2012-04-17 15:53:06

Everyone knows that the best way to prep for SAT verbal is to read more books. One reason for this is that it's about 1,000 x easier to retain vocabulary learned in context than through rote memorization. Think about it... Each word is a fiber in the fabric of communication. When you learn new vocab in context, you sense not only what individual words mean, but also how words connect to one another and how they are used. Come SAT Sentence Completions, memories of this context will act like a mnemonic: The context will conjure a word's definition.

But, what should I read to learn new words? There are many options! Below, I suggest a few.

1) Reading classical literature (like, The Scarlett Letter, Frankenstein, and Jayne Eyre) is best. Not only are these books rife with SAT vocabulary, but reading them will also hone your ability to work through complex sentence structures. Furthermore, scrambling through stories set in an unfamiliar time period or place will train you to work around confusing details to get a sense of the overall plot--a CRITICAL skill for approaching Passage Based Reading questions. Many of these books are available free online, through websites like Project Gutenberg.

2) If ya just can't mesh with Hardy, Austen and the Bronte Sisters, why not hang with a more modern crowd? The New York Times is SAT reading level, filled with luscious lexicon, and will inform you of important happenings throughout the world. You might also try stories and articles from The New Yorker, Vanity Fair, or Rolling Stone.

3) Although reading young adult literature won't help you prepare for Passage Based Reading questions, many YA books--like, The Hunger Games, Harry Potter (the spells will teach you Latin roots!) and Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress--incorporate SAT level vocabulary. Just make sure to look up EVERY new word encountered, even if you don't need to do this to understand the story. (Also check out this Hunger Games SAT vocab quiz, from dictionary.com!)

4) SparkNotes: SAT Vocabulary Novels sound pretty cheesy, but each book features 1,000 of the most frequently tested vocabulary words. Throughout each book, SAT words are printed in boldface and definitions appear on the same page, so students can easily access and digest the meanings as they read along.

Tips:

--- If you have a smartphone, download the dictionary.com app! Not only will it feed you a word of the day, but you can also use it to look up new words as you read on the train, in a diner, or while you stand in line.
--- If you don't have a smartphone, read by a computer so you can define new words as needed. If you read mostly away from home, carry a pencil and paper to write down words for later review.
--- Reinforce & retain new vocab by incorporating it into your schoolwork, writing, and everyday conversation.

Happy reading! Please let us know if you find more excellent reading material for studying SAT vocab!

Glossary
These Key SAT Words are Expertly Identified by Sentia Tutors

Rote: proceeding mechanically and repetitiously
Hone: to sharpen
Lexicon: the vocabulary of a specific language, field, or trade