Rating: 
Summary: Good, but could be better
Review: I started out my preparation with this book. I needed a lot more prep work than average -- I've been out of school a while.
The math review was good, but the exercises (for the most part) were not like the actual GRE. Meaning, they were not multiple choice -- you had to solve the equation/problem completely. Then if you got it wrong, it wasn't explained to you how to correctly solve the problem. Not a big deal, but it doesn't help you learn how to use the 5 multiple choice answers in order to solve an equation. Other books teach you to use what info IS given to you, to help eliminate answers.
The verbal and analytical writing sections were good, but it helps to have been a lifelong reader. That is the only way the build a vocabulary in order to beat the GRE.
Also, this book is available at many public libraries. So buy Barron's Passkey to the GRE here on Amazon, and use ETS' book for a reference.
Rating: 
Summary: Must have, especially for the paper based.
Review: 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.
Rating:
Summary: Must have, especially for the paper based.
Review: 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.
Rating: 
Summary: Not a good investment
Review: I was extremely disappointed with this book. It claims that it will prepare you well for the actual GRE, but in reality, it just wastes valuable time that you could have spent with another study guide.In general, the book does not offer helpful hints on how to actually write the different sections. Instead, it just provides answers, and (for only one sample test in each section) explanations for each. The quantitative section was extremely easy compared to the one I saw on the CBT, and there was no instruction regarding the verbal and analytical sections. To be fair, though, the quantitative section did include a general math overview, which was somewhat (but not very) helpful. Overall, this book was mainly a collection of practice tests (some from the late 80s?!?!)... If this is what you're looking for, great! BUT, I would recommend that GRE test takers spend time with a more well-rounded book (there are many out there), and DEFINITELY work through the POWERPREP program. Good Luck!
Rating: 
Summary: stay away
Review: I'm a GRE and GMAT math prep tutor, and I've gotten 800 on the GRE math section. This book is out of date and misrepresents the GRE entirely. The questions are based on tests of ten years ago, when the test was considerably easier. Today, on computer, the test uses questions of considerable difficulty to weed out students, and this book does nothing to prepare people for that reality. I expect people who study solely from this book to be completely surprised by the difficulty of the test. If you're looking for a good way to study math on the GRE, I recommend studying the questions from the GMAT book published by ETS - the Official Guide 10th Edition. The questions in there are much more realistic and still legitimately written by the test-writers...
Rating:
Summary: Only the Practice Tests are Useful
Review: I've rated this book at three stars not due to the quality of its content, but for its actual benefit per cost. If you are planning on going through actual paper-based tests to drill and familiarize yourself with the types of questions on the GRE, and don't have any other sources of paper-based tests, this book may be helpful. As for the other sections, which contain sample questions with explanations, a math review, and information and samples of the new analytical writing section, all of these are also available for free on ETS' website in PDF or html format. So, realize in purchasing this book you are paying for seven paper-based practice tests.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Preparation Book
Review: 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.
Rating: 
Summary: A damn good book
Review: 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 !
Rating:
Summary: go for it - the best bet
Review: If your GRE scores are decisive for people in admissions; if you want to get to one of the Ivy League schools and you are really dedicated to that goal, find this book. A quick example: I took the GRE in 1999, and I got 1100. I retook it in November 2002 and got slightly more than 1000. I used Barrons study guides, went through their practice tests, and my English was much better than 2 years ago... and still I scored even less! I got angry, and I bought the Big Book and spend about a month solving 10 tests (out of 27 tests offered by this wonderful book). So, on January 2 I got 670 on Math (and actually I am not at all good at math) and 670 on Verbal (and actually I am not a native speaker, you have certainly noticed that:-). Ok, now - What is the result then? One month of practice with this thing, and you can up your score by 340 points (1340-1000)! Go ahead, review slightly the GRE test-taking strategies (for the verbal part I would recommend Kaplan Verbal Workbook) and attack the Big Book tests. You might be dissappointed with your first results, but do not give up - you will feel better on the 5th test, and ready to take the real one on about the 10th.:-) To make myself clear: DO NOT spend too much time on strategies review. Instead, plan your preparation and allow the most of your time to the PRACTICE Tests from the Big Book.
Rating:
Summary: Stuffed, Monotonous and a Gigantic Retrogressive Experience
Review: In my opinion, the title is a misnomer and the book is a lemon, a disappointment and a surprisingly ugly experience.
At first, I expected good quality from this 10th edition book which is published by ETS, a relatively well known organization for testing services and products. I thought that this book would be genuine and able to provide real help to potential examinee. The tidy covering and the unqualified claim "We prepare the Tests - Let us Help Prepare You!" is straight forward and I ordered the book without much hesitation. When I got this book and looked into it, it was a surprising and disgruntled drama ready to be unfolded. The practice exams are way back in late 80¡¦s and very early 90¡¦s and it seems like there has been significant changes since the old days. Full explanation is only provided for one out of a total of seven practice tests. The quality of some questions is really below average and numerous answers are questionable. The analytical section only provides brief commentary for the issue and argument essays and the additional material given almost at the end of the book is incomplete. I felt that this book does undermine the impression on the actual test significantly and should be brought back to ETS for an extensive overhaul. It is obvious that the whole book was casually pieced together in a big rush to get a quick reap out of the market. The Powerprep software downloadable from ETS website does a better job to give potential examinee a holistic view of the exam and the practice questions are quite useful.
Overall, looking back and it was one disappointing experience after another. It is definitely not worth the price and there is much better material in the market.
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