tests in this book. (within about a 30 point margin - the only exception was my quantitative score which was about 70 points higher on the CAT... still fairly close, though)

  I would recommend this book for people who are studying for the GRE themselves (without the help of prep courses) and would like to get an idea of how they might score. (Having some idea of how I might do made me less nervous about taking the real test.)

  Be warned though, that the soul purpose of this book is to give an indication of your possible performance: it won't help you pinpoint where your weaknesses are or give you lists of vocab words, practice problems, etc. It is simply a book of practice tests. Be sure to buy a few other books which can isolate your weaknesses and provide practice problems on the sections you need the most help with.

  Good luck!
  
  

• stay away

  
  By A38EW10SZTOP2W on 2002-12-12
  I'm a GRE and GMAT math prep tutor, and I've gotten 800 on the GRE math section. This book is out of date and misrepresents the GRE entirely. The questions are based on tests of ten years ago, when the test was considerably easier. Today, on computer, the test uses questions of considerable difficulty to weed out students, and this book does nothing to prepare people for that reality. I expect people who study solely from this book to be completely surprised by the difficulty of the test.

  If you're looking for a good way to study math on the GRE, I recommend studying the questions from the GMAT book published by ETS - the Official Guide 10th Edition. The questions in there are much more realistic and still legitimately written by the test-writers...
  
  

• A Wonderful Resource for GRE takers, but NO explanations
  By A3FE2GUBM8JZ3G on 2000-06-02
  ETS was in a good mood when they released this book to the public.

  Like all official materials, this book is unbeatable for quality of questions. None of the other practice books can come close to the quality of questions you will find in this book.

  This book contains 27 actual, full tests which were administered in the past. This is more than most people would ever need to practice. However, this book contains NO explanations or strategies--it's pure practice. If you need strategies or explanations, you will have to look elsewhere.

  Finally, some of these tests were given years ago. Like all the other tests, the GRE has evolved and some of the question types that you will see in this book will not be on your tests. For example, the real GRE reading passages are actually pretty long (four or five paragraphs) even though some of the passages in the book are quite short (one paragraph). Moreover, students who can score in the 90 %ile on the math section will find the math in the book too easy.

  All in all, you can beat the value. This book is the bible of GRE test prep.
  
  

• Stuffed, Monotonous and a Gigantic Retrogressive Experience
  By on 2003-09-06
  In my opinion, the title is a misnomer and the book is a lemon, a disappointment and a surprisingly ugly experience.
  
  At first, I expected good quality from this 10th edition book which is published by ETS, a relatively well known organization for testing services and products. I thought that this book would be genuine and able to provide real help to potential examinee. The tidy covering and the unqualified claim "We prepare the Tests - Let us Help Prepare You!" is straight forward and I ordered the book without much hesitation.

  When I got this book and looked into it, it was a surprising and disgruntled drama ready to be unfolded. The practice exams are way back in late 80¡¦s and very early 90¡¦s and it seems like there has been significant changes since the old days. Full explanation is only provided for one out of a total of seven practice tests. The quality of some questions is really below average and numerous answers are questionable. The analytical section only provides brief commentary for the issue and argument essays and the additional material given almost at the end of the book is incomplete. I felt that this book does undermine the impression on the actual test significantly and should be brought back to ETS for an extensive overhaul. It is obvious that the whole book was casually pieced together in a big rush to get a quick reap out of the market. The Powerprep software downloadable from ETS website does a better job to give potential examinee a holistic view of the exam and the practice questions are quite useful.
  
  Overall, looking back and it was one disappointing experience after another. It is definitely not worth the price and there is much better material in the market.
  
  

• the second best thing
  By A3GRT5YQ0C9IXS on 2002-01-23
  I recommend spending time on the free Powerprep software that ETS sends you after you register for the General GRE as the first study method. This book is probably the second best thing (though if you anticipate you will have time to study for both, I recommend saving the best -- the Powerprep software -- for last). This study guide is very helpful, but the tests are in the old paper-based format, so they seem quite different from the actual CAT. The CAT test questions seem to be considerably more difficult (particularly in the analytical section), and fewer but longer sections. Even the testing fashion of the CAT is quite different from that of the paper based tests. Nonetheless, the more different types of quiestions you see (that are close to the real thing), the better off you are. Furthermore, it seems that if you test yourself with the paper-based testing scheme using this book, your scores will be very close to your scores on a CAT test taken around the same time.
  
  
• Not a good investment
  By on 2003-02-26
  I was extremely disappointed with this book. It claims that it will prepare you well for the actual GRE, but in reality, it just wastes valuable time that you could have spent with another study guide.

  In general, the book does not offer helpful hints on how to actually write the different sections. Instead, it just provides answers, and (for only one sample test in each section) explanations for each. The quantitative section was extremely easy compared to the one I saw on the CBT, and there was no instruction regarding the verbal and analytical sections. To be fair, though, the quantitative section did include a general math overview, which was somewhat (but not very) helpful.

  Overall, this book was mainly a collection of practice tests (some from the late 80s?!?!)... If this is what you're looking for, great! BUT, I would recommend that GRE test takers spend time with a more well-rounded book (there are many out there), and DEFINITELY work through the POWERPREP program. Good Luck!
  
  

• Good Study Tool
  By on 2003-09-06
  I just took the GRE and did pretty well, considering my vocabulary isn't the best. I wouldnt reccomend this book for its strategies, but because it has 8 old tests so that you can get a feel for how you will do on the test, and be able to determine where to focus your studying on. I found that my actual scores corresponded with the ones that I got after taking these practice tests.

  If you want some help with strategy I would suggest something by the Princeston Review, I found them more helpful than Kaplan. Good Luck with your studies.
  
  

• No-nonsense Preparation for the test
  By ABN9MWPSML86 on 2002-08-21
  This book takes very straightforward approach. It explains what the test is looking for in the verbal area. It gives a review of that math used on the math portion. After that it's just tests and answers. For the student who is disciplined enough to take about 30 hours of study time taking the practice tests and evaluating their errors, this book is probably very helpful.

  The free practice software that ETS sends probably would have been more help to me because my main difficulty was with the computerized format-the fact that I couldn't go back and change my answers. On previous standardized tests I've taken, the questions get progressively harder. It gets my mind ready for the more challenging questions and gives me a sense of security being certain that I got at least some questions correct. With the computer format, it gives you harder questions straightaway until you miss one. This heightens the anxiety of taking the test immensely for me. When I see an easy one I think, "Oh no. What should have been the correct answer on the last problem!?" This is purely counterproductive, especially on a time-limited test like the GRE.

  I urge other students to sign up long in advance so that you have time to practice with the software. It took a month for my free ETS software to arrive. It arrived after I had taken the test. No matter how familiar you are with computers (I've been an electrical engineer for five years.), if you haven't taken a computerized standardized test, you need the software.

  If you're willing to devote a lot of time to taking practice tests, this book will help. Otherwise, it is a waste of money.
  
  

• Good, but could be better
  By A4PMK0JY7PHP0 on 2004-08-22
  I started out my preparation with this book. I needed a lot more prep work than average -- I've been out of school a while.
  
  The math review was good, but the exercises (for the most part) were not like the actual GRE. Meaning, they were not multiple choice -- you had to solve the equation/problem completely. Then if you got it wrong, it wasn't explained to you how to correctly solve the problem. Not a big deal, but it doesn't help you learn how to use the 5 multiple choice answers in order to solve an equation. Other books teach you to use what info IS given to you, to help eliminate answers.
  
  The verbal and analytical writing sections were good, but it helps to have been a lifelong reader. That is the only way the build a vocabulary in order to beat the GRE.
  
  Also, this book is available at many public libraries. So buy Barron's Passkey to the GRE here on Amazon, and use ETS' book for a reference.
  
  
• Not worth paper it's written on! Fetid garbage
  By A76VHPYG5O0M7 on 2004-12-03
  In the Suggestion Box you entered:
  Run, run, run far away as possible from this book. I studied this book intensely,
  did most problems in text, had a tutor explain how they set up and solved the problems. I was getting 600 verbal and 650- quantitative, scored less than 600 on both on actual test. For example, there are many problems in book with either isosceles right triangles or parallelograms. Do you think any were on it? No!! Do you think I could havee used my knowledge that verticle angles are equal or that any two sides of an isosceles right triangle will be larger than the other side? ETS if you're reading this, you ought to be ashamed! Forget about powerprep software too. Garbage the whole thing. I'm convinced that GRE tests knowledge built up over years, and most materials will not help. I didn't take a test-prep class, and this may have contributed to my low scores. But I know one thing, this book is putrid. Standardized testing is a huge money-making scheme. My time would have been better spent volunteering in the community than studying for this stupid test. Anyone who has had similar experiences I would appreciate hearing from.
  
  
• the best available option
  By on 2000-09-07
  Although the fact that the correct answer to most of the questions in this book is not fully explained is a major drawback, there is no point in buying a GRE book that is not published by ETS. None of the others have questions that accurately reflect what you will see on the test. The very best preparation tool is ETS Powerprep software. All the answers are explained fully. Even Princeton Review, (whose book is great for strategy BTW), states that to be truly prepared to take the GRE you will have to use ETS materials.
  
  
• Valuable questions, yet inherently flawed!
  By A2368SRMLA4FBH on 2001-04-10
  This book is most valuable for those preparing for the GRE who are after a plethora of real GRE-like questions (other review books I have used have questions that seem much harder or easier (i.e. not realistic). The major flaw of this book is that it only includes explanations for one of its tests, and also that there are some errors in the awnser key.... at least in the Logic sections.

  I would still recommed it though, these are the questions that appear on the GRE and the best way to raise your score is practice, practice, practice!
  
  

• Good Math Practice
  By AYVFABUBIXPZ0 on 2005-12-01
  I needed LOTS of math and quantitative practice, so getting this was mildly helpul. By far, I thought Barrons Pass Key to the GRE was much better for building quant skills. But, realizing that this is paper-based and the real test is computer-based, unless you seriously need boot-camp on the math then skip this book and get something else. It's not "better" because it's made by ETS, don't be fooled by that. I got the most help from Barrons and from a book called The Ultimate Math Refresher. The ETS book was really just more sets of practice problems, because I did so many. My first GRE was 55% quant, and second was 71% -- so the practice and studying helped. I think, for me, Barrons was the best because they helped me with my personal albatross -- quant comparison questions.
  
  
• The only realistic tests
  By on 2000-01-30
  I have the ARCO and Princton Review study guides. I found that the questions on there practice tests were fairly easy and didn't estimate my scores realistically. This book contains real GRE tests so you can see how you could really do. The review books gave me false confidence in my verbal ability. This GRE book told me that I better work on my vocabulary.
  
  
• This book has 8 real tests
  By A1ZVQ59F6KJ5H9 on 2003-03-20
  This book is written by ETS which provide the GRE test service. The merit of this book is these: first, this book offers the official guidelines of the test. And that line is informative and helpful to test-takers. For example, you can figure out what scope the math section would deal with. And that this book not only show you the scope of section, but explains how to solve the questions in succinct way. Second, as the title says, this book has 8 real tests ETS made. Though ETS offers PowerPrep software for free to practice and get familiar to the test, current 3.0 version has not much tests. With this book, you could get more material to practice. And better, they explain why the question should have this kind of answers in detail. With that explanation, you could catch the knack how to approach the questions.
  But this book has the weaknesses like these: first, those real test this book offers are outdated. They provides tests held in the late 80s and the early 90s. But current CBT test are somewhat different from those tests. Current tests are much easier. Second, there is no guide to what kind of words is tested in the exam at all. Guidelines are no more than official on that matter. And those guidelines could be downloaded from ETS site for free. Then the only point to buy this book is the 8 real tests. It¡¯s up to you whether to buy this book. But in my opinion, if you take the test score seriously, you¡¯d better practice those real tests.
  
  
• A total waste if you can have access to the out of print Big Book by ETS
  By A3UPD81LEW3SI1 on 2005-10-02
  
  
  This new book is nothing but a condensed form and repaged version of the already out of print "Big Book", edited by the same ETS a long time ago. And being such, simply just don't waste your time and money if you can have any kind of access to the "Big Book". All of the seven REAL tests of this "brand new" book are already contained in the Big Book (and the Big Book has other 20 tests!).
  
  First of all, this is a stale dated material! The old Big Book, used to disclose the period when the tests were taken: between 1980-something and 1994 (this "brand new" one does not even mention it!). But since then the difficulty level of the GRE Quantitative Section has raised its bar several notches up! So if the reader is purchasing this book with a specific focus on the Quantitative Section, chances are that she or he will feel tremendously frustrated.
  
  However, the same cannot be said of the Verbal section questions. The old Big Book and consequently this new book are good sources of real-type Verbal Section questions, as such Section was already VERY difficult back then and things haven't changed that much as of October 2005. Despite this, it's good to remind the reader that ETS is planning to change the structure of its Quantitative and Verbal Sections of the General GRE Test for 2006, turning into obsolete even the real Verbal Questions of this book. (But likewise, even with such ongoing planned changes, ETS is also considering how to improve the preparation material for GRE).
  
  The only good and really new thing about this "new" book is the Quantitative Section Review material where they mention how to obtain basic descriptive statistic concepts that test takers mention to have been finding so much lately in their real GRE questions. Nevertheless, two points should be raised on this topic. As a matter of coherence, the tests of this book SHOULD contain such type of questions, otherwise test takers can be wrongly misled and feel that including such topic to be revised is nothing but pure ETS terrorism since it is revised but by the new book tests it wouldn't be on the real test. And this is so not true! The other point to make is that, although this is relevant, it is also true that such new revision material can also be downloaded for free from the very ETS website.
  
  Finally, I would say, that this material can only be good reference for other reasons than the above mentioned only if the purchaser is in her or his very early preparation steps, trying to familiarise her or himself with the type of questions. But let's face it. The purchaser could also have a glimpse of what is about to face in the real GRE by studying by whatever other updated book, software or online preparation material.
  
  To conclude with, this book should only be bought if the purchaser really doesn't have access to the old Big Book or if the purchaser intends to buy as much material as possible and this one is only in her or his portfolio of material to be studied. As a solo buy, it is a real waste.
  
  
• I was extremely disappointed
  By A12HY5OZ2QNK4N on 2005-10-18
  Dear Amazon,
  I purchased the book GRE:Practicing to Take the General Test. I did receive it quite timely. I did use it to study for the GRE General Test. I did find the section on the verbal/reading comprehension/vocabulary part of the test to be useful. However, I did not like the explanations for the Math/Qualitative section. I don't know if a math professor authored this particular part of the book. I had a great deal of difficulty understanding the explanations in this math section.
  Therefore, I was glad I had also purchased a separate book which reviewed the Math/Qualitative section of the GRE in a more clear and concise manner. I was not very happy with the ETS version of the Math/Qualitative section in the book I purchased by ETS. Therefore, I used the other book to review my math skills.
  Thank you for your time and consideration.
  
  Sincerely,
  Elizabeth H. Roessner
  
  
• Horrible
  By A32JF07EWGDX66 on 2006-01-06
  As mentioned many times, the math questions are extremely out of date.
  
  Furthermore, while the vocab in the verbal sections reflects what is actually on the test, the questions are poorly put together, seemingly by an out of work English Grad Student in need of work who was given a list of vocab words and told to make a practice test with them. It's very clear that the same minds writing the actual GRE were not behind these practice tests, as the book's cover suggests.
  
  Avoid this one. If you need a test-prep book, I suggest looking at other books with better marks in the reviews section.
  
  
• Only the Practice Tests are Useful
  By AYB9BF89Z0FCR on 2002-12-17
  I've rated this book at three stars not due to the quality of its content, but for its actual benefit per cost.

  If you are planning on going through actual paper-based tests to drill and familiarize yourself with the types of questions on the GRE, and don't have any other sources of paper-based tests, this book may be helpful.

  As for the other sections, which contain sample questions with explanations, a math review, and information and samples of the new analytical writing section, all of these are also available for free on ETS' website in PDF or html format.

  So, realize in purchasing this book you are paying for seven paper-based practice tests.
  
  

• Lots of practices- but not much else
  By on 2003-08-14
  This book included several practice tests, which are actual tests that were given years ago. The only problem, is that most of the information, and some of the practice tests are exactly the same as what I had already read or done for free online at the GRE website. There is only one practice test that provides explanations with the answers, but this test is also available online for free. Overall, I would not have bought this book had I known that most of the material was exactly what I had already seen, for free.
  
  
• Must-Have for GRE Prep
  By AU0J2Z96UH27U on 2005-08-22
  Some buyers may balk at purchasing the 10th edition of ETS's "GRE: Practicing to Take the General Test", citing the book's age (published almost three years ago), and the lack of test-taking methods and strategies.
  
  Regarding the book's age, the key point is that it remains up-to-date, reflecting the current structure of the GRE general test. The book features seven full-length practice exams, each consisting of four sections (two verbal, two math). The math sections are comprised of thirty questions each, and the verbal, of 38 questions each. Here's some math prep for you: How many practice questions is that, in total? A whopping 532 verbal questions and 420 math questions, all of them written by the same people who write the test that you are prepping for. The book also has several practice questions for the written component, although every single Analysis of an Issue and Analysis of an Argument stimulus is available on ETS's website.(Of course, if ETS publishes an 11th edition tomorrow, BUY IT. You want the latest version.) Coupled with the GRE Powerprep software (which is free on ETS's website) I used this book as my principal preparatory tool. The difficulty of the practice tests was indicative of the actual test. In the tests in the book, the more difficult questions come at the end of each subsection within a test section. For example, in each math section, quantitative comparison questions constitute the first 15 questions, with the questions getting progressively harder. Furthermore, there are detailed answer sheets for each test that explain what percent of students answered a given question correctly. Thus, you can accurately assess the level at which you experience difficulty.
  
  Granted, the tests in the book are written, and the vast majority of test-takers will take the GRE-CAT, not the written version. However, no test prep company provides a realistic simulation of the actual CAT experience, because none of the computer-based practice tests are adaptive. All computer-based practice tests have a predetermined format. The value of practicing on a computer is to gain familiarity with the test format and the computer interface. But, aside from the added eye movement required by practicing on a computer, there is no radical difference between answering practice questions on a computer screen versus answering them on paper. As for timing and test-taking discipline, the same rules that apply to timing a paper-based test apply to a computer test, with the exception that on the computer you cannot skip a question and go back later. At some point, you must answer, even if it's a random guess, and move on.
  
  As for the lack of strategies in the ETS book, you will simply need to look elsewhere. Books from Kaplan, Arco, Princeton Review, Barron's, and others have plenty of material dedicated to method and strategy. Whether these tips are worth the price of the books (a debatable point, as they are often painfully obvious suggestions, such as "Step 1. Read the question carefully") is not my concern. I would say, however, that the ETS book ought to be a cornerstone of your GRE general test prep strategy.
  
  In summary, if you are prepping for the GRE general test, buy this book. (Disclaimer: I took the GRE General Test in August 2005, and scored an 800 on both the verbal and the math sections.)
  
  
• Prior preparation prevents poor performance
  By A1IU7S4HCK1XK0 on 2002-07-07
  The price of this book is low enough that you can afford a shot at written versus software-based tests. While I prefer software tests, this book will test your patience as well as your proficiency. I also give this three stars because it is really a predictor of performance, not a real practice, complete with diagnostics to show your weak areas. But, I'll bet you probably know your weak areas already (ie, vocabulary, logic, math, etc.) But you will need other tools to polish those skills.

  I took the practice tests in the book again just to see if I retained any of the stuff I did in college. Hahahaha! Blushes all around. Well, with age comes wisdom, if a loss of some factual memory. I took the GRE's for real years ago and got good enough scores to get into the grad schools I wanted. Which brings me to the real point; it's actually easy to get into grad school. It's harder to get OUT of grad school, once you are in.

  Still, if you are on a student budget and can't afford more expensive books, classes or software quizzes, this is a fine way to practice. And the more practice, the more comfortable you will be during test time. Also, I have a theory that if you are taking a written test, you should practice in writing as well as online. The look and feel of the written page will make you smoother and less nervous come test day. Good luck!
  
  

• Inaccurate model of quantitative section
  By A3POVJBPMPDPU3 on 2004-11-13
  The quantitative section on the CAT GRE is more difficult than their textbook will lead you to believe. Better to use the cd that ETS sends when registering for the GRE to prepare for the quantitative section. If you rely too much on the paper-format exam questions to gauge your quantitative abilities, you may be quite perturbed by the questions on the CAT. The sad thing is that there is no one book that I can recommend in preparing for the quantitative section of the GRE. Some do not cover slopes and standard deviation (which, by the way, is important) others give examples that are much more difficult and will never be seen on the real exam. Overall, Barron's, Kaplan, Princeton review, and ETS books all have their drawbacks when covering the quantitative section of CAT GRE. Seemingly, no one company has yet been able to give an accurate description of the part of the exam.
  
  
• The best thing one can review
  By A2DFQ0YDDQ9NM5 on 2000-10-02
  This is the true test, take them, see how you do, and judge your life appropriately. Unlike kaplan and princeton review this requires you to get the right answer, not recognize the wrong answers and through some tricks cajole the appropriate answer. Just take the tests and get all of the "difficult" questions correct and you'll be fine. The other books are a waste of your time. They give your erroneous definitions for words and silly little tricks to solve things. And don't worry about the solutions not being in this book, is it really hard to look something up in a dictionary? And if you can't do the math in here move to Mexico or some other place because you are pulling down the national average.
  
  
• This is it.
  By A11N561BYS8PUK on 2000-12-22
  Fellow pseudo-graduate students, search no further because this is it. If you want to know what the real thing looks like, this is the book you have to buy. Buy this book and the Powerprep Software, mix a lot of practice and time and you are ready for the big day.
  
  
• BIGGEST WASTE OF TIME
  By A1YEWARC9B35XA on 2006-11-13
  I completed this whole book and it was absolutely nothing like the computer-test. The questions were so much easier in the book. For example, I was getting around a 730 on the quantitative with the review book, I ended up getting a 510 on the real exam. Now I am going to pay $2000 for a tutor because I am afraid that if I use another book it will be the same garbage.
  
  
• Not that helpful
  By A243F6L5UUQLPW on 2006-12-13
  This official GRE book is a good practice for people who want to take the GRE test, but it's not enough. Although it has a lot of questions the exam experience is quite different. The GRE also changed the structure of the verbal questions (although they said they'd do that on October 2007, and I took the exam November this year). The math questions in the exam are more difficult. When you train with this book you take your time with the math questions while the time constraint in the real exam is intense. The sections of the exam are also divided differently than the one you'll see in the book. The Math review was good, but there was no useful verbal review. You'll have to study the "difficult" vocabulary from an outside source. However it is still useful to get this book before taking the GRE though this it does not provide you with the "ideal" practice.
  
  

• GRE Exam Vocabulary Flashcards
• Barron's GRE: Graduate Record Examination
• Kaplan GRE Exam 2009 Premier Program (w/ CD-ROM) (Kaplan Gre Exam (Book & CD-Rom))
• Kaplan GRE Exam Math Workbook
• Kaplan GRE Vocabulary Exam in a Box