Essential Words for the GRE

Two Sentence Summary: This is the single best test prep book I have used since high school. I strongly recommend it to anybody preparing for the GRE. This book helped me prepare for the GRE and expand on my academic/professional vocabulary. Words in this book, especially the ones marked with an asterisk (*) appeared on practice tests and my real GRE. These works have also been helpful in my graduate school work and professional career. I still keep this book in my office and reference it regularly. However, the book is only effective if you have enough time to move through the lessons methodically. It was very helpful to make a concerted effort to think in and use the words. Otherwise, I found that I quickly forgot them. The author makes a good effort at grouping words that have related meanings or etymology in the same sentence. For example, asperity and aspersion are in the same lesson. These words have similar meanings, but are different parts of speech. Grouping them helped reinforce the etymology and prevent confusing them. Due to the time it took to move through sections, if you have fewer than three months or so to prepare this book might not be the best use of your time. In this case something more direct, such as Barron's GRE, 21st Edition would probably be more worthwhile. Otherwise I recommend it to GRE test takers or any graduate students.

I originally bought this book to get ready for another exam that has verbal ability section. I thought it was amazing that it divides the words in units of 10 words, and you then get to practice those words with exercises.. I also noticed that I've started using these words in my daily life, which proves that it is a good book (for me at least, i'm horrible with memorizing, I typically understand and rarely memorize and learning new words has always been a challenge for me since english is my third language). I would definitely recommend it for those non-english speaking people, and you can always get it and use it to set a baseline, then get more advanced GRE books to benefit as much as you can.

Good work book for learning vocab. Many words from this book were on the GRE for me. Not the most extensive list, but a solid study tool.

For the student who is studying independently for the GRE this is THE book for the word part of the test. You are given the definition in many ways then you match the word to the definition then you use it in a sentence and finally you see if it is used logically in a sentence. These words are hard, most you have never seen before so this book is critical for the GRE. It is set up just perfectly. I am so glad I bought it or I would have been shocked when I got to the test.

It is not that bad, but I think it does not contain sufficient exercises in it.

I got an almost perfect score on the verbal reasoning section by working with this book. English is not my native language and the exercises after each batch of ten words helped remembering. Also sometimes the definitions are not very specific when there are synonyms, but I was able to translate in my other language to better understand in what context use one or the other.

i thought this would have a vocabulary list/definition like the complete barron's has but instead there is more emphasis on exercises etc.

This book is a must have if you have average vocabulary skills! I liked that it had little practice questions at the end of each unit and that each unit was only ten words at a time. That way you can pace yourself with how many words you are learning, otherwise too many at one time can get confusing.

Product arrived on time in good quality. Content of the book is clearly printed with moderate font size. It's a book that worth having!

Worth the purchase. Learn new words is so much easy.

Between the 3 vocab books I purchased, this one had the best routine to help you memorize them easier. Each chapter had 10 words, followed by a quiz with 3 sections, so you are repeatedly tested on the usage, which is the best way to memorize vocab imo. The book also provides tidbits on topics from the social/humanities, like "Sophists" and "Heuristics". This is useful if you happen to be studying for another exam at the same time. I do wish the Latin Root work chapters were in the beginning of the book instead of at the end. (It's not a short addendum as it does contain 60 units/chapters.)

Très bon livre, donne de multiples mots de vocabulaire qui sont hiérarchisés selon la fréquence avec laquelle ils apparaissent dans le GRE. Un must

不思議と、すいすい暗記できました。 例文やクイズが優れているのかもしれません。（薄くてコンパクトで持ち運びやすいのもＧＯＯＤです） １つの単語につき、見出し語の例文が１つ・クイズの例文が２つあります。合計３つの例文を頭に入れられます。 ManhattanPrepのカード２つ（Essentaial と Advanced)も両方やりまして、（こちらBarron'sと一部重複）こっちも素晴らしいのですが、 なぜだかBarron's の単語帳の方が定着したような気がします。