<p>I'm sure a lot of people know about the SAT's vocabulary. I don't know how hard the vocabulary is on other tests, but SATs are pretty hard for me. I didn't build my vocabulary that well over the years and didn't realize I would need it until I took the psat. Failed it miserably. I'm going to become a junior and that means SATs are coming! I'm sure the number one thing I need to work on is my vocabulary. I understand that reading helps build your vocabulary, but what else?! If I don't understand a word should I look it up then memorize it? There are so many words I've never heard of. </p>
<p>Sent from my SPH-D710 using CC</p>
<p>Read literature, and if you come across a word you don’t know, look it up. You’ll learn better from the context.</p>
<p>I was going to say what Apathetic said. Do that.</p>
<p>Apathetic11’s way of learning is extremely time-consuming. It does help, but if you are short on time, then I wouldn’t recommend doing it.</p>
<p>What I did (some major cramming was involved of course, but I am used to cramming. I even crammed for my three AP exams and didn’t care to prepare for 1 month+ like most sane people) was:</p>
<p>Every day, in the morning, I made a list of around 50 words more or less. I got them from several sources. I have SAT books with vocab lists, the first volume of DH, Sparknotes, and other websites with SAT vocab words. That’s where I got the words from. Then, I went through, and defined them all myself (if a book had the definition already, I didn’t write it in. That way I’d be able to study while I make the list). </p>
<p>I printed out the list with all of the definitions, and read through it thoroughly once at the breakfast table. After that, I just skimmed through it intermittently throughout the day. I did this every day (until awhile ago. I got so lazy lol). I have trouble sitting down and going through vocabulary, and I feel like it’s too monotonous for me to manage. That’s why I skim through it for several 5-10 minute periods while prancing around for no reason instead of sitting down for 1.5 hours+ just staring at the list.</p>
<p>My method worked and helped me raise my CR score from 490 to an 800 so maybe you can try it. If it doesn’t work, then… I dunno what to say but yeah. It might work.</p>
<p>Also I have a vocab list with ~200 words that I saved on my computer. Most of the words are from practice SATS (I take practice tests, and define all of the words I don’t know afterwards) and I can mail it to you if you’d like.</p>
<p>Sign up for the sat question of the day. It helps.</p>
<p>Lol okay so how many books would you have to read, then? Maybe you do learn better from context but that’s not a realistic way to study for the SAT. There are so many words to know; you’re better off memorizing. If you want to cut down on time though, learn the prefixes/root words/suffixes.
^ Exactly.</p>
<p>That, and I’d rather play Pokemon than read most books. /shot’d</p>
<p>Memorize lists and prefixes/root words/suffixes (though these may be misleading. I wouldn’t solely rely on guesswork. Memorize as much as you can). To practice looking at words in context, just read nytimes or something. I’ve seen some SAT vocab words in the articles… only a few, but they’re there.</p>
<p>That, and you can also find some on CC when you read those random philosophical posts and controversial topics pertaining society. If you really need to practice using vocab words in context, then just use them in sentences when you talk to people on chat/facebook/CC/etc. And name your Pokemon words like stoic hahahahaha.</p>
<p>/failure at life</p>
<p>Thank you for all of your helpful replies!
@1st reply, I already know that method but like the other replies it is time consuming. Maybe I’ll read books before sleeping or during school.
@others: I saw that SAT vocab book at the library and checked it out, but there’s so many words! I respect you for putting so much effort into making flashcards! Also, I think I’ll give the memorizing thing a try! Haha, I guess that’s the best way since I don’t have a lot of time. Again, thank you for your replies. I love this site because there’s so many people participating. I’ve learned a lot on here in the last few days. :D</p>
<p>Sent from my SPH-D710 using CC</p>
<p>Oh yeah, @Gomdorri thank you for your offer! I would love to see your vocab list! That’ll save me some time haha. :)</p>
<p>I’ve never really studied vocab much, but as someone that got 800 on the SAT reading, a perfect score on the GRE verbal and hovers around 45 on free rice, I’d say that the key is to be able to make an educated guess about the type of word it is (e.g. part of speech, origin) locate the relevant root.</p>
<p>I guess if you’re prepared to spend the ~60 hours it takes to memorize 1500 words, that will probably get the job done too, at least as far as the SAT goes.</p>
<p>You might want to look into study software. It is really useful for learning new words and will give you an advantage in studying in college. Study Genius Software is the highest rated software and comes with a huge ACT and SAT vocabulary list. There are others out there though.</p>
<p>SAT Blue Board Book. Get it!
Write down the words you don’t get from the Sentence Completions in the practice tests and define them. This will help :)</p>
<p>Read the Economist.</p>
<p>Have a conversation with IceQube</p>