Studying Vocabulary for ACT® & SAT® Tests*

Words are tools we use to communicate and think, so it's not surprising that an adacemic vocabulary is helpful when taking tests that measure college readiness.

The best way to prepare for the verbal sections of the ACT®* or SAT®* is to spend years reading thoughtfully--preferably with some awareness of new and useful words. Still, test makers are trying to assure that good thinkers will do alright on these tests even if they have not read as much as would be ideal.

Someone cramming for a test, is better off spending time understanding the mechanics & terminoogy of the testing format or reviewing required math.

For the student learning vocabulary through reading, verbalworkout.com enhances word awareness by highlighting words thought more likely to be encountered during the test. Such words are flagged as Top 10, Top 100, and so forth. These words are gathered from three categories:
  1. Common Words With Multiple Meanings
  2. General Academic Words
  3. Words From Test Instructions
Practice tests: (links last checked 7/26/25)
  ACT English Practice Test Questions at act.org
  SAT Practice Test and Study Plan at collegeboard.org