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Whistle Stopper - Cracking the GMAT with DVD, 2008 Edition (Graduate Test Prep)
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List Price: $37.95
Our Price: $25.50
Your Save: $ 12.45 ( 33% )
Availability: In stock soon. Order now to get in line. First come, first served.
Manufacturer: Princeton Review
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Average Customer Rating:  
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Binding: Paperback
Dewey Decimal Number: 650
EAN: 9780375766114
ISBN: 0375766111
Label: Princeton Review
Manufacturer: Princeton Review
Number Of Items: 1
Number Of Pages: 608
Publication Date: 2007-06-12
Publisher: Princeton Review
Release Date: 2007-06-12
Studio: Princeton Review
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Spotlight customer reviews:
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Customer Rating:
Summary: Don't waste your money.
Comment: This book does a nice job of introducing the format of the GMAT, what it is, etc. If you are completely ignorant about what the GMAT is, then it may be worth your time to drive over to the local bookstore and thumb through the first couple of chapters. Beyond that there is very little useful information to be found in this book. In fact, I think that the strategies outlined for the quantitative section are simply misleading and wrong.
For example, early on the book describes a guy named "Joe Bloggs," who is essentially a complete idiot who did not prepare at all for the exam. Most every math problem explanation shows one or two answer choices that Joe would have selected because either they are intermediate solutions (solutions that are found during necessary, but preliminary steps on the way to the final solution), or they are just "too obvious." That's real cute, and perhaps makes people more comfortable with the test, but let me tell you that it will not help you on test day, and will likely hurt you.
The best thing that you can do in your preparation is learn the basics cold. Do this by frequenting some of the GMAT prep site forums, where a plethora of practice problems with expert solutions can be found. To sum up the quantitative tutorials in this book- "Make sure that you find out what the question is asking, and make sure that you do not stop short of the full solution, as they will tempt you with answer choices that they know you will encounter during your work to solve the problem." Well, that is sound advice, and much harder in practice than it sounds, but hardly worth basing an entire book upon.
If you are somebody who is really struggling with sentence correction, I would actually recommend that section, as I feel it does do a nice job of summing up the ideal approach to those questions.
In closing, I would say that if you are somebody who is simply trying to get to a 550-600 score, then this book may well be right up your alley, as the concepts are introduced in a very friendly and frankly, childish way. However, if you aspire to a 700+ score, this book is beneath you, and you really need to pass this one up. I bought this book on a whim early in my preparation, because I heard good reviews of it, but promptly closed it and set it aside for the duration of my studies and only used it once for the aforementioned reasons, and I scored a 750. I honestly believe that the reason these books sell so well is that reading them is in a way therapeutic, as it makes you feel comfortable with the test. Trust me that that is not a good thing. You have to make a realistic assessment of your weaknesses, and work to improve those, not waste your time practicing some cutesy methods that you won't have time to use on test day.
Customer Rating:
Summary: excellent!!
Comment: It is a complete book, with directions for all the test, and a lot of details about how the test is written to find out the answers for difficult questions! I strongly recommend this book.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Good Book overall, buts skimps in some areas
Comment: Overall I think that this was a good book; however, they skimped in a few areas. The grammar section was very bare bones as well as the statistics. I was able to do well by purchasing some additional books.
I also wish they put more information about the grading. Each section (math and verbal) is out of 60 points, and then is weighted depending on how the general populace does. They never mentioned this, so despite having a lower raw score, my verbal was actually a much higher percentile. This would have been nice to know when studying.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Very well written, fun to read - BUT just not enough depth
Comment: In my view, this is the most well written GMAT book. Its really fun to read and has very good introductory chapters of each section that helps you refresh fundamentals.
But, in terms of depth/difficulty of the questions, this book does not prepare you enough to face the GMAT. I recommend everyone to start GMAT prep with this book to brush up the fundamentals and to get an overview of the exam pattern (and also to build self-confidence) and then go on to study something else like Kaplan/Manhattan before starting with the mandatory one - The Official guide.
Another note - The DVD that comes with this book is almost useless. I hoped to have a couple of practice exams but all it has is a couple of videos explaining about GMAT etc., So better go for a non-DVD one if there is such an option.
Customer Rating:
Summary: Good for Math, not for Verbal
Comment: I used both PR book as well as the GMAC book.
The PR book gave a quick math review but nothing in depth. Additionally, I practiced the verbal portion quite extensively using their methodology and scored VERY well on the practice within their book...without even peaking at the answers :o)
So, going into the test (for the 2nd time) I anticipated that I would do much better on the Verbal this time around...this was not the case as I actually managed to lower my Verbal score.
The Analytical Writing Review was good. 1st time I scored 4.5 and this tiem 5.5. Though, I can sum that up for you....write A LOT.
I did well on my math the first time as well but this book helped me improve my score by 20 points. I'd recommend reviewing both books without taking them too seriously, it's much different on the computer so download the free software and practice those.
GOOD LUCK!
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Editorial Reviews:
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Cracking the GMAT offers major features on DVD, including engaging video tutorials from The Princeton Review’s top instructors. We also bring you over 200 practice questions in the book and exclusive free access to 4 practice exams and expert advice online.
Of course, you’ll also get all the test-prep techniques you expect from The Princeton Review. In Cracking the GMAT, we’ll teach you how to think like the test writers and
·Solve complex sentence correction problems by recognizing key errors
·Crack tough data sufficiency questions using simple techniques
·Practice online with full-length tests, lessons, and drills
·Get the most out of your prep time with the study plan that’s right for you
We give you plenty of practice problems to help you master our proven techniques. Our practice questions are just like those you’ll see on the real GMAT—but with detailed answers and explanations for every question.
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