Recommended GMAT Study Guides
For the first step in preparing for the GMAT, I recommend you buy at least one GMAT study guide. Make it an official
GMAT guide from GMAC, the firm that creates and scores the the tests.
Why GMAT Study Guides are the First Step
Regardless of your learning style, GMAT prep guides are the best first step. They do not cost much. Even if you plan
other ways to prep such as taking a class, the prep guides will help focus you by
identifying where you need more assistance.
Why GMAC Prep Guides are the Best
The GMAC prep guides contain official questions from old or retired GMAT tests. Practice tests from other sources are
not actual tests and
are
not as highly recommended because the GMAC does not license GMAT tests to other companies. Further, only the GMAC
uses the official GMAT algorithms when scoring your answers.
These are the official study guides. They contain real GMAT questions as well as provide answers and explanations.
Third Party Prep Guides
As good as the official GMAC materials are, some of the third party prep materials can help you as well. They can offer worthwhile
strategies and explanations, often targeting specific skill areas.
Only after using one or more of the GMAC guides above, consider the third party prep books. You will know which areas you need
to work on.
Beyond the GMAT-specific books, there are also excellent books out there that help with general math, or language skills.
Top-selling study guides on amazon.com:
