Psychology

We recommend starting with Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl — it is short, profound, and written in clear, accessible prose that makes it ideal for any reading level. If you prefer something more data-driven and contemporary, Predictably Irrational by Dan Ariely is engaging, witty, and packed with fascinating research. Both are excellent entry points into psychology reading.

Psychology books prepare you in three direct ways: they familiarise you with research-based writing (studies, methodology, findings) which is a staple RC style on GRE and GMAT; they build domain vocabulary (cognitive bias, heuristic, conditioning, intrinsic motivation) that unlocks passage comprehension; and they sharpen cause-and-effect reasoning — the ability to trace why people behave as they do, which is tested by inference and application questions.

Elementary: Narrative-led psychology with minimal jargon — personal stories and accessible research (e.g. Man’s Search for Meaning). Intermediate: Behavioural science with clear explanations of studies and concepts. Advanced: Dense research-based writing with technical vocabulary and complex arguments. Master: Academic-level texts demanding strong prior knowledge of psychological theory and research methodology.

Read the full book whenever possible. In psychology, the power lies in the detail — specific experiments, counterintuitive findings, and the reasoning that connects evidence to conclusions. A review gives you the headline; the book gives you the thinking process. Our reviews help you prepare for and consolidate each book; the mastery quiz then tests whether you can engage with the ideas at exam depth.

Most psychology books in our collection are medium-length — neither the epic novels of literary fiction nor the dense treatises of academic philosophy. At 1 hour of reading per day, you can typically complete a title in 1–2 weeks. We recommend reading actively — pausing to question claims, note key ideas, and connect concepts — rather than reading passively for speed. This active approach is also what the mastery quiz rewards.

Yes. Our quizzes are modelled on CAT, GRE, and GMAT question patterns — testing inference, author’s tone, main idea, vocabulary in context, and logical structure. For psychology titles, we place particular emphasis on interpreting research findings, identifying the author’s central claim, and evaluating the strength of evidence — question types that appear consistently in the science and social science RC passages on these exams.