Top Examples of Recommended Books for GRE Test Prep in 2024–2025

First, real examples of recommended books for GRE test prep

Let’s start with what you actually came for: examples of recommended books for GRE test prep that consistently work for real students.

Here are some of the best examples, grouped by purpose:

• Official practice and test realism
• Strategy and test‑taking tactics
• Quant review and problem‑solving
• Verbal, reading, and vocabulary
• Full‑length practice tests and targeted drills

Instead of dumping a long numbered list, I’ll walk through each category, how the book is typically used, and what kind of student it fits.

Official GRE books: the gold standard for realism

When people ask for the best examples of recommended books for GRE test prep, every serious tutor I know starts with official material. The questions come from the test maker, so they mirror the real exam’s logic, difficulty, and traps.

The Official Guide to the GRE General Test (ETS)

If you want one example of a must‑have GRE book, this is it.

• Publisher: ETS (Educational Testing Service), the makers of the GRE
• Use it for: realistic practice questions, full‑length practice tests, and a baseline understanding of the format
• Why it matters in 2024–2025: ETS updated its materials to reflect the shorter GRE introduced in late 2023, so the timing and structure now match what you’ll see on test day.

This book is not perfect for teaching you math or vocabulary from scratch, but it is excellent for:

• Calibrating your sense of difficulty
• Learning how GRE questions are worded
• Practicing pacing under real conditions

You can cross‑check details and updates directly on ETS’s official site:
https://www.ets.org/gre

Official GRE Quantitative and Verbal Reasoning Practice Questions (ETS)

Think of these as official question banks. They provide more real questions in both math and verbal, which is exactly what advanced students crave once they’ve burned through the main Official Guide.

These books are prime examples of recommended books for GRE test prep when you:

• Already know the content but need more exposure to official‑style problems
• Want to fine‑tune your performance on specific question types
• Are targeting top percentiles and need extra practice at the harder end

They are light on explanation depth, so pair them with a more teaching‑oriented resource if you’re still shaky on fundamentals.

Strategy‑heavy examples of recommended books for GRE test prep

A lot of students underestimate how much the GRE is a strategy test, not just a knowledge test. The right strategy book can easily be the difference between plateauing and breaking into a higher score band.

Manhattan Prep 5 lb. Book of GRE Practice Problems

Ask any tutor for examples of go‑to GRE practice books, and this one shows up almost every time.

• Publisher: Manhattan Prep (Kaplan company)
• Strength: Volume of practice problems across math and verbal
• Best for: Students who already know basics and want relentless practice

Despite the name, it’s not only about quantity. The problems are arranged by topic and difficulty, which lets you:

• Drill weak areas (like combinatorics or data interpretation)
• Ramp up from easier to harder problems
• Build stamina for the test’s mental load

The explanations are generally clear and tutor‑like, though not as step‑by‑step as some beginners might want. Still, this is one of the best examples of recommended books for GRE test prep if your main goal is to do a lot of targeted, structured practice.

Manhattan Prep GRE Strategy Guides (Math & Verbal)

Manhattan’s strategy guides are a set of books, each focusing on a specific area (e.g., Algebra, Fractions/Decimals/Percent, Word Problems, Reading Comprehension, Text Completion/Sentence Equivalence).

These are strong examples of recommended books for GRE test prep when:

• You like learning concepts in a classroom‑style, chapter‑by‑chapter way
• You want detailed breakdowns of how to approach each question type
• You appreciate practice sets that are tied to specific strategies

They’re more in‑depth than most single‑volume guides, which is why many students use them over several months. If you’re starting early and aiming high, this series is worth serious consideration.

Quant‑focused examples of recommended books for GRE test prep

If math has been your weak spot since high school, you’re not alone. The good news: there are several examples of recommended books for GRE test prep that are designed specifically for quant recovery.

Manhattan Prep GRE Math Strategies + Practice (single‑volume or bundle)

Manhattan has consolidated many of its math guides into updated, shorter formats to match the current GRE. Look for recent editions (2023 or later).

Use this when:

• You need a structured path from basic arithmetic up through harder algebra and data interpretation
• You want strategy plus practice, not just formulas
• You’re aiming for at least a mid‑to‑high 150s Quant score

The book walks through:

• Core concepts (fractions, exponents, equations, functions)
• Common GRE traps and shortcuts
• Mixed practice sets that mimic test sections

Nova’s GRE Math Prep Course

Nova’s book is an old favorite among quant‑heavy students and engineers. It’s dense, detailed, and more traditional in style.

This is a strong example of a book for students who:

• Enjoy rigorous math explanations and lots of algebraic manipulation
• Don’t mind slightly dated formatting if the content is strong
• Want a deep dive into problem types, especially for higher scores

It’s less aligned to the shorter GRE’s timing and feel than ETS or Manhattan, but for raw math skill‑building, it’s still recommended by many tutors in 2024–2025.

Targeted arithmetic and algebra practice (for rusty students)

If you’ve been out of school for a while, consider pairing GRE‑specific math books with a basic math refresher from a community college text or an open‑education resource. Many universities host free math review material, like:

• MIT OpenCourseWare’s math resources: https://ocw.mit.edu
• Khan Academy’s GRE‑aligned math practice (linked via ETS): https://www.ets.org/gre/test‑prep

These aren’t books, but they work well alongside the book examples listed above.

Verbal and vocabulary: examples of recommended books for GRE test prep

For Verbal, you need two things: the ability to unpack dense, academic prose and a working vocabulary that matches GRE level. Here are examples of recommended books for GRE test prep that hit those goals.

Manhattan Prep GRE Verbal Strategies

This book (or the older separate guides for Reading Comprehension and Text Completion/Sentence Equivalence) focuses on how to think through verbal questions.

You’ll get:

• Clear breakdowns of each question type
• Common wrong‑answer patterns and how to spot them
• Practice passages with commentary on how to read efficiently

It’s one of the best examples of a resource for students who read slowly or who “get lost” halfway through dense passages.

Word Power Made Easy (Norman Lewis) – with a big asterisk

This is not a GRE‑specific book, but it’s still a widely used example of a vocabulary builder. It teaches words in clusters and roots, which helps with long‑term retention.

That said, the 2024–2025 GRE is slightly less obsessed with obscure vocabulary than it used to be. You still need a strong vocabulary, but memorizing endless word lists is not the smartest use of time.

Use this if:

• Your baseline vocabulary is weak and you’re starting early
• You want a more story‑driven, etymology‑based approach to words
• You’re combining it with lots of reading and real GRE verbal practice

Official GRE Verbal Reasoning Practice Questions (ETS)

This is worth repeating because official verbal questions are extremely valuable. Many students can “fake” good performance on third‑party reading passages but stumble when facing ETS’s style. That’s why this book remains one of the best examples of recommended books for GRE test prep for verbal.

Full‑length practice test examples

A book can teach you content and strategy, but you only really see your score move when you practice under test‑like conditions.

Realistic practice tests are where a lot of the examples of recommended books for GRE test prep either shine or fall apart. Many third‑party tests are too easy, too hard, or just weirdly written.

ETS Official Practice Tests (PowerPrep Online & Book)

ETS offers official practice tests online (PowerPrep) and in its books. They’re not technically a separate book anymore for every test, but the tests included in the Official Guide are:

• The most accurate reflection of real GRE scoring and difficulty
• The best way to gauge your readiness in the final month
• Ideal for timing practice and stamina

Always anchor your prep around at least two official practice tests.

Kaplan GRE Prep Plus (for extra tests and structure)

Kaplan’s big prep book usually includes several full‑length practice tests (some in the book, some online), plus content review and strategies.

In 2024–2025, I’d describe Kaplan as a solid but not perfect example of a one‑book solution:

• The tests are reasonably close to the real thing, though not as precise as ETS
• The explanations are student‑friendly
• The book provides a study plan, which helps if you like structure

It’s a good choice if you want a single volume that “does a bit of everything” and you’re aiming for a respectable but not ultra‑elite score.

How to combine these examples into a realistic study plan

Listing examples of recommended books for GRE test prep is only half the job. The real question is how to use them without drowning in material.

Here’s a common pattern that works for many students over 8–12 weeks of study:

1. Start with a diagnostic from ETS
Use a PowerPrep test or a test from the Official Guide. Identify where you’re weak: Quant, Verbal, timing, or all of the above.

2. Pick one main teaching resource for each section
For Quant, that might be Manhattan’s Math Strategies or Nova’s book.
For Verbal, Manhattan’s Verbal Strategies plus official verbal questions.

3. Layer on practice
Use the Manhattan 5 lb. Book to drill specific topics. Use ETS practice question books for official‑style problems.

4. Schedule full‑length practice tests
Take at least two official tests under timed conditions. After each one, review every mistake and flag patterns: careless errors, vocabulary gaps, or misreading.

5. Adjust as you go
If you’re consistently missing geometry, for example, go back to the relevant chapters in your math book and do focused practice sets.

This kind of targeted use of the best examples of recommended books for GRE test prep beats trying to “skim everything” and mastering nothing.

2024–2025 trends that affect which books you choose

A few trends in the current GRE landscape should shape how you pick and use books:

• Shorter test, same stakes: The GRE is now shorter, but schools still care about your score. That means pacing and accuracy matter more than sheer endurance. Books that teach timing strategies are more valuable than ever.
• Less obsession with obscure vocabulary: Programs still want strong verbal skills, but the test is slightly more focused on reasoning and reading. Books that drill context, logic, and tone are better than those that just dump word lists.
• More students applying to test‑optional or test‑flexible programs: Some grad programs are test‑optional, but many competitive STEM, economics, and business programs still expect solid GRE scores. Checking what your target schools say about GRE expectations on their official sites (for example, Harvard’s guidance on standardized tests: https://gsas.harvard.edu/admissions/apply/standardized‑tests) can help you decide how aggressively to prep.

All of this means you should prioritize:

• Official ETS books for realism and calibration
• One or two strong third‑party books for teaching and practice
• A realistic schedule that fits your application deadlines

FAQ: real examples of common GRE book questions

What are some real examples of recommended books for GRE test prep if I’m on a tight budget?

If you want maximum value per dollar, start with:

• The Official Guide to the GRE General Test (ETS) – non‑negotiable for most students
• Manhattan Prep 5 lb. Book of GRE Practice Problems – huge practice bank

Those two alone give you real examples of both official and high‑quality third‑party questions. You can supplement with free online resources from ETS and university sites.

Which example of a GRE book should I buy first if I’m a beginner?

If you’re just starting and feel rusty:

• Begin with The Official Guide to the GRE to understand the format.
• Then add Manhattan’s Math Strategies if Quant is weak, or Manhattan’s Verbal Strategies if Verbal is weak.

Those are strong starting examples of recommended books for GRE test prep because they teach you how the test works, not just what’s on it.

Are there examples of GRE books I should avoid?

Be wary of very old editions (pre‑2016) or books that:

• Have lots of typos and inconsistent answer keys
• Feel dramatically easier or harder than ETS questions
• Promise instant score jumps without showing real practice

When in doubt, cross‑check recent student reviews and see whether experienced tutors still mention the book as a good example of reliable GRE prep.

How many of these examples of recommended books for GRE test prep do I actually need?

Most students do best with:

• 1–2 official ETS books (Official Guide + one practice question book)
• 1 main strategy/content book for Quant
• 1 main strategy/content book for Verbal
• 1 practice‑heavy book like the Manhattan 5 lb. book

More than that, and you risk spending more time collecting resources than actually studying.

Where can I find more guidance on how GRE scores are used by grad programs?

Look at official university and organization sites, for example:

• ETS GRE info and policies: https://www.ets.org/gre
• Harvard GSAS standardized test policies: https://gsas.harvard.edu/admissions/apply/standardized‑tests
• Council of Graduate Schools (for broader grad education trends): https://cgsnet.org

These won’t give you more book examples, but they will help you understand how much weight your GRE score carries, which should influence how seriously you invest in prep.

If you use these examples of recommended books for GRE test prep thoughtfully—anchoring your work in official materials, layering in targeted strategy guides, and practicing under real conditions—you’ll be in a much better position to turn study hours into actual score gains.