This book is compiled by ETS, the makers of the GRE test. It contains original GRE questions, i.e. questions that have appeared in the GRE test. While it is a must have book for all GRE test takers here are a few pointer that could help you get the best of it.



1. Original GRE Questions: All the questions in here are questions that have appeared in the GRE test. This becomes particularly significant in the Chapters “Verbal Reasoning” and “Quantitative Reasoning”. The strategies described in these chapters are very useful and relevant in the GRE test.

2. Chapters on AWA Sections: This book is, by far, the best guide for AWA section available in the market. It has a collection of sample essays and it explains in great detail how to score well in the AWA section.

3. Verbal and Quantitative reasoning practice Questions: Each section is prefaced by detailed theoretical discussions that cover the entire topic in great detail. There are quite a few solved examples in each topic. The solutions discussed in this chapter are meticulously detailed.

4. Classification of Questions: The questions in the practice chapters are classified as Easy, Medium and Hard Questions. It provides an additional frame of reference for the test takers.

5. Practice tests: The book has two paper tests and two tests on the CD ROM. There is a solution section after each paper test and there is a set of sample solutions to Essay questions. The CD ROM test can also be downloaded from the website as the PowerPrep II software.



1. Number of questions in the book is quite low when compared to similar books by other publishers. If you need material for practice you probably have to invest in another book.

2. It is not the most beginner-friendly book. The book assumes that you have polished your basic concepts, specially in the Quants section, before going thorugh it

3. While the PowerPrep tests are most accurate test available in the market their result analysis tool is quite inadequate. It does not have the SWOT analysis capabilities comparable to that of the Princeton or Kaplan Tests.
This is the perfect book with which you can polish your GRE Prep. The fact that it has original GRE questions alone is a powerful reason to buy it. You need to train your ear, esp. with the verbal questions. Further, the Chapter on Quant and Verbal Practice Question and the Chapter on the AWA section would add significant value to your preparation.



What are some of the other study options that I have?

Students in the past who have felt the need that they require training from a basic level have started off their test prep with Kaplan or Barron’s books and topped them off with ETS GRE Guide. You might want to consider Manhattan for your initial preparation as well. Manhattan GRE Set of eight strategy guides come with 8 books that target specific math and verbal areas. However they require 2-3 months to complete. If you need more original GRE Questions you can buy the Official GRE Quantitative and or Verbal Reasoning books.


What is a good study plan using ETS GRE Guide?


I would recommend that you could start with Manhattan/Kaplan and finish it within couple of months, then evaluate which are your areas of strength/ weakness. Based on your analysis you can invest in this book by ETS to bolster your weaknesses.


Will this get me to 320+?

This book alone, won’t get you to 320+ score – it is just a collection of questions with some rough rules. You should consider investing in a guide book that can refresh your quant and verbal skills. Good options are Kaplan or Manhattan books to start with and then the ETS guide would prove to be useful in the last leg of your test prep.


Other Books I should know about?

From Manhattan:

• The Algebra GRE Strategy Guide

• The Fractions, Decimals, & Percents GRE Strategy Guide

• The Geometry GRE Strategy Guide

• The Number Properties GRE Strategy Guide

• The Word Problems GRE Strategy Guide

• The Quantitative Comparisons & Data Interpretation GRE Strategy Guide

• The Reading Comprehension & Essays GRE Strategy Guide

• The Text Completion & Sentence Equivalence GRE Strategy Guide

From ETS:

• Official GRE Verbal Reasoning Practice Questions

• Official GRE Quantitative Reasoning Practice Questions

From Kaplan:

• Kaplan Premiere

Best of luck with your test prep.