Top Sat Words

Are you studying for the SAT and try to improve your writing and critical reading scores? The key to success in the SAT critical reading and writing articles is to enrich your vocabulary. Having a large and varied vocabulary is essential for success in this area and, unfortunately, not something you can or should CRAM.

Read a book
Read, read, read. The best way to prepare for the SAT or other standardized tests, including GRE, GMAT or last, is to do a lot of reading. This seems obvious, but with so many distractions of the Internet and television, today's students are not adequately reading and vocabulary is not as strong as it could be. Get your hands on reading material for higher level such as novels and academic journals as you will be able to see what good writing looks and sounds like. As you read, remember to truly absorb the material, and not just browse. Developing the habit of scribbling words you do not know when reading, watching and then start to integrate them into your own vocabulary.

This is the time to read all these great books outside of your assigned reading in class and it should not cost a dime. Take a book from the library or download digital books classics like Treasure Island, The Scarlet Letter, Frankenstein, Pride and Prejudice free on sites like Google Books.

Word of the Day Calendars
Wake up and learn a new word every day. Calendar pages generally include a definition, pronunciation, sample sentence, and detailed word history. Find the words that are fun to use and test your family at breakfast to see how many words they know. Many sites are also available for download "word of the day" applications on your computer, get free in your e-mail or on your smartphone. Slide a sheet in your lunch bag every day and have fun with your friends.

Play wordplay
Some other fun ideas of ways to develop your sense of understanding when you read and expand your vocabulary are word games like word scrambles, puzzles, crossword puzzles or board games like Scrabble.

Social networking Web versions of many original board games are a great way to learn new words and you can play online against your friends around the world. In addition, by playing online educational games and vocabulary that makes you feel good about learning new words that they donate to charities and causes to end hunger and poverty worldwide.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with making learning fun and if a student can learn something from playing a game, so why not enjoy it? Other practical ways students can study for the SAT practice tests are online study guides, interactive virtual classes and affordable online tutors .

Cohn-Lara, Examville Blog Contributor