Ultimate SAT Vocabulary List: 500 Challenging Words + Usage Tips
目录
SAT Vocabulary
While today’s SAT may no longer feature standalone vocabulary questions like it once did, a powerful grasp of academic and contextual vocabulary is still critical. Strong SAT vocabulary allows you to read passages faster, interpret meaning more accurately, and eliminate wrong choices in the Reading and Writing sections. This article is your ultimate resource: a curated list of 500 advanced SAT vocabulary words, plus smart strategies to retain and use them — and how IvyMax can accelerate your success.
Why SAT Vocabulary Still Matters
Vocabulary Is Tested in Context
Rather than asking “What does this word mean?”, the SAT now embeds challenging vocabulary within complex texts. Understanding context clues, tone, and subtle word usage is key.
It Influences Reading & Writing Scores
A stronger vocabulary helps you identify author intent, spot more precise answer choices, and grasp meaning on first read. It reduces confusion and saves time.
It Affects College & Scholarship Success
Top SAT scores often lead to better college placements and merit-based aid — and vocabulary strength is a common trait among 1400+ scorers.
How to Use This 500-Word List
1. Organized for Maximum Impact
This list includes 500 words selected based on:
Frequency on official SATs
Appearance in college-level writing
Confusability and contextual usage
Each entry includes:
Word
Part of speech
Definition
Sample sentence
2. Study Plan to Master 500 Words
Daily Goal: 10 words a day (with 5-minute review)
Weekly Review: Quiz yourself, write example sentences
Monthly Mastery Check: Take a timed SAT vocab drill
3. Retention Strategies
Flashcards (digital or handwritten)
Spaced repetition apps (Anki, Quizlet)
Contextual reading (The Atlantic, Scientific American)
Speak or write using new words daily
500 Challenging SAT Vocabulary Words
| abate | to become less intense or widespread |
| abdicate | to renounce one’s throne or power |
| aberrant | departing from an accepted standard |
| abhor | to regard with disgust and hatred |
| abjure | to renounce formally a belief or claim |
| abnegate | to renounce or give up something valued |
| abrogate | to repeal or do away with formally |
| abscond | to leave hurriedly and secretly |
| abstruse | difficult to understand; obscure |
| accost | to approach and speak to someone boldly |
| acerbic | sharp and forthright, especially in speech or manner |
| acrimonious | angry and bitter in speech or tone |
| adulation | excessive praise or admiration |
| affable | friendly and easy to talk to |
| alacrity | cheerful readiness or eagerness |
| altruistic | showing a disinterested and selfless concern for others |
| ameliorate | to make something better or improve |
| amenable | open and responsive to suggestion |
| amorphous | lacking a clear structure or form |
| anathema | something or someone greatly disliked |
| anomaly | something that deviates from normal |
| antipathy | a deep-seated feeling of dislike |
| apathy | lack of interest or concern |
| appease | to calm or satisfy someone |
| arcane | understood by few; mysterious |
| ardent | enthusiastic or passionate |
| articulate | able to express ideas clearly and effectively |
| ascetic | practicing severe self-discipline |
| asperity | harshness of tone or manner |
| assiduous | showing great care and perseverance |
| astute | having an ability to accurately assess situations |
| audacious | showing a willingness to take bold risks |
| Augment | add to – increase or enhance something |
| auspicious | conducive to success; favorable |
| austere | severe or strict in manner, attitude, or appearance |
| avaricious | having or showing extreme greed for wealth |
| banal | lacking originality or freshness |
| beguile | to charm or enchant deceptively |
| bellicose | demonstrating aggression and willingness to fight |
| benevolent | well meaning and kindly |
| benign | gentle and kind |
| blithe | showing a casual and cheerful indifference |
| boisterous | noisy, energetic, and cheerful |
| bombastic | high-sounding but with little meaning; inflated |
| brazen | bold and without shame |
| brevity | concise and exact use of words |
| brusque | abrupt or blunt in manner |
| bucolic | relating to the pleasant aspects of the countryside |
| cajole | to persuade with flattery or gentle urging |
| callous | showing or having an insensitive disregard for others |
| candor | the quality of being open and honest |
| capitulate | to surrender or give up resistance |
| capricious | given to sudden changes of mood or behavior |
| caustic | able to burn or corrode; sarcastic and bitter |
| charlatan | a fraud; a person falsely claiming expertise |
| chicanery | the use of trickery to achieve a purpose |
| clandestine | kept secret or done secretly, especially for illicit purposes |
| clemency | mercy or leniency |
| Coalesce | come together – unite to form one group or idea |
| cogent | clear, logical, and convincing |
| commensurate | corresponding in size or degree |
| complacent | showing smug or uncritical satisfaction with oneself |
| conciliatory | intended to make peace or reduce hostility |
| condescend | to show feelings of superiority |
| confluence | the junction of two things; merging |
| conjecture | an opinion based on incomplete information |
| consensus | general agreement |
| contrite | feeling remorse or guilt |
| conundrum | a confusing and difficult problem or question |
| Conventional | traditional way – normal or commonly accepted practice |
| convoluted | extremely complex and difficult to follow |
| copious | abundant in supply or quantity |
| credulous | having or showing too great a readiness to believe things |
| cryptic | having a mysterious or obscure meaning |
| cursory | hasty and not thorough |
| dearth | a scarcity or lack of something |
| debacle | a sudden and humiliating failure |
| decorous | keeping with good taste and propriety |
| decorum | behavior in keeping with good taste |
| deference | humble submission and respect |
| deleterious | causing harm or damage |
| delineate | to describe precisely |
| demure | reserved, modest, and shy |
| deride | to mock or ridicule |
| despot | a ruler with absolute power |
| didactic | intended to teach, often with a moral instruction |
| diffident | modest or shy because of a lack of self-confidence |
| dilatory | slow to act; causing delay |
| disingenuous | not candid or sincere |
| disparage | to belittle or speak poorly of |
| Disperse | spread out – scatter in different directions |
| disseminate | to spread widely |
| dogmatic | stubbornly asserting opinions as fact |
| dubious | doubtful or uncertain |
| ebullient | cheerful and full of energy |
| eclectic | drawing ideas from a wide range of sources |
| egregious | outstandingly bad |
| elucidate | to make something clear; explain |
| emaciated | abnormally thin or weak |
| embellish | to make more attractive by adding details |
| empirical | based on observation or experience |
| enervate | to weaken or drain energy |
| Engender | give rise to – to create or produce a feeling or situation |
| enigma | a person or thing that is mysterious |
| enigmatic | difficult to interpret or understand; mysterious |
| ennui | a feeling of listlessness from lack of excitement |
| ephemeral | lasting for a very short time |
| Equitable | fair and just – treating everyone equally |
| Equivocal | unclear or vague – open to multiple interpretations; not direct |
| equivocate | to use ambiguous language to conceal the truth |
| erudite | having or showing great knowledge |
| esoteric | intended for or likely to be understood by only a small number of people |
| euphemism | a mild word substituted for a harsh one |
| exacerbate | to make a problem worse |
| exculpate | to clear from blame or guilt |
| exonerate | to officially absolve someone of blame |
| expeditious | done quickly and efficiently |
| expiate | atone for guilt or sin |
| expunge | get rid of |
| extol | to praise highly or enthusiastically |
| extraneous | irrelevant |
| facilitate | make easier, guide forward |
| fallacious | based on a mistaken belief |
| fastidious | very attentive to and concerned about accuracy or detail |
| fatuous | silly and pointless |
| feckless | lacking initiative or responsibility |
| fervent | having or displaying a passionate intensity |
| fervid | intensely enthusiastic or passionate |
| flagrant | obviously offensive |
| flippant | not showing a serious attitude |
| forbearance | restraint; self-control |
| fortuitous | happening by chance, often in a fortunate way |
| fractious | irritable and quarrelsome |
| garrulous | excessively talkative, especially on trivial matters |
| grandiloquent | pompous or extravagant in language, style, or manner |
| grapple | wrestle, physically or mentally |
| gratuitous | uncalled for; unnecessary |
| gregarious | sociable and enjoying company |
| hackneyed | overused and unoriginal |
| hapless | unfortunate |
| harangue | a lengthy and aggressive speech |
| haughty | arrogantly superior and disdainful |
| hedonist | a person devoted to pursuing pleasure |
| hegemony | leadership or dominance, especially by one group over others |
| heresy | belief contrary to accepted doctrine |
| heterogenous | not uniform; varied |
| hubris | excessive pride or self-confidence |
| iconoclast | a person who attacks cherished beliefs |
| idiosyncratic | peculiar or individual; distinctive in character |
| ignominious | deserving public disgrace or shame |
| immutable | unchanging over time or unable to be changed |
| impassive | showing no emotion |
| impecunious | having little or no money |
| impede | prevent or hold back |
| imperious | arrogantly domineering or overbearing |
| impetuous | acting or done quickly without thought or care |
| impinge | encroach on |
| implacable | unable to be appeased or placated |
| impugn | to challenge or question the truth of something |
| impute | attribute to |
| inane | silly or stupid |
| incendiary | designed to cause fires or stir up conflict |
| inchoate | just beginning; not fully formed |
| incisive | intelligently analytical and clear-thinking |
| Inconsequential | not important – too minor to affect the outcome |
| incontrovertible | unable to be denied |
| incorrigible | not able to be corrected, improved, or reformed |
| indefatigable | persisting tirelessly |
| indefensible | not justifiable or excusable |
| indignant | feeling or showing anger at unfair treatment |
| indolent | wanting to avoid activity or exertion; lazy |
| indomitable | impossible to subdue or defeat |
| Induce | bring about – cause something to happen |
| ineffable | too great or extreme to be expressed in words |
| inefficacious | not producing the desired effect |
| Ineluctable | impossible to avoid – certain to happen no matter what |
| inexorable | impossible to stop or prevent |
| infallible | incapable of making mistakes or being wrong |
| ingenuous | innocent and unsuspecting |
| inimical | tending to obstruct or harm |
| injunction | an authoritative order |
| innocuous | benign, not harmful |
| inoculate | immunize someone against |
| insatiable | impossible to satisfy |
| insidious | proceeding in a gradual, subtle way, but with harmful effects |
| insipid | lacking flavor or interest |
| insolent | showing a rude and arrogant lack of respect |
| insolvent | unable to pay debts owed |
| instigate | bring about; incite |
| insular | ignorant of or uninterested in cultures outside one’s own |
| insurgent | rebel or revolutionary |
| intangible | unable to be touched or grasped; not physical |
| interlocutor | someone engaged in conversation |
| intractable | hard to control or deal with |
| intransigent | unwilling or refusing to change one’s views |
| intrepid | fearless; adventurous |
| inure | to be accustomed to something, particularly something unpleasant |
| inveterate | having a particular habit long established and unlikely to change |
| irascible | easily angered |
| irreverence | lack of respect for |
| itinerant | traveling from place to place |
| jettison | to throw or discard something unnecessary |
| jingoistic | extremely patriotic, often aggressively so |
| judicious | having or showing good judgment or sense |
| juxtapose | to place side by side for comparison |
| laconic | using very few words |
| lament | to mourn or express sorrow |
| languid | weak or faint from fatigue or illness |
| largesse | generosity in bestowing money or gifts |
| latent | existing but not yet developed or manifest |
| laudatory | expressing praise or admiration |
| Lavish | (adj.) given without limits; (v.) to give without limits |
| Legerdemain | deception, sleight of hand |
| Lenient | demonstrating tolerance or gentleness |
| lethargic | affected by lethargy; sluggish and apathetic |
| Liability | (n.) something for which one is legally responsible, usually involving a disadvantage or risk; (n.) a handicap or burden |
| Libertarian | advocating principles of liberty and free will |
| licentious | unrestrained by law or morality |
| Limpid | clear, transparent |
| Linchpin | something that holds separate parts together |
| lithe | flexible, supple, and graceful |
| litigant | a person involved in a lawsuit |
| loquacious | tending to talk a great deal; talkative |
| Lucid | clear, easily understandable |
| lugubrious | looking or sounding sad and dismal |
| Luminous | brightly shining |
| lurid | very vivid in color or shocking in effect |
| maelstrom | a powerful storm; turmoil |
| magnanimous | generous or forgiving, especially toward a rival |
| Malediction | a curse |
| malevolent | having or showing a wish to do evil to others |
| malleable | easily influenced or shaped |
| Mandate | an authoritative command |
| Manifest | (adj.) easily understandable, obvious; (v.) to show plainly |
| Manifestations | visible signs – expressions or results of something deeper |
| Manifold | diverse, varied |
| marred | damaged or spoiled in quality |
| maudlin | self-pityingly sentimental |
| maverick | independent-minded person; a nonconformist |
| mawkish | sentimental in a sweet or sickly way |
| maxim | 197) plaudit – n. expression of praise |
| Meager | deficient in size or quality |
| Medley | a mixture of differing things |
| mendacious | not telling the truth; lying |
| mercurial | subject to sudden or unpredictable changes of mood |
| meretricious | appearing attractive but having little value |
| Meritorious | worthy of esteem or reward |
| Metamorphosis | the change of form, shape, or substance |
| meticulous | showing great attention to detail; very careful and precise |
| misanthropic | disliking humankind and avoiding society |
| Misconstrued | wrongly interpreted – taken in the wrong way |
| mitigate | to make less severe or painful |
| Moderate | (adj.) not extreme; (n.) one who expresses moderate opinions |
| modicum | a small quantity of something |
| Modulate | to pass from one state to another, especially in music |
| mollify | to soothe or calm someone’s anger |
| momentous | important or significant, typically in a positive way |
| morass | a mess; a complicated situation |
| Mores | the moral attitudes and fixed customs of a group of people |
| morose | sullen and ill-tempered |
| Multifarious | having great diversity or variety |
| Mundane | concerned with the world rather than with heaven; commonplace |
| Munificence | generosity in giving |
| munificent | more generous than is usual or necessary |
| Mutable | able to change |
| myriad | countless or extremely large in number |
| nadir | lowest point |
| Nascent | in the process of being born or coming into existence |
| nebulous | unclear, vague, or ill-defined |
| nefarious | wicked or criminal |
| negligent | failing to do something; neglectful |
| neophyte | a beginner or novice |
| Nocturnal | relating to or occurring during the night |
| noisome | disagreeable; having an offensive smell |
| Nomadic | wandering from place to place |
| Nominal | trifling or insignificant |
| nonchalant | feeling or appearing casually calm and relaxed |
| Nondescript | lacking a distinctive character |
| Notorious | widely and unfavorably known |
| Novice | a beginner; someone without training or experience |
| noxious | poisonous; harmful |
| Nuance | a slight variation in meaning, tone, or expression |
| Nurture | to assist the development of |
| obdurate | stubbornly refusing to change one’s opinion or course of action |
| obfuscate | to make obscure, unclear, or unintelligible |
| oblique | not direct or straightforward |
| Oblivious | lacking consciousness or awareness of something |
| Obscure | not well-known – hard to understand or unfamiliar |
| obsequious | excessively obedient or attentive |
| Obsolete | no longer used; out of date |
| obstinate | stubbornly refusing to change one’s opinion or chosen course |
| obstreperous | noisy and difficult to control; disorderly |
| obtrusive | noticeable or prominent in an unwelcome way |
| Obtuse | lacking quickness of sensibility or intellect |
| Odious | instilling hatred or intense displeasure |
| officious | self-assertive, overbearing |
| Ominous | foreboding or foreshadowing evil |
| onerous | involving a great deal of effort or difficulty |
| opulent | rich and luxurious in style |
| Oration | a speech delivered in a formal or ceremonious manner |
| Ornate | highly elaborate; excessively decorated |
| Orthodox | conventional; conforming to established protocol |
| Oscillate | to sway from one side to the other |
| ostensible | stated or appearing to be true, but not necessarily so |
| Ostensible | appearing as such; seemingly |
| ostentatious | characterized by vulgar or pretentious display |
| Ostentatious | excessively showy; glitzy |
| ostracism | exclusion from a group |
| Ostracism | exclusion from a group |
| Pacific | soothing |
| Palatable | agreeable to the taste or sensibilities |
| Palette | a range of colors or qualities |
| palliate | to lessen the severity without curing |
| Palliate | to reduce the severity of |
| Pallid | lacking color |
| panacea | a solution for all problems or difficulties |
| Panacea | a remedy for all ills or difficulties |
| paradigm | typical example or pattern of something; a model |
| Paradigm | an example that is a perfect pattern or model |
| Paradox | an apparently contradictory statement that is perhaps true |
| paragon | a perfect example of a quality |
| Paragon | a model of excellence or perfection |
| Paramount | greatest in importance, rank, or character |
| pariah | an outcast or rejected person |
| Pariah | an outcast |
| Parody | a satirical imitation |
| parsimonious | unwilling to spend money or use resources |
| Parsimony | frugality; stinginess |
| partisan | strongly supporting a cause or group |
| Partisan | a follower or adherent |
| Patent | readily seen or understood; clear |
| Pathology | a deviation from the normal |
| Pathos | an emotion of sympathy |
| paucity | the presence of something in small amount |
| Paucity | small in quantity |
| pedantic | excessively concerned with minor details or rules |
| pejorative | expressing contempt or disapproval |
| Pejorative | derogatory; uncomplimentary |
| pellucid | clear and easy to understand |
| Pellucid | easily intelligible; clear |
| penchant | habitual liking for something; a tendency toward |
| Penchant | a tendency, partiality, or preference |
| Penitent | remorseful; regretful |
| penurious | poverty-stricken |
| perfidious | deceitful and untrustworthy |
| perfunctory | carried out with minimum effort or reflection |
| pernicious | having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual way |
| perspicacious | having a ready insight into and understanding of things |
| perspicuous | clearly expressed and easy to understand |
| pert | attractive; impudent or saucy |
| pertinacious | holding firmly to a course; determined |
| peruse | to read carefully and thoroughly |
| petulant | childishly sulky or bad-tempered |
| philanthropic | seeking to promote the welfare of others |
| phlegmatic | having an unemotional and calm disposition |
| pithy | concise and forcefully expressive |
| placate | to calm or pacify someone |
| placid | not easily upset or excited |
| platitude | a remark that has been used too often |
| plenitude | an abundance; full or complete |
| plethora | an excessive amount of something |
| polar | directly opposite |
| polemic | a strong verbal or written attack |
| postulate | to assume as true |
| potentate | monarch or ruler |
| pragmatic | dealing with things sensibly and realistically |
| precarious | not securely held or stable |
| preclude | prevent from taking place |
| precocious | having developed abilities earlier than usual |
| predilection | a preference or liking for something |
| premonition | a strong feeling that something is about to happen |
| prescient | having knowledge of events before they happen |
| Pretentiousness | showy behavior – trying to appear more important or cultured than one is |
| prevaricate | to speak or act in an evasive way |
| probity | the quality of having strong moral principles |
| proclivity | the tendency toward |
| prodigious | remarkably or impressively great in extent or degree |
| profligate | recklessly extravagant or wasteful |
| profound | showing deep knowledge or insight |
| Prohibitive | too expensive – so high it prevents action |
| prolific | producing much fruit, offspring, or work |
| promulgate | promote widely |
| prosaic | lacking imagination or originality |
| proscribe | forbid by law |
| protean | able to change or adapt easily |
| prudent | acting with or showing care for the future |
| prurient | overly sexual |
| puerile | childishly silly |
| pugnacious | eager or quick to argue or fight |
| punctilious | paying attention to detail |
| quagmire | a complex or hazardous situation |
| quaint | old-fashioned |
| quandary | state of perplexity; a dilemma |
| querulous | complaining in a petulant or whining manner |
| quiescent | in a state of inactivity or dormancy |
| quintessential | representing the most perfect or typical example of a quality or class |
| quixotic | exceedingly idealistic; unrealistic and impractical |
| rancor | long-standing bitterness or resentment |
| rancorous | characterized by bitterness or resentment |
| rebuke | to criticize sharply or express disapproval |
| recalcitrant | having an uncooperative attitude toward authority |
| recluse | a person who lives a solitary life |
| reclusive | avoiding the company of other people |
| Rectify | fix or correct – to make something right |
| redolent | strongly reminiscent or suggestive of something |
| refute | to prove wrong by argument or evidence |
| relegate | to assign to a lower position or rank |
| remiss | lacking care or attention to duty |
| reprieve | a cancellation or postponement of a punishment |
| reproach | to express disapproval or disappointment |
| reprobate | an unprincipled or immoral person |
| repudiate | to reject or refuse to accept |
| rescind | to revoke, cancel, or repeal |
| resilient | able to recover quickly from difficulties |
| resolute | determined and unwavering |
| reticent | not revealing one’s thoughts or feelings readily |
| rhetoric | persuasive or effective speaking or writing |
| rhetorical | expressed in persuasive or impressive language |
| ribald | improper; lewd |
| rife | filled with; widespread |
| sagacious | having or showing keen mental discernment and good judgment |
| salient | most noticeable or important |
| sanctimonious | making a show of being morally superior |
| sanguine | optimistic or positive, especially in a bad situation |
| sardonic | grimly mocking or cynical |
| scrupulous | diligent and extremely attentive to detail |
| scurrilous | spreading disparaging claims about someone; slanderous |
| sedulous | showing dedication and diligence |
| serendipity | chance or good luck |
| servile | showing excessive willingness to serve or please others |
| solicitous | showing interest or concern |
| somnolent | sleepy or drowsy |
| spurious | not genuine, false or fake |
| stagnant | showing no activity; dull and sluggish |
| staid | sedate, respectable |
| Stipulates | clearly states – sets specific conditions or rules |
| stoic | enduring pain or hardship without showing feelings |
| stolid | calm and dependable |
| stringent | strict, precise, and exacting |
| stymie | to prevent or hinder progress |
| subjugate | to bring under control or domination |
| substantial | large in size, amount, or importance |
| succinct | briefly and clearly expressed |
| supercilious | behaving or looking as though one thinks one is superior |
| superfluous | unnecessary, especially through being more than enough |
| Supplant | take over – replace something or someone |
| supposition | assumption without proof |
| surfeit | excessive amount |
| surmise | guess without proof |
| surreptitious | kept secret, especially because it would not be approved |
| sycophant | a person who acts obsequiously toward someone important |
| tacit | understood or implied without being stated |
| taciturn | reserved or uncommunicative in speech |
| tangential | only slightly connected or relevant |
| temerity | excessive confidence or boldness |
| tenable | reasonable, maintainable |
| tenacious | tending to keep a firm hold of something; persistent |
| terse | sparing in the use of words; abrupt |
| timorous | showing or suffering from nervousness |
| torpid | mentally or physically inactive |
| transient | lasting only for a short time |
| transitory | not permanent; temporary |
| travesty | a false representation of something |
| trenchant | vigorous or incisive in expression |
| trounce | defeat heavily |
| truculent | eager or quick to argue or fight |
| turpitude | depraved or wicked behavior |
| ubiquitous | present, appearing, or found everywhere |
| umbrage | offense or annoyance |
| Unattainable | out of reach – impossible to achieve |
| unconventional | acting outside of the norm |
| unctuous | excessively flattering or ingratiating |
| undulate | move in a wave-like pattern |
| unequivocal | leaving no doubt; unambiguous |
| unmitigated | not lessened; absolute |
| untenable | not able to be maintained or defended |
| unveil | reveal |
| upbraid | scold or find fault with someone |
| upshot | the outcome or result of an action |
| urbane | courteous and refined in manner |
| usury | unethical money lending |
| vacillate | to alternate between opinions or actions |
| vacuous | having or showing a lack of thought or intelligence |
| validate | support the truth or value of |
| venerate | to regard with great respect |
| veracity | conformity to facts; accuracy |
| verbose | using more words than needed |
| vertigo | a sensation of dizziness or imbalance |
| vestige | trace or remnant of something gone |
| vex | to make someone annoyed or worried |
| viability | ability to work successfully |
| vicarious | experienced through the feelings or actions of another person |
| vicissitude | a change of circumstances |
| vilify | speak about in a disparaging manner |
| vindicate | to clear from blame or suspicion |
| virtuoso | highly skilled person, particularly in the arts |
| virulent | extremely severe or harmful in its effects |
| viscous | having a thick, sticky consistency |
| vital | necessary |
| vitriolic | filled with bitter criticism or malice |
| vituperative | bitter and abusive in language |
| vociferous | loud and forceful in expressing opinions or emotions |
| volatile | likely to change suddenly and unpredictably |
| voracious | wanting or devouring great quantities of something |
| wane | to decrease in size or intensity |
| wanton | deliberate and unprovoked; reckless |
| wistful | showing a feeling of vague or regretful longing |
| wry | using dry or mocking humor |
| zeal | great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause |
| zealous | showing great passion or energy |
| zenith | the highest point reached by something |
Smart Study Tips to Master SAT Vocabulary
Use the Words in Context
Write sentences or short stories using your vocab list.
Practice in SAT-style questions (available via College Board, IvyMax materials).
Visual Learning & Mnemonics
Create visual flashcards or images linked to definitions.
Use memory tricks: “Aberration = A bear on the road = something abnormal”
Review Error Patterns
Keep a log of mistaken meanings or confusing pairs (e.g., imminent vs eminent).
Focus review on personal weak spots.
How IvyMax Helps You Improve Your SAT Score
At IvyMax, we don’t just drill vocabulary — we train you to apply language skills where it matters most: SAT Reading and Writing.
Our SAT prep courses are strategy-driven, score-focused, and tailored to your starting level and college goals. Here’s how we help:
Comprehensive SAT Prep Course
Covers Reading, Writing & Language, and Math
Emphasises contextual vocabulary understanding — the exact skills needed to spot tone, define words-in-context, and avoid trap answers
Teaches grammar rules, syntax, and word choice with real SAT question drills
Personalized Strategy & Progress Tracking
Diagnostic test to place you at the right level
Weekly sessions with top instructors
Score reports and progress insights after every practice test
Real Results, Real Support
Small group or 1-on-1 format
Motivation, accountability, expert mentorship
All strategies taught are based on the College Board test design
FAQ: SAT Vocabulary
Q1: What vocabulary should I know for the SAT?
Focus on academic Tier 2 and Tier 3 words — those commonly found in scholarly articles, science/technology discussions, and argumentative writing.
Q2: How many SAT vocabulary words should I memorize?
Aim for 500–1,000 high-frequency words, including those on College Board official tests and SAT prep books.
Q3: What are Tier 1 SAT vocabulary words?
These are basic, everyday words. SAT emphasizes Tier 2 and Tier 3, which appear in academic reading but not daily conversation.
Q4: What are 20 tricky SAT vocabulary words with meanings?
Here’s a sample list:
Abstruse (difficult to understand)
Ineffable (too great to be expressed in words)
Pernicious (harmful in a subtle way)
Equivocate (speak ambiguously)
Recalcitrant (resisting authority)
…and 15 more in our list.
Q5: How to get SAT Vocabulary questions right?
Use context clues first.
Eliminate clearly wrong synonyms.
Trust precise meaning, not just what “sounds right”.
Q6: How does SAT vocabulary improve my score?
It boosts reading speed, comprehension accuracy, answer elimination skill, and precision in writing.
SAT vocabulary is more than just a list — it’s a tool that empowers better reading, clearer writing, and ultimately higher scores. Master these 500 words using the strategies outlined above, stay consistent, and don’t hesitate to seek support.
Ready to level up? IvyMax can help you turn vocab into a superpower.
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