<p>do you think you can learn in a day?
I'm planning on learning 200 words everyday for next few weeks to finish all of barron's 3500 words before my December day.
Is my plan totally unrealisitic?
Has anyone actually tried such a thing?
I really have to get 650+ on CR in December..(got a 570 last time) </p>
<p>Any advice on learning SAT vocab will be very appreciated!!</p>
<p>I basicly tried to learn 700 in about 2 weeks... my score went up 40 points. Not spectacular but enough. Learn the words in groups of 20 ish (make flashcards) and i guess to 10 groups in a day, i think thats the fastest way to do it. Go through all your words the night before the test. If I were you though, I wouldn't do 3500, do like 1000- the less you learn, the better you'll know each one</p>
<p>It totally depends on how you define "learning". Are you planning to learn 200 <em>new</em> words every day? That seems pretty unlikely, and at the very least I think it will take you a few hours to get a solid grasp on all of them. Are you planning to <em>go over</em> 200 words every day, some of which you may already know? In that case, I think that sounds realistic. </p>
<p>By the way, I also used barron's 3500 with great results. I memorized about 80 new words before test day, but went through all 3500 during the three or four days before the test. Just a warning that it's going to be really hard to stay concentrated while you're slugging through that tiny font and seemingly endless pages. If you got a 570, perhaps you should first make sure you know all the 'Hit parade' words in Barron's.. I don't remember how long that is but it's probably a few hundred. After that, go over all the words with squares or circles next to them from the 3500 list. Those are the most important. If you don't memorize any others from the list, memorize those.</p>
<p>Uhm 3500 words seem unnecessary. I memorized like 600 and destroyed the sentence completion. u may not know every word, but use process of elimination. I have no idea how some1 could possibly allocate enough time to memorize 3500</p>
<p>I did this once (for an Old English translation final, not a Modern English test), and it worked, but it was a huge investment of time. I put every single word on cards. I really do think you have to do it with flash cards; if you try to do it with a list, you will forget everything. </p>
<p>I also don't want to come off as a Barrons hater here, but unless they have dramatically improved their list since I studied it two or three years ago, it's just doesn't predict SAT vocab that well. I am one of few people on this forum crazy enough to have compared the Barrons list to the sentence completion problems in 34 exams (28 published; 6 released QAS packets), and I can tell you that of the 2520 words, total, included on those tests, Barrons included only 835.</p>
<p>Another poster made the point that this stat could be a little misleading because Barrons includes mostly hard words, and many sentence completion words are easy. That's a good point, so I checked it out by eliminating the easy words from Barrons and testing the list again. This didn't really change my results much.</p>
<p>It <em>is</em> very true, though, that if you consider different forms of the same basic word or root, Barrons covers the test much better. For instance, Barrons includes the word "acclaim," and the word "acclamation" has shown up on the test. If you consider near-pairs like that to be matches, and you get rid of the easy words, then Barrons has a coverage rate of about 83%.</p>
<p>But I am not so excited about that coverage rate because I have a list of only 1850 words that has a coverage rate of 81%. Which means that it's nearly twice as good a use of your time.</p>
<p>You are free to use that list if you like. I already posted it with some rough definitions as <a href="http://www.sesamewords.com%5B/url%5D">www.sesamewords.com</a>. The definitions are not great though. I just pulled them from a reference source. I am still editing them to make them suitable for memorizing.</p>
<p>Just so you know I am not trying to drive traffic off this forum to my own third-party site :) , I will cut and paste my list of words here. You could treat it like a subset of the Barrons list, probably. You could keep using the Barrons list, but use the following list to decide <em>which</em> of the Barrons words were most important. (Almost all of these words are also in Barrons. That is not because I used Barrons to formulate this list; I didn't. It's partly because Barrons is almost twice as long and also because both Barrons and I were working off of hundreds and hundreds of real sentence completions.) Learn these words first, and then if you have time, you can start learning the words on Barrons that are <em>not</em> in this list. That's my advice anyway. </p>
<p>Use flash cards!</p>
<p>Here it is, exactly 1845 words long.</p>
<p>abandon abasement abate aberrant abet abeyance abject abrade abridge abscond absolve absorb abstain abstemious abstruse absurdity accelerate accidental acclaim accolade accommodate accompany accost accumulate acknowledge acquittal acrimonious acrimony acronym acumen adapt addiction adept adequate adjacent adjust administrate admonish adroit adulation adulterate advantageous adversary adverse adversity advocate aesthetic affable affinity affirmation affix affluence affluent aggregate aggressive agility alacrity alias alienate allege alleviate allocate alloy allude allusion ally aloft aloof alter altercation altruism altruistic amalgamate amass ambiguous ambition ambivalence ambivalent ambulatory ameliorate amenable amiable ample amplify amuse anachronism analogous analogy anarchist anarchy ancillary anecdote animate animosity anomalous anomaly antagonism antecedent anticipate anticlimax antidote antipathy antiquate antiseptic antithesis apathy aplomb apocryphal apologetic apostate apparent appease append applaud appreciate apprehension apprenticeship apprise approbation arable arbiter arbitrary arcane archaic archipelago arduous aria aristocracy arrogance arrogant articulate artifact artisan ascendant ascertain ascetic aspire assemble assert assiduous assuage assumption assurance assure astound astute asylum atrophy attain attenuate attitude attrition audacious augment auspicious austere authentic authenticate authoritarian autobiography automate autonomous autonomy autopsy avarice aver averse aversion avert avid awe babble badger balk banal baneful bastion begrudge behalf belie belittle beneficent beneficial beneficiary benevolent benign bereavement bestial bestow betray bias bland blandishment blare blasphemy blithe bloat bolster bombast bombastic boon boor boundless bourgeois boycott braggart brandish breach brevity brittle brochure brusque bulk bungle buoyant burgeon burnish bustle buttress cajole calamity calligraphy callous camaraderie candid candor cant cantankerous capable capricious caption captivate caricature carp castigate castigation catalyst catastrophe cathartic caustic cease cede celebrate censor censorious censure cerebral cessation chaff chameleon chaotic charlatan chary chastise chauvinist chicanery chronicle circumscribe circumspect circumstance cite clairvoyant clandestine clarify clause claustrophobia clemency cliche climactic clique cloy coagulate coalesce coalition coda coercion cogent cogitate coherent coincide coincidence collaborate collaborative collapse colleague colonial colossal comely commemorate commence commendable commensurate commiserate commodity communicate comparable compendium compensate complacency complacent complaisant complement compliant composure compound compress comprise compromise conceal concede conceive concentrate conciliatory concise conclude conclusive concoct concord concur concurrent condemn condescend conditional condole condone confer confine conflagration conform conformity confound confrontation confusion congeal congenial conjoin connoisseur connotation conscientious consecrate consensus consent consequent consequential conservationist considerable consign consistency console consolidate consolidation conspicuous constituent constrain constraint construct consume contagion contempt contemptuous contend contention contentious contiguous contingent contortion contradict contrary contrast contrite controversy conundrum convene conventional converge converse conviction convince convivial convoluted cooperate coordinate cordial corroborate corrode corrosive cosmic cosmopolitan counterproductive covert covetous crass craven credible credulity critic crucial cryptic culinary cull culmination culpable cumbersome curative cursory curtail cynical daunt dawdle dazzle dearth debacle debase debilitate decade decadence decipher decline decorous decorum decry deduce deducible deface defame defeatist defer deference defiance defiant deficit definite definitive defunct defy degenerate degradation deign deleterious deliberate delineate delirium delusion demagogue demean demeanor demolition demonstrative demur demure denigrate denote denounce deny dependent depict deplete deplore depravity deprecate depress derelict deride derivative derive desecrate desiccate despondent desultory detach detect deter determination deterrent detrimental deviate devious devise devote diagnosis diatribe dichotomy didactic differentiate diffidence diffuse digress digression dilettante diligence diligent diminish diminution diminutive diplomatic dirge disabuse disavowal discern discernible discernment discipline disclaim disclose disconcert discord discordant discredit discrepancy discrete discriminate disdain disembark disgruntle disguise dishevel disinclination disingenuous disintegrate disinterest disjoint disparage disparate disparity dispassionate dispatch dispel dispense disperse displace dispose disputation disputatious disregard dissemble disseminate dissent dissertation dissident dissipate dissolution dissonance dissuade distend distill distinct distinction distort disturb diverge divergent diverse divest divisive divulge docile doctrine dogmatic dominate dormant downcast draconian drama dregs dross dubious ductile dupe duplicitous duplicity duration dwindle ebb ebullient eclectic eclipse effervescence efficacy effrontery effusive egotism egotistical egregious elaborate elate elegy elicit eliminate elitist eloquence eloquent elucidate elusive emanate emancipate embarrassment embellish embrace emerge empathetic empathy emphasis empirical emulate encounter encrusted encumber encumbrance endemic endorse endure energize enervate enforce engender enigma enlighten enmity enormous enterprising enthrall entrench enumerate enunciate ephemeral epic epilogue equanimity equate equip equivocal equivocate eradicate erode erratic erroneous erudite erudition eschew esoteric espouse esteem estrange ethereal ethic ethnic eulogy euphemism evenhanded eventual evident evocative evolve exacerbate exalt excerpt exculpate execute exemplary exemplify exhaustive exhilarate exigency exonerate exotic expedient expedite expeditious experimentation explicate explicit exploit expose expurgate extol extract extraneous extrapolation extravagant extremity extricate exuberance exuberant fabricate fabrication facetious facilitate fallacious fanaticism fastidious fatuous fawn feasible feint felicitous ferment fervor fester fetid fetter fiasco finesse finite firebrand fissure fitful flagrant flamboyance flatter flavor fledgling flippant flourish flout fluctuate fluency foible foment forbearance forebode foresee foreshadow foresight forestall forgo forthcoming forthright fortuitous foster founder fragility frail franchise frantic fraudulent frivolous frugality fugitive fundamental furthermore furtive fusion futile gainsay gale galvanize garble garish garrulous genealogy generous genteel germane gibberish giddy gingerly glimmer globe glossy glower glutton goad gouge grandeur grandiloquent grandiose gratify gratuitous gravity gregarious guile gullible hackney hamper harangue hardy harmful haughty headstrong heckler hedonist hedonistic heed hence heresy hermetic hermitage hesitant heterogeneous hiatus hierarchy hindrance homogeneous hostile hostility humane humility hyperbole hypocritical hypothesis hypothetical iconoclastic identical ideology idiom idiosyncrasy idiosyncratic idolatry ignoble ignorant illuminate illusory illustrate imaginative imbalance imbibe imitation immigrate immobility immune immutable impair impart impassable impassioned impassive impeccable impecunious impede impel imperceptible impermeable impertinent imperturbable impervious impetuous impiety implacable implausible implicate implication implicit implode imply importune impose impotent impressionable impromptu impudence impugn impulsive inadequate inadvertent inane inanimate inarticulate inaudible incapacitate incarcerate incentive incessant inchoate incidence incidental incipient incisive incite incline inclusive incoherent incongruity incongruous inconsequential inconsistency incorporeal incorrigible incumbent indefatigable indelible indeterminate indict indictment indifference indifferent indigence indigenous indiscriminate indispensable indisputable indolent indomitable indubitable induce indulge indulgent industrious ineffable inept inert inevitable infallible infamous infer inferior infernal infinitesimal inflexible infraction infrequent ingenious ingenuous ingrate ingratiate inherent inhibit initiate injure inkling innate innocuous innovate innovation innovative inopportune inordinate inquisitor inscrutable insensible insidious insight insightful insinuate insipid insist insolence insolent insolvent inspect instantaneous instigate instruct instrumental insubordination insubstantial insularity insurrection intangible integral integrity intelligible intemperate intense interact interloper intermediate interminable intermittent interpret interval intervene intimidate intractable intransigence intrepid intricate intrinsic introspective intuition intuitive inundate inure invalidate invective invert investigate inviolable invoke irascible irksome ironic irony irrational irrelevant irresolute irreverent isolate itinerant itinerary jabber jade jargon jaunty jeopardize jocose jocular judicious justification justify juxtapose kindle laborious lackadaisical laconic laggard lament lampoon languid larceny lassitude latent laud lavish leaven lecture legislate legitimate leniency lethal lethargic levee levity levy libel liberal liberate likewise lilliputian linger listless loath loathe lofty logic logical loquacious lucid lucrative lugubrious luminous lurk luxuriant machination maelstrom magnanimity magnanimous malice malicious malign malingerer malleable manifest manipulate margin marshal martinet materialism maverick mawkish maxim maximize meander mediate mediocre meditation meek mellifluous melodious mendacious mercenary mercurial mesmerize metamorphosis methodical meticulous migrate migratory minimal minimize misanthrope misconception misconstrue miserly mishap misnomer misrepresent mitigate mock moderate modicum mollify momentous monarchy monochromatic monotony monumental moratorium morbid morose mortality mortify motive muddle mundane mural muse mutable mute mutinous mutual myriad mysterious mystical nadir naivete narrative navigable nebulous negate neglect negligence negligible negotiate neologism neophyte neutral nevertheless nocturnal nonchalance nondescript nonentity nonetheless norm nostalgia notable noteworthy notion notoriety notorious novelty nullify nurture nutrient obdurate obfuscate obligation obligatory oblique obliterate oblivion oblivious obnoxious obscure obsequious obsession obstinate obtrude obtrusive obtuse obviate occasional occlude occupy offensive officious offset ominous omnivorous onerous ongoing opaque opponent opportunist opprobrium opt optimist optimistic opulence orator ordeal orderly orient ornate orthodox oscillate ossify ostentatious outlandish outmoded outwit overbear overlap oversea oversight overt pacifist pacify painstaking palliative pallid panacea parable paradigm paradox paragon parallel paramount parch parody partial partisan partition passive passport pastoral pathological patronize paucity pedantic peerless penchant penitent penury perceive perdition peremptory perennial perfectionist perfidious perfunctory peripheral perjury permeable pernicious perpetrate perpetual perpetuate persist persistent perspicacious pertinent peruse pervasive perverse pessimism petulant phenomenon philanthropist phlegmatic piety pioneer pique pivotal placate placid plagiarize plasticity platitude plethora pliable pliant plight plummet pluralistic podium polemical ponderous pore porous portend portly pose posterity potency potentate practitioner pragmatic prate prattle preamble precarious precede precedent precipitate precipitous precise preclude precocious precursor predator predecessor predetermine predict predictable predilection predominant preeminent preempt prelate preliminary premise premonition preposterous prescience prestige presume presumptive presumptuous pretentious prevail prevalent prevaricate prey pristine privation probity problematic proceed prodigal prodigious prodigy profane profligate profound profundity profusion progenitor prohibit prohibitive proliferate proliferation prolific prologue prolong prominent promontory promulgate prone propagate propensity prophetic propitiate proponent proportion propriety prosaic proscribe prospect prospectus prosper prosperity prototype protract protuberance provident provincial provisional provocative proximity prudent prurient psychology puerile pugnacity pulverize pummel punctilious pungency purge pursue purveyor quagmire qualification qualitative quandary quell querulous questionable quibble quiescent quip quixotic raconteur radical rally ramble rampant ramshackle rancid rancor rant rarefy ratify rational raucous raze react reactionary realign rearrange rebel rebuff rebuttal recalcitrant recant recapitulate receptive recession recessive reciprocate recluse reclusive reconcile recondite recount recover rectify rectitude recumbent recuperate recurrent redolent redundant refine refract refraction refractory refuge refute regime regulate reinforce reiterate reject rejoinder rejuvenate relax relegate relic relinquish relish reluctance rely remedy reminiscence remiss remnant remonstrance remorse remunerative renegade renounce renovate repeal repel repertoire repetitive replenish reprehensible repress reprimand reproach reprobate reprove repudiate repulsion reputable rescind reside resign resilient resist resolute resolve resonant respiration restive restore restrain restraint restrict resumption resurgent retain retaliation reticence reticent retract retraction retrieve retroactive reverent reverse revitalize revoke revolution revolutionary revulsion rhetorical rift rigid rigidity rigor rile rivulet robust rouse ruddy rue rummage ruse ruthless saccharine sagacious sage salubrious salutary salvage sanctimonious sanction sarcasm sate satiate satire satirical satirize saturate saunter savant savor savory scamp scanty scapegoat scavenge scenario scintillate scrupulous scrutinize scuffle seclude seclusion secrete sect secular sedition seep sensational sensitive sequester serendipity serenity servile servitude sever severe severity shackle shamble shard shimmer simile simplicity simplistic simulate singular sinister sinuous skeptic skeptical skulk slag slapdash sloth sluggish smelt smolder sobriety sodden solemnity solicitous soliloquy somber somewhat somnolent soporific sordid sovereign spare spartan spat specious spectrum speculate spendthrift sphere spontaneous sporadic spurious squabble squander stagnant staid stalemate stalwart stanza stark stature statute steadfast stereotype stifle stigma stimulate stimulus stint stipulate stodgy stoic stolid straightforward stratagem striated strident stringent strut stupor stymie subdue subjective sublime submissive subordinate subpoena subsequent subside subsidiary subsidy substantial substantiate substitute subtle subtlety subversive subvert successor succinct succulent sufficient suffragist sullen supercilious superficial superfluous superior supersede supplant supposition suppress surpass surrender surreptitious survive susceptible suspect suspend suspicious sustain swill swindler sycophant symmetry synoptic synthesis systematic tacit taciturn tact tactile talent tangential tarry tedious tedium temperament tempestuous temporary tenacious tenacity tenet tense tension tentative tenuous terminate termination terrestrial terse theatricality theocracy therapeutic thereby thesis threaten thrifty thrive thwart tiller timidity tirade titanic toady torpor tortuous totalitarian totter toxic tractable tradition traduce tranquil transcendent transform transgression transient transit transition transitory translucent transmit transparent travail trek trenchant trepidation tribute trifle trigger trite trivial trough truculence truism turbid turbulence turbulent turgid turmoil typhoon tyrannical ubiquitous unanimity unassuming undaunted undergo underlie undermine underscore undertake undulate unearth unequivocal uneven ungainly uniformity unify unorthodox unprecedented unpretentious unravel unrequited unscathed unseemly unsightly unwarranted upbraid uproarious urbane usurp utilize utopia vacillate vagabond validate validity vanguard vantage vapid veneer venerable venerate venturesome veracious veracity verbose verdant verisimilitude versatile vertigo vex viable vicarious vicissitude vie vigilant vigor vilify vindicate vindication vindictive violate virtuoso viscous vise visible vituperative volatile voluble voluminous voluntary voracious vulnerable waive wane warble warrant wary welfare welter wheedle whet whiff whimsical whimsicality whittle widespread wily winnow withdraw wither withhold wry zealot zenith zephyr</p>
<p>As a rule you should be spending no more than 30% of your time on words, unless you really feel like your sentence completion results are holding you back.</p>