How to Choose and Use the Best Books for MBA Preparation: A Practical Guide
Best MBA Books for Preparation
If you are aspiring to pursue a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from a reputed institution, you must be aware of the competitive nature of the admission process. MBA entrance exams are one of the most crucial factors that determine your chances of getting into your dream business school. Therefore, it is essential that you prepare well for these exams and ace them with flying colors.
best mba books for preparation
But how do you prepare for MBA entrance exams? What are the best books that can help you achieve your goals? In this article, we will answer these questions and more. We will tell you why you need to prepare for MBA entrance exams, how to choose the best books for preparation, what are the best books by category, and how to make the most of your books. By the end of this article, you will have a clear idea of how to plan and execute your preparation strategy using the best MBA books available in the market.
Why You Need to Prepare for MBA Entrance Exams
MBA education is one of the most sought-after and rewarding career options in today's world. An MBA degree can open up many doors of opportunities for you, such as:
Enhancing your knowledge and skills in various domains of management
Expanding your network and exposure to industry experts and peers
Boosting your career prospects and earning potential
Developing your leadership and entrepreneurial abilities
Fulfilling your personal and professional aspirations
However, getting into a top-notch business school is not a walk in the park. You have to compete with thousands of other candidates who have similar or better qualifications and achievements than you. You have to prove yourself worthy of admission by showcasing your academic excellence, aptitude, personality, and potential.
This is where MBA entrance exams come into play. These exams are designed to test your knowledge, skills, and abilities in various areas such as quantitative aptitude, verbal ability, logical reasoning, data interpretation, general awareness, essay writing, and interview skills. These exams are conducted by different bodies such as CAT, XAT, GMAT, MAT, CMAT, NMAT, SNAP, IIFT, etc. Each exam has its own pattern, syllabus, difficulty level, and cut-off criteria.
Therefore, it is imperative that you prepare well for these exams and score high marks to secure your seat in your desired business school. You cannot afford to take these exams lightly or rely on luck. You need a solid preparation strategy that can help you master the concepts, practice the questions, improve your speed and accuracy, and overcome your weaknesses.
How to Choose the Best MBA Books for Preparation
One of the most important components of your preparation strategy is choosing the best books that can guide you through the process. However, choosing the best books is not an easy task. There are hundreds of books available in the market that claim to be the best for MBA preparation. How do you decide which ones are worth your time and money?
Here are some criteria that can help you select the best books for MBA preparation:
The books should be updated and relevant to the latest exam pattern and syllabus.
The books should cover all the topics and sub-topics in detail and with clarity.
The books should provide ample examples, illustrations, tips, and tricks to help you understand the concepts and apply them in the exam.
The books should contain sufficient practice questions of varying difficulty levels and types, along with solutions and explanations.
The books should have mock tests and previous year papers to help you evaluate your performance and identify your strengths and weaknesses.
The books should be written by reputed authors, publishers, or coaching institutes who have expertise and experience in the field of MBA preparation.
Another thing to keep in mind is that you do not need to buy or read every book that is available in the market. You need to be selective and smart in choosing the books that suit your needs and preferences. You need to focus on quality over quantity. You need to balance between theory and practice. You need to avoid duplication and confusion.
Therefore, you need to choose the types of books that can help you in different stages of your preparation. For example, you may need:
Conceptual books that can help you build your foundation and clear your basics.
Reference books that can help you dive deeper into the topics and learn the advanced concepts and techniques.
Practice books that can help you apply your knowledge and skills in solving various kinds of questions.
Revision books that can help you refresh your memory and revise the important formulas, facts, and concepts.
Finally, you need to choose the sources of books that can provide you with the best quality and variety of books. For example, you may use:
Online platforms that can offer you e-books, PDFs, videos, podcasts, blogs, etc. that can enhance your learning experience.
Offline stores that can offer you hard copies, magazines, newspapers, journals, etc. that can supplement your reading habit.
Libraries that can offer you access to a wide range of books that can broaden your perspective and knowledge.
The Best MBA Books for Preparation by Category
Now that you know how to choose the best books for MBA preparation, let us look at some of the best books by category that can help you ace your MBA entrance exams. These books are recommended by experts and successful candidates who have cracked these exams in the past. These books are also based on the latest exam pattern and syllabus of the major MBA entrance exams such as CAT, XAT, GMAT, etc.
Note: This is not an exhaustive list of books. You may find other books that suit your needs better. You may also refer to more than one book for each category if you wish to do so.
Quantitative Aptitude
Quantitative aptitude is one of the most important and scoring sections of any MBA entrance exam. It tests your ability to solve numerical problems involving arithmetic, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, mensuration, permutation and combination, probability, etc. You need to have a strong command over these topics and be able to solve questions quickly and accurately.
Some of the best books for quantitative aptitude are:
How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT by Arun Sharma: This book is one of the most popular and comprehensive books for CAT preparation. It covers all the topics in detail with theory, examples, exercises, solutions, tips, and tricks. It also has three levels of difficulty (LOD) for each topic to help you progress from basic to advanced level. It also has mock tests and previous year papers for practice.
Quantitative Aptitude Quantum CAT by Sarvesh K Verma: This book is another excellent choice for CAT preparation. It covers all the topics with clarity and simplicity. It also has a lot of practice questions with solutions and explanations. It also has shortcuts and techniques to save time and improve accuracy.
The Pearson Guide to Quantitative Aptitude for CAT by Nishit Sinha: This book is a comprehensive guide for CAT preparation. It covers all the topics with theory, examples, exercises, solutions, tips, and tricks. It also has mock tests and previous year papers for practice.
Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension
the English language and be able to comprehend and interpret various kinds of texts.
Some of the best books for verbal ability and reading comprehension are:
How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT by Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay: This book is a comprehensive and updated guide for CAT preparation. It covers all the topics such as reading comprehension, verbal ability, verbal reasoning, vocabulary, grammar, etc. with theory, examples, exercises, solutions, tips, and tricks. It also has mock tests and previous year papers for practice.
Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis: This book is a classic and best-selling book for improving your vocabulary and word usage. It covers all the aspects of vocabulary such as roots, prefixes, suffixes, synonyms, antonyms, idioms, phrases, etc. with simple and effective methods. It also has exercises and tests to help you retain and apply what you learn.
High School English Grammar and Composition by Wren and Martin: This book is a comprehensive and authoritative book for improving your grammar and composition skills. It covers all the rules and principles of grammar with examples and exercises. It also has sections on punctuation, spelling, usage, etc. It also has a key to the exercises for self-study.
Logical Reasoning and Data Interpretation
Logical reasoning and data interpretation is another important and challenging section of any MBA entrance exam. It tests your ability to solve problems involving logic, reasoning, analysis, interpretation, etc. You need to have a sharp and analytical mind and be able to solve questions with speed and accuracy.
Some of the best books for logical reasoning and data interpretation are:
How to Prepare for Logical Reasoning for CAT by Arun Sharma: This book is a comprehensive and updated guide for CAT preparation. It covers all the topics such as arrangements, puzzles, syllogisms, coding-decoding, blood relations, etc. with theory, examples, exercises, solutions, tips, and tricks. It also has mock tests and previous year papers for practice.
How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT by Arun Sharma: This book is a comprehensive and updated guide for CAT preparation. It covers all the topics such as tables, charts, graphs, caselets, etc. with theory, examples, exercises, solutions, tips, and tricks. It also has mock tests and previous year papers for practice.
examples, exercises, solutions, tips, and tricks. It also has mock tests and previous year papers for practice.
Data Interpretation and Data Sufficiency by Arihant Experts: This book is a comprehensive and useful book for data interpretation and data sufficiency preparation. It covers all the topics such as tables, charts, graphs, caselets, etc. with theory, examples, exercises, solutions, tips, and tricks. It also has mock tests and previous year papers for practice.
General Awareness and Current Affairs
General awareness and current affairs is another essential and dynamic section of any MBA entrance exam. It tests your knowledge and awareness of various topics such as history, geography, polity, economy, science, technology, sports, culture, etc. You need to have a curious and updated mind and be able to answer questions with accuracy and confidence.
Some of the best books for general awareness and current affairs are:
Manorama Yearbook: This book is one of the most popular and comprehensive books for general awareness and current affairs preparation. It covers all the topics such as national and international affairs, economy and business, science and technology, sports and entertainment, etc. with facts, figures, data, analysis, etc. It also has quizzes, essays, articles, etc. to enhance your learning.
General Knowledge by Lucent Publications: This book is another popular and comprehensive book for general awareness preparation. It covers all the topics such as history, geography, polity, economy, science, technology, etc. with facts, figures, data, analysis, etc. It also has quizzes, essays, articles, etc. to enhance your learning.
economy and business, science and technology, sports and entertainment, etc. with facts, figures, data, analysis, etc. It also has editorials, opinions, features, etc. to enhance your reading and comprehension skills.
Essay Writing and Interview Skills
Essay writing and interview skills are another important and final stage of any MBA admission process. They test your ability to express your thoughts, opinions, arguments, etc. in a clear, coherent, and convincing manner. They also test your personality, communication, attitude, motivation, etc. You need to have a good command over the language and be able to present yourself in a positive and confident manner.
Some of the best books for essay writing and interview skills are:
How to Write Essays: A Step-By-Step Guide for All Levels by Don Shiach: This book is a practical and useful guide for essay writing preparation. It covers all the aspects of essay writing such as planning, researching, structuring, writing, editing, etc. with examples, exercises, tips, and tricks. It also has sample essays on various topics to help you understand and improve your writing style.
The Winning Edge: How to Write Better Essays by Partha Sarathi Basu: This book is another practical and useful guide for essay writing preparation. It covers all the aspects of essay writing such as planning, researching, structuring, writing, editing, etc. with examples, exercises, tips, and tricks. It also has sample essays on various topics to help you understand and improve your writing style.
researching the institute, dressing appropriately, answering common and tricky questions, asking relevant questions, etc. with examples, exercises, tips, and tricks. It also has mock interviews and feedback to help you practice and improve your performance.
Crack the MBA Interview by Gautam Puri: This book is another comprehensive and updated guide for MBA admission interviews preparation. It covers all the aspects of interview skills such as preparing your resume, researching the institute, dressing appropriately, answering common and tricky questions, asking relevant questions, etc. with examples, exercises, tips, and tricks. It also has mock interviews and feedback to help you practice and improve your performance.
Tips and Tricks to Make the Most of Your MBA Books
Now that you have a list of the best books for MBA preparation, you may wonder how to use them effectively and efficiently. Here are some tips and tricks that can help you make the most of your MBA books:
Plan your study schedule: You need to have a clear and realistic study plan that can help you cover all the topics and books in a timely manner. You need to allocate sufficient time and resources for each book and topic. You need to prioritize your books and topics according to your strengths and weaknesses. You need to stick to your plan and avoid procrastination and distractions.
Review and revise your concepts: You need to review and revise your concepts regularly and frequently. You need to use your books as a reference and a revision tool. You need to revisit the theory, examples, tips, and tricks from your books. You need to make notes, summaries, flashcards, etc. from your books. You need to revise them before and after each study session.
Practice and solve mock tests: You need to practice and solve as many questions and mock tests as possible from your books. You need to use your books as a practice and a test tool. You need to solve the exercises, solutions, mock tests, previous year papers from your books. You need to time yourself and simulate the exam environment while solving them.
explanations, feedback, etc. from your books. You need to identify your strengths and weaknesses, your accuracy and speed, your mistakes and errors, your gaps and doubts, etc. You need to work on them and improve them using your books.
Conclusion
MBA entrance exams are one of the most important and challenging steps in your journey to pursue a MBA degree from a reputed institution. You need to prepare well for these exams and score high marks to secure your seat in your desired business school. You need a solid preparation strategy that can help you master the concepts, practice the questions, improve your speed and accuracy, and overcome your weaknesses.
One of the most important components of your preparation strategy is choosing the best books that can guide you through the process. However, choosing the best books is not an easy task. You need to be selective and smart in choosing the books that suit your needs and preferences. You need to focus on quality over quantity. You need to balance between theory and practice. You need to avoid duplication and confusion.
In this article, we have given you some criteria that can help you select the best books for MBA preparation. We have also given you some of the best books by category that can help you ace your MBA entrance exams. These books are recommended by experts and successful candidates who have cracked these exams in the past. These books are also based on the latest exam pattern and syllabus of the major MBA entrance exams such as CAT, XAT, GMAT, etc.
We have also given you some tips and tricks that can help you make the most of your MBA books. You need to plan your study schedule, review and revise your concepts, practice and solve mock tests, analyze your performance and improve your weak areas using your books.
We hope that this article has helped you in choosing and using the best books for MBA preparation. We wish you all the best for your MBA entrance exams and admission process.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) about MBA books for preparation:
Q: How many books do I need to read for MBA preparation?
A: There is no fixed number of books that you need to read for MBA preparation. It depends on your needs and preferences. However, you should not read too many or too few books. You should read enough books that can cover all the topics and sub-topics in detail and with clarity. You should also read enough books that can provide you with ample practice questions and mock tests.
Q: Which book is best for CAT preparation?
A: There is no single book that is best for CAT preparation. It depends on your needs and preferences. However, some of the most popular and comprehensive books for CAT preparation are:
How to Prepare for Quantitative Aptitude for CAT by Arun Sharma
How to Prepare for Verbal Ability and Reading Comprehension for CAT by Arun Sharma and Meenakshi Upadhyay
How to Prepare for Logical Reasoning for CAT by Arun Sharma
How to Prepare for Data Interpretation for CAT by Arun Sharma
Word Power Made Easy by Norman Lewis
High School English Grammar and Composition by Wren and Martin
Q: Which book is best for GMAT preparation?
and preferences. However, some of the most popular and comprehensive books for GMAT preparation are:
The Official Guide for GMAT Review by GMAC
The Official Guide for GMAT Quantitative Review by GMAC
The Official Guide for GMAT Verbal Review by GMAC
The Official Guide for GMAT Integrated Reasoning by GMAC
Manhattan GMAT Strategy Guides by Manhattan Prep
Kaplan GMAT Complete 2022 by Kaplan Test Prep
Q: Which book is best for XAT preparation?
A: There is no single book that