Ideally, a high school student would be wise to study for the SAT (Standardized Achievement Test) or the ACT (American College Test) incrementally, over a long period of time. A student who is preparing for the vocabulary portion of these tests may want to devote a few hours a week to study. If a student begins to study several months ahead of time, he or she will likely feel more prepared and confident when the test day arrives. The following are several resources that can contribute to a student's efforts to study for the vocabulary section of the SAT or the ACT.
Games to Play When Preparing for the SAT or ACT
A student has a number of ways he or she can study vocabulary that may appear on the SAT or ACT. Mostly, it depends upon a student's study preferences. Some students are successful at learning vocabulary words by memorizing lists. Other students are able to absorb lots of vocabulary words by incorporating them into a game. For instance, matching games are very effective when it comes to pairing a vocabulary word with its proper definition. A simple game of bingo also allows a student the opportunity to work with vocabulary words and their definitions. Students can help one another to study with a stack of vocabulary flashcards. One student holds up a card with a word on it while the other defines the word. Whether a game is played alone or with another person, these activities can help students to absorb a collection of vocabulary in a thorough fashion.
Online Vocabulary Resources to Assist in Studying for the SAT or the ACT
Along with playing vocabulary games, a student can learn the definitions of words in other ways. For instance, a student can learn about the importance of using context clues in helping to identify a particular word's definition. In short, if the student doesn't recognize a specific word in a sentence or paragraph, the other words around it can be of help in figuring out its definition. Also, a student who learns about the meanings of various prefixes and suffixes can more readily figure out the definitions of vocabulary words. The prefix attached to a word can give a reader a clue as to what the word means. So too can a working knowledge of root words and word origins be useful in identifying tricky vocabulary. These tactics can prepare a student for the vocabulary section of the SAT or the ACT and are study skills that can transcend high school and be of use in post-graduate studies.
- A List of SAT Words with Their Definitions
- Preparing for the SAT
- Guide for Making (Vocabulary) Flashcards
- Vocabulary Practice and Quizzes
Finally, there are additional ways that a student can prepare for the SAT or the ACT besides playing practice games and studying vocabulary lists. For some students, the thought of taking these tests can make them feel very anxious. A student may want to consider taking one of the available prep courses that help prepare students for the SAT or ACT. Oftentimes, after taking one of these preparatory courses a student will feel more confident about the content of the test and their test-taking abilities. Furthermore, the night before the SAT or the ACT, a student should go to bed early and leave some time in the morning to decompress and eat a healthy breakfast before the test. It's not useful for a student to try to "cram" the night before the SAT or ACT. Cramming is not an effective way to retain information that would be helpful on the SAT, ACT, or any other test, however, a student who studies in a gradual way will be able to absorb more information, and have time to relax prior to testing.