Word choice questions already appear on the SAT, but rumors say that the new digital SAT, which is expected to debut in early 2023 internationally and in 2024 in the US, would test vocabulary much more rigorously. How can you then get ready to ace these questions if you’re one of the people taking the new exam?

Start immediately by adding new words to your repertoire

Developing a vocabulary takes time and effort. Instead of straining to cram the night before, start studying right away. Here are some ideas for increasing your vocabulary.

Read a lot, then read even more. Reading is unquestionably the best way to learn new words since you can see how they are used in context. Read books that you find intriguing and that are a little tough. Look up any unfamiliar words you come across. To keep track of the new terms you learn, keep a vocabulary journal, make some physical flashcards, or make a set of Quizlet flashcards.

How to respond to vocabulary inquiries

Though the College Board hasn’t provided any details regarding the precise style of the vocabulary questions on the digital SAT, it’s likely that many of them won’t alter significantly from the word choice questions used today. The following strategies, however, will be helpful for any questions that evaluate vocabulary in the context of a phrase, regardless of the format.

Decide on the outcome

Rarely do vocabulary questions have one blatantly clear right answer. In contrast, two or more solution options will typically appear plausible at first. You might not be able to quickly determine which answer is right if you leap to the response options and begin inserting them into the phrase. In fact, if you really wanted to, you could probably argue for each and every answer option. This is due to the fact that, if you ignore the context, every answer option is intended to sound tempting. Try hiding those challenging answer options instead, then reread the passage. Say the first word that comes to mind when you reach the part that is underlined. You will almost always think of a word extremely close to the right response.

Apply the elimination method

You may come across one or two words from time to time that you are truly unfamiliar with. If this occurs, try not to panic! These terms are included on the SAT on purpose to terrify you and make you take more time. Make use of the process of elimination to prevent this pitfall. Choose a word from your vocabulary if it fits the statement. Select the unknown word if none of the familiar ones work. But don’t rule out a choice just because it uses jargon you don’t comprehend! Even if you don’t know all the words, you’ll frequently be able to still come up with the right response. The best course of action is to guess and move on if vocabulary is holding you back from advancement. The time you waste trying to decipher terms you have never seen can have a significant negative impact on your final grade.

Be mindful of the tone

Remember to consider the tone of the piece as a whole in addition to guessing which word belongs in the sentence. While some paragraphs will be objective and analytical, others might be stronger arguments or simply amusing. The correct response will always reflect the passage’s overall mood. Correct responses frequently have a more formal tone, as opposed to erroneous ones, which typically use colloquial or casual language.

For unprepared test-takers who do not predict their own words first or who allow foreign vocabulary to intimidate them, vocabulary questions can be a real pain in the neck. Nevertheless, if you get started studying right away, believe in your gut, and don’t obsess over unfamiliar terms, you will be able to breeze through these questions without even breaking a sweat.

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