Best books to up my vocabulary over summer?

Test Preparation SAT Preparation
1

<p>I'm going to be a senior next year and I hope to increase my SAT score. My weakest point is vocabulary so I hope to improve it over the summer.</p>

<p>What is the best book to increase in that field?</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

2

<p>Direct Hits Volumes 1 + 2 are commonly regarded as the best (most efficient) vocabulary books. The Princeton Review Hit Parade and Rocket Review also have good lists.</p>

<p>Check out this thread:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/523820-best-vocab-list-results-recommendations.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/sat-preparation/523820-best-vocab-list-results-recommendations.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

3

<p>Rather than reading an entire vocabulary book, I recommend you read several classic novels, like Frankenstein or War of the Worlds or even Madame Bovary. By reading novels like these, you’ll be able to understand vocabulary words much more. Or, if you wish, you could do both: go over Direct Hits or Word Smart or other vocabulary books AND read classic novels at the same time… :)</p>

4

<p>Reading novels helps in 2 ways; it will increase your vocabulary (if you look up words you don’t know) and will help you be more proficient at reading the long dense passages on these tests.</p>

<p>Both my boys found the Direct Hits vocabulary books extremely helpful in learning words that actually appear on the tests. This is supported by many other CC posts/threads.</p>

5

<p>Learn the words and read classics. By reading the classics (as ^, ^^ mentioned), you will be able to apply the words you know, further commiting them to memory. Furthermore, you won’t feel like learning vocab is completely useless except for the SAT.</p>

6

<p>Merriam Webster’s English Dictionary. It’s a heavy read, but by the time you finish it you’ll know every word likely to appear on the SAT.</p>

7

<p>^ if someone actually did that, I’d be VERY impressed (and disturbed).</p>

8

<p>@PioneerJones</p>

<p>+1 internet for you, sir</p>

9

<p>Is it neccessary to buy both direct hits books or is 1 volume enough?</p>

10

<p>both are vital.</p>

11

<p>you should definitely buy both</p>

12

<p>From the experience both my sons had with the PSAT and SAT, if you really spend the time this summer to thoroughly learn the words in both the DH books you should do very well on both tests. It also helped them on the writing section because they used better vocabulary in their essays.</p>

<p>Also work through the College Board book and look up any words you don’t know as you take the practice tests.</p>

13

<p>LOL when I was a freshman I attempted to read the dictionary…but failed.</p>

<p>Can you find direct hits at barnes & noble?</p>

14

<p>You can ask Barnes & Noble to order the books for you, but you won’t find them on the bookshelves. It usually takes a couple of days to come in. It is cheaper to buy it through Amazon and if you order both books you get free 2 day shipping within the US.</p>

15

<p>Does it matter what version you get?</p>

16

<p>You want to buy the 2010 edition of each book.</p>

17

<p>If you even bothered to search through the SAT section, you would notice the Direct Hits is the most recommended on this website. Do us all a favor and search before you make a thread that has been made 20+ times already. Thanks buddy</p>

18

<p>

</p>

<p>This kid knows</p>

19

<p>This is a very helpful thread even if it is a repeat. If I order the Direct Hits books and the College Board book should that be enough for the summer?</p>

20

<p>

</p>

<p>Yes, that should be good enough.</p>