Having a set of GRE books can help you to prepare for exam effectively. These books help you to understand exam topics thoroughly so you can achieve your desired score. By using a set of high quality GRE preparation books, Indian students can enhance their understanding of the exam format and test taking strategies. Regular practice of questions can also boost your confidence for the GRE exam 2025.
Graduate Record Exam is one of most widely recognized tests for candidates looking to pursue postgraduate studies in countries abroad. High GRE scores increase the chance of getting admission into foreign universities. Preparation books play a vital role in getting the desired score. Students can buy these GRE books from the offline or online market. This page will help you to know about the best books for GRE preparation and related information about them.
There are three sections in GRE exam so you need to buy separate GRE books to prepare for these sections.
Best Books for GRE Analytical Writing:
- GRE Analytical Writing - Solutions to the Real Essay Topics - Book 1 and Book 2 by Vibrant Publishers.
Best Books for GRE Quantative Reasoning:
- Kaplan GRE Maths Workbook
- Barron’s New GRE
Best Books for GRE Verbal Reasoning section
- Manhattan Prep Complete Verbal Set
- ETS Official GRE Guide
These GRE books are easily available in the market.
There are multiple GRE coaching institutes or publishers who offer PDF of study materials to students. You can easily purchase digital versions of their GRE prep books, which you can download to your device using a reader app like Kindle or Adobe Reader. Also, you can explore the nearest public library. You can certainly find some books for preparation.
The answer is yes! However, you need to have required study material to cover the topics and daily 4 to 6 hours for preparation. To prepare for GRE at home, you can follow these tips:
- Collect study material available on internet for free.
- Join online communities where you can discuss your preparation with other GRE test takers.
- Stay conneceted with any senior for preparation guidance.
- Regularly take practice tests and analyze your performance.
- Best Books for GRE 2025
- Top Preparation Books for GRE: In Detail
- How to Prepare for GRE Online
- GRE Preparation Tips 2025
- Common FAQs About GRE Books
Best Books for GRE 2025
In this section, we are going to be talking about the top GRE prep books for candidates who are looking to ace their GRE exam.
| Book Title | Author/Publisher | Price (INR) | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official Guide to the GRE General Test (4th Edition) | ETS | 1,039 | ⭐ 4.5 |
| Official GRE Quantitative Reasoning Practice Questions, Vol. 1 | ETS | 844 | ⭐ 4.6 |
| 5 lb. Book of GRE Practice Problems | Manhattan Prep | 1,932 | ⭐ 4.4 |
| Kaplan GRE Prep Plus 2025 | Kaplan Test Prep | 1,554 | ⭐ 4.5 |
| Kaplan GRE Vocabulary Flashcards | Kaplan Test Prep | 1,741 | ⭐ 4.6 |
| Princeton Review GRE Premium Prep, 36th Edition | Princeton Review | 1,225 | ⭐ 4.6 |
| GRE Practice Sets: 220+ Practice Questions | Kaplan Test Prep | 416 | ⭐ 4.4 |
| Official GRE Verbal Reasoning Practice Questions | ETS | 399 | ⭐ 4.5 |
| The Official Guide to the GRE General Test (3rd Edition) | Educational Testing Service | 1,395 | ⭐ 4.6 |
| 500 Advanced Words: GRE Vocabulary Flashcards | Manhattan Prep | 1499 | ⭐ 4.6 |
NOTE: Prices are approximate and may vary based on the seller and availability on Ecommerce websites.
Commonly asked questions
Yes, students can use old GRE books for their preparation. The concepts of math and verbal section concepts, and question types, haven't changed much in the year 2025. However, be aware that the GRE duration is now 1 hour and 58 minutes. Old books won't reflect the new, shorter test format or the removal of one essay in Analytical Writing Assesement section.
Yes, You Can take GRE at Home anytime suits you! ETS offers a convenient option that students can take Graduate Record Examination according to their schedule from comfort of your own home.
All you need to do is arrange all the hardware (Computer, speaker, camera and more) at your home. A human proctor will monitor your test through your computer's camera and microphone.
To buy the preparation books for GRE exam 2025, you can visit the online or offline market. Websites like Amazon, Flipkart, and other websites offer the latest edition books for GRE prep. You can also try online marketplaces like OLX and second hand book stores where you can buy one or two-year-old editions at a lower price.
Top Preparation Books for GRE: In Detail
It is important that you select the preparation book which actually adds value to your prep. Here, we have mentioned which GRE books are the best overall for the test takers:
Official Guide to the GRE General Test (4th Edition) by ETS
This comprehensive guide is published by the test conducting body. It provides real GRE questions with detailed answer explanations. It offers comprehensive coverage of all three GRE sections. This makes the book important for any GRE aspirant.
Official GRE Quantitative Reasoning Practice Questions, Volume 1 (ETS)
Published by ETS, this book is ideal for mastering the quant section of GRE. This offers authentic practice questions with detailed solutions. Its structure presents the actual exam and helps students to build confidence. Due to this, the performance of candidates improves in GRE quantitative reasoning with targeted and realistic preparation.
5 lb. Book of GRE Practice Problems (Manhattan Prep)
This book is perfect for intensive practice as it has over 1,800 practice problems. It is a favorite book for those aiming to thoroughly drill every concept on the GRE. It covers all topics in detailed with solutions. In short, this book helps students to get a 320+ score in GRE.
Kaplan GRE Prep Plus 2025
Kaplan GRE Prep Plus guide offers practice tests with online resources. This combination is an all rounded study experience. Test taking tips and structured approach mentioned in book are ideal for Indian students.
Kaplan GRE Vocabulary Flashcards
It covers 500 flashcards popular words related to GRE Test. This helps students to improve their vocabulary effectively. Each flashcard of this book includes definitions, usage, and synonyms. It is a perfect book for daily reviews, helping students remember important words. This can help you in success of verbal section.
Princeton Review GRE Premium Prep, 36th Edition
This all in one guide includes full-length practice tests of GRE exam. Princeton Review GRE Premium Prep offer engaging style and clear explanations make tough concepts easy to understand. This book is ideal for self paced learners who want both content review and practical exam strategies.
Commonly asked questions
Kaplan GRE Vocabulary Flashcards and 500 Advanced Words by Manthan Prep are the best books for improving vocabulary. Choose Kaplan for high-frequency words and Manhattan for more advanced vocabulary. These books are easily available on the online and ecommerce website.
The best book for verbal reasoning practice is Official GRE Verbal Reasoning Practice Questions by ETS. It covers real GRE questions with detailed explanations, directly from the test makers. It helps improve reading comprehension, text completion, and sentence equivalence. Due to this, Official GRE Verbal Reasoning Practice Questions by ETS is an ideal book.
It's best to use a core book (like ETS Official Guide) and supplement with specialised books like quant/vocab practice or mock tests depending on your weak areas. A combination ensures well-rounded preparation.
How to Prepare for GRE Online
Here are some alternatives which you can use for GRE preparation online. Candidates can now check out some other alternative methods of preparing for the GRE exam.
| Ways to Prepare For GRE Online | |
|---|---|
| Official ETS Resources |
|
| Online GRE Prep Courses (Apps) |
|
| YouTube Channels | GregMat, Target Test Prep, and Manhattan Prep |
| Flashcard Tools | Anki and Quizlet offer user generated GRE vocabulary with repetition learning. |
Commonly asked questions
Here are some of popular books which offer practice tests for students
- Official GRE Mentor Prep Course by ETS
- POWERPREP Online by ETS
- POWERPREP PLUS Online by ETS
- Kaplan GRE Prep Plus
- The Princeton Review GRE Premium Prep
All these books have good reviews by students as it offers lessons, contents and quizes related to th GRE.
Yes, there are many preparation books come with GRE practice test sets. If you will buy online edition of such books you will get access to online pracice tests with computer adaptive simulations. It is suggested to use official guide and study material by ETS for getting access to ETS's POWERPREP software.
It totally depends on the authenticity of your free online study materials. If it is from ETS's official website or any reputed publishers, then it is valuable. However, taking help of these courses only can put you in trouble. Official prep books often provide a more structured, comprehensive, and in-depth learning experience. It will be smart decision if you use both.
GRE Preparation Tips 2025
Candidates looking to perform well in their GRE test 2025 would be required to follow a solid preparation strategy to achieve their desired goal. Earlier, we covered the list of best books for GRE prep, now, here is the list of effective tips.
| GRE Prep Tips | |
|---|---|
| Understand the GRE Format | Get familiar with Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytical Writing Assessment sections. Learn question types like Reading Comprehension, Text Completion, and Quantitative Comparison. |
| Build Vocabulary with Context | Use apps like Magoosh or Quizlet to improve your vocabulary and learn GRE words with example sentences. |
| Practice AWA Weekly | Write 1 or 2 essays per week using real GRE-like prompts. Stick to a structure and work on clarity over complexity. |
| Take Mock Tests Regularly | Begin with a full-length mock to evaluate your starting point and tailor your prep. Also, keep taking practice tests for self-evaluation. |
| Use Official and Trusted Books | Use ETS books with one solid platform (GregMat, Manhattan 5LB, or Magoosh). Avoid using too many books. |
| Practice Reading Comprehension | Read "The Hindu editorials" or "The Economist editorials regularly. Focus on understanding tone, purpose, and inference. |
| Book Your GRE Slot Early | GRE Test centers in India get booked fast. Book 2 to 3 months in advance, especially during peak season. |
| Don’t Underestimate Quant | Review key concepts, but also practice tricky and wordy problems. Prioritise speed and accuracy. |
| Align Prep with Your Target Program |
|
Related Read: Amazing Tips to Prepare for GRE in 4 Weeks
Similar to other exam prep, you can choose to study on your own or join a coaching centre to prepare for the GRE exam. The decision lies entirely to you, as you need to see whether you have enough time and resources for both. Some students are avoiding the older method and preparing for GRE online. It includes both self-studying and coaching class methods. You join a virtual classroom and you learn in the comfort of your home.
Candidates can check out the section-wise preparation tips for GRE, and how Indian test-takers should prepare for the GRE as told by top faculty members.
Commonly asked questions
Learning is no longer limited to classrooms, tuition teachers, and the library. With the perks that accompany the advancement of technology, the avenues opening up for learning are aplenty. In fact, even preparing for standardized tests such as GRE has become far easier because of technology. Here are some ways that you can use to prepare for GRE with help of technology:
- Personalized Learning
- Mobile learning
- A Variety of learning techniques
- Online Tutoring
- Online Simulation Tests
- Online discussion forums
Here are some benefits that you can get by attending online GRE coaching:
- Flexibility and Convenience: Students can study anytime, anywhere! It is ideal for students who have a busy schedule.
- Cost Effectiveness: Saves transport costs and often costs less than in-person coaching.
- Self-Paced Learning: Review difficult topics repeatedly and focus on individual needs for better preparation.
The limitations of GRE online coaching include less personalized attention compared to in-person classes. Other than this, you need to be self motivated and there will be no peer interaction. Also, you need to take care of your device and working internet connectivity that can disrupt learning.
Common FAQs About GRE Books
Check out the FAQs related to GRE books 2025
Commonly asked questions
It is possible to cover the GRE syllabus in one month only if you have understood the basics information of Graduate Record Examination. Here is the 1-month GRE preparation plan.
- Join a class. It is really stressful to cover the syllabus in one month without guidance.
- Understand the GRE pattern and syllabus before you start the preparation.
- Create a study plan and dedicate 10 hours daily for the preparation.
- Practice with different sets of GRE sample papers and identify your weakness.
- Create Flashcards to remember the lessons
This one month plan can help you to improve your score and not to become topper.
An impressive GRE Exam score helps you to increase the chances of getting admission in top universitis in the world. The GRE scores are proof that basic quantitative, verbal, and analytical reasoning skills are assessed. Additionally, it shows why you might be a strong candidate for admission compared to others. However, it's important to note that the importance of GRE exam results varies across courses and universities.
The quantitative section of GRE exam has two 35-minute sections with 20 questions each. The test is adaptive. It means the difficulty of next question depends on the previous answer of students. Here are some pro tips to prepare for GRE Quantitative Preparation. These tips will be helpful for all test takers who want to score good in quant section.
- Do not ignore Math fundamentals
- Give due importance to the math topics
- Refer to the Official Guide
- Time Management
- Practice GRE Quant Sample Papers
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