Important SAT vocabulary?

Hey everyone, I've heard that knowing specific SAT vocab words can help boost your score. Can you all suggest some must-know words or any helpful resources for vocabulary practice? Thanks so much!

Hello! You're right that having a strong vocabulary can be helpful for the SAT, particularly when it comes to the Reading and Writing sections. While the current SAT does not have specific vocabulary-focused questions like the old SAT, knowing a wide range of vocabulary words can still help you understand passages and answer questions more effectively.

To start, I recommend focusing on prefixes, suffixes, and common root words, as these can help you decipher the meaning of unfamiliar words more easily. For example, understanding that "mono-" means "one" can help you make sense of words like "monologue" or "monotonous."

For learning new words and practicing vocabulary, there are some resources you can use:

1. Khan Academy: Khan Academy offers free SAT prep, and their Reading and Writing courses can help you expand your vocabulary. Although vocabulary is not explicitly the focus, practicing these skills will expose you to a variety of words in context, which can be more effective than rote memorization.

2. Vocabulary.com: Vocabulary.com has SAT-specific word lists you can use to learn and practice vocabulary. The site has a learning system that helps you master the words through various exercises.

3. Flashcards: Creating your own flashcards or using pre-made flashcards can be a helpful way to learn new vocabulary words. You can find SAT word lists online and create physical or digital flashcards. Using apps like Quizlet or Anki can make it easy to review words on-the-go.

4. Reading: One of the best ways to expand your vocabulary is simply by reading widely and regularly. Try reading different genres, including fiction, non-fiction, and news articles. As you read, make note of unfamiliar words and look them up in a dictionary. Practice using these new words in sentences to reinforce their meanings.

Remember that the SAT focuses more on understanding words in context rather than just memorizing definitions. So, as you study various words, it's crucial to learn how they're used in sentences and their nuances in meaning. Best of luck with your vocabulary practice and SAT preparation!