Barron's GRE

by Sharon Weiner Green, Ira K. Wolf

This 17th edition of Barron's GRE manual reflects recent Graduate Record Exams and presents six full-length model exams with all questions answered and explained. Tests are similar to recent actual GREs in length, question types, and degree of difficulty. The manual also reviews all GRE test antonym, analogy, and sentence-completion questions, reading comprehension, analytical writing, quantitative comparison questions, data interpretation, and math.

Genres: Reference, Nonfiction, Textbooks, Education, School

560 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Nishita Singh]

If I’m spending 3+ months on a book, it’s going on my Goodreads idec

[Vi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This prep book helped me immensely by giving me a structure to start studying, in conjunction with the class I attended (that required this book). Once I started going through this book, the momentum pushed me to seek other resources, most of them free and readily available online (from ETS, the test administrator, in fact).

Besides reviewing the issue and argument topic pools on ETS, I am also using some of the materials from Manhattan Prep, such as some of the individual topic books and the 5 lb. book of practice problem. I have 2 more weeks till I take the GRE! (Wish me luck.)

[Shersta · Rating 4 out of 5]

No, the start and finish dates are not typos. This book is so cram-packed with vocabulary, math reviews, and testing strategies that it took me months to get through it all! At times, I felt like pulling my hair out over the difficulty of the practice questions (mostly quantitative), but after taking the GRE I can say that they were right on target as far as the difficulty level of the questions I saw on the test. I would have like more sample tests (the copy I had was a library copy, and missing the CD), but otherwise definitely an excellent starting place for anyone planning to take the GRE.

[Cain · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very useful in helping me prepare for the GRE. The vocabulary list is extensive (~4,000 words and definitions). The math review was very well explained, although a couple of topics were left out (e.g. standard deviation and distribution). I was so pleased with this book that I don't need it anymore. Hooray!

[Ro Givens · Rating 4 out of 5]

(I actually had the 2009/18th version.) This prep book provides a ton of information. 3000+ words, a diagnostic test plus 2 practice tests, multiple section reviews, a math overview to rival many high school texts books. I only had a week to study, so I was a little overwhelmed by the information in this book. I think it's definitely important to use the Barron's verbal flash cards (sold separately) along with the verbal unless you want (and have time to) create a ton yourself. This book definitely contained more review and practice than the Princeton Review's Cracking the GRE, 2011 Edition. My biggest problem with the book is that the math and verbal questions seemed a little trickier than the ones actually on the GRE, and I thought the Princeton Review did a better job with simulating the quantitative questions. It also seems that scoring higher on the computer generated GRE is easier than with the paper practice tests in this book (I scored at least 300 points higher on the real test). Overall, it's probably best to use at least 2 different review books when studying, if possible (I'd suggest starting with Princeton Review then moving on to Barron's).

[Lamadia · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a really comprehensive review and the right length for a three month prep. I did find two big errors on surface area equations (they gave completely incorrect equations) but otherwise it helped a lot. There were math concepts I don't remember ever having learned and I was able to do them on the exam. I wish it had included standard deviation though. I had two questions on my GRE test about standard deviation and I couldn't remember anything about it.

[Elizabeth · Rating 1 out of 5]

The Quantitative explanations skip steps and are difficult to follow. Futhermore the practice tests don’t offer explanations of what exactly to study in accordance with the questions you got wrong. The book I used by manhattan prep is incredibly MORE helpful in aligning your trouble areas with specific problems to practice. Barrons gives a few problems with unclear explanations and no assistance in developing a study plan based on your problem areas. In all I found Manhattan Prep’s 5 lb book of GRE practice problems WAY MORE HELPFUL. In fact I threw Barrons across the room this morning in frustration and I plan to burn it after my test date. Hope this helps in your selection of GRE study materials. Best of luck!

[Wanpeng Meng · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book

Pretty good book to prepare for GRE. Does come with many examples and strategies to help with the scores. I do actually recommend the official guidelines more than this one.

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

helpful.

[Soroosh Akef · Rating 5 out of 5]

If there's one book you want to study to fully prepare yourself for the GRE, this is the one. The only thing missing is Analytical Writing samples and criteria.

[Kelsey Ketch]

Did not finish.

[Johnny · Rating 3 out of 5]

Post-Thoughts:
This is a very well organized study guide but not exactly balanced. Oppose to the other study guide I used, The Official Guide to the GRE Revised General Test With CDROM , the background information is superb in explaining every minuscule features such as describing where the calculator on the computer-based exam is located, how is it different from a TI-83 calculator, and how many breaks you get in between each section when taking the exam.

I mentioned that the study guide was unbalanced, and here's why. This thick book is roughly 500 pages of practice problems and reviews but only ~65 pages comprise of the verbal section. Basically less than ~13% of the book consist of the essay, verbal, and reading portion. To tack on, the essay portion is the least offered in verbal section in respect to the review and providing exercises. Only 2% was the essay portion and there were no example essays to reference a high scoring to a low scoring one.

Despite the essay portion, everything else was fully supported with precise answers.

Cover:
The main reason why I bought this was due to the ribbon stamp on the right hand corner printed "STUDENTS' #1 CHOICE". I know this is a marketing tactic but it sure allured me into purchasing the book. The simplistic colors and words of the cover seems to palliate the actual intensity of the exam. The calm before the storm.

Conclusion:
I've always purchased Barron's and ETS study guides for my previous standardized, comprehensive test: SAT and AP (Advance Placement) courses. Overall there needs to be a more balance guide of each section to get an equal amount of practice. ★★★ is what it gets.

[Audrey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not for everyone. A full 300 pages deal with the math section, at the expense of the verbal and essay sections. Apparently more people need help with math? The chapters on the essay section contained some helpful info: links to the actual essay topic pool from ETS, tips on what the readers are looking for, suggestions for other resources. The practice tests and review problems in the book were helpful, but the CD practice tests still have some bugs. Sections to read, followed by a question that has NOTHING to do with the passage. Math questions with no units. (Which is bigger: 40 miles or 45? Well, 45 what? miles, inches?) Questions marked incorrect, but when you review your answer explanation, the answer was correct. Buy this if you want a great math review, a not-so-great verbal review, some general information, 4 full length practice tests, and decent practice problems for all sections.

[Nita · Rating 1 out of 5]

I spent so much cognitive load during the second Barron's practice test wondering why the correct answer wasn't an option (turns out I was right; they screwed up) that for the first time in the history of my standardized test taking, my verbal was higher than my math. WTF.

I've already found two glaring errors in one of their practice tests and a third error in their section on analogies. Game over. How can I confidently prepare for the GRE's using Barron's when I keep tripping over their mistakes? I can't.

The one quasi-useful portion, the vocab list, is moot as I just downloaded the GRE flash card library via iFlash. So, sorry Barron's, but you suck and are going into the recycle pile.

Princeton Review it is.

[Ariel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Barron's devotes quite a bit of space to math review, which I think is a positive thing overall. It also has detailed tactics for the writing section, which I found useful. While I consider myself a good writer, standardized test essays are a different game.

While I thought the book was well done, I didn't give this 5 stars because I didn't see the improvement I had hoped to after working my way through the entire book. The diagnostic test at the front of the book placed me at 161V and 156M. I hoped to significantly improve my math score, but after working through the book my GRE scores (preliminary)were 168V and 156M. While nothing to whine about, I had hoped to see improvement after practicing with Barron's.

[Kristin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very good test practice book. Five practice tests in the book, a CD with yet another practice test, a dictionary with practice questions for each of 50 alphabet segments, etc. If anything, it might have a bit too much information to digest. I used this as a supplement to a simpler practice book I also checked out from the library. I found the analytical writing section advice to be a bit lacking. I'm sure there's more they can tell you than make sure you can spell and use philosophical logic. This is the only area of the test that I'm feeling unprepared for after using this book.

[Dusty · Rating 3 out of 5]

I consider this three-star rating an average. The first half of this book -- which treats the verbal section of the exam -- is quite good. The second half -- the part that deals with the math/quantitative section -- is not so good, especially for a test-taker who may need more than a one- or two-sentence explanation for certain problems.

Tomorrow morning is the test. Do I feel prepared? Yikes...

[Lobna · Rating 3 out of 5]

its good as a source of practice question, however its not balanced. meaning it has a very strong focus on the quantitative section and completely ignores the writing section.
you'll need something else on the side when you study from this book. Magoosh videos were a lot better in explaining problem solving strategies
note that there were around 2 mistakes in the final practice tests so be careful there.

[Arianne · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is useful for: 1) vocabulary improvement (it has a larger list of words than other prep books). 2) for review if you need to brush up on basic math skills. For good or bad, it goes over the concepts and how to actually work out the problem, versus other prep books that show you how to pick out the answer most quickly from a multiple chooice question.

[Sandra Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm taking the GRE in February. So far, I'm finding this book very useful. The math section assumes a lot of general knowledge, so an additional math help book is probably needed by people like me.

I don't think the CD-ROM version of this book is worth it - there are plenty of other sample tests for free online.

[Sommer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I cannot say I enjoyed this book. Rather, after four years of studying in undergrad, I am putting the GRE on hold for the moment. I needed a break! But it did the trick, I got about ten solid hours of GRE studying in. I quit for now, lack of motivation I suppose. Good Luck to those wanting to tackle the test, you will get there!!

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

It had great tips for test taking scenarios and what to expect when taking the GRE.
However, I was going over the math chapters in more detail and quite often I find simple typos and mistakes that lead to different answers than what I or other people have concluded to. Which makes me doubt the validity of the test problems and thus my own ability.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thanked my lucky stars for this book after walking out the GRE with my scores. In just 3 weeks of studying after taking the diagnostic practice test, my verbal score went up 90 points and my math score went up 170 points. Highly recommended!

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of errors and poorly organized -- it's good for reading straight through, but it's hard to find specific information. Lots of good practice problems and comprehensive math review. Only a fraction of the tips were that useful to me (either they were incredibly obvious or I disagreed with them).

[Mohammed Algarawi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great guide for test takers. The math sections is detailed and well-organized. It's a great source for revision and learning quick tricks and, sometimes, new concept. I'd recommend it to anyone who's planning to take the test.

[Jenny]

yuck! the gre is gr-oss. but as far as study guides go, this one is a real peach.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay prep for the GREs, although I needed a separate math book for refresher, but the language prep is decent.

[Amina Ahmed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Barrons is good for the following reasons:
1. an exhaustive word list,
2. 4 model paper tests,
3. sufficient math prep with tests at the end of each math topic.

[Billy Cyr · Rating 5 out of 5]

What the fuck a Chinese downhill?

[Jennifer]

Must get through by December 2008 for graduate school applications!!!!