Sat Words | An Ultimate Guide to Vocabulary You Must Acquire Before the Test

The subject of SAT words (aka SAT vocabulary) has a tendency to be particularly daunting for students approaching their college admission test. For one thing, you do not know in advance which words to expect in this year’s word list. Even with the knowledge of the vocabulary used in the tests of previous years, you cannot know for sure all will be used on the day of the test this time around.

In addition, if you are concerned that your own vocabulary, in general, is not as strong as it could be, you find yourself in a particularly difficult position. You can put in plenty of reading during your free time and work on your vocab on a day-to-day basis, but you still need plenty of practice using these words in order to fully understand to use them. Find out if the most quality SAT prep books contain such vocabulary and what you will encounter in the best SAT prep courses.

Nevertheless, someone looking to get a good SAT score really has no choice but to focus heavily on SAT words. While it may not be the single most important SAT score, you may want to ensure your vocabulary knowledge is as strong as it can be can only help boost your score and your chances of getting into the college school of your choice.In addition, find out what happens if you haven't taken the SAT by the time you finish high school - or when to take the SAT to begin with.

The SAT Approach to Vocabulary Testing

First, the good news - a major overhaul back in 2016 resulted in vocabulary becoming a significantly less important aspect of the SAT as a whole. You still need to understand plenty of tricky words when used in the context of a sentence or passage, but nowhere near as much emphasis is placed upon specific words and phrases as in previous years.

As for the bad news - anywhere up to 15% of the Reading portion of the test is all about pairing words with their respective meanings. The new approach to SAT testing presents a variety of words in context, along with a selection of multiple-choice answers. While most academics agree that the tested words used these days are nowhere near as difficult as they used to be, you will still need to understand their meaning to ensure you select the right answer.

The easiest way to build a picture of how the whole thing works are to take a bunch of mock SAT tests online, during which you will see the use of SAT vocabulary words in context.

In addition to the above, the Writing and Language section of the test also features a variety of vocabulary based questions. In this instance, however, the future college students are simply required to replace or use certain specific SAT words on the basis of tense, transitions, or grammar. This is therefore more about the correct usage of the words and their variants than being able to define them outright.

Should I Take the Time to Learn a Specific SAT Word List?

The answer to this common question depends entirely on who you ask. There are some who believe putting in the work to learn and memorize a list in its entirety holds the key to acing this aspect of the test. By contrast, others advise against learning lists and suggest that doing so can actually make things more difficult than they need to be.

It, therefore, depends entirely on your own learning style and academic preferences. There’s no one specific way to study for an SAT that is guaranteed to work - what works for one person may not work for someone else. Also, find out what happens if you you take the test multiple times.

Nevertheless, there are countless (and in some cases exceptionally long) SAT word lists doing the rounds online, compiled from numerous past tests. The following is a comparatively short example of such a list, which provides useful insights into the type of language you can expect to encounter:

Word - Definition

Word	Definition
Abate v.	to become less active, less intense, or less in amount
Abstract adj.	existing purely in the mind; not representing actual reality
Abysmal adj.	extremely bad
Accordingly adv.	in accordance with
Acquisition n.	the act of gaining a skill or possession of something
Adapt v.	to make suit a new purpose
Adept adj.	having knowledge or skill (usu. in a particular area)
Adequate adj.	having sufficient qualifications to meet a specific task or purpose
Advent n.	the arrival or creation of something (usu. historic)
Altercation	a noisy argument or confrontation
Ambiguous adj.	unclear or vague in meaning
Ambitious adj.	having a powerful desire for success or achievement
Ambivalence n.	the state of being uncertain or stuck between two or more options
Analogous adj.	similar but not identical
Annihilate v.	to destroy or cause devastating destruction
Anomaly n.	something different from the norm
Anticipate v.	assume to be likely to happen
Antipathy n.	a strong feeling of dislike
Apex n.	the highest point of something
Apprehension n.	fearful expectation of something
Articulate v.	to clearly express in words
Avid adj.	actively interested in or enthusiastic about something
Basic adj.	relating to the foundation or basis of something
Bear v.	to have as a characteristic
Benevolent adj.	kind, generous
Bias n.	a preconception that prevents objectivity
Bittersweet adj.	tinged with a feeling of sadness
Bolster v.	to support, strengthen, or fortify
Boost n.	an increase or growth
Brawl n.	an intense, loud fight
Brevity n.	the quality of being brief or terse
Candid adj.	direct, blunt
Candor n.	the trait of being honest and frank
Capitalize v.	to use to your advantage
Capture v.	to trap or take possession of
Civic adj.	relating to the city or citizens
Clinical adj.	emotionally unattached (usu. used in the medical or scientific setting)
Clout n.	special advantage or power
Coarse adj.	indicating a rough texture
Coincide v.	to happen at the same time
Conceive v.	to imagine or come up with
Condone v.	to overlook, approve, or allow
Conducive adj.	able to bring about or be suitable for
Conduct v.	to control or manage
Confide v.	to share something secretive with someone
Confine v.	to put limits on; to restrict
Consensus n.	overall agreement
Constitute v.	to form or compose (part of) something
Contemplate v.	to think deeply about
Contend v.	to maintain or assert (an opinion)
Contradict v.	to be in contrast with
Controversial adj.	highly debatable and causing contention
Conventional adj.	abiding by accepted standards
Cultivate v.	to foster the growth of
Decree v.	to declare formally and with authority
Deference n.	respect; regard
Deficient adj.	not enough in degree or amount
Demonstrate v.	to do as an example
Demur v.	to object to
Deplete v.	to (over)use over time (usu. resources)
Desolate adj.	bare, barren, empty
Devise v.	to come up with (a plan)
Dilemma n.	a problem, usually requiring a choice between two options
Diligence n.	conscientiousness; the quality of being committed to a task
Dispatch v.	to send off a message or messenger
Diversification n.	the act of becoming diverse
Doctrine n.	a principle, theory, or position, usu. advocated by religion or gov’t
Dominion n.	power and authority (usu. over a territory)
Dreary adj.	sad, gloomy, dull
Dubious adj.	doubtful, questionable
Eccentric adj.	peculiar or odd; deviating from the norm
Egregious adj.	extremely bad
Endure v.	to withstand, sustain, or hold out against
Entail v.	to involve or include
Entrenched adj.	firmly established
Enumerate v.	to specify or count
Envy n.	excessive jealousy
Erratic adj.	having no fixed course; deviating from the norm
Establish v.	to enact
Evoke v.	to draw forth or call up
Exacerbate v.	to make worse or increase the severity of
Excel v.	to do something extremely well or to be superior in
Foment v.	to stir up
Foreseeable adj.	capable of being predicted or anticipated
Frankly adv.	directly, clearly
Freewheeling adj.	carefree
Fundamental adj.	the most essential or most basic part
Galvanizing adj.	thrilling, exciting, stimulating
Geriatric adj.	relating to old age
Hostile adj.	harmful, dangerous
Hypothetical adj.	supposed; related to a hypothesis
Ignominious adj.	publicly shameful or humiliating
Impart v.	to transmit, bestow, or disclose
Impartiality n.	the equal and objective treatment of opposing views
Imposing adj.	impressive (esp. in size or appearance)
Imposition n.	an unnecessary burden
Imprudent adj.	not cautious or prudent; rash
Incite v.	to encourage or stir up
Indifference n.	apathy, emotional detachment
Indiscriminately adv.	randomly; with little or no distinction
Indulge v.	to give into; to satisfy or gratify
Infer v.	to guess, conclude, or derive by reasoning
Innovative adj.	novel or new (esp. as an idea or invention)
Insatiable adj.	can’t be satisfied
Inversion n.	a reversal
Melodramatic adj.	extravagant or exaggerated (as of a melodrama)
Modest adj.	simple and humble
Modify v.	to change, alter, or tweak
Momentous adj.	historically significant
Novel adj.	new, innovative
Nuance n.	a subtle difference in meaning
Null adj.	legally void and ineffective
Objectivity n.	judgment based on observations instead of emotions or opinions
Obsolete adj.	no longer used; rare or uncommon
Omnipotent adj.	almighty and all-powerful
Onset n.	the beginning or early stages
Opine v.	to openly express an opinion
Ornate adj.	highly detailed and decorated
Oust v.	to remove or force out of (usu. a position or office)
Paramount adj.	predominant, superior, most important
Peculiar adj.	strange, bizarre
Perish v.	to die; to pass away
Potent adj.	having great influence
Pragmatic adj.	practical, useful
Precedent n.	an example or subject from earlier in time
Predecessor n.	someone who comes before you (usu. in position or office)
Prescribe v.	to command orders
Principle n	basic truth, assumption, or rule
Prohibit v.	to command against, to outlaw
Prompt adj.	punctual, on time
Promulgate v.	to put into law or formally declare
Prosecute v.	to bring a criminal action against someone (in a trial)
Provocative adj.	intending to provoke, inspire or arouse
Qualitative adj.	involving qualities of something (features and content)
Quantitative adj.	involving quantities (numbers and amounts)
Quirk n.	a strange habit
Ramify v.	to split into two or more branches
Rash adj.	without attention to danger or risk
Raw adj.	unrefined
Readily adv.	right away and without difficulty
Reproach v.	to criticize
Repudiate v.	to refuse to recognize as true
Retention n.	the act of keeping something
Satiated adj.	satisfied (usu. in hunger)
Savvy adj.	having practical intelligence or knowledge
Scandalous adj.	morally offensive, often causing damage to one’s reputation
Scorn v.	to look down on with disdain
Scrupulous adj.	paying great attention to detail
Scrutinize v.	to examine carefully and critically
Secrete v.	to produce or release (a substance)
Sufficient adj.	enough; just meeting a requirement
Surly adj.	unfriendly; inclined to anger
Surmount v.	to get on top of or overcome
Susceptible adj.	to be vulnerable (to something)
Tactful adj.	skilled at dealing with people
Taut adj.	pulled tight
Teeming adj.	abundantly filled (usu. with living organisms)
Temperament n.	usual mood or feelings
Tentative adj.	not yet finalized
Transparent adj.	see-through; so thin that light can shine through
Treacherous adj.	dangerous and unstable
Tremendous adj.	very large, good, or bad in degree or size
Unjust adj.	unfair; not justified
Unmitigated adj.	downright, utter, total
Vow v.	to promise
Warrant v.	to prove to be reasonable
Yield n.	production of an amount

This is just one of the dozens of SAT word lists available, which in many instances differ significantly in terms of their content and suggested words.

How to Improve your SAT Vocabulary Words Through Strategic Study

The best way to prep for your test is whichever way works best for you. Practice makes perfect, as does arming yourself with every example test from previous years you can lay your hands on.

Of all the helpful tips to give you the best shot at nailing this portion of the test, none are more universally applicable and useful than the following five:

1.Get yourself a prep book and read it several times over. This will get you on track far better than simply attempting to read and learn the definition of several thousand words you may not even come across in the test.

2.Read plenty of other books and dedicate more of your spare time to reading. This means going beyond the usual study materials students use to prepare for tests and reading a diverse range of books to improve your vocabulary.

3.Always check dictionaries for word meanings if you have any questions or concerns regarding your understanding. Never simply assume you know what a word means - see if you’re right!

4.Create your own definitions for words if the formal definitions are not particularly easy to understand or are difficult to remember. This can make it much easier to memorize them.

5.Use your new vocabulary continuously, making every possible effort to include the new words you learn in all of your spoken and written communications. It may feel (and sound) a little weird, but it will also make them impossible to forget.

In Summary…

As with all aspects of SAT prep, the worst thing you can do for the sake of your score is freak out about the vocab section of the test and cause yourself unnecessary stress. Truth is, ask any of your friends and you’ll probably see they’re in exactly the same position as you.

Learning words can help you ace the SAT, but not nearly to the same extent as thorough all-around prep and practice. So rather than terrifying yourself with the endless lists of complex words and definitions doing the rounds online, adopt a more strategic approach and the vocab portion of your test won’t appear nearly as daunting.