Boost Your Test Scores with Advanced Vocabulary
Are you preparing for the SAT, ACT, or EST? Mastering vocabulary is crucial for achieving high scores on these standardized tests. In this comprehensive guide, we'll introduce you to 56 essential words that frequently appear in the more challenging reading passages of these exams.
Why Vocabulary Matters in Standardized Tests
A strong vocabulary not only helps you understand complex texts but also improves your ability to:
- Comprehend nuanced passages
- Answer context-based questions accurately
- Write more sophisticated essays
- Boost your overall verbal and reading scores
How to Use This Guide
This blog post features interactive flashcards for each of the 56 words in Set 3. To make the most of your study session:
- Click on each flashcard to reveal the definition and synonyms
- Try to use the word in a sentence before flipping the card
- Review difficult words more frequently
- Create your own example sentences to reinforce understanding
Interactive Vocabulary Flashcards - Set 3
Practice with our interactive flashcards below. Click or tap on a card to flip it and reveal the definition and synonyms.
Conscientious
Conscientious
Characterized by extreme care and great effort; diligent and attentive to detail.
Synonyms: Scrupulous, thorough, diligent
Method
Method
A particular procedure for accomplishing or approaching something, especially a systematic or established one.
Synonyms: System, technique, approach
Incidental
Incidental
Happening as a minor accompaniment to something else.
Synonyms: Secondary, minor, subsidiary
Mishap
Mishap
An unlucky accident or unfortunate event.
Synonyms: Misfortune, accident, disaster
Collaborative
Collaborative
Produced or conducted by two or more parties working together.
Synonyms: Cooperative, joint, collective
Design
Design
A plan or drawing produced to show the look and function or workings of something before it is built or made.
Synonyms: Plan, blueprint, scheme
Systematic
Systematic
Done or acting according to a fixed plan or system; methodical.
Synonyms: Methodical, organized, structured
Accident
Accident
An unfortunate incident that happens unexpectedly and unintentionally, typically resulting in damage or injury.
Synonyms: Mishap, disaster, misfortune
Allied
Allied
Joined by or relating to an agreement or treaty.
Synonyms: Affiliated, associated, connected
Partisan
Partisan
A strong supporter of a party, cause, or person.
Synonyms: Supporter, follower, adherent
Contiguous
Contiguous
Sharing a common border; touching.
Synonyms: Adjacent, neighboring, adjoining
Pluralistic
Pluralistic
Relating to or advocating a system in which two or more states, groups, principles, sources of authority, etc. coexist.
Synonyms: Diverse, multicultural, multifaceted
Mystical
Mystical
Relating to mystics or religious mysticism.
Synonyms: Spiritual, transcendental, esoteric
Superior
Superior
Higher in rank, status, or quality.
Synonyms: Higher, better, greater
Uneven
Uneven
Not level or smooth.
Synonyms: Rough, bumpy, irregular
Mediocre
Mediocre
Of only moderate quality; not very good.
Synonyms: Average, ordinary, inferior
Predictable
Predictable
Able to be predicted or anticipated.
Synonyms: Expected, anticipated, foreseeable
Eloquent
Eloquent
Fluent or persuasive in speaking or writing.
Synonyms: Articulate, expressive, fluent
Enthralling
Enthralling
Capturing and holding one's attention; fascinating.
Synonyms: Captivating, absorbing, mesmerizing
Vapid
Vapid
Offering nothing that is stimulating or challenging; bland.
Synonyms: Insipid, dull, lifeless
Fragility
Fragility
The quality of being easily broken or damaged.
Synonyms: Delicacy, frailty, vulnerability
Reminiscence
Reminiscence
A story told about a past event remembered by the narrator.
Synonyms: Recollection, memory, reminiscing
Perniciousness
Perniciousness
Having a harmful effect, especially in a gradual or subtle way.
Synonyms: Harmful, dangerous, damaging
Plasticity
Plasticity
The quality of being easily shaped or molded.
Synonyms: Flexibility, adaptability, malleability
Acronym
Acronym
An abbreviation formed from the initial letters of other words and pronounced as a word.
Synonyms: Initialism, abbreviation, acronymization
Retraction
Retraction
The action of withdrawing or revoking something that has been said or done.
Synonyms: Withdrawal, retraction, recantation
Tenet
Tenet
A principle or belief held to be true by a group or individual.
Synonyms: Doctrine, dogma, creed
Plight
Plight
A difficult or unfortunate situation.
Synonyms: Predicament, dilemma, hardship
Curative
Curative
Having the ability to cure or heal.
Synonyms: Therapeutic, remedial, healing
Flavoring
Flavoring
A substance added to food or drink to give it a particular taste.
Synonyms: Seasoning, spice, condiment
Inferior
Inferior
Lower in rank, status, or quality.
Synonyms: Substandard, second-rate, lesser
Questionable
Questionable
Doubtful, uncertain, or suspicious.
Synonyms: Dubious, shady, unreliable
Revitalizes
Revitalizes
Gives new life, energy, or strength to something.
Synonyms: Rejuvenates, refreshes, renews
Consign
Consign
To hand over or entrust something to someone else.
Synonyms: Deliver, assign, transfer
Conjoins
Conjoins
To bring together or join in a single entity.
Synonyms: Unite, merge, connect
Exclude
Exclude
To deny someone or something access, entry, or participation.
Synonyms: Omit, reject, eliminate
Realigns
Realigns
To adjust or reorganize something to make it more effective or efficient.
Synonyms: Readjusts, restructures, realigns
Salvage
Salvage
To save or rescue something from destruction or loss.
Synonyms: Recover, retrieve, reclaim
Diffuses
Diffuses
To spread or scatter widely, especially a gas or liquid.
Synonyms: Disseminates, spreads, circulates
Defer
Defer
To put off or delay an action or decision.
Synonyms: Postpone, delay, suspend
Theatricality
Theatricality
The quality or state of being dramatic, theatrical, or exaggerated.
Synonyms: Drama, showiness, flamboyance
Sullenness
Sullenness
A gloomy or resentful mood or disposition.
Synonyms: Moroseness, glumness, moodiness
Flamboyance
Flamboyance
The quality or state of being showy or colorful in an attention-grabbing way.
Synonyms: Showiness, extravagance, ostentation
Reserve
Reserve
To keep back or save for future use.
Synonyms: Save, set aside, retain
Inadequate
Inadequate
Not sufficient or not enough in size, amount, or quality.
Synonyms: Insufficient, lacking, inadequate
Tangential
Tangential
Only slightly relevant or related to the main topic or issue.
Synonyms: Peripheral, incidental, irrelevant
Indispensable
Indispensable
Absolutely necessary or essential.
Synonyms: Necessary, vital, crucial
Baneful
Baneful
Causing harm, destruction, or ruin.
Synonyms: Harmful, destructive, damaging
Diligent
Diligent
Hard-working, industrious, and thorough in one's work or duties.
Synonyms: Industrious, assiduous, conscientious
Supercilious
Supercilious
Behaving or looking as though one is superior to others.
Synonyms: Arrogant, haughty, condescending
Perspicacious
Perspicacious
Having a keen understanding or insight; mentally sharp.
Synonyms: Insightful, perceptive, discerning
Unpretentious
Unpretentious
Modest and not trying to impress others with wealth or status.
Synonyms: Humble, unassuming, down-to-earth
Obtuse
Obtuse
Lacking sharpness or quickness of sensibility or intellect; insensitive, dull or stupid.
Synonyms: Slow, dim-witted, unintelligent
Penitent
Penitent
Feeling or showing regret for wrongdoing; repentant.
Synonyms: Remorseful, regretful, contrite
Sagacious
Sagacious
Having or showing good judgement; wise, shrewd, clever.
Synonyms: Astute, insightful, perceptive
Imposing
Imposing
Grand, impressive or imposing in appearance, style, or general effect.
Synonyms: Magnificent, majestic, grandiose
Tips for Effective Vocabulary Learning
To truly master these words and boost your test scores, consider the following strategies:
- Context is key: Pay attention to how words are used in sentences
- Use the words in your own writing and speech
- Group words by themes or roots to aid memorization
- Review regularly, spacing out your practice sessions
Conclusion
Mastering these 56 words will significantly improve your performance on the SAT, ACT, and EST. Remember, vocabulary building is an ongoing process. Keep practicing, and you'll see your scores improve over time.
Good luck with your test preparation!
Helpful Resources for Digital SAT Preparation
To help you prepare better for the Digital SAT, here are some useful blog posts from The Test Advantage:
- Digital SAT Past Papers: Authentic Practice Tests
- How to Solve Digital SAT Vocabulary: Words in Context | Domain 2 Tips
- A Tutorial on Digital SAT Purpose Questions
- How to Solve Inference Questions on the Digital SAT (DSAT)
- Digital SAT Leaks: The Risks of Using DSAT Past Papers | Prep Strategies
- Digital SAT Reading and Writing: Expert Guide to Boost Your Score
- Learn Your Digital SAT Punctuation Skills | Grammar Cheat Sheet
- The Only Guide You Need to Master Inference Questions on the Digital SAT
- Digital SAT Vocabulary Guide: Mnemonics & Context Strategies | Domain 2
- Digital SAT Vocabulary: Fun Ways to Learn Common SAT Words using Mnemonics
These resources cover a wide range of topics to help you prepare for different aspects of the Digital SAT. From vocabulary strategies to practice tests, these blog posts offer valuable tips and information to boost your performance on test day.