8 GMAT Prep Books That Drive Exam Success

Discover GMAT Prep books written by leading authorities like GMAC and Manhattan Prep, designed to sharpen your skills for test day.

Updated on June 26, 2025
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What if the difference between your target GMAT score and a breakthrough performance came down to the books you choose? The GMAT remains a pivotal hurdle for aspiring business leaders, and the right prep materials can make all the difference. In a landscape crowded with options, authoritative guides crafted by the creators of the exam and top educators stand apart.

These 8 GMAT prep books come from the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC), the organization behind the GMAT exam, and Manhattan Prep, known for its educator-driven approach. Their deep expertise and access to real exam content provide unmatched insight into what it takes to succeed.

While these expert-curated books provide proven frameworks and authentic practice, you might consider creating a personalized GMAT Prep book to focus specifically on your background, strengths, and learning goals. Tailored content builds on these foundational insights to accelerate your preparation journey.

The Graduate Management Admissions Council (GMAC) represents leading graduate business schools worldwide and creates the GMAT exam itself. Their deep involvement in business education and standardized testing uniquely qualifies them to compile this official guide packed with real past exam questions and modern online study tools. This bundle reflects their mission to support students and schools by delivering the most authentic preparation experience possible.

Drawing from decades of expertise as the administrator of the GMAT exam, GMAC offers an authoritative resource that compiles nearly 1,900 real past exam questions across verbal, quantitative, and integrated reasoning sections. You’ll learn to navigate the exact content, structure, and difficulty progression of the GMAT, reinforced by detailed explanations that clarify the reasoning behind each answer. This bundle’s inclusion of online tools, such as customizable practice sets and performance tracking, lets you tailor your prep to your strengths and weaknesses. Whether you’re aiming to understand test nuances or build endurance for exam day, this guide serves as a thorough, authentic companion. It’s most beneficial if you want direct exposure to official questions and metrics to monitor your progress.

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Best for mastering updated GMAT format
The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) stands behind the GMAT Official Guide 2023-2024 Bundle, Focus Edition, bringing their decades of expertise as the creators and administrators of the GMAT exam. Founded in 1953, GMAC’s mission centers on connecting candidates with leading graduate business schools worldwide. This guide bundle reflects their deep understanding of the exam’s evolving format, providing you with authentic practice questions and online resources designed to help you prepare efficiently and confidently for the GMAT Focus Edition.
2023·GMAT Prep, Test Preparation, Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, Data Analysis

What happens when decades of graduate management expertise meets GMAT prep? The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) crafted this bundle to give you direct access to over 1,400 official GMAT questions, including new Data Insights review content aligned with the latest exam format. You’ll find detailed explanations that help you understand the reasoning behind each answer, sharpening your skills in quantitative reasoning, verbal reasoning, and data analysis. The included online question bank lets you tailor practice sets by difficulty and question type, supporting focused study sessions. If you’re aiming to master the updated GMAT Focus Edition with materials straight from the test’s creators, this is the resource designed for you.

Published by Wiley
Official GMAT Guide Bundle
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Best for personalized study plans
This AI-created book on GMAT preparation is crafted based on your individual background, skill level, and the specific sections you want to focus on. By sharing your goals and interests, you get a personalized roadmap that zeroes in on exactly what you need to work on. This tailored approach makes your study time more effective by concentrating on your strengths and addressing your challenges directly, offering a clear path through the complexity of the GMAT.
2025·50-300 pages·GMAT Prep, GMAT Overview, Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, Integrated Reasoning

This tailored book explores effective techniques and detailed plans across all GMAT sections, focusing on your unique background and goals. It covers quantitative reasoning, verbal comprehension, integrated reasoning, and analytical writing, providing a clear path through each area tailored to your interests and skill level. By matching expert knowledge to your specific learning needs, the book reveals how to navigate complex question types and build confidence for exam day. With a personalized approach, it examines key concepts and practice methods that fit your preparation style, ensuring you engage deeply with material that matters most to you. This focused exploration helps sharpen problem-solving skills and strategic thinking essential for GMAT success.

Tailored Guide
Adaptive Learning Path
1,000+ Happy Readers
Best for focused skill-building with tools
The Graduate Management Admissions Council (GMAC), the organization behind the GMAT exam, offers this official guide to help you navigate the updated GMAT Focus Edition. Founded in 1953, GMAC is trusted by over 7,700 graduate business programs worldwide, positioning them uniquely to create resources that directly reflect the exam's demands. Their expertise ensures the guide’s practice questions and diagnostic tools are closely aligned with what you will face on test day, making this resource especially relevant for anyone serious about effective GMAT preparation.
2023·768 pages·GMAT Prep, Test Strategy, Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, Data Insights

The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) brings you this focused guide that aligns directly with the GMAT Focus Edition exam format, providing over 800 authentic practice questions drawn from actual GMAT tests. You get targeted math, verbal, and data insights reviews alongside a practical question index organized by difficulty and topic, helping you sharpen specific skills systematically. With access to an online question bank and digital flashcards, this guide supports personalized practice and progress tracking through detailed answer explanations and diagnostic evaluations. If you're aiming to build mastery over the latest GMAT exam structure and want tools that let you practice strategically, this book serves as a precise, no-frills resource.

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Best for comprehensive question variety
The Graduate Management Admissions Council (GMAC) stands behind this guide as the official source for GMAT preparation. As the organization responsible for creating and administering the GMAT exam, GMAC brings unmatched authority and insight into what you need to succeed. Their mission to support both business schools and students drives the comprehensive scope of this book, which pairs a vast collection of real exam questions with digital tools to enhance your study experience.
GMAT Official Guide 2021: Book + Online + Mobile book cover

by Graduate Management Admission Council··You?

2020·939 pages·GMAT Prep, Test Preparation, Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, Practice Questions

Drawing from its role as the creator and administrator of the GMAT exam, the Graduate Management Admission Council crafted this guide to offer you authentic preparation materials. You’ll work through over 1,170 real questions from past exams, with detailed explanations that deepen your understanding of quantitative and verbal reasoning. The book’s organization by difficulty helps you build skills progressively, while the integrated online and mobile resources let you track your progress and practice flexibly. If you’re aiming to master the exam’s structure and question types with official content, this guide is tailored for your focused study, though those seeking broader test-taking strategies might want supplementary materials.

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Best for structured GMAT strategy
In 2000, Teach for America alumnus and Yale graduate Zeke Vanderhoek had a radical idea: pay teachers on par with management to attract the best minds. His vision for superior test prep led to Manhattan Prep, now a global leader in exam coaching. This extensive GMAT guide reflects that expertise, pairing expert-crafted content with an adaptive online platform to guide your study journey through the updated GMAT syllabus.
2019·1912 pages·GMAT Prep, Test Strategy, Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, Data Insights

What happens when expert educators with 99th-percentile GMAT scores redesign test prep? Manhattan Prep’s All the GMAT offers a detailed roadmap covering every section of the updated GMAT Focus 2024 exam, blending in-depth strategy guides with digital supplements that adjust to ongoing test changes. You’ll find targeted chapters on quant, verbal, and integrated reasoning—now called Data Insights—along with an online 12-week syllabus pacing your study efficiently. This isn’t just theory; the online GMAT Navigator breaks down official problems with full solutions, making it perfect if you want to grasp the reasoning behind each answer. If your goal is a higher GMAT score through a structured, expert-led approach, this book delivers exactly that.

Rated Best of the Best in GMAT Prep Books by BestReviews
Published by Manhattan Prep
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Best for personal study plans
This AI-created book on GMAT preparation is tailored to your skill level and specific goals. You share your background and the areas you want to improve, and the book focuses on a 30-day intensive plan designed just for you. Personalization matters here because no two GMAT journeys are alike. By zeroing in on your unique needs, this book helps you study smarter—not harder—making every minute of your prep count.
2025·50-300 pages·GMAT Prep, GMAT Fundamentals, Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, Integrated Reasoning

This tailored book offers a focused 30-day plan designed to sharpen your GMAT skills through personalized study aligned with your unique background and goals. It explores essential concepts and exam techniques, emphasizing areas that match your strengths and address your challenges. By blending expert knowledge with your specific interests, the book reveals targeted exercises and study paths to accelerate your progress efficiently. The tailored approach helps you concentrate on what truly matters in your preparation, ensuring every study session is purposeful and aligned with your learning style. Engaging and precise, this book makes your GMAT journey both manageable and effective, bridging broad principles with your personal learning needs.

Tailored Blueprint
Focused Skill Sharpening
1,000+ Happy Readers
Best for intensive quantitative practice
The Graduate Management Admissions Council™ (GMAC™) has crafted this guide drawing on its extensive role as the steward of the GMAT exam, trusted by over 7,000 graduate programs worldwide. Their mission to connect candidates with top business schools drives the creation of this robust quantitative review featuring official past exam questions. This foundation of expertise ensures you are training with authentic content and supported by innovative online and mobile tools designed to enhance your study experience.
GMAT Official Guide Quantitative Review 2022: Book + Online Question Bank book cover

by GMAC (Graduate Management Admission Council)··You?

2021·336 pages·GMAT Prep, Quantitative Reasoning, Test Preparation, Math Skills, Problem Solving

The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) draws on decades of experience administering the GMAT exam to present this focused quantitative practice guide. You get over 370 authentic GMAT questions from past exams, arranged by difficulty, helping you strengthen your quantitative reasoning step-by-step. The book complements the main Official Guide by drilling deep into math skills, formulas, and problem-solving strategies essential for the quantitative section. If you're aiming to sharpen your numerical skills with real exam material and track your progress with integrated online tools, this guide fits your needs perfectly.

Published by Wiley
10th Edition
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Best for methodical full exam prep
The Graduate Management Admissions Council™ (GMAC™), steward of the GMAT exam since 1953, authored this guide to provide candidates with direct access to real past exam questions. Their deep involvement in graduate business education worldwide ensures the content reflects current standards and expectations. GMAC’s mission to connect candidates and schools underpins this resource’s design, offering you tools to methodically prepare and confidently approach test day.
GMAT Official Guide 2022: Book + Online Question Bank book cover

by GMAC (Graduate Management Admission Council)··You?

The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) brings unmatched authority to this GMAT prep guide, drawing on decades of experience managing the test itself. You’ll find over 1,000 questions spanning quantitative, verbal, analytical writing, and integrated reasoning, each arranged by difficulty to help you build skills progressively. Detailed answer explanations peel back the reasoning behind solutions, especially useful in chapters reviewing core quantitative formulas and verbal concepts. This guide suits you if you want an official, methodical approach that mirrors the exam’s actual structure, though its comprehensive scope may be overwhelming if you seek a lighter overview.

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Best for building math fundamentals
In 2000, Teach for America alumnus and Yale graduate Zeke Vanderhoek envisioned a new way to help students excel by learning from exceptional educators. This vision led to Manhattan Prep’s transformation from a boutique tutoring company into a leading test prep provider worldwide. Their GMAT Foundations of Math reflects this expertise, focusing on building solid math skills through clear instruction and extensive practice. This foundation aims to prepare you thoroughly for the more challenging GMAT material ahead.

Unlike most GMAT prep books that leap directly into advanced problem-solving, Manhattan Prep's GMAT Foundations of Math starts by rebuilding your basic math skills from the ground up. Created by instructors with 99th-percentile scores, this guide offers clear explanations of fundamental concepts alongside more than 700 practice problems, ensuring you master essentials before tackling complex questions. You’ll benefit most if you find yourself rusty on arithmetic, algebra, or geometry, or if you want a solid refresher to build confidence. The inclusion of an online starter kit with videos and practice tests helps you apply what you learn in a structured way, making it a solid choice for those aiming to strengthen their math foundation before full GMAT prep.

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Conclusion

These 8 GMAT prep books collectively emphasize authenticity, strategic depth, and skill-building across verbal, quantitative, and integrated reasoning sections. If you’re just beginning, starting with the "GMAT Foundations of Math" can shore up essential skills before tackling the full exam. For those aiming to master the exam format and question types, the GMAC Official Guides provide an unmatched wealth of real questions and detailed explanations.

If time is tight, combining the focused editions with Manhattan Prep’s structured strategy in "All the GMAT" can streamline learning and deepen understanding. Alternatively, you can create a personalized GMAT Prep book to bridge the gap between general principles and your specific situation.

Choosing from these respected titles can help you accelerate your learning journey and build confidence for test day. The right preparation is often the key to turning ambition into achievement.

Frequently Asked Questions

I'm overwhelmed by choice – which book should I start with?

Start with "GMAT Foundations of Math" if your math skills need a refresher. Otherwise, the "GMAT Official Guide 2023-2024 Bundle, Focus Edition" offers broad coverage and real exam questions to build a strong foundation.

Are these books too advanced for someone new to GMAT Prep?

Not at all. For beginners, "GMAT Foundations of Math" breaks down basic concepts clearly. Other guides gradually increase in difficulty, allowing you to build skills step-by-step.

What's the best order to read these books?

Begin with foundational math concepts, then move to comprehensive official guides for practice. Supplement with "All the GMAT" for strategic insights as your test date nears.

Do I really need to read all of these, or can I just pick one?

You can pick based on your needs. For balanced prep, a core official guide plus a strategy-focused book like "All the GMAT" is effective. Tailor your selection to your strengths and weaknesses.

Which books focus more on theory vs. practical application?

"All the GMAT" emphasizes strategic approaches and theory, while GMAC Official Guides are rich in practical, real exam questions and detailed answer explanations.

Can personalized GMAT Prep books complement these expert guides?

Yes! While these expert books offer proven frameworks, personalized GMAT Prep books tailor strategies and practice to your unique goals and background, bridging theory with your real-world needs. Consider creating your own tailored GMAT Prep book to enhance your study.

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