Customer Reviews

GRE: Practicing to Take the General Test: Big Book

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

ETS was in a good mood when they released this book to the public.

Like all official materials, this book is unbeatable for quality of questions. None of the other practice books can come close to the quality of questions you will find in this book.

This book contains 27 actual, full tests which were administered in the past. This is more than most people would ever need to practice. However, this book contains NO explanations or strategies--it's pure practice. If you need strategies or explanations, you will have to look elsewhere.

Finally, some of these tests were given years ago. Like all the other tests, the GRE has evolved and some of the question types that you will see in this book will not be on your tests. For example, the real GRE reading passages are actually pretty long (four or five paragraphs) even though some of the passages in the book are quite short (one paragraph). Moreover, students who can score in the 90 %ile on the math section will find the math in the book too easy.

All in all, you can beat the value. This book is the bible of GRE test prep.

I have the ARCO and Princton Review study guides. I found that the questions on there practice tests were fairly easy and didn't estimate my scores realistically. This book contains real GRE tests so you can see how you could really do. The review books gave me false confidence in my verbal ability. This GRE book told me that I better work on my vocabulary.

In determine how best to spend the funds I had allocated for my GRE prep I initially passed over this book. Then, after going onto TM GRE forum (a must during prep)I decided it was time to make the sacrifice. I can easily say it was worth it. Why? Majority of the information that you need to score well can be found for free with diligent internet research--including quant/verbal strategies and the daunting vocabulary list. But, there is no place where you can find 27 (actually 54) previously administered tests. In fact, both Kaplan and Princeton Review "steal" many of their questions from this book.

With that, there is one caveat. The quant sections are fairly easy, and I am told easier, collectively, than the actual GRE due to the format conversion to CAT. Unlike the actual test,however, you must finish 38Qs in 30min rather than 28 in 45min. Thus, it is an excellent way to practice speed and accuracy, and to identify where you tend to make simple errors. It also helps to recognize the little "pitfalls" that ETS likes to use that can trip you up if not aware of them. For me, that made a HUGE difference in my scores. A GREAT book for preparing for the quant section if your goal is 700+ is NOVA's GRE Math Bible--I do mention my some of the issues with that book in a separate review. Further, the verbal section is very comparable. In fact, several people have stated that they experienced several repeats on the real thing!

Finally, to minimize cost I purchased a "used" book that didn't have answers scribbled in it and had a clean text. Who really cares if the cover is torn, or even if there's one at all, or the pages are dingy?

Best of LUCK in your studies!

I used to "big book." with 25 exams in addition to the ETS GRE 10th edition. I studied only for the quantitative. The key to my success was to do problems over and over and over again which I accomplished by doing both of these books (there are some repetitive tests). Do them until the point they are automatic and you really don't have to think about them much.
I took the computer-based exam and for that you must also use the GRE's POWERPREP (downloadable off of web site) software. Also use their on-line diagnostic service. The problem that I had that some of the POWERPRP and real exam questions are more difficult than the paper-based exam questions. It is difficult to get enough practice material for those more difficult questions. I did some Schaum's outlines.
Still, regardless of which test you take you must start early and do as many of these old tests as possible. That's my advice.

If you want to spend $900 on taking Kaplan or Princeton Review course, I would suggest you to spend time on this book seriously. And use your extra money ($900 - $24) to get yourself some beer !

my recommendation for those who want to crack the test with great scores is studying the theory and practice questions from 'Barrons GRE book' first.Then go ahead and solve as many papers (more the better) as u can from the 'BIG BOOK'. The final step would be to take the practice test on the computer using the cd included in the Barron's book (if u already have an earlier edition, buy a separate cd for ...).

though the paper pattern in the BIG BOOK is not similar to the CAT it gives a lot of practice in solving papers in limited time. the only disadvantage is that one doesnt get an explanation of answers. but once u go through the question again as u check the answers, u would definately realise ur mistake.

the reason behind me awarding it 4 stars not 5, even after all the above goody goody matter is that the book does not follow the CAT pattern. believe me, if only they publish a latest edition accordingly, there would be nothing like it.

Like most international students, I had trouble with preparation for the verbal section and this helped in a lot. It gave me good practice in vocab and speed for reading comprehension and sentence completion particularly. Also it helped me apply the techniques prescribed in GRE kaplan's verbal workbook and princeton GRE Verbal workout for all sections of the verbal. But for math and analytical, it is very easy and out dated.

The big book is the most effective material to prepare for the GRE general tests. I tried other materials too, but none of them was as good. So if possible, get this book at least two months before you take the GRE.

This book is a must for all students that want to have a good score on the GRE . I have bought it and i have never regret it . Its best asset is it's reliability . I have tried around 20 of the tests included and the scores that i have earned were only slightly lower that those i received when i took the test . This book gives you valuable insight on your strenghts and weaknesses .

If you want to know real GRE questions, you MUST use "native" ETS preparation materials.

I am an international student and English is not my native tongue. I scored only 450 on verbal, 680 on analytical, and 770 on math section. I used only this book and did not pay too much attention to verbal section.

Resume: want to score high - this book is essential.