The question about how vocabulary intensive the SAT & ACT really are needs to be answered frequently, as the tests often change in ways that obscure their core focus on language acquisition as a marker of reading fluency. Basically, both of these important college entrance exams test English vocabulary, even when few test questions specifically focus on advanced words.
The SAT introduced the term “SAT word” to the vernacular as a way of identifying the kind of tough vocabulary the test famously featured. Gone are the old Analogy questions of my youth–ANALOGIES : SAT :: DODO BIRD : WORLD–and even Sentence Completions, the classic fill-in-the-blank questions, have morphed into Words in Context items that focus more on dense text than explicit definitions. The ACT, on the other hand, has never featured many blatantly challenging vocabulary questions.
So, the question is a valid one: Do students need to bother with vocabulary at all, anymore?
YES.
I carefully audit the most challenging words reported by test takers on every official SAT and personally review every released ACT to assess the extent to which vocabulary is tested. Both exams require a strong command of high-utility Tier 2 words along with a health grasp of specialized Tier 3 words. While the most obvious vocabulary questions may be gone, many challenging words feature both as answer choices and embedded in important text throughout the tests.
Interestingly, increasing numbers of ACT English questions test vocabulary in a way that transcends mere context, requiring direct recollection of definitions. The words tested are nowhere near as esoteric as traditional SAT words, yet test takers sometimes still struggle. What happens when you don’t know what the words in the answer choices mean? Vocabulary strikes again!
What tools can test takers leverage to tackle tough test vocabulary, apart from all-important context?
TONE: Knowing whether a word is positive or negative can get you pretty far.
ROOTS: Recognizing a classic root helps unlock the meanings of countless English words, especially many of the tougher ones. Sometimes you will be able to use Latin or Greek roots by just noticing that an unfamiliar vocabulary word looks like a piece of a word you already know:
Benefactor: Beneficial? Benefit. Oh, I think the word benefactor must involve someone getting something good.
Circumscribe: Circumference of a circle! Scribbling lines on a paper. Perhaps circumscribe means to draw a line around something.
Graphical literacy has increased in importance in our 21st century assessments, but textual literacy and a college-level vocabulary never goes out of style. Work on yours for greater success on test day and every other day!
Mike Bergin