Customer Reviews

Kaplan GRE Exam 2008 Premier Program

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

If you're considering buying this book for GRE prep, don't. Your money would be better spent on one of the Princeton Review books (or barron's, arco, whatever).

I originally bought the Kaplan GRE verbal workbook and, seeking additional practice, spent $40+ on the 2008 Premier program. About 40 of the 50 verbal questions in the new book were recycled. Why publish 2 books if one contains the same content as the other?

Worse yet, the text is riddled with typos, the math section contains mislabeled figures, and the explanations occasionally explain an answer different from that provided.

As for the CD, the math + verbal drills are not adaptive and thus don't offer a realistic testing experience. Princeton Review's CD contains adaptive drills as well as full length tests. I'd go with that.

This was a very useful resource for me in preparing for the GRE. The tips and tricks, as well as the explanation of the test itself, came in very handy, and the practice questions were very useful. In addition, the "Common words" and "Kaplan's Math Hints" sections really helped me review the archaic or obscure sorts of things tested in the GRE. The website based test was pretty decent too, and gave me a better idea what to expect from the test per-se.

However, there's one major caveat: The software included is not remotely Mac compatible. Although the website works fine, the CD is basically a coaster for OS X users. You've still got the in-book practice tests and the one online one, but if you're really looking for practice tests, know that you might not have all of them that you're expecting.

So, if you're a PC user, I'd recommend picking up a copy. Mac users need to weigh the pro's and con's here. Regardless, as the guide says, the GRE is a game, and this book very nicely prepared me to jump through their hoops.

The computer administered GRE exam will be changing with the November 2007 administration, and the practice exams in the new 2008 edition of this book do not appear to include the new question types. That's defensible in one sense because for at least the first administration in November, the new questions will not count in the final score. However, the new questions may start to count with the next or subsequent administrations, provided GRE can "validate" the scoring for the new format questions. Thus, if you are thinking of taking the test after November, this book is not quite enough. You'll also need to go to the GRE website and examine the format of the new questions if you want to be fully prepared and avoid any unpleasant "surprises." (I'm also hoping that Kaplan will offer the new question types online at its website at the appropriate time.)

In case you were wondering, the new Verbal question type is a text completion question that requires the test taker to fill in two or three blanks within a passage from separate multiple-choice lists. Currently, the Verbal section contains text completion questions that require test takers to fill in one blank within a passage from a single multiple-choice list. The new Quantitative question type will be a numeric entry question that requires test takers to type their answer as a number in a box, or as a fraction in two boxes. Test takers can review sample questions and additional information about the new question types on the GRE website.

That said, this book is still quite useful, as the paramount element of this book is the wide-ranging vocabulary review. Kaplan has included a long list of vocabulary words that they feel crop up frequently on GRE exams. I unquestionably feel that reviewing the vocabulary part of the book that helped me come back with a few questions that I would not have known.

I also recommend going to the GRE's website and downloading the free PowerPrep software in addition to buying this book. It includes two full GRE tests and a few hundred practice problems, including the new type in verbal and in quantitative. Additionally, for the essay part of the examination, they include a few sample prompts and responses, so you can see the writing they grade highly.

I am currently studying to take the GRE general exam and purchased this book used. I decided to purchase Kaplan products because it had the best reviews and many people felt the CD gave a very realistic impression of what the test is actually like. When I read the inside cover of the book, it explained that the CD access to Kaplan's "online companion" is limited to the original owner of the text. Since the used book I received had the CD still in it's original packaging, I thought I would still be ok. No such luck. Once I typed in the serial number, I received an error message telling me that this serial number had already been used. It is also important to note that access to the online companion expires six months after you register. The first few pages of the book explain that by registering the CD online you will have access to all of the GRE Premier Program components that are not in the book or on the CD; the diagnostic quiz, essay writing practice, mobile prep, online quizzes and links to Kaplan's best GRE information. If I would have realized this prior to my purchase, I would have spent the extra money on a new book. So, my words of wisdom: Don't buy this book used if you actually plan to use all of the benefits of the CD-Rom.

I bought this book after trying Princeton Review's GRE book. I went to a free Kaplan event and really liked how they presented their material, so I decided to get the book. The book does a good job of showing different techniques to solves mathematical problems as well as offer a wide range of techniques to help with the verbal and analytical writing sections. The practice sets on the CD were clutch. They set it up so that the practice sessions have more problems with less time so that you get better with timing and identifying problems quickly. If you're shooting to get an 800, I'd recommend some supplementary materials, because the book does not get too into probability, combinations, permutations and other advanced topics. I'd say it's a great buy because you get 6 practice sets and 3 full length practice tests on the CD. I'd pay the same price for just the CD. Cheers!

This book was a life saver. It gives the test taker an edge by explaining how the GRE test is unique compared to other computer adapted tests. The format is excellent and covers each subject-area in detail without making it dull.

This guide was recommended to me by several people who had benefitted from using it, and they ranked it number 1 over any other prep guide. I second their enthusiasm. It was well worth the read, and the price I paid through Amazon was very comparable to my local bookstore.

As important as the GRE is to prospective graduate students, and at $140 to sit for the exam, you can't afford not to use the Kaplan GRE prep guide.

S. McDyer

Kaplan has to be one of the best test preparation products out there. If you are considering graduate school, I advise you to buy this product along with the following products: verbal workbook, math workbook, and vocabulary flash cards. Skim through the workbooks and establish a system to build your vocabulary with the flashcards. About three months out of your test session, use the Premier book. Also, I would practice with the accompanying instructional disk which is packed with valuable practice sets. About two-three weeks out of your testing session, I would focus on test strategy, focusing again on the tips in this product and finding what works when taking practice tests. Kaplan worked for me and it can work for you. If you have the opportunity, take a Kaplan practice test. They are often held at local colleges and universities. With the aforementioned Kaplan products and ETS Powerprep material (sent to you when registering for the GRE), you will have more than enough practice material. Having taken the GRE, I can attest to my step-by-step approach. Confidence and a winning attitude necessary to score well on the GRE result from a systematic approach. You will soon see the glass as being half full.

This is a great review book, but should not be used in isolation. It would also be worth your while to supplement it with a Princeton Review book, as many of the tips differ, and it's good to find which ones suit your style. The CD is invaluable practice, and I found that the scores I received on the practice tests were slightly lower, but within reason of what I actually received on the test. Most importantly, the timed practice tests teach you how to pace yourself.

I recently took the GRE after about a month of study. I have a B.S. in Zoology, so I was not looking forward to the Math and English heavy GRE. I studied approximately 20 hours total, and scored a 780 on the Quant and a 700 on the Verbal (I'm still waiting on my percentile scores and essays). The most beneficial sections for me were the vocabulary sections and the essay writing tips. I spent about 15 hours actually studying from the book.
The real gold in this package is the practice tests and practice sections. Both the book and the CD have several different opportunities to see sample questions. There are full timed tests available on the CD, and taking them definitely helped me hammer out the timing issue.
Additionally, it comes with online support that includes study sessions, study time-lines, and a diagnostic test to help you figure out where the majority of your study time should be devoted.
For the price (a bit over $20 brand new), this study guide is a find. Granted, it does require a self-motivated learner willing to put in uninterrupted practice time. However, the results were definitely worth it for me.

The book spends far too much time warning about new question types that DON'T EXIST YET. It actually scared me until I checked the GRE Web site and confirmed the GRE is still the same old Computer Adaptive Test, with possibly one or two additional, experimental questions (starting November 2007) that are not counted in your score. I took the GRE in September 2007 and NONE of the new question types were used. Use a different book and save yourself from worrying, unless you're taking the GRE in 2008-2009 and have faith in this book's prognostication. By then they'll have an updated edition regardless...

The CD-ROM was worthwhile though. It has five separate tests for each of the Verbal and Quantitative sections - more than the other books/CDs I used. It helps with drilling, to go directly to the part where you need extra practice. The software was easy to use and accurately simulated the actual GRE.