| Kaplan GMAT 2011 Premier with CD-ROM (Kaplan Gmat Premier Live) |  | Author: Kaplan
Publisher: Kaplan Publishing
Category: Book
List Price: $39.99
Buy New: $21.34
as of 9/5/2010 11:35 CDT details
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Seller: treebeardbooks
Rating:  5 reviews
Sales Rank: 584
Media: Paperback
Pages: 696
Number Of Items: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 3.5
Dimensions (in): 10.8 x 8.4 x 1.5
ISBN: 1419549898
Dewey Decimal Number: 650
EAN: 9781419549892
ASIN: 1419549898
Publication Date: June 29, 2010
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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Product Description
As more and more students prepare to take the GMAT, Kaplan is there with a ground-breaking prep program unlike any other. With the latest uses in technology and advanced Internet tools to maximize scores, Kaplan GMAT 2011 Premier with CD-ROM is an invaluable guide that provides proven score-raising strategies and essential practice needed to succeed. Offering exclusive free access to an interactive online companion, this unique guide enables one to achieve a top score by utilizing: - Live Online Seminar: A state-of-the-art online classroom in real time, complete with audio, video, instant chat, whiteboards, and screen sharing
- Fast Fact Videos in which Kaplan’s top instructors review the most important concepts from each chapter
- Diagnostic quiz to target areas for score improvement
- Practice quizzes
- Customizable study plan and progress report
This comprehensive preparation program also provides: - Valuable insider advice from our top instructors
- 5 full-length practice tests plus hundreds of additional practice questions
- Answers fully explained in detail
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| Customer Reviews:
 I wouldn't have been able to do it without Kaplan's book August 28, 2010
Anonymous (Provo, UT, USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Kaplan GMAT Premier is an essential resource in GMAT study. I started out with GMAC's official guide, but it only seemed to be good for practice, not learning. GMAC's book only teaches the simple math that most of us already know, but Kaplan's book goes into methods of solving difficult questions. Before I went through the reading comp section in the book I generally missed about half of reading comp questions. Kaplan got me up to missing only about 20%.
The book helped in every area tested on the GMAT. It taught great tricks to solving math problems. I was always good at math, but GMAT math is a completely different world. I didn't use the software and online companion much, but they seemed to be good. My only warning is with there "scores". I took one of the CAT practice exams from Kaplan and scored quite low--a 570. The next day I took the real GMAT and scored a 720. Granted, my GMAC practice test scores were 700 and 640, so most would call me "lucky." But 570 is a pretty unrealistic estimate. So use it for practice and don't trust the score. Download GMATPrep if you want a real estimate of your score.
Yes, there are a couple of minor (unimportant) errors in the book, but so what. It just means that if you can find them you are even better prepared for the GMAT.
I'd say that with this book, GMAC's Official Guide, and about 50-100 hours of study, you should be good to go. No need to take an expensive course or hire a tutor unless you particularly struggle. I was going to take a $500 course offered by a local University, but I talked to someone at the MBA school where I'm applying and he recommended I study with a study buddy.
Good GMAT strategy guide, but doesn't go deep on concepts August 20, 2010
BeatTheGMAT.com (San Francisco, CA)
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I self studied and scored a 770 on the GMAT. Here are my thoughts on the Kaplan Premier Live Online book:
===== OVERVIEW =====
Kaplan GMAT 2011 Premier is the general GMAT strategy guide developed by one of the best-known companies in the test prep industry. It's a good all-in-one book, but because the GMAT tests so many topics, in my opinion it just scratches the surface of each section.
The current edition is largely the same as previous editions. This book also contains a CD with more practice and the Kaplan computer-adaptive tests, but keep in mind that the CD doesn't run on Mac computers or Windows 7. However, note that the computer-adaptive tests (CATs) on the CD (as well as quizzes and other material) are available on the Internet for the previous edition as well. To gain access to the online material, you will need to sign up using an unique code. Thus, if you're considering buying the used book, you should think again. Not only is the code good for just one registration, but also access will expire after 6 months from date of registration. Other interesting features include:
* One free live online event with Kaplan teachers
* Fast Fact videos (concepts in video format)
* A slightly modified layout of pages (the so-called Expert Exclusive bubbles)
* Question highlighting for the so-called Master Qs (although the extent to which they are more difficult than others is debatable).
Content stays the same though, so if you can make the CD of an older version work, then go for it.
The book deals with all 5 GMAT question types in similarly structured chapters: strategy, tips, 50 practice questions, answers and explanations. There are also two separate chapters, Math Skills Refresher (with a pretty general, but still solid math overview and a few practice questions for each major topic) and Math Word Problems.
===== PROS =====
* Good all-in-one book, providing a decent value for your money. The book includes a good strategy guide, access to online material and 5 CATs + 1 paper test in the book
* Useful and easy-to-understand strategies, neatly structured material.
* The book begins with an in-depth analysis of the test which I believe is worth your time to review
* At 250 questions in the 5 chapters plus 95 problems in the Math Skills Refresher, the Kaplan Premier book offers a wide range of practice questions. Explanations for quantitative problems are pretty easy to understand as well, with tips and tricks for a better performance
* Online access to material means you can practice wherever and whenever you want, provided you have a computer with Internet access
===== CONS =====
* This book doesn't go very deep on GMAT topics tested. If you feel that you're having trouble with a specific topic, it's worthwhile to invest in a more targeted product (for instance, Manhattan GMAT Set of 8 Strategy Guides, 4th Edition and The PowerScore GMAT Critical Reasoning Bible: A Comprehensive System for Attacking the GMAT Critical Reasoning Questions both provide focused practice and strategy with their respective GMAT guides)
* I thought the practice questions in this book mimicked actual GMAT questions okay, but not great; particularly in Critical Reasoning (questions do not have the clear cut structure of The Official Guide for GMAT Review, 12th Edition) and Reading Comprehension (passages too long and convoluted).
* Explanations for verbal questions could use some work as well. Example: Kaplan overuses phrases like "scope shift" without proper clarification
* CAT scoring has often been the target of criticism. Anecdotally, I've noticed that people usually score higher on the real GMAT than in Kaplan CATs (perhaps this is a pro?)
* A more in-depth lesson on math word problems would have been nice
===== BOTTOM LINE =====
As a general strategy guide, Kaplan GMAT Premier gets high marks. However if you're looking for help and depth on a specific topic, you may need to purchase some supplemental guides elsewhere. I do believe that the book provides a good introduction to the test and will certainly help you improve your score (by the way, they have a higher score guarantee), but up to a certain degree. Used in conjunction with the Official Guide for practice, the Kaplan Premier Program will provide a solid basis for your prep.
Good luck on your GMAT prep!
About me: Dana Jinaru, 770 GMAT scorer, expert at Beat The GMAT - a community serving 100K+ GMAT students/month
feedback on gmat premier Kaplan July 23, 2010
Anthony Kozlowski (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
As a Gmat coach here in Rio de Janeiro, I have to purchase a great variety of materials to help Brazilian candidates whose native language is not English. Kaplan premier is above par; nonetheless, the only suggestion I can offer is that if you are looking for different CAT test, these tets have not changed in the last 6 years; unfortunatly, Kaplan should try and provide different tests at different degrees of difficulties.
Sometimes, clients see a new version 2012, for example - but the tests are all the same as the previous one
tony kozlowski
The Best Starter Book for GMAT but not enough for 700+ July 4, 2010
GMATClub.com (USA)
25 out of 25 found this review helpful
If you are new to the GMAT, Kaplan Premier is a great book to start with - it provides a good intro to the test (explains the mechanics, basic priciples, gets you familar with the test structure, etc), has solid strategies that you can use regardless of your level, and finally, comes with 6 Adaptive tests. Think of it a starter car - you don't want to start with anything expensive before you know what you are looking for actually.
THE GOOD:
* Solid material with great Math and Verbal strategies as well as some background
* Good structure and layout; helps if you are a visual learner
* 6 Full GMAT Tests (5 are in adaptive CAT format on the CD/online and 1 is in a paper format in the book)
* Online practice with additional exercises and quizzes - 15 online drills
* Much of general info on gmat has been moved into online video format, called Fast Fact Videos; that helps with learning when you have had too much reading for the day
* Great value for the money with 6 Full GMAT tests, practice questions on the CD, and many online Quizzes
THE BAD:
* Same as the previous editions of this book - would expect a bit more revision from a new edition.
* Access to the online components expires after 1 year. This is the only reason to buy a new book vs used
* CD is windows only (for Mac you will need to use the online registration and take these tests online)
* Does not have the depth and width a 700+ score requires
* 650 Pages and 4 LBS! - not a travel size book
However, it is hard to score 700+ relying just on this book (simply not enough space to fit it all in); you will need to get some other materials to get you bases covered. My suggestion would be to spend a month going through this book and once you know your weaknesses and area that require extra attention, you can do a deep dive with somespecialized books (there are quite a few of those).
SOME OTHER THOUGHTS:
* What is a good study plan using Kaplan Premier?
My recommendation would be to start with this book, finish it in about a month or so (by this time you will learn all the basics about the test, how it works, what is tested, and general strategies for answering questions). Then, you an figure out what's the best use of your time - you may have reached your target score and can stop or perhaps you are really lacking in Quant or Verbal and need a lot more serious practice.
* Will this book give me 700+ score?
For the majority of applicants, No. It is not deep enough for most people out of college to refresh the math and verbal fundamentals. You will most likely need other books to help you get there.
* How do I get 700 then?
There are several options:
1. Review each section separately using the Kaplan GMAT Math Workbook and Kaplan GMAT Verbal Workbook
2. Thorough/Methodical review of each area - If you have a bit more time, grab the collection of 8 Manhattan Guides. These books are excellent and are actually used in the classroom setting for their classes, so you are defintely get the top books. If you dont need/want the entire collection, see my review for what stand-alone books to get. This plan is likely to get you a higher score with this section but it will also take up more time (about a month more). Decide on the approach based on your starting position, target score, time you have, and willingness to study math and grammar for months without a break.
* Any other books I need to know about?
YES. There is one - The Official Guide for GMAT Review, 12th Edition. This book is published by the creators of GMAT and contains real GMAT questions. You should also download the Official GMAT Prep software from GMAC's website (it's free).
* What if I have trouble getting through this book? Where can I find help?
There are several books that can help you get up to speed with quant and grammar:
1. For Quantitative section: Foundations of GMAT Math by Manhattan GMAT
2. For Verbal Section: Kaplan GMAT Verbal Foundations (grammar only)
Let me know if you have any questions about the book - I reply to comments! (also see additional book images I uploaded)
Good Luck,
BB, Founder of GMAT Club
GMAT 750 (q49, v42)
 Not Mac Compatible July 1, 2010
Nicole Matchett (St. Pete, Fl)
4 out of 9 found this review helpful
The CD rom that comes with this book is not Mac compatible. It has tons of questions and now I cannot even use them. What a waste of time and money
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