Highly Recommended GRE Prep Books: Your Comprehensive Guide to the Best GRE Study Materials for Graduate School Success

Before diving into specific book recommendations, it helps to understand what you’re preparing for. In 2023, ETS shortened the GRE General Test from four hours to just under two hours—a significant change that affects how you should approach your study strategy.

The current GRE consists of three sections:

• Verbal Reasoning (two sections, 27 total questions): Tests reading comprehension, text completion, and sentence equivalence. The average score in 2023-2024 was approximately 151 out of 170.
• Quantitative Reasoning (two sections, 27 total questions): Covers arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and data analysis. The average score was around 158 out of 170.
• Analytical Writing (one essay): Asks you to analyze an issue. Scored from 0-6, with an average of 3.5.

What constitutes a good GRE score depends entirely on your target programs. For competitive MBA programs, you’ll typically want to aim for the 161-167 range on each section. Top law schools that accept the GRE often look for scores between 159-170. STEM programs, particularly in engineering and computer science, tend to weigh quantitative scores more heavily.

1. The Official Guide to the GRE General Test, 4th Edition (ETS)

Best for: Anyone serious about GRE preparation (essential purchase)

There’s a reason this book sits at the top of every recommended list. Published by ETS—the organization that creates and administers the GRE—this is the only prep book that contains actual questions from past exams. Released in January 2025, this fourth edition represents the first major update in nearly a decade.

What makes this edition particularly valuable is the inclusion of approximately 150 brand-new Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning questions organized into 10 mixed practice sets. These questions carry what test prep experts call the “gold standard” quality—they mirror exactly what you’ll encounter on test day because they come directly from the test makers.

The book has been fully updated to align with the shorter test format, including two full-length practice tests that match the current 54-question, two-hour structure. At approximately 700 pages, it provides a comprehensive explanation of the test structure, detailed answer explanations, and a chapter reviewing all the math concepts tested on the Quantitative section.

One limitation to know: While the Official Guide excels at providing authentic practice material, it doesn’t offer the kind of strategic test-taking guidance you’ll find in third-party prep books. Think of it as the essential foundation—pair it with strategy-focused resources for a complete preparation approach.

Price: Approximately $45

2. Manhattan Prep 5 lb. Book of GRE Practice Problems

Best for: Students who need extensive quantitative practice

Yes, it really does weigh five pounds. But more importantly, this book delivers over 1,800 practice problems covering every topic tested on the GRE. If your study plan requires high-volume practice—particularly for the math section—this book is hard to beat.

The quantitative section is where this book truly shines. Manhattan Prep’s instructors (all of whom scored in the 99th percentile) have created hundreds of GRE-style problems organized by topic. Unlike many prep books that gloss over challenging concepts, the 5 lb. The book dedicates entire sections to topics like standard deviation, weighted averages, and combinatorics—areas where many test-takers struggle.

Student reviews consistently highlight the math sections as exceptional. As one reviewer on Goodreads noted, “This book is the best source to learn every tip and trick that can be found on the GRE, especially on the quantitative section.” Another reported achieving a perfect 170 on Quantitative after working through the book systematically.

A fair warning: The verbal sections don’t quite match the quality of the math content. Text completion questions, in particular, sometimes lack the nuanced difficulty of actual ETS questions. Use this book primarily for quant practice, and supplement with official ETS materials for verbal preparation.

The latest edition includes access to 15 lessons from Manhattan Prep’s Interact platform, six full practice sections, and math review sheets—making it a solid value for students who plan to study for at least two months.

Price: Approximately $22-25

3. Princeton Review GRE Premium Prep, 36th Edition

Best for: Students who want comprehensive strategies plus practice tests

The Princeton Review has been helping students master standardized tests since 1981, and their GRE book reflects decades of refinement. What sets this prep book apart is its emphasis on test-taking strategies—not just content review, but specific techniques for approaching each question type efficiently.

The latest edition includes six full-length practice tests (four online, two in the book), extensive content reviews for all sections, and access to online tools, including score reports that help you identify weak areas. Princeton Review questions tend to be slightly more difficult than what you’ll see on the actual GRE—which many students view as a benefit, since mastering harder problems makes test day feel more manageable.

The book’s strength lies in its systematic approach to breaking down complex question types. The verbal strategies help you recognize common trap answers, while the quantitative section teaches efficient approaches to problems that might otherwise consume precious minutes.

Price: Approximately $25-30

4. Kaplan GRE Prep Plus 2024-2025

Best for: Students who benefit from online resources and video instruction

Kaplan invented test prep over 80 years ago, and their GRE book leverages that experience with a blend of print and digital resources. The purchase includes one year of access to Kaplan’s online practice tests and video lessons—a significant bonus if you learn well from video instruction.

The book itself includes five full-length online practice tests in computer-based format (mimicking the actual testing experience), one full-length practice test in the book, and more than 1,500 questions with detailed explanations. The online Qbank lets you create custom practice sessions by topic and difficulty level—helpful for targeting your weakest areas.

What stands out in the Kaplan package is the performance summary feature, which helps you track progress over time. You can also attend live class sessions with Kaplan GRE experts through the GRE Channel—an option that bridges the gap between self-study and classroom instruction.

The verbal section provides strong exam strategies and medium to difficult practice questions. The quantitative content covers all tested topics with clear explanations suitable for students who need to build foundational skills.

Price: Approximately $26-30

5. Magoosh GRE Prep (Book + Online)

Best for: Budget-conscious students who prefer digital learning

Magoosh has built a strong reputation in the GRE prep space, particularly for its digital offerings. Their prep book contains over 150 questions that closely mirror actual GRE test patterns, with detailed explanations written by instructors who scored in the 99th percentile.

The real value of Magoosh comes from its free resources, which complement the book. Their vocabulary flashcard app covers 1,000 high-frequency GRE words, organized by difficulty level. These aren’t just word-definition pairings—each card includes usage examples and memory tips that help the vocabulary stick.

Magoosh’s approach works particularly well for students who need flexibility. Their mobile-optimized materials mean you can study during commutes, lunch breaks, or any spare moment. For self-study learners on a budget, this represents one of the most affordable GRE prep options that still delivers quality instruction.

Price: Book approximately $15-20; online course varies