Having a solid collection of GRE books is the most effective way to start your journey toward a high test score. Success comes by consistency. Understand the test first. Reliable GRE preparation books break down complex exam topics into simple lessons. It helps you learn the format easily. Practice builds speed. Regular use of these resources boosts your confidence and sharpens your time management skills significantly before the GRE test day.
Scores open doors. Achieving a top result is often required for admission into prestigious postgraduate programs in countries like the USA and UK. Your future waits. To get there, you must select the best books for GRE 2026 available in the market today.
You should look for trusted sources like ETS official GRE books. Make sure you are practicing with accurate questions. Avoid old edition books. Select the books with latest GRE syllabus. This page will help you to know about the best books for GRE preparation and related information about them.
- Best Books for GRE 2026
- Top Preparation Books for GRE: In Detail
- How to Prepare for GRE Online
- GRE Preparation Tips 2026
- Common FAQs About GRE Books
Best Books for GRE 2026
Buying the right study material is a smart investment. Check out the list of best books for GRE syllabus. Selecting preparation books for GRE plays an important role, but remember that prices on sites like Amazon fluctuate frequently based on stock. Check live rates. We have updated table below with approximate costs to help you honestly budget for your essential GRE books and study materials.
| GRE Book Title | Author/Publisher | Price (INR)* |
|---|---|---|
| Official Guide to the GRE General Test (4th Edition) | ETS | 930 |
| Official GRE Quantitative Reasoning Practice Questions, Vol. 1 | ETS | 624 |
| 5 lb. Book of GRE Practice Problems | Manhattan Prep | 1,158 |
| Kaplan GRE Prep Plus 2025 | Kaplan Test Prep | 2,886 |
| Kaplan GRE Vocabulary Flashcards | Kaplan Test Prep | 1,741 |
| Princeton Review GRE Premium Prep, 36th Edition | Princeton Review | 1,280 |
| GRE Practice Sets: 220+ Practice Questions | Kaplan Test Prep | 416 |
| Official GRE Verbal Reasoning Practice Questions | ETS | 588 |
| The Official Guide to the GRE General Test (3rd Edition) | Educational Testing Service | 1,395 |
| 500 Advanced Words: GRE Vocabulary Flashcards | Manhattan Prep | 930 |
*Prices are approximate and subject to change.
Commonly asked questions
You should buy the Official Guide to the GRE by ETS (the exam makers). This is the most important book. For extra practice, you can buy Manhattan Prep 5 lb. Book or Kaplan GRE Prep Plus from Amazon or local book stores.
Yes, students can use old GRE books for their preparation. 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.
Top Preparation Books for GRE: In Detail
When preparing for GRE you may get confused about which books to use.
Official Guide to GRE General Test (ETS)
This is an official guide published by the conducting body. In this book, there are real GRE questions with detailed answer explanations. Also this covers all three sections of GRE for prep. You can buy this book for your preparation.
Official GRE Quantitative Reasoning Practice Questions, Volume 1 (ETS)
This book is ideal for mastering Quantitative Reasoning section of GRE. There is a variety of questions with detailed solutions available here. This book follows exam like structure, which can help you understand better and performance also improves with targeted preparation.
5 lb. Book of GRE Practice Problems (Manhattan Prep)
This book is perfect for practice as it has over 1,800 practice questions. It is a helpful study material for those aiming to cover all possible concepts of the exam with detailed solutions. In short, this book can help you get 320+ score in GRE.
Kaplan GRE Prep Plus
Kaplan GRE Prep Plus guide offers practice tests with online resources. This gives an all-rounded study experience. There are 500 flashcards with essential vocabulary words, and each flashcard consists of a definition, uses, synonyms, and examples. This is ideal for learning new words daily.
Princeton Review GRE Premium Prep, 36th Edition
This is an all in one guide. because it includes full-length practice tests for GRE. This book offers clear explanations for first-time test takers to help them understand tough concepts easily. If you learn at your own pace, buy this GRE book for your preparation.
Commonly asked questions
Best book for verbal reasoning practice is Official GRE Verbal Reasoning Practice Questions by ETS. It covers real GRE questions with detailed explanations. It helps you to improve sections of GRE 2026.
Kaplan GRE Vocabulary Flashcards and 500 Advanced Words by Manthan Prep are 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.
It is best to use a core book and supplement with specialised books like quant/vocab practice or mock tests. It depends on your weak areas. A combination ensures well-rounded preparation.
How to Prepare for GRE Online
Books are useful. Depending only on them limits your speed. You should explore which are the best tools for GRE preparation online. Digital tools help. These modern resources, from mobile apps to video channels, let you study efficiently whenever you find a free moment during your day. See the options.
| 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 official website or any reputed publishers, then it is valuable. It will be smart decision if you use both.
GRE Preparation Tips 2026
Check out tips for candidates looking to perform well on their GRE test 2026. Similar to other exam prep, you can choose to study on your own. Else, join a coaching centre to prepare for the GRE exam. 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 |
|
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.
Commonly asked questions
Technology makes GRE prep easier with adaptive practice tests. It feels like real exam. Mobile apps help you study vocabulary anywhere, while AI tools find your weak spots and create a personalized study plan to save time.
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. You need to take care of your device and working internet connectivity that can disrupt learning.
These are some popular coaching institutes for online GRE preparation. GRE fee of these institutes vary based on type of educational services they offer.
- The Princeton Review
- Kaplan
- ETS Official Prep
Common FAQs About GRE Books
Check out the FAQs related to GRE books 2026
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 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.
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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