Which GRE Vocabulary Book is Better: Manhattan 1000 Words or Barrons 1100 Words for Scoring 160 on the Verbal Section?

Choosing the right GRE vocabulary book can significantly impact your preparation and performance on the verbal section. Both Manhattan Preps 1000 Words and Barrons 1100 Words are highly regarded resources, but they cater to different study methods and goals. This article delves into the key differences between these two books and helps you decide which one might be the best fit for your GRE preparation.

Understanding the Key Differences

Manhattan Preps 1000 Words:

Focus: High-frequency words that are more likely to appear on the GRE. Approach: Contextual usage and example sentences. Study Method: Concise and easier to digest in a shorter time frame.

Barrons 1100 Words:

Focus: Wider range of vocabulary, including less common words. Approach: Extensive definitions and idiomatic expressions. Study Method: More comprehensive but potentially overwhelming for some students.

While both resources are highly effective, they serve different purposes and might be better suited to different study styles.

Choosing the Best Fit for Your Needs

For Targeted Studying:

If you prefer a focused approach that increases the likelihood of encountering high-frequency words on the GRE, Manhattan Preps 1000 Words is a good choice. The concise nature of the book makes it easier to digest, and the contextual usage and example sentences help with retention and understanding how words are used in context.

For Comprehensive Preparation:

If you want a broader vocabulary that covers more ground, including potentially less common words, Barrons 1100 Words could be more beneficial. The additional words will provide a more comprehensive vocabulary base, though you may find the book more overwhelming at first.

Additional Tips for Effective GRE Preparation

Practice:

No matter which book you choose, remember that memorizing words is just the first step. Practice using them in context by reading complex texts and doing practice questions. This will help you understand how the words are applied in the GRE environment.

Supplement:

Consider supplementing your study with practice tests and verbal reasoning exercises. This will help you familiarize yourself with the test format and question types, making you more prepared for test day.

Developing Categorization Skills:

One of the most effective ways to remember new words is to develop a skill to categorize them as positive or negative. This comes with lots of practice. For additional practice, regularly read articles from Arts and Letters Daily. These articles, covering various genres, are similar to those you'll encounter in the GRE and use vocabulary that is very similar to what is used in the test.

With a focused approach and regular practice, you can boost your verbal section score on the GRE. Happy preparation!