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Studying SAT®* Vocabulary

The SAT® was redesigned in 2016. The vocabulary in the new SAT® is more common as compared to the prior design, but nuanced with regard to multiple meanings that must be understood in context. The vocabulary required for the redesigned SAT® is described in more detail and with sample questions in the paper Test Specifications for the Redesigned SAT at the CollegeBoard® website. Here are some highlights regarding vocabulary: Recognizing that students are interested in doing well on the standardized tests, and believing that tier two words are worth learning, verbalworkout.com™ ranks tier two words higher than other words seen with similar frequency in a given book. It also emphasises reasonably common words that have multiple meanings depending upon the context. Finally, it shows how commonly a word is included in SAT®/tier two test preparation lists.

Since vocabulary study is more effective when it reinforces words encountered elsewhere than when it is pure memorization, verbalworkout.com™ provides an easy way to reinforce words encountered when reading novels. You might like to look at this suggested way to
use verbalworkout.com™ to enhance the natural vocabulary growth that occurs while reading.

The Kaplan® SAT®-prep company reports that almost 20% of the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing score comes from the Words in Context category (18 of 96 questions).

Very few students would benefit by cramming for the vocabulary questions on the SAT®. The time would probably be better spent reviewing for other sections of the test. Still, you might like to look at
Top 100 Study Words for Standardized Tests like the SAT® or ACT®. Words are listed by how frequently they are found on weighted SAT/tier two vocabulary study lists. There is a link to more ranked words at the bottom of the list.
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SAT® & ACT® are registered trademarks of the College Board and ACT, Inc respectively. They are not affiliated with verbalworkout.com™ and do not endorse this site. We try to highlight good study words, but we don't have inside information.