Wren & Martin English Grammar Book -Must Buy in 2025? An Honest Review

If you are preparing for English sections of exams like SSC, Banking, or Railways, you know how tough this part can be. This difficulty increases even more when you have to prepare for descriptive English for some exams. Because for many aspirants who come from a non-English background, English has always been a challenging subject. And there are very few books in the market that cover grammar, writing skills, and practice questions – all in one place.
Among these, the most popular book is Wren & Martin English Grammar Book, which many students use for their English preparation.

This book is a complete package for aspirants, including grammar lessons, composition writing, objective-type questions, and descriptive practice – everything is included.
So, let’s do a full, honest review of this book and see what its strengths are, where it seems a little weak, and whether it’s the right choice for your exam preparation.

Book Overview: Wren & Martin English Grammar Book

This book is based on the old and famous Wren & Martin grammar framework, which students have trusted for decades.

However, this edition has been specially designed keeping competitive exams in mind. It comprehensively covers both objective questions (MCQs) and descriptive writing (such as essays, precis, and comprehension).

Why It Stands Out (Pros)

a) Detailed Coverage of Grammar and Composition

Wren & Martin English Book provides detailed coverage of all the important grammar topics that frequently appear in exams. Parts of Speech, tenses, modal verbs, active-passive voice, narration, clauses, etc., every topic is included.

With this book, you can learn how to write essays, paragraphs, precis, and comprehension passages.

As I mentioned earlier, there are very few books that cover both grammar and writing skills in such detail.

b) Practice Questions Similar to Real Exams

This book is completely exam-oriented. It includes both multiple-choice questions and descriptive practice sections.
Another special feature of Wren & Martin English Book is that it provides an exam-wise index, allowing you to focus on the pattern of your targeted exam.

c) Easy-to-Follow Visual Presentation

Another special feature of Wren & Martin English Grammar book that I really liked is the use of numerous arrows, tables, and visual pointers, which makes understanding grammar rules and seeing their real-life application easy.
The visual presentation helps learners remember the concepts quickly.

d) One Book for All Kinds of English Preparation

By studying Wren & Martin English Book, you can start your preparation for any exam. Because it covers both objective and descriptive sections, it is especially useful for exams that include both patterns, such as UPSC Mains or State PCS exams.
You don’t need to buy separate books for grammar, essay writing, and MCQs.

e) Trusted Name Among Learners

The original Wren & Martin grammar book has been used in Indian schools and colleges for generations.
This competitive exam edition continues that legacy, simply updating the content to suit modern exam patterns. Therefore, it is a trusted source among aspirants for exam preparation.

👉 Also Read: Neetu Singh’s English for General Competitions Vol.1 Review. Click Here

Where It Could Improve (Cons)

a) It might be a little tough for beginners

If you don’t know basic English grammar, this book might seem a bit challenging at first.

It would be better for beginners to read a simpler grammar book first. After learning some basics, then switch to this book.

b) The descriptive section could have more depth.

Although Wren & Martin English Book includes sections on essay, paragraph, and précis writing, they are not as in-depth as some specialized writing books.

If you want to score high in descriptive papers, you might need to use an additional writing-focused book.

c) The book feels a bit bulky.

With over 600 pages and covering many topics, this book feels quite heavy.

Some students feel that it’s more like a reference book rather than a quick guide. This is not a book that you can finish quickly. You will have to read it regularly and with patience.

d) There are fewer modern exam tricks.

Although the grammar explanations in this book are strong and traditional, it doesn’t focus much on modern exam-oriented tricks and new question trends.

For the latest exam pattern, you will have to combine it with other books such as (Neetu Singh’s English Book or Kiran SSC English Book) that cover new question styles.

How to Use the Book Effectively

If you want to get the best results from the Wren & Martin English for Competitive Examinations book, use it in the following way:

Step 1: Start with the Grammar section. Revise all the basic topics such as tenses, verbs, and clauses. If you find these topics difficult, spend more time on them before moving on.

Step 2: After grammar, move to the Composition section and work on sentence correction, transformation, vocabulary, idioms & phrases, and paragraph writing.

Step 3: After each topic, use the objective practice section provided and solve the MCQs given there, marking your weak areas.

Step 4: For descriptive sections (essay, precis, comprehension), treat them as skill-builders. Use the worked examples and then write your own.

Step 5: Use the exam-wise index given in the book to practice according to the pattern of your target exam (such as SSC, Banking, or UPSC).

Step 6: Revise regularly. Grammar rules are easily forgotten. Use the book as a reference for a quick refresh before exams.

Who Should Buy This Book?

Best for:

Students who already have a basic understanding of English and want a book that covers grammar, objective questions, and descriptive writing.

Also useful for:

Students who are looking for a trusted grammar and composition reference book that they can use throughout their preparation.

Less Suitable for:

Absolute beginners who have no knowledge of basic grammar. This book is also not ideal for aspirants who only focus on shortcut tricks and MCQ practice.

👉 Also Read: Neetu Singh Vs SP Bakshi – Full Comparison:Which book is best for you ? Click Here

Final Verdict

In simple words, Wren & Martin English for Competitive Examinations is a complete and reliable book that is useful for the English section of almost every competitive exam.

Its main strength is that it combines grammar rules and descriptive practice in one place. This means that with this book, you get comprehensive coverage of the English section. The legacy of the Wren & Martin brand is associated with this book.

If you sincerely want to improve your English and are ready to put in regular effort, this book will definitely help.

However, even if you are starting from scratch, this book can still be useful, but you will need a simpler grammar book and a strong study plan along with it.

My Rating: (⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️)

I would give this book 4 out of 5 stars– A great all-round book that covers everything. It’s just slightly less useful for beginners and advanced learners who want to practice MCQs.

Quick Overview:

If you found this review helpful, you can check out our site StudyBlink.com for full reviews of other competitive exam books.

This will help you choose the right book according to your preparation level and exam goal.

Happy studying and best of luck for your exams!

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)

Nirmal Thakuria

Hi, I’m an exam aspirant who has successfully cleared SSC and other government exams, and I’m currently preparing for the UPSC.
I love writing and creating content for fellow aspirants. Through StudyBlink, I share study hacks, book reviews, and exam strategies to help you stay motivated and succeed in your journey.