<p>As usual, CCers have compiled a great list of the vocabulary words. Here are the agreed upon Level 3 - 5 vocabulary words: Antithesis, Disparage, Dirge, Elan, Maverick, Oracular, Proponent, Prattle, Satirical, Surly, Synthetic, Squander. It is important to note that antithesis and maverick were trigger words on sentence completion questions. So how did the best known vocabulary books perform? Here are the results:</p>
<ol>
<li>Direct Hits: 400 words/12 Hits/1 hit per 33 words</li>
<li>Princeton Review: 253 words/4 hits/1 hit per 63 words</li>
<li>Rocket Review: 323 words/3 hits/1 hit per 107 words</li>
<li>Barron's Hot Words: 397 words/3 hits/1 hit per 132 words</li>
<li>Kaplan's Score Raising Dictionary: 1000 words/3 hits/1 hits per 333 words</li>
<li>Barron's Mini-Dictionary (24th edition): 3500 words/10 hits/1 hit per 350 words</li>
</ol>
<p>Wow, and to think I only got like 2 of those right by guessing. I better go buy Direct Hits. Thanks for the list again:)</p>
<p>Thoughts:</p>
<ol>
<li>Direct Hits turned in a remarkable performance on the Saturday 09 PSAT. It scored a hit on all 12 of the key Level 3 - 5 vocabulary words. That gives DH a hat trick for the October SAT and PSATs. </li>
<li>I am always surprised when Barron’s misses a word. Barron’s (24th edition) did not have elan or synthetic. </li>
<li>As usual the Kaplan products are poor performers. </li>
<li>The Saturday PSAT words seem a bit easier than the Wednesday PSAT words.</li>
</ol>
<p>I am delighted that you are going to continue doing this analysis. It was very helpful last year. I have looked at most of the books you have listed and some additional lists and agree with your assessment. I am surprised that Rocket Review has not updated their book since 06.</p>
<p>“4. The Saturday PSAT words seem a bit easier than the Wednesday PSAT words.”</p>
<p>Exactly what I was thinking</p>