Many people don’t know that there are six subject-specific GRE tests apart from the GRE general test. GRE subject tests are designed to measure your knowledge of a particular field. You can take the subject tests in the following six subjects- Biology, Chemistry, Literature in English, Mathematics, Physics, and Psychology. Some graduate programs may ask for a subject test instead of the general one. However, this depends entirely on the school you are applying to.
Each subject test is designed to test your knowledge on selected topics. These topics are usually derived from the undergrad level syllabus of each subject. The four major content areas tested on GRE chemistry are Analytical Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and Physical Chemistry. These are further divided into several specific topics that you can read all about here.
As far as prep material is concerned, the problem with GRE subject tests is that they are not as common as the general test. Due to the limited demand, major test prep companies don’t publish subject-specific prep books like the general test. Hence, finding test prep books for these subjects is not easy. There is only a handful of them, which I will include in the list below. However, I will advise that you use them for the practice questions and the full-length tests only.
If you are serious about your chemistry test, I will advise that you purchase credible textbooks that include the various topics tested on GRE chemistry. These books provide a comprehensive review of the topics tested on GRE instead of cutting shortcuts by teaching you strategies and whatnot. You will find several such books in the list below.
In this Article
- 1. Chemistry: The Central Science
- 2. General Chemistry – Standalone book
- 3. Organic Chemistry by Paula Bruice
- 4. Atkins’ Physical Chemistry
- 5. GRE Chemistry Test Secrets Study Guide by Mometrix
- 6. INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
- 7. Sterling Test Prep GRE Chemistry Practice Questions
- 8. Cracking the GRE Chemistry Subject Test by Princeton Review
- 9. Fundamentals of Analytical Chemistry
- 10. GRE Chemistry w/CD-ROM 4th Ed
1. Chemistry: The Central Science
This book is an over-all solution to GRE Chemistry. You will find almost all of the topics covered on the test. It is excellent for anyone wanting to brush up on their chemistry knowledge at an undergrad level. There are numerous diagrams and figures to illustrate the different chemistry concepts better.
Key Features:
- Unrivaled problem sets, exceptional scientific accuracy and currency, and remarkable clarity.
- Covers all the major GRE Chemistry topics and sub-topics.
- Illustrations to help you understand obscure concepts more effectively.
- Starts from a rudimentary level to more advanced topics.
Get it here.
2. General Chemistry – Standalone book
Ebbing and Gammon’s General Chemistry is perfect for those who want a general understanding of the GRE chemistry topics. If you haven’t studied chemistry for a while, this book will be a great tool to brush up on rudimentary topics.
Key Features:
- A great starting point for a fundamental understanding of GRE Chemistry topics.
- Easy to understand language with colorful illustrations.
- Examples of chemistry applications from daily life.
- Meticulously ordered topics, easy to navigate.
Get it here.
3. Organic Chemistry by Paula Bruice
Thirty percent of all the GRE Chemistry questions come from Organic Chemistry. If you want to have a deep understanding of the organics chemistry topics tested on GRE, this book is up for the job.
Key Features:
- Covers the entirety of Organic Chemistry topics tested on GRE such as Chemical bonding, functional groups, reaction mechanisms, etc.
- Provides conceptual foundations, chemical logic, and problem-solving skills needed for solutions to diverse problems.
- Countless examples throughout the book help you better grasp difficult topics.
- Detailed and colorful illustrations help with more obscure topics.
Get it here.
4. Atkins’ Physical Chemistry
Physical chemistry is a core component of the GRE Chemistry Test. Same as organic chemistry, 30 percent of the questions will come from physical chemistry. Atkins’ Physical Chemistry covers all of the topics stated on ETS’s website, such as Thermodynamics, Quantum Chemistry, Applications to Spectroscopy, etc.
Key Features:
- A comprehensive review of the entire physical chemistry topics tested on the GRE chemistry test.
- Numerous problems are provided at the end of each chapter to consolidate learning.
- Detailed examples are given where necessary to help you learn better.
- Clear and colorful diagrams and tables throughout the book.
Get it here.
5. GRE Chemistry Test Secrets Study Guide by Mometrix
This is a traditional test-prep stylebook that covers the different GRE chemistry topics. Don’t expect to find comprehensive lessons on the various GRE chemistry topics. However,
it is suitable for a general overview. Moreover, you will find hundreds of practice questions that are essential for a good score.
Key Features:
- A thorough overview of the GRE Chemistry Test
- An examination of analytical chemistry
- A guide to inorganic chemistry
- An in-depth look at organic chemistry
- A full study of physical chemistry
- Comprehensive practice questions with detailed answer explanations
Get it here.
6. INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
About a quarter of all GRE chemistry questions are based on inorganic chemistry topics. If you want to dive deep into inorganic chemistry, this book covers it from start to end. You will learn everything from atomic structure to oxidation and reduction and everything in between.
Key Features:
- Will take you from the fundamental principles of inorganic chemistry right through to cutting-edge research at the forefront of the subject.
- Offers a complete and detailed review of the various inorganic chemistry topics tested on GRE.
- Includes graphs, diagrams, tables, and figures for a better understanding of difficult topics.
- Easy to follow examples and question problems.
Get it here.
7. Sterling Test Prep GRE Chemistry Practice Questions
This is a perfect addition to your chemistry prep arsenal as it provides over 1300 high-yield GRE chemistry practice questions. The textbooks on this list are meant only for learning the concepts; for the practice, you would need to get something like this.
Key Features:
- 1,300 GRE Chemistry practice questions with detailed explanations covering all tested topics.
- Detailed descriptions provided in the book discuss why the answer is correct.
- Learn essential chemistry concepts and the relationships between them.
- Chemistry instructors with years of experience have prepared all the questions in this book.
Get it here.
8. Cracking the GRE Chemistry Subject Test by Princeton Review
This is the only GRE chemistry prep book I was able to find that comes from a major test prep company. Princeton Review is acclaimed for its various prep books on different standardized tests. Their GRE chemistry book offers strategies, practice questions, and a review of all the topics tested on the GRE.
Key Features:
- Practical strategies to help you beat the test and hit your top score.
- Specialized tactics to avoid the trick questions that trap most students.
- Practice problems for all content chapters to help you critically assess your progress.
- Detailed subject review for all exam topics, including critical concepts for inorganic, organic, physical, and analytical chemistry.
Get it here.
9. Fundamentals of Analytical Chemistry
This might be an excessive book for GRE chemistry as only about fifteen percent of the questions come from analytical chemistry. However, you can prepare critical topics from this book as it contains the entirety of analytical chemistry topics tested on GRE.
Key Features:
- Offers extensive coverage of the principles and practices of analytic chemistry.
- Each chapter begins with a story and photo of how analytical chemistry is applied in industry, medicine, and all the sciences.
- Plenty of real-life examples and illustrations to help drive the point home.
- Covers all areas of analytical chemistry that are tested on GRE chemistry test.
Get it here.
10. GRE Chemistry w/CD-ROM 4th Ed
This GRE chemistry prep book offers five full-length GRE chemistry tests. If you want to achieve a high score, you will have to practice tons of practice questions and full-length tests. This book is perfect for that. However, be aware that the typing quality is not that good, and you will come across some typos.
Key Features:
- 5 full-length GRE Chemistry tests
- Detailed answer explanations of all the questions.
- Focused topic outline of must-know GRE Chemistry topics.
- You will learn about why individual answer choices are incorrect.
Get it here.