Studying for tests like the MCAT, GMAT, or entrance tests for law schools may sometimes seem like you are at the bottom of a mountain. These tests are not simply a show of knowledge they are an indication of how well you can apply that knowledge in a high-pressure environment.
That’s why preparation is crucial, as well as having the right prep materials. A good book is a big game changer; it simplifies complex issues and gives you exactly what you need to get through them.
But how do you decide which books are worth reading? When one is out there searching, there are numerous choices, and this makes it really difficult to find what one is looking for. It is for this reason that going to bookstores such as the online bookstore BooksRun will be of help as it provides a variety of highly rated prep books.
That is why we have created this guide – to show you the best books to prepare for the self.
These recommendations have, therefore, been made based on their content quality, practicality, and the effectiveness of the strategies in assisting the students to overcome the various challenges posed by each examination. Hence, whether you are in pre-med, MBA, or preparing for law school, we have you on our list.
How Prep Books Help Students Succeed
Prep books are not just compilations of information – they are texts to guide you in your studying and to help you face the exam. Here’s how they make a difference:
- Prep books are easy to understand because they break down complex ideas and make you learn them systematically without pressuring you.
- Some books contain sample tests that are very similar to the actual test so that you can have an idea of how prepared you are.
- They explain how to deal with various kinds of questions and time during the test. Reference books make it easier for you to focus on areas that you have challenges with, leaving no area uncovered.
- The more you know about the nature of tests and practice, the less nervous you will be and the better your results will be.
Best Books for MCAT Preparation
Human Anatomy Coloring Book
This book might come as a shock to you, but it is also a fun way of learning about the human body. When you are able to draw bones, muscles, and other systems in the body in colors, you are able to remember details more easily than when you are just reading text. It is particularly useful for individuals who prefer using graphic displays in order to understand key facts concerning the human body.
The Premed Playbook Guide to the Medical School Interview
While this is not a conventional MCAT review guide, it is useful for anyone who intends to apply for medical school. It provides useful information on how to go about interviews effectively, which is useful information after passing your MCAT.
MCAT Complete 7-Book Subject Review 2021-2022
This comprehensive series covers everything you need to know: biology, chemistry, physics, and more. Each book is detailed but easy to follow, with clear explanations and practice problems at the end of every chapter. If you’re looking for a one-stop solution, this is it.
MCAT Verbal Practice: 108 Passages for the New CARS Section
The CARS section can be intimidating, but this book makes it manageable. With 108 passages to practice, it helps you improve your reading comprehension and critical thinking skills, which are vital for excelling in this section.
Top Books for GMAT Preparation
The skills that are used in preparing for the GMAT include quantitative skills, verbal skills, and integrated skills. The right books not only provide good and understandable explanations but also include numerous practice questions to make a student feel prepared for the exam.
All the GMAT by Manhattan Prep
This is a good source of information since it provides information on all the sections of the GMAT. The book is intended to guide you through the basic and more complex concepts as well. This is a combination of problems to solve, descriptions and ways of solving problems, and how to approach a question.
It is especially helpful for learners who want to lay a good foundation and increase their rate of solving problems.
GMAT Official Advanced Questions by GMAC
If you are aspiring for high percentile ranks, then this book is a must-have. Created by the makers of GMAT, it contains only tough questions that can make your brain work at the maximum level. This is a good opportunity to compare what you know with the kind of problems that you are going to meet on the actual exam.
GMAT Foundations of Math by Manhattan Prep
If you are having trouble with the basics of math, this book is a godsend. It explains the main ideas of mathematics and offers a lot of practical problems. It means that concentrating on the basic concepts prepares you in terms of confidence to tackle the most challenging quantitative problems.
GMAT Math Workbook by Kaplan Test Prep
This workbook is designed for the practice of math, and it provides a number of solutions as well as strategies. It is very useful for anyone who requires some extra help in algebra, geometry, or problem-solving.
Recommended Books for Law School Test Preparation
To pass a law school entrance exam, one needs to have good critical thinking, logical, and reading skills. The following books have consistently helped students perform well on these demanding tests:
The LSAT Trainer by Mike Kim
This book has received many positive reviews for its clarity and its approach to strategy and is ideal for self-study. It is aimed at the skills that are covered in the entrance exams to law schools and offers tips on increasing the speed of the work and reducing the number of mistakes.
The Official LSAT SuperPrep by Law School Admission Council
This book contains actual LSATs, which makes it quite practical for students. It gives answer explanations in detail, which assist you in identifying why some of the choices are right or wrong.
Getting to Maybe: How to Excel on Law School Exams by Richard Michael Fischl and Jeremy Paul
Despite being written specifically for law school exams, this book is useful for practicing the kind of logical reasoning needed for admission tests. It shows you how to break down questions and how to structure your thinking and your arguments.
10 Actual, Official PrepTests by Law School Admission Council
These actual tests are invaluable for practice in this collection. Solving them under time constraints enables you to familiarize yourself with the format and also the right pace to take.
Tips for Choosing the Right Prep Book
When seeking prep books, it is important that time be well spent and that there is effectively only one chance at the prep book. There are so many resources out there that it is important to identify one that suits your needs and the way you learn best. Here are practical tips to help you make the best choice:
- First of all, evaluate your strengths and your weaknesses. For beginners, focus on books that have simple explanations, and as you progress through the book, the concepts become harder.
- For the upper level of difficulty, select the materials containing the questions and approaches to get the maximum score.
- The books authored by SMEs or test writers are often more valid and accurate in comparison with other books. They are specific to the style and type of the examination, which puts them in a better place.
- Practice is key to success. When selecting books, ensure that they contain full-length tests so as to ensure you work under real exam conditions as far as time is concerned.
- Utilise as many reviews and discussion forums as possible where students have shared their experiences, mostly with project help online. Search for positive feedback for books that fall under exam themes.
- Some books are densely packed with theories, and some are full of solved problems. Ideally, select the resources that fit into the middle or use several books to address both aspects.
- If you are a person who learns better with diagrams and illustrations, then you should go for such resources. Those students who prefer a practical approach will benefit from books containing instructions and tasks.
- Make sure that the book you select is the most current edition available. Sometimes, the exams change and older sources may need to provide information on the new formats or topics.
A Smart Way to Approach Self-Preparation
Self-preparation is not about working harder but about working smart. It is important to use the right books, but with a clear study plan, it makes all the difference. Your prep books are the tools; your approach is the plan that connects all the tools together.
After that, you can even sell your books back, clear up some space, and get a refund of sorts for those prep books.
Develop a schedule that will help you achieve your goals in terms of time with either daily or weekly goals. To start with, concentrate on the areas that you find difficult to answer and then move to taking complete mock examinations.
Just a reminder: it is always better to be consistent than cram. That is why, with good preparation books and the right study plan, you are preparing not only for the test day but for further academic success as well.