| | Kaplan GRE Exam 2008 Premier Program (CD-ROM) |  | Author: Kaplan
Publisher: Kaplan Publishing
Category: Book
This item is no longer available
Avg. Customer Rating:  35 reviews
Sales Rank: 4274637
Media: Paperback
Edition: Cdr
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 432
ISBN: 0743281357
Dewey Decimal Number: 378
EAN: 9780743281355
ASIN: 0743281357
Publication Date: July 1, 2007
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| Customer Reviews: Read 30 more reviews...
 New types of questions coming-- -- alert! August 15, 2007
83 out of 94 found this review helpful
The computer administered GRE exam will be changing with the November 2007 administration, and the practice exams in the new 2008 edition of this book do not appear to include the new question types. That's defensible in one sense because for at least the first administration in November, the new questions will not count in the final score. However, the new questions may start to count with the next or subsequent administrations, provided GRE can "validate" the scoring for the new format questions. Thus, if you are thinking of taking the test after November, this book is not quite enough. You'll also need to go to the GRE website and examine the format of the new questions if you want to be fully prepared and avoid any unpleasant "surprises." (I'm also hoping that Kaplan will offer the new question types online at its website at the appropriate time.)
In case you were wondering, the new Verbal question type is a text completion question that requires the test taker to fill in two or three blanks within a passage from separate multiple-choice lists. Currently, the Verbal section contains text completion questions that require test takers to fill in one blank within a passage from a single multiple-choice list. The new Quantitative question type will be a numeric entry question that requires test takers to type their answer as a number in a box, or as a fraction in two boxes. Test takers can review sample questions and additional information about the new question types on the GRE website.
That said, this book is still quite useful, as the paramount element of this book is the wide-ranging vocabulary review. Kaplan has included a long list of vocabulary words that they feel crop up frequently on GRE exams. I unquestionably feel that reviewing the vocabulary part of the book that helped me come back with a few questions that I would not have known.
I also recommend going to the GRE's website and downloading the free PowerPrep software in addition to buying this book. It includes two full GRE tests and a few hundred practice problems, including the new type in verbal and in quantitative. Additionally, for the essay part of the examination, they include a few sample prompts and responses, so you can see the writing they grade highly.
 Princeton Review much better November 19, 2007
58 out of 59 found this review helpful
If you're considering buying this book for GRE prep, don't. Your money would be better spent on one of the Princeton Review books (or barron's, arco, whatever).
I originally bought the Kaplan GRE verbal workbook and, seeking additional practice, spent $40+ on the 2008 Premier program. About 40 of the 50 verbal questions in the new book were recycled. Why publish 2 books if one contains the same content as the other?
Worse yet, the text is riddled with typos, the math section contains mislabeled figures, and the explanations occasionally explain an answer different from that provided.
As for the CD, the math + verbal drills are not adaptive and thus don't offer a realistic testing experience. Princeton Review's CD contains adaptive drills as well as full length tests. I'd go with that.
Great information, but no Mac compatibility October 23, 2007
47 out of 48 found this review helpful
This was a very useful resource for me in preparing for the GRE. The tips and tricks, as well as the explanation of the test itself, came in very handy, and the practice questions were very useful. In addition, the "Common words" and "Kaplan's Math Hints" sections really helped me review the archaic or obscure sorts of things tested in the GRE. The website based test was pretty decent too, and gave me a better idea what to expect from the test per-se.
However, there's one major caveat: The software included is not remotely Mac compatible. Although the website works fine, the CD is basically a coaster for OS X users. You've still got the in-book practice tests and the one online one, but if you're really looking for practice tests, know that you might not have all of them that you're expecting.
So, if you're a PC user, I'd recommend picking up a copy. Mac users need to weigh the pro's and con's here. Regardless, as the guide says, the GRE is a game, and this book very nicely prepared me to jump through their hoops.
 Disk is windows-only October 31, 2007
19 out of 42 found this review helpful
I have no idea how well this product is going to work, because I'm sending it back. The included disk with the practice tests is Windows-only, a fact that is not noted anywhere in the reviews, the product description or the packaging - I only found out when I opened the disk, no doubt voiding the warranty I'm sure. Not useful in the least.
a warning concerning the CD-Rom January 27, 2008
17 out of 17 found this review helpful
I am currently studying to take the GRE general exam and purchased this book used. I decided to purchase Kaplan products because it had the best reviews and many people felt the CD gave a very realistic impression of what the test is actually like. When I read the inside cover of the book, it explained that the CD access to Kaplan's "online companion" is limited to the original owner of the text. Since the used book I received had the CD still in it's original packaging, I thought I would still be ok. No such luck. Once I typed in the serial number, I received an error message telling me that this serial number had already been used. It is also important to note that access to the online companion expires six months after you register. The first few pages of the book explain that by registering the CD online you will have access to all of the GRE Premier Program components that are not in the book or on the CD; the diagnostic quiz, essay writing practice, mobile prep, online quizzes and links to Kaplan's best GRE information. If I would have realized this prior to my purchase, I would have spent the extra money on a new book. So, my words of wisdom: Don't buy this book used if you actually plan to use all of the benefits of the CD-Rom.
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