Improving Your Vocabulary for the SAT and ACT

A strong vocabulary lays the groundwork for excellent reading comprehension skills, which are essential for boosting your standardized test scores. Building a solid vocabulary is a gradual process, so it’s best to start as early as possible.

Read, Read, Read

In my experience, the best way to enhance your vocabulary is through reading rather than by memorizing long lists of words and definitions. Learning vocabulary in context helps you understand a word’s nuances and makes it easier to recall.

What Should You Read?

Choose reading materials that interest you but also challenge your current reading level. For fiction, consider reading classic literature by authors like Charles Dickens, Edith Wharton, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Jane Austen, or Ernest Hemingway.

For non-fiction, quality periodicals such as The New York Times, Time Magazine, or The Atlantic offer excellent opportunities to strengthen your vocabulary.

How to Memorize Vocabulary

While reading, make it a habit to pause whenever you encounter an unfamiliar word. Look it up immediately and write it down along with its definition in your own words. This extra step reinforces your understanding and helps commit the word to memory. Review your word list periodically to keep those definitions fresh and ready for test day.

Need Help with Test Prep?

Need help with all aspects of test prep? Explore our small group classes and one-on-one tutoring options:

• Online classes: https://www.lockwoodtestprep.com/online

One on one tutoring: https://www.lockwoodtestprep.com/tutoring?