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Summary of list of SAT vocabulary you need to know

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Published: 29 November 2024
Updated: 28 November 2024

To conquer the SAT, in addition to mastering grammar structures, you also need to improve your SAT vocabulary. Especially in the SAT Reading and Writing sections, a rich vocabulary also plays an important role in the test score. In this article, IDP will help you compile a list of SAT vocabulary by topic.

1. How to practice vocabulary for SAT exam?

Vocabulary is one of the core factors that help candidates achieve high scores in the SAT, especially in the Reading and Writing sections. However, the diversity of topics, academic nature, and the appearance of unfamiliar and difficult-to-remember words pose significant challenges that learners must overcome with appropriate strategies.

Vocabulary: A Core Element for Achieving High Scores in SAT Reading and Writing

Diverse Topics

SAT vocabulary spans a wide range of topics, covering various fields such as science, art, history, and society. This requires candidates to tackle an enormous volume of vocabulary to ensure comprehensive coverage of all possible content in the test. You should build a strong vocabulary foundation, from basic to advanced levels, to best prepare for all question types.

Academic Language

Most SAT vocabulary is highly academic, focusing on specialized terminology that is rarely used in everyday conversations. To master SAT vocabulary effectively, you should focus on learning phrases and contexts of use, as well as researching the origins of words.

Unfamiliar and Difficult Words

Moreover, the SAT often includes unfamiliar vocabulary, with borrowed words that have complex pronunciations. Therefore, you should invest time in practicing accurate pronunciation from the beginning and familiarize yourself with reading challenging words.

2. What topics are common on the SAT?

In the SAT, vocabulary mainly revolves around five main areas, including:

American and World Literature: Classics and contemporary literature from prominent authors, both inside and outside the United States.
Economics and Social Sciences: Words related to social issues, politics, and historical events that affect culture and interests in the United States.
Natural Sciences: Focuses on specialized vocabulary in fields such as Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and Earth Sciences.
Careers: Prominent career trends in fields such as information technology and healthcare.
Humanities: The vocabulary revolves around art, film, music, and literature.

Here's a list of SAT vocabulary broken down by topic, making it easier for you to memorize and apply:

About history

Vocabulary	Part of speech	Pronounce	Meaning
Archaeologist	Noun	/ˌɑːrkiˈɒlədʒɪst/	Archaeologist
Benevolent	Adjective	/bɪˈnevələnt/	Benevolence, compassion
Condone	Verb	/kənˈdəʊn/	Acceptance, forgiveness
Enigmatic	Adjective	/ˌenɪɡˈmæt̬ɪk/	Mysterious, confusing
Enthroned	Adjective	/ɪnˈθrəʊnd/	Inherited, honored as king
Indigenous	Adjective	/ɪnˈdɪdʒənəs/	Native
Inevitable	Adjective	/ɪˈnevɪt̬əbəl/	Inevitable
Obsolete	Adjective	/ˌɑːbsəˈliːt/	Outdated
Hierarchy	Noun	/ˈhaɪrɑːrki/	Hierarchy system
Prehistoric	Adjective	/ˌpriːhɪsˈtɒrɪk/	Prehistory
Prevail	Verb	/prɪˈveɪl/	Dominate, defeat
Primeval	Adjective	/praɪˈmiːvəl/	Primitive
Privilege	Noun	/ˈprɪvəlɪdʒ/	Privilege
Quaint	Adjective	/kweɪnt/	Ancient, strange
Reminisce	Verb	/ˌremɪˈnɪs/	Reminiscences
Susceptible	Adjective	/səˈseptəbəl/	Vulnerable
Tactic	Noun	/ˈtæktɪk/	Tactics

Economically

Vocabulary	Part of speech	Pronounce	Meaning
Asset	Noun	/ˈæset/	Asset
Balance sheet	Noun	/ˈbæləns ʃiːt/	Balance sheet
Commodity	Noun	/kəˈmɒdəti/	Commodities
Deflation	Noun	/dɪˈfleɪʃən/	Deflation
Equity	Noun	/ˈekwɪti/	Equity
Inflation	Noun	/ɪnˈfleɪʃən/	Inflation
Liabilities	Noun	/ˌlaɪəˈbɪlətiz/	Liabilities
Mergers	Noun	/ˈmɜːrdʒər/	Merged
Recession	Noun	/rɪˈseʃən/	Economic Recession
Revenue	Noun	/ˈrevənjuː/	Turnover
Subsidy	Noun	/ˈsʌbsɪdi/	Grant

About Natural Sciences

Vocabulary	Part of speech	Pronounce	Meaning
Aggregate	Noun, Adjective	/ˈæɡrɪɡət/	Synthetics
Analysis	Noun	/əˈnæləsɪs/	Analysis
Antiseptic	Noun	/ˌæntiˈseptɪk/	Disinfectant
Atmospheres	Noun	/ˈætməsfɪər/	Atmosphere
Combust	Verb	/kəmˈbʌst/	Burn
Erode	Verb	/ɪˈrəʊd/	Erode
Constellation	Noun	/ˌkɒnstəˈleɪʃən/	Constellation
Statistics	Noun	/stəˈtɪstɪks/	Statistics

Literary vocabulary

Vocabulary	Part of speech	Pronounce	Meaning
Acclaim	Noun	/əˈkleɪm/	Acclaim (artwork)
Cadence	Noun	/ˈkeɪdəns/	Rhythm
Chronicle	Noun	/ˈkrɒnɪkəl/	History books
Critics	Noun	/ˈkrɪtɪks/	Critics
Erudite	Adjective	/ˈerudaɪt/	Wise and erudite.
Etymology	Noun	/ˌet̬əˈmɒlədʒi/	Etymology
Excavate	Verb	/ˈekskəveɪt/	Exhume
Folklore	Noun	/ˈfəʊklɔːr/	Folklore
Inspiration	Noun	/ˌɪnspɪˈreɪʃən/	Inspiration
Laconic	Adjective	/ləˈkɒnɪk/	Concise and concise
Movement	Noun	/ˈmuːvmənt/	Movement
Parody	Noun	/ˈpærədi/	Satire of the work
Performance	Noun	/pəˈfɔːməns/	Performances
Prescient	Adjective	/ˈpreʃənt/	Prophesy
Renown	Noun	/rɪˈnaʊn/	Fame
Playwright	Noun	/ˈpleɪˌraɪt/	Playwrights

Other common vocabulary words

Vocabulary	Part of speech	Pronounce	Meaning
Abrupt	Adjective	/əˈbrʌpt/	Sudden
Accessible	Adjective	/ækˈsesəbl̩/	Ease of Access
Adhesive	Noun	/ædˈhiːsɪv/	Sticky substances
Ambiguous	Adjective	/æmˈbɪɡjuəs/	Ambiguous
Arguable	Adjective	/ˈɑː r.ɡjʊəbl̩/	Controversial
Bargain	Noun , Verb	/ˈbɑːrɡɪn/	Bargaining and negotiating
Confer	Verb	/kənˈfɜːr/	Discuss
Consequently	Adverb	/ˈkɒnsɪkwəntli/	Therefore, the result is
Criteria	Noun	/kraɪˈtɪəriə/	Criteria
Depict	Verb	/dɪˈpɪkt/	Depict
Disparity	Noun	/dɪˈspærət̬i/	Spreads
Distinguish	Verb	/dɪˈstɪŋɡwɪʃ/	Discern
Evoke	Verb	/ɪˈvoʊk/	Evoke
Incorporate	Verb	/ɪnˈkɔːrpəreɪt/	Consolidation
Regardless	Adjective , Adverb	/rɪˈɡɑːrdləs/	It doesn't matter
Mitigate	Verb	/ˈmɪt̬əɡeɪt/	Mild relief
Occur	Verb	/əˈkɜːr/	Happen
Prevalence	Noun	/ˈprevələns/	Popularity
Prominent	Adjective	/ˈprɒmɪnənt/	Prominent
Relative	Adjective	/ˈrelətɪv/	Relative
	Noun		Relatives
Substantial	Adjective	/səbˈstænʃəl/	Significantly, of great significance

3. Set of 400 SAT vocabulary words of topics you need to know

Vocabulary	Type of word	Meaning
Aesthetic	Adjective	Related to beauty or the perception of beauty.
Undermine	Verb	Weakening or sabotaging the foundation, sabotage.
Profound	Adjective	There is depth and deep understanding.
Refute	Verb	Prove something wrong, refute it with reason.
Skeptical	Adjective	Doubt, not trust.
Ambivalent	Adjective	Having conflicting feelings or uncertainty about something.
Hostile	Adjective	Hostile, unfriendly.
Condemn	Verb	Strong condemnation and criticism.
Assert	Verb	Declare with confidence.
Nostalgia	Noun	Nostalgia for the past.
Pretense	Noun	Falsehood, acting with the intention of deception.
Cynical	Adjective	Believing that everyone has selfish motives and skepticism.
Obscure	Adjective	Ambiguous and confusing.
Convention	Noun	Habits, customs, or conventions have been accepted.
Contempt	Noun	A feeling of contempt and contempt.
Foster	Verb	Nurturing, motivating.
Pragmatic	Adjective	Pragmatic, concerned about practicality.
Revere	Verb	Reverence, admiration with respect.
Anecdote	Noun	A short personal story.
Disparage	Verb	Talking about someone in a dismissive, devaluing way.
Exemplary	Adjective	Exemplary, worth imitating.
Substantive	Verb	Provide evidence, and verification.
Trivial	Adjective	It doesn't matter, it's trivial.
Depict	Verb	Descriptive, expressed in language or images.
Indifferent	Adjective	Indifference, not caring.
Anthropology	Noun	The study of people and human society.
Futile	Adjective	Useless, fruitless.
Indignant	Adjective	Anger over injustice.
Reconcile	Verb	Mediation and settlement.
Sarcasm	Noun	Irony and sarcasm to ridicule.
Abstract	Adjective	Abstract and confusing.
Advocate	Verb	Support, excuse.
Ambiguous	Adjective	Ambiguous, which can be understood in many senses.
Eccentric	Adjective	Eccentric, quirky.
Implausible	Adjective	Unbelievable, unreasonable.
Temperate	Adjective	Moderation and moderation.
Arrogant	Adjective	Arrogant and conceited.
Complacent	Adjective	Complacency, not caring.
Embellish	Verb	Decorate, beautify more.
Evoke	Verb	Evoke, evoke emotions or memories.
Prudent	Adjective	Be cautious and calculate in advance.
Suppress	Verb	Suppression and prevention.
Acquire	Verb	Buy or achieve something for yourself.
Aspiration	Noun	What hope or ambition is achieved?
Augment	Verb	Increase further, increase by supplementation.
Avid	Adjective	Have a deep interest and enthusiasm for something, especially hobbies.
Belie	Verb	Misleading; concealing or falsifying.
Concise	Adjective	Be concise and clear in words or text.
Discern	Verb	Recognize, recognize, or discern something.
Disillusion	Verb	Disillusioning someone; helps someone see reality.
Disingenuous	Adjective	Dishonesty or insincerity.
Emphatic	Adjective	Emphasized or expressed clearly.
Endure	Verb	Endure through hardship or hardship.
Eradicate	Verb	Complete destruction; Delete.
Exacerbate	Verb	Exacerbating a bad problem or situation.
Frugal	Adjective	Saving in spending; careful.
Illuminate	Verb	Light; clarifying or explaining.
Ingenuous	Adjective	Innocent, unsuspecting; sincere.
Lament	Verb	Express deep grief or regret.
Meticulous	Adjective	Great attention to detail; extremely careful.
Orthodox	Adjective	Follow what is widely accepted or traditional.
Perpetuate	Verb	Do something to keep going forever.
Prevalent	Adjective	Popular in a specific area or time.
Provocative	Adjective	Provoking or producing a strong response.
Spontaneous	Adjective	Spontaneous, without prior planning.
Subjective	Adjective	Based on personal feelings or opinions, not objective.
Supplant	Verb	Replace the position of something.
Avert	Verb	Turn away; stop or stop something from happening.
Awestruck	Adjective	Full of surprise and respect, admiration.
Baffle	Verb	Make someone completely confused or confused.
Cajole	Verb	Persuade someone to do something through praise or persuasion.
Clarity	Noun	Clarity and easy to understand.
Constrain	Verb	Restrict or limit someone or something.
Cordial	Adjective	Friendly, warm, and pleasant.
Corroborate	Verb	Confirm or provide support for something.
Debilitate	Verb	Weakening, debilitating.
Debunk	Verb	Exposing deviations; rejecting what is wrong or unrealistic.
Defer	Verb	Postponing an event or taking action until a later time.
Detract	Verb	Degrades the value or credibility of someone or something.

4. Tips to learn SAT vocabulary quickly, simply, and effectively

Practicing SAT vocabulary is a process that requires patience and effective learning methods. Below are some effective SAT vocabulary learning tips that you can apply:

Enhancing Your SAT Vocabulary Requires Patience

Flashcards are a simple but highly effective learning method. Each flashcard has the word on one side and its definition on the other, helping you memorize quickly. With flashcards, you can study anytime and anywhere.
Apply techniques such as 8s—view and pronounce a word within 8 to 15 seconds—or Waterfall, where you divide vocabulary into groups and gradually move words from the difficult group to the easier group.
Group study can help you learn faster. Group members can test and discuss challenging words together. Additionally, a serious learning environment with rewards and penalties can motivate you to study more diligently.
Create a list of difficult words and spend extra time studying them. You can use flashcards or vocabulary apps like Cram or Quizlet for continuous practice.
Practicing with mock tests not only reinforces the words you’ve learned but also familiarizes you with real test questions. This helps you understand how vocabulary appears in the test, improving your ability to process information effectively.
Reading English books is an excellent way to expand your vocabulary. You can choose classic literature, novels, or newspapers to practice.

Through this article, we hope you’ve added a significant amount of essential SAT vocabulary to your study materials. Mastering SAT vocabulary not only enhances your test performance but also improves your critical thinking and deeper understanding of the test. Keep practicing and applying the appropriate methods to memorize important words effectively.

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