If you’re considering applying to graduate school, chances are you’ll need to take the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) to meet the admission requirements. The GRE is a standardized test that assesses your verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing skills.
Preparing for this exam can be daunting, but one of the most effective ways you can use to improve your score is by using the Official Guide Book from the makers of the GRE.
In this article, we’ll review the Official Guide Book and evaluate its effectiveness in helping you boost your GRE score. We’ll cover the book’s features, pros and cons, compare it to other GRE prep materials, and look at real user reviews to help you decide whether it’s the right study tool for you.
Overview of the Official Guidebook
The Official Guide Book is a comprehensive study resource published by Educational Testing Service (ETS), the makers of the GRE. It’s designed to provide you with a complete overview of the exam, including detailed information about each section and strategies to help you maximize your score. The book is available in both print and e-book formats and includes access to online resources.
The Official Guide Book is divided into six sections:
- Introduction to the GRE
- Verbal Reasoning
- Quantitative Reasoning
- Analytical Writing
- GRE Math Review
- Additional Resources
The first section provides you with an overview of the GRE, including information about test structure, scoring, and test-taking strategies.
The Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning sections cover the respective sections of the GRE in detail, including common question types and strategies for answering them.
The Analytical Writing section provides guidance on how to write a strong argument and analyze an issue, which are the two essay prompts on the GRE. The GRE Math Review is a refresher course on math concepts commonly tested on exams.
Finally, the Additional Resources section provides information about additional study materials and test-taking resources available from ETS.
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Pros of the Official Guidebook
A. Comprehensive content coverage
The Official Guide Book covers all aspects of the GRE in detail, including content, format, and scoring. It gives you a thorough understanding of what to expect on test day and prepares you for the exam by providing practice questions and test-taking strategies.
B. Authentic GRE questions
All practice questions in the Official Guide Book are official GRE questions, meaning they’re written by the same people who created the test. This ensures that the questions accurately represent what you’ll encounter on test day and gives you a good sense of the difficulty level and format of the exam.
C. Tips and strategies for each section
The Official Guide Book provides tips and strategies for each section of the GRE, including how to approach different types of questions and also how to manage your time effectively. These strategies are designed to assist you in improving your score by maximizing your strengths and minimizing your weaknesses.
D. Access to online resources
The Official Guide Book provides access to online resources, including additional practice questions and test-taking resources. This allows you to practice your skills further and get comfortable with the exam format.
Cons of the Official Guidebook
A. Limited explanation of answers
One common criticism of the Official Guide Book is that it doesn’t provide detailed explanations for each answer. While it does include answer keys, it doesn’t provide a breakdown of why each answer is correct or incorrect. This can be frustrating for some test-takers who want a more thorough understanding of each question.
B. Repetitive questions
Another criticism of the Official Guide Book is that some of the practice questions can be repetitive. While this is true to some extent, it’s important to remember that the purpose of the Official Guide Book is to provide you with a comprehensive overview of the exam. This includes covering all possible question types and formats, which inevitably means that some questions may be similar to others. However, the repetition can be a bit frustrating for some test-takers who may want more variety in their practice questions.
C. Lack of advanced-level questions
One area where the Official Guide Book falls short is in its coverage of advanced-level questions. While it does provide a solid foundation of basic and intermediate-level concepts, it doesn’t go into as much depth on more advanced topics. This can be a disadvantage for test-takers who are looking to achieve a very high score on the exam.
D. No answer explanations for online resources
While the Official Guide Book does provide access to online resources, it’s important to note that these resources don’t include answer explanations. This means that you won’t be able to fully understand why a certain answer is correct or incorrect without consulting other resources or seeking outside help.
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Comparison With Other GRE Prep Materials
There are many other GRE prep materials on the market, and it’s important to compare the Official Guide Book to these other resources to determine which one is the best fit for you.
A. Kaplan GRE Prep Book
The Kaplan GRE Prep Book is another popular study resource for the GRE. It provides a comprehensive exam overview, including strategies and practice questions.
One advantage of the Kaplan book is that it includes detailed answer explanations for all of its practice questions, which can be helpful for test-takers who want a deeper understanding of the material. However, some users have criticized the Kaplan book for being overly focused on strategy and not providing enough in-depth content review.
B. Manhattan Prep GRE Book
The Manhattan Prep GRE Book is another popular study resource on strategy and test-taking skills. It provides a comprehensive exam overview, including strategies and practice questions.
One advantage of the Manhattan Prep book is that it includes a variety of practice tests, which can be helpful for test-takers who want to simulate the actual test experience. However, some users have criticized the Manhattan Prep book for being too difficult and not providing enough in-depth content review.
C. Princeton Review GRE Book
The Princeton Review GRE Book is another popular study resource for the GRE. It provides a comprehensive exam overview, including strategies and practice questions.
One advantage of the Princeton Review book is that it includes a variety of online resources, including video lessons and practice quizzes. However, some users have criticized the Princeton Review book for being too simplistic and not providing enough in-depth content review.
Real User Reviews of the Official Guide Book
One of the best ways to evaluate the effectiveness of the Official Guide Book is to look at real user reviews. Here are some common themes that emerge from user reviews:
A. Positive reviews
Many users praise the Official Guide Book for its comprehensive coverage of the exam, its authentic practice questions, and its helpful test-taking strategies. Users also appreciate the book’s affordability and accessibility, as well as its online resources.
B. Negative reviews
Some users criticize the Official Guide Book for its limited explanation of answers, repetitive practice questions, and lack of advanced-level content. Some users also feel that the book’s strategies are overly simplistic and don’t provide enough in-depth guidance.
C. Common themes in user reviews
Overall, user reviews of the Official Guide Book are generally positive, with many users finding it to be a helpful and effective study resource. However, some users feel that the book falls short in certain areas, such as explanations of answers and advanced-level content.
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Best Place To Buy The Great Official Guide
There are several places where you can buy the GRE Official Guide. Here are some details on the best places to purchase the guide:
- Educational Testing Service (ETS) website: This is the official website for the GRE and the GRE Official Guide. You can purchase the guide directly from the ETS website. This is a reliable and trustworthy source to purchase the guide, and you can be sure that you are getting the most recent edition.
- Amazon: Amazon is a popular online retailer where you can find a variety of GRE study materials, including the GRE Official Guide. You can purchase the guide in either print or electronic format, and discounts are often available. Additionally, Amazon has a user-friendly interface and a vast selection of customer reviews to help you make an informed decision.
- Barnes & Noble: Barnes & Noble is another reputable retailer where you can purchase the GRE Official Guide. Like Amazon, you can buy the guide in print or electronic format, and discounts may be available. You can also browse customer reviews and ratings to help you make an informed decision.
- Local bookstores: If you prefer to support local businesses, you can check with your local bookstore to see if they carry the GRE Official Guide. While the selection may be limited, you can still purchase the most recent edition and support a local business in the process.
Regardless of where you choose to buy the GRE Official Guide, make sure to purchase the most recent edition to ensure that you have access to the most up-to-date information and questions.
Difference Between The Official Guide Editions
There are several editions of the GRE Official Guide, and each edition includes updates and changes to the test content. Here are some of the differences between the various editions of the GRE Official Guide:
Content
Each edition of the GRE Official Guide includes different practice questions and content. The questions in the most recent edition will likely be more closely aligned with the current format and content of the GRE.
Number of questions
The number of questions in each edition of the GRE Official Guide may vary. Generally, newer editions tend to have more questions than older editions.
Test-taking strategies
Each edition’s test-taking strategies and tips may differ. For example, newer editions may include updated information on the test format, changes to the scoring system, or tips on approaching specific question types.
Technology
The test format has changed over the years, and newer editions of the GRE Official Guide may include updated information on the use of technology, such as the calculator or computer-based testing.
User interface
The design and layout of the book may differ between editions. For example, newer editions may have more user-friendly interfaces, clear navigation, and engaging graphics.
The newer editions of the GRE Official Guide will likely include more up-to-date and relevant content. They may be more useful for test-takers looking to familiarize themselves with the most current test format and question types. However, some older editions may still be useful for practice and available at a lower cost.
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How To Boost Your Score Using The GRE Official Guidebook
The GRE Official Guidebook is an excellent resource for test-takers looking to boost their scores. Here are some tips on how to use the GRE Official Guide to improve your performance:
- Familiarize yourself with the test format: The GRE Official Guide includes practice questions similar to those on the test. You can understand the test format, timing, and question types by practicing with these questions.
- Identify your strengths and weaknesses: As you practice with the GRE Official Guide, consider the types of questions that you find easy or difficult. Use this information to develop a study plan that focuses on your weaknesses.
- Practice, practice, practice: The more you practice, the more comfortable you will become with the test format and the types of questions you will see on the test. Review your answers carefully, identify areas where you need to improve, and focus on those areas in your next study session.
- Use the explanations and answer keys: The GRE Official Guide includes explanations for each practice question and answer keys. Review these explanations to understand why certain answers are correct or incorrect.
- Take practice tests: The GRE Official Guide includes two full-length practice tests. Use these tests to simulate the test-taking experience and identify areas to improve.
- Use the study tools and resources: The GRE Official Guide includes helpful study tools and resources, such as vocabulary lists, tips for test-taking, and strategies for approaching specific question types. Review and use these resources as you prepare for the test.
Overall, using the GRE Official Guide book can help you improve your score by familiarizing yourself with the test format, identifying your strengths and weaknesses, practicing with relevant questions, and using the study tools and resources in the book.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Official Guide Book from ETS is a comprehensive study resource that provides a solid foundation for GRE test-takers. It offers authentic practice questions, helpful test-taking strategies, and a comprehensive exam overview.
While there are drawbacks, such as repetitive questions and limited advanced-level content, the benefits of using the Official Guide Book as a study resource outweigh the drawbacks.
It’s important to remember that the Official Guide Book is just one of many study resources available for the GRE. It’s worth considering other options and comparing them to the Official Guide Book to determine which resource best fits your study needs and preferences.
Overall, the Official Guide Book is a valuable resource for anyone preparing for the GRE. Using it with other study resources and seeking outside help when needed, test-takers can boost their score and achieve their goals on the exam.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Ultimate GRE Official Guide is a comprehensive test preparation book designed to help students prepare for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). The book is published by the Educational Testing Service (ETS), the organization that administers the GRE.
The Ultimate GRE Official Guide includes practice questions, full-length practice tests, detailed answer explanations, strategies for approaching different question types, and test-taking tips. The book covers all sections of the GRE, including Verbal Reasoning, Quantitative Reasoning, and Analytical Writing.
Many students have found The Ultimate GRE Official Guide an effective tool for improving their GRE scores. The book gives students an in-depth understanding of the test format and question types and includes numerous practice questions and tests to help students prepare.
To use The Ultimate GRE Official Guide effectively, it is recommended to start by familiarizing yourself with the test format and content. Use the practice questions and tests to identify your strengths and weaknesses, and focus your study efforts on areas where you need to improve. Use the answer explanations and study resources provided in the book to help you understand the material and develop effective test-taking strategies.
While The Ultimate GRE Official Guide is a valuable resource for preparing for the GRE, it may not be the only resource you need. Supplementing your study with additional resources, such as online practice tests, study guides, and tutoring services, is recommended. Additionally, you may want to consider taking a GRE preparation course to help you prepare more effectively.
Reference
- Prepscholar.com– How to Use the ETS GRE Official Guide – Full Review
- Magoosh.com– ETS Official Guide to the GRE Revised General Test 3rd Edition Book Review
- Brightlinkprep.com– Expert Review: The Official Guide to the GRE General Test
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