8 Best-Selling GRE Prep Books Millions Trust

Discover GRE Prep books authored by leading experts at ETS, Magoosh, Manhattan Prep, and Princeton Review—best-selling and widely acclaimed resources for success.

Updated on June 26, 2025
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There's something special about books that both exam takers and experts agree on—especially when it comes to GRE preparation. With millions of students striving for graduate school admission each year, choosing the right prep materials can feel overwhelming. These eight best-selling GRE prep books have stood out by offering proven strategies and authentic practice to tackle this critical test.

Educational Testing Service (ETS), the original test maker, leads with official guides that bring you face-to-face with real GRE questions and detailed scoring insights. Meanwhile, companies like Magoosh and Manhattan Prep leverage data and expert experience to provide clear lessons and extensive problem sets that sharpen your skills effectively.

While these popular books provide proven frameworks, readers seeking content tailored to their specific GRE Prep needs might consider creating a personalized GRE Prep book that combines these validated approaches with your unique goals and background.

Best for official practice and authentic questions
Educational Testing Service (ETS), the nonprofit behind the GRE and other major standardized tests, brings unmatched authority and insight to this Super Power Pack. Having developed and scored millions of tests worldwide, ETS crafted this bundle to give you direct access to real GRE questions, authentic practice tests, and expert tips straight from the source. This book is a product of rigorous research and decades of testing experience, designed to align your preparation with what the exam truly looks like.
Official GRE Super Power Pack, Second Edition book cover

by Educational Testing Service··You?

When Educational Testing Service (ETS) designed this Super Power Pack, their deep expertise in testing shaped a resource that delivers both breadth and precision for GRE preparation. The pack bundles three official guides, offering you hundreds of authentic questions alongside detailed explanations and four full-length, real GRE tests—two in print and two online. You’ll find clear descriptions of every question type and strategies directly from the test makers, which means you’re practicing exactly what the GRE demands. If you want to sharpen your verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing skills with authoritative material, this set offers a practical path without fluff.

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Best for comprehensive official strategies
Educational Testing Service (ETS), a nonprofit that develops and scores over 50 million tests annually worldwide, brings unmatched expertise to this official guide. Their deep involvement with the GRE positions this book as a definitive resource, offering you direct access to authentic test questions and comprehensive explanations. This guide reflects ETS’s commitment to helping you approach the GRE with clarity and confidence, making it an essential tool for your graduate school journey.
The Official Guide to the GRE General Test book cover

by Educational Testing Service··You?

What happens when the very makers of the GRE General Test decide to write your study guide? Educational Testing Service (ETS), the organization behind the GRE itself, offers a uniquely authoritative resource that demystifies the test with precision and clarity. You’ll find hundreds of authentic questions directly from the test bank, detailed explanations of Verbal and Quantitative Reasoning sections, and a breakdown of Analytical Writing tasks complete with sample essays and grader commentary. This book serves anyone aiming for graduate or business school admission who wants to understand exactly what the test entails and how it’s scored. If you seek reliability and insider insight over generic tips, this guide is tailored for you.

Published by McGraw Hill
Official GRE test maker guide
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Best for custom score improvement
This AI-created book on GRE strategies is tailored to your background and preparation goals. It focuses on the specific GRE areas you want to improve, whether it's math, verbal, or writing. By combining proven tactics with insights that match your skill level, this book provides a focused learning experience. It’s designed to help you spend your study time efficiently and build confidence for test day.
2025·50-300 pages·GRE Prep, Test Techniques, Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, Analytical Writing

This personalized GRE Mastery Blueprint explores detailed strategies designed to boost your GRE score efficiently by focusing on your unique strengths and goals. It covers essential quantitative reasoning techniques, verbal reasoning enhancements, and analytical writing skills tailored to your background. The book examines common question types and test-taking tactics that match your specific areas of interest, helping you build confidence and improve performance. By integrating popular, reader-validated concepts with insights tuned to your preparation level, this tailored guide nurtures a deeper understanding of the GRE's demands. It reveals how to navigate challenges methodically, focusing on the most meaningful content for your success.

Tailored Guide
Score Improvement Focus
1,000+ Happy Readers
Best for data-driven study and clear explanations
Magoosh, a leading online test-prep company based in Berkeley, California, brings their proven expertise to this GRE prep book. Having assisted over 1.5 million students with online and mobile resources, their commitment to data-driven and accessible study materials shines through. This book reflects their dedication to helping you improve your score with carefully crafted lessons, practice questions, and test-taking advice tailored to the GRE.
GRE Prep by Magoosh book cover

by Magoosh, Chris Lele, Mike McGarry··You?

Drawing from their extensive experience helping over 1.5 million students, Magoosh delivers a focused GRE prep book designed for efficient study. You’ll find thorough lessons covering Quantitative, Verbal, and Analytical Writing sections, enriched with more than 130 practice questions complete with difficulty ratings and detailed explanations. The inclusion of a full-length practice test alongside expert test-taking tips offers a practical way to identify your strengths and hone weaknesses. Whether you’re just starting or supplementing your study routine, this book's data-driven approach and accessible explanations make it a solid tool for navigating the GRE’s challenges.

Author of 1st Edition
Published by RTC Publishing
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In 2000, Teach for America alumnus and Yale graduate Zeke Vanderhoek envisioned a new approach to test prep focused on better teaching and deeper learning. This vision led to founding Manhattan Prep, which has grown into a global leader in standardized test preparation. Their experience crafting courses for GMAT, GRE, LSAT, ACT, and SAT shapes this book’s development, making it a product of educators who understand what it takes to excel on the GRE.

What started as a radical idea from Yale graduate and Teach for America alumnus Zeke Vanderhoek became the foundation for this extensive GRE practice collection. You’ll find 1,800 questions and drills spread across all GRE subjects, offering a rigorous way to sharpen your test-taking skills and deepen your understanding of the exam’s nuances. Chapters target quant, verbal, and analytical writing sections, letting you focus on areas needing the most work. If you're aiming to solidify your GRE readiness through volume and variety rather than just theory, this book delivers that experience without fluff or shortcuts.

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Best for advanced practice with diagnostic tools
Manhattan Prep Powered by Kaplan’s instructors all have 99th percentile scores on the exam as well as years of teaching experience. Founded by Zeke Vanderhoek, a Teach for America alumnus and Yale graduate, Manhattan Prep recruits only top scorers with substantial teaching backgrounds. Their expertise shines through in this book, which combines rigorous practice with strategic insights to help you navigate every part of the GRE effectively.
2023·1092 pages·GRE Prep, GRE, Test Preparation, Strategy, Quantitative Reasoning

What makes this book resonate with so many is the expertise behind it: Manhattan Prep’s instructors all scored in the 99th percentile and bring years of teaching experience to the table. You’ll find over 1,800 practice problems that cover every GRE topic, along with diagnostic chapters that help you identify your strengths and focus your study efficiently. The new edition adds a fresh chapter on critical math strategies essential for boosting your quant score. Whether you're just starting out or aiming to polish specific skills, the book’s clear explanations and online supplements give you a solid framework to build confidence and mastery.

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Best for rapid score improvements
This AI-created book on GRE preparation is written based on your background, current skill level, and specific focus areas within GRE study. By sharing your goals and interests, you receive a tailored plan that concentrates on the parts you need to improve most. Such customization helps you use your study time effectively and makes the learning process more engaging and relevant, avoiding one-size-fits-all approaches.
2025·50-300 pages·GRE Prep, Quantitative Reasoning, Verbal Reasoning, Analytical Writing, Test Timing

This tailored GRE prep book offers a focused 30-day success plan designed to accelerate your test readiness efficiently. It explores core GRE concepts by blending well-established, reader-validated knowledge with a study routine personalized to your background and goals. The book examines verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing skills through targeted practice tasks and review sessions that match your pace and priorities. This personalized approach ensures you engage deeply with material relevant to your needs, making each study session purposeful and rewarding. By weaving together popular GRE insights with your specific interests, it reveals a clear path to rapid score improvement and confident test-taking.

Tailored Content
Focused Study Plan
1,000+ Happy Readers
Best for focused GRE Psychology Subject prep
Kaplan Test Prep’s GRE Subject Test: Psychology stands out in GRE preparation for its alignment with the latest DSM-5 standards and inclusion of updated mental health vocabulary. Its comprehensive approach includes two full-length practice tests with thorough explanations, enabling you to familiarize yourself with the exam’s format and question types. This edition suits you if you’re aiming to reinforce your understanding of psychology’s core areas and sharpen your test skills with trusted materials from a company with nearly 80 years of experience in test prep.
GRE Subject Test: Psychology (Kaplan Test Prep) book cover

by Kaplan Test Prep·You?

2016·492 pages·GRE Prep, GRE, Test Preparation, Psychology, Social Psychology

After analyzing changes in psychological classifications and test formats, Kaplan Test Prep developed this updated guide to help you navigate the GRE Psychology Subject Test confidently. It delivers focused content aligned with the DSM-5, covering social psychology, developmental psychology, and statistics, among other crucial topics. With two full-length practice exams and detailed explanations, you gain practical familiarity with test structure and question styles. This book suits you if you want a thorough review grounded in current psychological standards and prefer clear terminology alongside contextual definitions, helping you master both concepts and vocabulary relevant to the exam.

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Best for targeted verbal reasoning practice
This guide from The Princeton Review zeroes in on mastering the verbal section of the GMAT, a common stumbling block that can limit overall test scores. Its practical framework offers straightforward tactics and pacing tips to help you decode complex reading passages and sharpen argument analysis. With a strong emphasis on practice questions and detailed answer explanations, it’s designed for students who want to fine-tune verbal skills efficiently. The book’s focused approach addresses a specific need in graduate test preparation, providing clarity and structure for those aiming to improve their verbal performance.
2015·272 pages·GRE Prep, Graduate Preparation, GMAT Prep, GRE, Verbal Reasoning

The Princeton Review brings decades of test preparation expertise to this focused guide that hones in on the GMAT Verbal section, targeting critical reasoning, reading comprehension, and sentence correction. You get clear explanations of argument analysis, grammar essentials, and pacing strategies designed to help you avoid common pitfalls and improve accuracy under pressure. Chapters include drills and a full practice verbal section with detailed answer explanations, making it suitable if you're aiming to boost your verbal score efficiently. This book suits those who have basic GMAT familiarity but need targeted practice to cross from average to competitive, rather than complete beginners or those seeking exhaustive test coverage.

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Best for efficient last-minute prep strategies
This book offers a streamlined approach to GRE preparation tailored for candidates with limited time. The Princeton Review distills critical exam concepts into 10 actionable steps, covering all test sections with concise explanations and focused practice questions. Its methodical yet accessible format helps you hone your skills efficiently, making it a reliable choice if you need to boost your score under tight deadlines. By emphasizing targeted strategies and quick drills, it addresses the needs of students aiming to optimize their prep in the final stretch before test day.
2015·256 pages·GRE Prep, Graduate Preparation, GMAT Prep, GRE, Test Strategies

Unlike many GRE prep books that overwhelm you with exhaustive content, this guide delivers a focused, last-minute toolkit designed for students pressed for time. The Princeton Review condenses the essential strategies into 10 clear steps, covering every exam section with targeted exercises and up-to-date question reviews. For example, chapters on math drills and verbal tactics provide precise practice opportunities, while the analysis of argument essay section breaks down high-scoring techniques. If you're aiming to optimize your preparation efficiently without sifting through unnecessary details, this book offers structured clarity. However, if you prefer a more gradual, comprehensive study plan, this might feel too condensed.

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Proven GRE Prep, Tailored for You

Get expert-approved strategies customized to your GRE goals and challenges.

Targeted Study Plans
Expert Strategies
Efficient Preparation

Trusted by thousands of GRE test takers worldwide

GRE Mastery Blueprint
30-Day GRE Success Plan
Strategic GRE Foundations
GRE Success Secrets

Conclusion

These eight GRE prep books collectively offer a powerful toolkit: you get official materials that map the exam precisely, extensive practice problems to build endurance and skill, and focused strategies to target verbal and quantitative sections efficiently. If you prefer proven methods, start with the Official GRE Super Power Pack for authentic practice and combine it with Manhattan Prep’s 5 lb. Book for volume.

For validated approaches blending strategy and data, pairing Magoosh’s guide with Princeton Review’s Crash Course can optimize your study timeline. If your focus is the Psychology Subject Test, Kaplan’s specialized guide offers targeted insights.

Alternatively, you can create a personalized GRE Prep book to combine proven methods with your unique needs. These widely-adopted approaches have helped many students sharpen their skills and build confidence for GRE success.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Start with the Official GRE Super Power Pack for authentic practice from the test makers, then add Manhattan Prep’s 5 lb. Book for extensive problem sets to build your skills.

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

No. Many books, like Magoosh's guide, offer clear explanations and structured lessons suitable for beginners moving toward advanced prep.

What's the best order to read these books?

Begin with official guides to understand test format, then use practice problem books to reinforce skills, and finish with targeted strategy books for refinement.

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

You can pick based on your goals: official guides for accuracy, practice books for volume, or strategy books for last-minute review—mix as needed.

Which books focus more on theory vs. practical application?

Official ETS guides focus on theory and test format, while Manhattan Prep and Magoosh emphasize practical application through extensive practice and strategies.

Can I get a study plan tailored to my specific GRE needs?

Yes! While expert books provide solid methods, you can create a personalized GRE Prep book that combines proven strategies with your unique background and goals for more targeted prep.

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