Choosing the Best GRE Prep Book: Barrons 21st Edition vs Manhattan 5 lb. Book
When it comes to preparing for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), choosing the right study materials can make a significant difference in your performance. Two popular options available in the market are the Barrons 21st Edition and Manhattan Prep's 5 lb. book. This article compares these two GRE prep books to help you decide which one might be the right fit for your needs.
Comparing Barrons 21st Edition and Manhattan Prep 5 lb. Book
The decision between Barrons 21st Edition and Manhattan Prep's 5 lb. book primarily depends on your study style and specific needs. Let's delve into the details of each book to help you make an informed decision.
Barrons 21st Edition
Content: This book provides a comprehensive review of all sections of the GRE, covering essential concepts in a detailed manner.
Practice Questions: It includes a variety of practice questions and full-length tests to help you test your knowledge.
Format: The traditional textbook format might be less engaging for some students, but it is effective for grasping foundational knowledge and strategies.
Strengths: This book is particularly strong for foundational knowledge and strategies, particularly in the verbal and quantitative sections. It serves as an excellent resource for building a solid understanding of the GRE format and scoring strategies.
Manhattan Prep 5 lb. Book
Content: This book focuses heavily on practice problems, with over 1800 questions, offering a wide variety of question types and difficulty levels.
Practice Questions: The extensive practice questions and detailed solutions in this book help in honing specific skills and understanding complex problem-solving techniques.
Format: The visually engaging format and focus on problem-solving techniques make it a preferred choice for students who learn best through practice and problem-solving.
Strengths: This book is an excellent resource for those looking for in-depth practice and problem-solving strategies. It is particularly beneficial for students who need extensive practice to improve their test-taking skills.
Recommendation
Recommended for Comprehensive Review: Barrons 21st Edition is more suitable for students who need a comprehensive review of concepts and strategies. It is ideal for those who are looking to build a strong foundational knowledge.
Recommended for Extensive Practice: Manhattan Prep's 5 lb. book is the better choice for students who need extensive practice and problem-solving strategies. This book is perfect for those who learn through practice and want to improve their test-taking skills.
Combining Both Resources: For the best results, many students benefit from using both Barrons 21st Edition and Manhattan Prep's 5 lb. book in conjunction. Barrons can help in building a solid foundation, while Manhattan Prep can enhance your practice and test-taking skills.
Consider your learning style and what areas you need to focus on the most when making your decision. Combining both resources can provide a well-rounded preparation and increase your chances of performing well on the GRE.
Additional Insights
Utilities of the 5-lb Book: Manhattan Prep's 5 lb. book is considered a better choice because the practice questions it includes consistently incorporate logical reasoning, making it more in line with the actual GRE format. The 5 lb. book is highly recommended over Barrons, especially due to the advanced and higher-level questions it offers at the end of its chapters. This can help in building speed and problem-solving skills.
Alternative Resources: While Barrons can be useful for a confidence boost at the beginning, it is not recommended for advanced preparation due to the lower difficulty level of its questions. For further advanced preparation, it is suggested to solve the chapters from the 5 lb. book religiously and then attempt the higher-level questions at the end of the book. This can help in building a strong foundation and improving your problem-solving skills. Princeton Review's math book is also recommended to supplement the 5 lb. book, as the questions in it are similar to the exam level and provide additional practice.
By carefully considering your needs and the strengths of each book, you can create an effective GRE prep plan that maximizes your chances of success. Good luck with your GRE preparation!