Beginner
Foundation vocabulary every SAT taker must know. These words appear repeatedly. Master this level first in our <a href='/reading-writing/words-in-context/beginner'>Beginner practice category</a>.
300 Words
Browse A - ZIntermediate
Commonly tested SAT vocabulary that distinguishes average from good scores. These words appear in more challenging passages and answer choices.
300 Words
Browse A - ZAdvanced
Sophisticated vocabulary for 700+ scores. These words appear in the hardest passages and most nuanced questions. Mastery here separates excellent from perfect scores.
353 Words
Browse A - ZHow Vocabulary Appears on the SAT
**1. Words in Context (10-15%)** Determine meanings based on context. Success requires understanding contextual clues. Practice these in our Beginner Words in Context sets.
**2. Rhetorical Synthesis (5-8%)** These questions require understanding precise word meanings to synthesize information from notes or bullet points. You must choose words that accurately convey the intended meaning without adding or losing information.
**3. Transitions (8-10%)** Transition questions test your knowledge of connecting words and phrases. Understanding the precise meaning of words like 'nevertheless,' 'consequently,' 'moreover,' and 'conversely' is essential for choosing correct transitions.
**4. Reading Comprehension (Throughout)** Every reading passage contains sophisticated vocabulary. While not tested directly, understanding these words is crucial for comprehension. Passages from science, history, and literature use domain-specific vocabulary that strong readers recognize.
15 Proven Vocabulary Strategies
Master these strategies to maximize your vocabulary development:
**Strategy 1: Learn Words in Context, Not Isolation** Never memorize definitions alone. Always learn words through example sentences that show how they're used.
**Strategy 2: Master Word Families** Learn related words together. If you know 'ambiguous,' also learn 'ambiguity,' 'unambiguous,' and 'disambiguation.'
**Strategy 3: Focus on Multiple-Meaning Words** The SAT loves testing common words with secondary meanings. Know both common and academic meanings.
**Strategy 4: Study Greek and Latin Roots** Knowing roots like 'bene' (good) and 'mal' (bad) helps you decode unfamiliar words.
**Strategy 5: Use the Substitution Method** When answering questions, substitute each answer choice into the sentence to see which fits best.
**Strategy 6: Look for Context Clues** Train yourself to spot synonyms, contrasts, and direct definitions Authors use to define words.
**Strategy 8: Keep a Vocabulary Journal** Write down unknown words with the sentence where you found them for better retention.
**Strategy 9: Use Spaced Repetition** Study words repeatedly over time with increasing intervals for long-term mastery.
**Strategy 10: Practice with SAT-Style Questions** Apply your knowledge in our SAT Reading & Writing section.
**Strategy 11: Learn Tone and Connotation Words** Know words like 'sardonic' and 'reverent' that frequently appear as tone-related answer choices.
**Strategy 12: Master Academic Vocabulary** Focus on words common in academic writing: 'assert,' 'contend,' 'underscore,' 'cite,' 'posit.'
**Strategy 13: Don't Neglect 'Easy' Words** Simple words like 'informed' or 'considered' often have specific academic meanings on the SAT.
**Strategy 14: Study Transition Words Systematically** Group transitions by function: addition (furthermore), contrast (nevertheless), cause (consequently).
**Strategy 15: Take Vocabulary Quizzes Regularly** Active recall through quizzes beats passive review. Test yourself frequently.
Vocabulary Study Plans
**1. 7-Day SAT Vocabulary Crash Course** For students with limited time. Focus on 30 high-frequency words per day and take a practice quiz by Day 5.
**2. 14-Day Vocabulary Building Plan** A balanced approach. Complete all Beginner levels in the first three days, followed by Intermediate mastery.
**3. 30-Day Vocabulary Mastery Plan** Comprehensive mastery. Week 1 is for Beginner words, Week 2 for Intermediate, and Week 3 for Advanced levels.
50 Must-Know SAT Words
| Word | Definition | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Aberration | A departure from what is normal or expected | advanced |
| Advocate | To publicly support or recommend | beginner |
| Ambivalent | Having mixed feelings about something | intermediate |
| Analogous | Comparable in certain respects | intermediate |
| Articulate | Express clearly and effectively; well-spoken | intermediate |
| Assert | State a fact confidently | beginner |
| Bolster | Support or strengthen | intermediate |
| Candid | Truthful and straightforward | intermediate |
| Circumvent | Find a way around an obstacle | advanced |
| Cogent | Clear, logical, and convincing | advanced |
| Complacent | Smugly self-satisfied | intermediate |
| Concede | Admit something is true after first resisting | beginner |
| Contend | Assert something as a position in argument | beginner |
| Corroborate | Confirm or support with evidence | intermediate |
| Credible | Able to be believed; trustworthy | beginner |
| Cursory | Hasty and superficial | advanced |
| Delineate | Describe or portray precisely | advanced |
| Discern | Perceive or recognize something | intermediate |
| Disparate | Essentially different; distinct | advanced |
| Divergent | Developing in different directions | intermediate |
| Efficacy | The ability to produce a desired result | advanced |
| Elicit | Draw out a response | intermediate |
| Empirical | Based on observation or experience | intermediate |
| Enhance | Intensify, increase, or improve | beginner |
| Enumerate | List items one by one | advanced |
Show 25 More Words →
| Feasible | Possible to do easily | beginner |
| Fundamental | Forming a necessary base; essential | beginner |
| Galvanize | Shock or excite into action | advanced |
| Hypothetical | Based on a suggested idea, not fact | intermediate |
| Impartial | Treating all rivals equally; fair | beginner |
| Implicit | Implied but not directly expressed | intermediate |
| Infer | Deduce from evidence and reasoning | beginner |
| Inherent | Existing as a permanent, essential quality | intermediate |
| Innovative | Introducing new ideas; creative | beginner |
| Mitigate | Make something less severe | advanced |
| Novel | New and original; interestingly unusual | beginner |
| Nuanced | Characterized by subtle distinctions | intermediate |
| Paradox | A seemingly contradictory statement that reveals truth | intermediate |
| Pervasive | Spreading widely throughout | intermediate |
| Plausible | Seeming reasonable or probable | intermediate |
| Pragmatic | Dealing with things practically | advanced |
| Prevalent | Widespread at a particular time | beginner |
| Profound | Very deep; showing great knowledge | beginner |
| Refute | Prove a statement to be wrong | intermediate |
| Scrutinize | Examine closely and thoroughly | advanced |
| Substantiate | Provide evidence to support | advanced |
| Unprecedented | Never done or known before | intermediate |
| Validate | Confirm the truth or value of | beginner |
| Viable | Capable of working successfully | intermediate |
| Warrant | Justify or necessitate | intermediate |
⚠️ Common Vocabulary Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Choosing the most sophisticated-sounding answer
✓ The SAT rewards precision, not complexity.
❌ Selecting the first definition you know
✓ Always verify which meaning fits the specific context.
❌ Ignoring tone and connotation
✓ Two words can mean similar things but have different tones.
❌ Not using the substitution method
✓ Always plug your answer back into the sentence.
❌ Rushing through vocabulary questions
✓ Words in Context questions reward careful reading.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many vocabulary questions are on the SAT?
What vocabulary should I study for the SAT?
How many SAT vocabulary words should I learn?
Does the SAT still test vocabulary in 2026?
What are Words in Context questions?
Should I use flashcards for SAT vocabulary?
How long does it take to build SAT vocabulary?
What's the difference between beginner, intermediate, and advanced vocabulary?
How do I answer vocabulary questions faster?
What if I don't know a word on the test?
Are vocabulary lists helpful for SAT prep?
How do I remember vocabulary long-term?
Should I study vocabulary or practice passages more?
What are the most commonly tested SAT words?
Do Greek and Latin roots help on the SAT?
How do transition words fit into vocabulary?
What's the best way to learn vocabulary from reading?
Can I improve vocabulary in one week?
Are SAT vocabulary apps helpful?
What vocabulary score translates to a good SAT score?
How do I handle vocabulary in hard passages?
Should I study vocabulary the night before the SAT?
What makes SAT vocabulary different from PSAT vocabulary?
How do I study vocabulary if English isn't my first language?
Do vocabulary scores affect college admissions?
What vocabulary do I need for a 1500+ score?
How do I know if a word meaning fits the context?
Can vocabulary study help other test sections?
What if I already have strong vocabulary?
How often should I take vocabulary quizzes?
Sources & Citations
Apply Your Vocabulary Skills
Practice Words in Context
See how vocabulary appears on actual SAT questions
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