GRE/GMAT Math Review 5th ED (Gre Gmat Math Review)

For the quant-challenged, there are two general prep strategies. One, you can dish out a couple grand for Kaplan tutoring. Personally, I recommend the following three-book approach, assuming you have time. Get the ARCO GRE-GMAT Math Review. It is basic, but trust me, if you don't know/review the basics cold, you are done. This book would also be a fine starting point for people who would score less than 57%, so don't let that put you off. The section on word problems was particularly helpful. Each topical area (such as factoring) has practice problems, and each section (such as Algebra) has a practice test to reinforce what you are reviewing (or learning).

The second book I recommend is the Kaplan GRE-GMAT Math Workbook. It will take you the next step, assuming that you know the basic math and getting more into how to manipulate certain figures and math concepts to get the answer you need. Test taking strategy is also addressed in this book, which it is not in the ARCO. There are far more practice problems in the Kaplan than in the ARCO, and they are divided into "Basic", "Intermediate" and "Advanced."

I used only these two books, and my quant score went from 57 percentile to 96 percentile. I reviewed for two weeks, one book a week, about 4 hours per day.

I called this a three-book approach; the third book is one that I wish I had bought--GMAC's current edition of previous tests. Practicing in this book would probably have increased my confidence a bit more going into the test--I must admit that I did not fully trust Kaplan's problems to be truly representative of the real GMAT. Judging from my results, this mistrust was unfounded. I did use GMAC's PowerPrep software, which you get when you register for the GMAT. A big drawback with PowerPrep is that it uses the questions from a paper test, and just levers them into the CAT format. The questions don't really get harder if you answer them correctly (as of November 8, 2002). Use them for math practice, but keep in mind that the CAT is designed to challenge you by offering you harder and harder questions as long as you keep getting them right. Don't learn a time managment strategy on the paper tests and expect to use it on the CAT. Don't expect your CAT to be as easy as the paper tests.

I also got Kaplan's GMAT 800 at a local bookstore, and returned it two days later. After the other two books, I could not see that it was helping me much at all. I don't recommend that one.
Not for math anyway--I am not addressing verbal anything in this review.

One final note--none of the books address probability, which exists on the GMAT in rudimentary form. I didn't need to know permutations or combinations either time I took the test, but that's not to say that you will not--I just don't know. I did need to know basic probability calculation, and that's not in any of the books above. So, spend an hour at the library and nail that down--it's not difficult.


Excellent for students with Math phobia.   September 13, 1999
25 out of 25 found this review helpful

This book is essential for anyone who needs a refresher in Arithmetic, Algebra and Geometry. It teaches the rules very well -- better than many math courses I have taken. It is extremely beneficial in increasing GMAT score. Definitely worth the investment. I also used the Princeton version. I found it less effective in teaching math concepts.


Incredible help for students that hate numbers   August 17, 1999
18 out of 18 found this review helpful

Sorry if you find grammar mistakes, but my first lenguage is spanish. In high school my nightmare was math, I even studied Political Science because it had the least amount of quantitive classes. Now I have to face the challenge of the GMAT, lacking from any proficiency in numbers. From all the books I have read, The GRE-GMAT Math review is with not doubt the best one available in the market. It has easy examples, step by step, that make you feel that you are understanding things you otherwise would not imagine. If you have time for reading it, be sure is a good investment. BUY IT!!!!


No Nonsense Math Review   December 26, 2001
Jason Luis (San Francisco, CA United States)
9 out of 9 found this review helpful

Ever feel that you are in over your head? That a topic just flies above your comprehension? Here's your solution. This book is for anyone who slept through math class but aced English. Other GMAT test prep books like Kaplan/Princeton Review, Cliff Notes, Etc, assume you know the material and breeze right past it. This is a no nonsense book that teaches you everything from scracth assuming you know nothing about rudimentary mathematics. It does not glaze over anything. My advice, buy this book as a starter, then the other titles mentioned above for more advanced problems, and additional questions to practice on. Great Value for the money as well(for all you business majors out there!)


This is a great self help guide!   June 23, 1998
5 out of 5 found this review helpful

This book was essential in my quest of taking the GMAT. I forgot all of my algebra/geometry rules and tricks. It does a great job of showing you step by step how to solve all math problems on the GMAT. I cannot say enough about it!