40 Words You Need to Know for the Digital SAT

For many, the SAT is synonymous with understanding vocabulary. Despite its many forms, the SAT has always leaned on both direct and indirect vocabulary assessment.

The new digital SAT is no different. The first few practice tests on the College Board website clearly test a student’s vocabulary and their understanding of synonyms and context clues.

After tutoring some students for the new digital SAT, I compiled a list of words that are tripping them up right off the bat. I suggest reading the following words and study their definitions so that they’re familiar to you.

1. Adversity (noun)- Challenges or difficulties
2. Ambiguity (noun) – The quality of being open to more than one interpretation; inexactness.
3. Ambivalent (adjective) – Having mixed feelings
4. Anomaly – Something that deviates from what is standard
5. Antagonistic – Showing opposition or hostility
6. Apathy – Lack of interest or emotion
7. Arbitrary (adjective) – Based on random choice or personal whim, rather than any reason or system.
8. Aesthetic – Related to beauty or art
9. Autonomy (noun) – The right or condition of self-government.
10. Benevolent – Well-meaning and kindly
11. Candid – Truthful and straightforward
12. Cohesive (adjective) – Forming a united whole.
13. Complacent – Showing smug or uncritical satisfaction with oneself
14. Concise – Giving a lot of information clearly and in a few words
15. Conjecture (noun) – An opinion or conclusion formed on the basis of incomplete information.
16. Consolidated (verb) – Make (something) physically stronger or more solid.
17. Coerce – Persuade to do something by using force or threats
18. Cynical – Believing that people are motivated purely by self-interest
19. Debilitate – Make someone weak and infirm
20. Decorous – In keeping with good taste and propriety
21. Demagogue – A political leader who seeks support by appealing to popular desires
22. Despot – A ruler or person who holds absolute power, typically one who exercises it in a cruel way
23. Diligent – Having or showing care and conscientiousness in one’s work
24. Discern – Perceive or recognize something
25. Disparage – Regard or represent as being of little worth

26. Disparities (noun) – A great difference.
27. Divergent (adjective) – Tending to be different or develop in different directions
28. Elicit (verb) – Evoke or draw out a response
29. Elicit (verb) – Evoke or draw out (a response or fact) from someone.
30. Embellish (verb) – Make something more attractive by adding decorative details
31. Empathy (noun)- The ability to understand and share the feelings of another
32. Empirical (adjective) – Based on, concerned with, or verifiable by observation or experience rather than theory or pure logic.
33. Ephemeral (adjective)- Lasting for a very short time
34. Experimental (adjective) – Involving a trial or test; based on untested ideas or techniques.
35. Inference (noun) – A conclusion reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning.
36. Innovative (adjective) – Featuring new methods; advanced and original.
37. Interpret (verb) – Explain the meaning of (information or actions).
38. Indigenous (adjective) – Originating or occurring naturally in a particular place; native.
39. Meticulous (adjective) – Showing great attention to detail; very careful and precise.
40. Nuanced (adjective) – Characterized by subtle shades of meaning or expression