The verbal section on GRE can be quite tricky. The questions are created so that you can be deceived into picking out the wrong answer. One reason students tend to score low on their verbal section is due to lack of vocabulary. Another reason is the lack of familiarity with the different question types and the importance of contextual clues. Thankfully, both of these problems can be remedied with the use of quality learning resources.
A good vocabulary is paramount to your success on the GRE. Many times, you would encounter questions in which two or more answers would seem correct. Knowing the exact meaning and usage of a word helps you pick the right answer choice.
Thanks to the many GRE resources available today, it is easier than ever to master useful vocabulary. Moreover, keep in mind that randomly learning new words for GRE is not a good strategy. There are test prep companies out there who have researched the GRE for decades and have made lists of words most likely to show up on the GRE. This is why using one of these resources is a better and more time-efficient strategy than simply memorizing random words.
Today, I have made a list of the top 10 GRE verbal prep recourses available. All of these are great ways to horn your speaking skills.
In this Article
- 10. Barron’s GRE Verbal Workbook
- 9. Verbal Workout for the GRE by Princeton Review
- 8. Kaplan’s GRE Verbal Workbook
- 7. 1,027 GRE Practice Questions by Princeton Review
- 6. 5 lb. Book of GRE Practice Problems
- 5. Manhattan Prep GRE Verbal Strategies
- 4. The Vocabulary Builder Workbook by Magoosh
- 3. Magoosh Online GRE Prep
- 2. GREGMAT
- 1. Official GRE Super Power Pack by ETS
10. Barron’s GRE Verbal Workbook
Barrons is one of the oldest GRE prep companies around. They have published extensive prep material on various standardized tests; however, they are most popular for GRE and SAT. Their GRE verbal workbook is an excellent GRE resource with over 380 example questions and a GRE dictionary that features the most common GRE words you are likely to see on the test.
Key Features:
- A diagnostic test that allows students to pinpoint their strengths and weaknesses
- Extensive practice and review chapters that cover all three question types: sentence equivalence, text completion, and reading comprehension
- Two full-length practice tests with answers and explanations
- A concise GRE Dictionary – a vocabulary list with definitions that all successful GRE test takers must master
Get It from here.
9. Verbal Workout for the GRE by Princeton Review
The sixth edition of Princeton review’s Verbal Workout for the GRE is their most content-rich GRE verbal prep book to date. The book offers more than 250 practice questions with detailed answers and explanations. Moreover, all the verbal question types you would encounter on the actual test have been covered in the book.
Key Features:
- 250+ practice questions with detailed answers and explanations.
- Coverage of all question types: text completion, reading comprehension, and sentence equivalence.
- Critical essay writing tips and rules for the Analytical Writing Section.
- Dozens of essential vocabulary words with quizzes to lock in your learning.
Get it from here.
8. Kaplan’s GRE Verbal Workbook
Kaplan’s GRE verbal workbook contains hundreds of real questions and drills and six full-length verbal reasoning practice sets. It is an excellent resource for understanding the verbal section on the GRE and learning essential strategies that help you cut time and score higher.
Key Features:
- Hundreds of realistic questions and drills, including new practice questions for this edition
- Six full-length Verbal Reasoning practice sets
- Diagnostic tool for even more targeted Verbal practice
- Review of essential skills and concepts, including vocabulary
- Critical strategies for all Verbal Reasoning question types on the revised GRE
- Essay-writing tips and plans for the Analytical Writing section
Get it from here.
7. 1,027 GRE Practice Questions by Princeton Review
Princeton Review’s second book on this list brings more than 1000 curated GRE practice questions. It includes a diagnostic test to help you understand your level of preparedness. It also offers a full-length verbal GRE practice test. The verbal questions included in this book are a great resource to horn your verbal skills.
Key Features:
- One diagnostic test in the book to help assess your current level of preparedness
- full-length practice test online to train you for test day
- Verbal drills focusing on the nuances of tough Text Completion and Sentence Equivalence
- questions
- Bonus vocabulary content online from Word Smart for the GRE to help prepare for Sentence Equivalence questions
- Techniques and approaches for every question type
Get it from here.
6. 5 lb. Book of GRE Practice Problems
As the name suggests, Manhattan’s 5lb Book of GRE practice problems is a hefty book that contains over 1800 GRE questions, both verbal and quant combined. However, I wanted to list this book here, mainly because of the sheer number of questions it offers. If practice is your goal, then you cannot go wrong with this book. All the questions have detailed answer explanations as well.
Key Features:
- 600+ verbal practice problems.
- Questions are designed to mirror actual GRE questions.
- Exclusive Online learning tools.
- Diagnostics Test to measure your skill level.
Get it from here.
5. Manhattan Prep GRE Verbal Strategies
GRE Verbal Strategies by Manhattan Prep is a comprehensive book for GRE verbal preparation. This book aims more towards understanding the different strategies and tactics to tackle verbal questions than merely offering a vocabulary list and explaining the different question types.
Key Features:
- In-depth analysis of all the different GRE verbal question types.
- Strategies and tactics to help you tackle thorny questions.
- Easy-to-understand techniques for Analytical Writing Assessment.
- List of hundreds of GRE words and roots.
Get It from here.
4. The Vocabulary Builder Workbook by Magoosh
The Vocabulary Builder Workbook by Magoosh is easily the most popular prep book for GRE verbal. It has a list of more than 1400 most essential GRE words. Themes organize lessons to help you identify roots and form associations.
Key Features:
- List of 1400 essential GRE words.
- Different exercises follow lessons to help you retain what you just learned.
- Easy to understand definitions.
- Additional information for every word, such as roots, tidbits, themes, pronunciations, and etymology.
- An excellent example, sentences.
- Words are ordered by difficulty.
Get it from here.
3. Magoosh Online GRE Prep
This is not a book or a verbal-only resource but a complete GRE prep course by Magoosh. I have added it to the list because this course has one of the best GRE verbal prep tools available. You will find a plethora of video lessons on how to solve the different verbal questions and other tips and strategies.
Key Features:
- Detailed video lessons on all the different question types.
- Study anywhere – Laptop, mobile, tablet, and desktop.
- Total 1200 practice questions.
- Access to full-length tests.
- Magoosh Flashcard app and vocab builder app.
Get it from here.
2. GREGMAT
This is not a book or a verbal only resource; instead, GREGMAT is an extremely affordable GRE prep service with the lowest price amongst all the different GRE prep services. Moreover, GREGMAT’s GRE verbal prep tools are some of the best in the industry. Their most unique verbal tool is the movie dictionary, which has hundreds of words. When you click on a word, it plays a short movie clip containing that word. Talk about creativity!
Key Features:
- Extremely affordable. Only $5 a month.
- Access to live and recorded classes as well as study plans, practice questions, and tools.
- Movie dictionary with hundreds of GRE words.
- Word of the day.
- Greg Mat’s List – the selection of most common GRE words.
Get it from here.
1. Official GRE Super Power Pack by ETS
If you want to practice on the most authentic questions, then look no further. ETS is the body that makes and regulates the actual GRE test, and their GRE Superpower Pack features the most authentic GRE practice questions amongst all the guides available on the market. You will get familiar with how an actual GRE verbal question reads and what clues to look out for. This pack has a separate book dedicated to the verbal section and contains hundreds of authentic practice questions with detailed answer explanations.
Key Features:
- The most authentic GRE verbal questions are available on the market.
- Four full-length practice tests.
- One hundred fifty real verbal reasoning questions.
- An authoritative overview of the AWA section.
- Detailed explanations.
Get it from here.