For those of you who read my review of Manhattan GRE 2nd edition (MGRE)—indeed who’ve followed my advice by picking up a copy or two or MGRE—you may have been awaiting my review of the latest, 3rd edition guides. Nope, that’s not me setting up to tell you how I’ve decided not to write a review. I am writing a review…only the review is very, very short. So here it is:
The same.
That’s right – that’s the end of my review. The 3rd edition of the MGRE books is, except for a few cleaned up typos and geometry diagrams, exactly the same as the 2nd edition. Oops wait…I totally take that back. The MGMRE 3rd edition is markedly different. Gone is the bland cover of the 2nd edition; each cover comes with a different teacher student duo, apparently in rapture over the wonders of the GRE. I will say this much: at least Manhattan GRE puts real life MGRE instructors on its covers (Kaplan, Princeton Review and the others put stock photos of a person who in all likelihood doesn’t know the difference between GRE and GED).
Okay, I’ll stop being snarky. The thing is I’m a bit disappointed. I was looking forward to an entirely new set of questions. Better yet, I guessed that MGRE had been sending its instructors, throughout the course of the year, to take the Revised GRE. Within the pages of the 3rd edition, we would find refined techniques detailing problems that the GRE had begun to favor: double matrix questions, complex average questions, and four-sentence long jumbo Text Completions.
When Manhattan GRE released its 2nd edition nobody had even taken the Revised GRE. So I’m somewhat dismayed that insights gained from actually taking the test have not, in the least, informed this latest iteration. It’s like Manhattan GRE still have not taken the Revised GRE.
Nowhere is the lack of an update more problematic than on the Text Completion and the Sentence Equivalence guide. In the 2nd edition guide, we had ridiculously obscure words and not so ridiculously tangled syntax. As the Revised GRE is all about the latter, many simply ended up learning obscure vocabulary and were shocked test day when some of the words were so straightforward…and the sentences convoluted and nuanced. Now with the 3rd edition, we have exactly the same.
After my little rant, you may find it surprising that I still recommend MGRE. Why? Well, many of the strategies are still very helpful. After all, the test hasn’t completely morphed into a totally different beast since last year. The helpful Reading Comprehension tips, especially the Critical Reasoning-style questions, totally blows away anything else out there. The math still provides a solid foundation. And finally, you have access to the six free online tests. The tests simulate the high-pressure environment of the GRE. Even some of the Sentence Equivalence and Text Completion questions are somewhat more up to the standards of the GRE (which means more twisted sentences, less obscure vocab). Though, to the best of my knowledge, the questions in the six on-line tests have not changed since last year.
It may also likely be that once all of the 2012 GRE books are released, not a single one will have updated the material. Same content, different covers. (Who knows, Nova may be releasing a 2012 edition that still covers the old GRE). Thus, I can hardly fault Manhattan GRE for not changing anything in its 3rd edition. So for another year, Manhattan GRE is the king of the Revised GRE books.
Grade: A- (strategies)/B- (content/practice questions)
Hi Chris,
I jumped at the chance for discounted pricing and signed up recently.
I have two related questions – which of the eight Manhattan prep books should I buy, given that I had previously (2006) got 660v/760q in GRE. I’m mostly interested in the 6 exams I get to unlock, but would like to supplement Magoosh with the book.
And, according to widely available ‘conversion’ charts, my previous score according to the new matrix is 324. Is this a good estimate? What would be a good goal?
Thanks,
M
Hi Maddyk,
That’s definitely a strong score. I’d say a good goal is 335. Of course it won’t be easy, but why aim low
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In your case, maybe picking up the MGRE RC book would be best. Just one book will give you access to the online tests.
Let me know how your prepping goes and if you are able to break into the 330s.
Good luck!
Hi Chris
You guys are doing an amazing job! Keep up the good work! I was wondering if I need to invest in the ETS official guide if I was planning to buy the Manhattan GRE series. I also wanted to know if it would suffice buying the 1st edition rather than the 3rd edition as the former series is sold at a lower price. Furthermore is it possible for you to comment on the feasibility of securing a good score if I am planing to start my GRE preparation from next week? I intend to take the test in November. I currently live in the UK and wish to pursue a Ph.D in I/O psychology programmes and most of the universities I’m looking at asks for a minimum of 1250 no clue what this tallies to on the new scoring scale.
Any advice/feedback would be much appreciated.
Kind Regards
Lebena
P.S. I currently work full time as a HR officer.
Thanks for the kudos
.
So first, make sure you get either the 2nd. or the 3rd. edition of the MGRE book. The 1st. edition is for the old version of the GRE. Secondly, depending on which areas you need to brush up, you only need to buy one book from the MGRE set in order to access the free online tests.
Secondly, I’d definitely recommend picking up the 2nd. edition of the GRE Official Guide. To really get the flavor of the questions you’ll see test day, you’ll need this book.
As for your timing, now is a great to start prepping. The 2-3 month study guide could be helpful:
http://magoosh.com/gre/2011/2-3-month-gre-study-guide/
As for a score conversion, this chart should be helpful:
http://magoosh.com/gre/2012/what-is-a-good-score-on-the-revised-gre/
I hope that helps
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Great review! I just bought the reading comprehension/essay book from Manhattan GRE 3rd edition. Do you know if the vocabulary list at the end mirrors what is likely to appear on the GRE? Is it the same word list from their flashcards? I’m working through your ebook, but I would like a vocabulary list from a second source and don’t know which word list is best! Thanks!
The MGRE words definitely mirror what you’ll see test day. So it’s a great idea to combine those words with the Magoosh list. After that you could even pick up the Barron’s Essential Word list. There will be significant overalp, but you’ll be able to plug up the holes in your vocabulary
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Hi Chris!
Thanks for the review. I’ve been looking all over to find differences between the 2nd and the 3rd. about the MGRE online practice test, are they any different? I wonder if I buy the 2nd one, will I still get the same free practice test as the 3rd edition?
I also want to ask if Magoosh plan to conquer the GRE subject tests especially Math. If you are, you could be a life-saver
Thanks
Hi Rina,
Sadly, it doesn’t seem if MGRE’s new online practice tests are new. Nevertheless, 6 tests is still a pretty decent amount of practice material.
As for subject tests, Magoosh only deals with the general exam. Sorry
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I bought the 500 advanced cards from Manhattan. Are these too over the top as well? Or will I see them on the GRE?
That is a great question, and I am surprised somebody has yet to ask it.
The words in the 500 all seem to be pretty relevant to what you’ll see test day.
Hope that helps!
Thanks for the review , you saved me some bucks.I guess ETS Second Edition too is the same as the first apart from the 2 additional Tests.
No problem!
As for the ETS 2nd. edition, I just wrote a post:
http://magoosh.com/gre/2012/ets-official-guide-to-the-gre-revised-general-test-2nd-edition-book-review/