Digital SAT Vocabulary Levels 1-3: The Essential List & Study Plan
Looking at huge sat vocab lists and feeling like you need to memorize the entire dictionary for the Digital SAT? Does the thought of digital sat words in context questions using words you've never seen before cause stress? It's completely understandable. Building a strong digital sat vocabulary takes effort, and many students struggle with how to study efficiently without getting lost or burning out.
Consider two students, Khalid and Zara. Khalid found a massive online list and tried the 'brute force' method – attempting to memorize 50 random words a night. He felt constantly overwhelmed, the words jumbled in his head, and he couldn't recall meanings when seeing them in practice sentences. Zara, however, found a structured list broken into difficulty levels. She followed a step-by-step plan, focusing on mastering one level before moving to the next, using flashcards and regular review. While it still took effort, Zara felt a sense of progress and found words actually sticking, helping her tackle practice questions more confidently.
Khalid's approach is common, but Zara's structured method is far more effective. To truly prepare for the Reading & Writing section, especially those Words in Context questions, you need both a solid list of likely words and a smart study strategy. Below, you'll find a carefully compiled list of vocabulary words relevant to the SAT, divided into three levels (medium, difficult, expert). Even more important is the plan for how to learn them.
(Words marked with an * have appeared on official College Board Digital SAT materials)
How to Effectively Study This Vocabulary List:
Your preferred memorization tool is up to you (flashcards, Anki, Quizlet, etc.), but the method matters most. Use an organized system to track known vs. unknown words. We strongly recommend these steps:
- Begin with Level 1 (Medium): Go through the Level 1 list below. Mark every word you don't know confidently. If you only "kind of" know it, mark it.
- Learn Your Marked Words: Create your study tools (flashcards, etc.) for the words you marked in Level 1. Focus on learning a manageable batch daily, maybe 10-20 words. Don't rush!
- Consistent Review (Spaced Repetition): Every 2-3 days, review the words you've already studied from Level 1. Test yourself. If you've forgotten one, put it back in rotation for active studying. This regular retrieval practice is key for long-term memory.
- Master Level 1: Repeat steps 2 and 3 until you truly know all the Level 1 words.
- Advance to Level 2 (Difficult): Once Level 1 is solid, repeat steps 1-4 using the Level 2 list. Don't forget Level 1! Once a week, quickly review all Level 1 words to ensure they remain fresh. Add any forgotten words back for re-study.
- Tackle Level 3 (Expert) & Maintain: After mastering Level 2, move on to Level 3, again repeating steps 1-4. Your weekly review should now briefly cover all Level 1 and Level 2 words, adding any forgotten ones back to your study pile. Only study Level 3 after mastering Levels 1 and 2, as these words appear less frequently.
Level 1 Vocabulary Words (Medium Difficulty)
This is a great starting point, containing words common in Words in Context questions and Reading passages.
| Word | Definition |
|---|---|
| abundant* | existing or available in large quantities; plentiful |
| pervasive | existing or spreading through every part of something |
| adhere | to believe in and follow the practices of |
| precursor | a person or thing that comes before another of the same kind |
| accentuate | make more noticeable or prominent |
| advocate | to publicly support of recommend |
| prohibitive | forbidding or restricting something; excessively high or difficult to pay |
| allude | to suggest or call attention to |
| analogous | comparable in certain respects, typically a way which makes clearer the nature of the things compared |
| tranquil | free from disturbance; calm |
| anecdote | a short amusing or interesting story about a real incident or person |
| relevant | closely connected or appropriate to what is being done or considered |
| outsized* | larger, greater, or more significant than what is considered typical |
| apprehensive | anxious or fearful that something bad or unpleasant will happen |
| unattainable | not able to be reached or achieved |
| arbitrary | based on random choice or personal whim, rather than any reason or system |
| lineage | line of descent from an ancestor |
| assert | to state a fact or belief confidently or forcefully |
| bias | prejudice in favor of or against one thing, group, or person compared with another |
| concede | to admit that something is true or valid after first denying or resisting it |
| coarseness* | the quality of being rough or harsh |
| validate | to check or prove the accuracy or validity of something |
| corroborate* | to confirm or give support to |
| substantiate | to provide evidence to support or prove the truth of |
| underscore | to emphasize or draw attention to |
| undermine | to lessen the effectiveness, power, or ability of |
| consensus | a general agreement |
| decisive | settling an issue; producing a definite result |
| eloquent | fluent or persuasive in speaking or writing |
| exert | to make a physical or mental effort |
| dispute | a disagreement, argument, or debate |
| denounce | to publicly declare to be wrong or evil |
| skeptical | not easily convinced; having doubts or reservations |
| provoke | to stimulate or give rise to a reaction or emotion, typically a strong or unwelcome one in someone |
| overlook | to miss or fail to notice something |
| repression | the restraint, prevention, or inhibition of a feeling or quality |
| speculate | to form a theory or conjecture about a subject without firm evidence |
| subtle | so delicate or precise as to be difficult to analyze or describe |
| retain | to continue to have; keep possession of |
| degrade | to treat or regard someone with contempt or disrespect |
| divergent* | tending to be different or develop in different directions |
| explicit | stated clearly and in detail, leaving no room for confusion or doubt |
| imminent | about to happen |
| counteract* | to oppose or neutralize the effects of something by taking contrary or opposing actions; to offset or balance out |
| impede | to delay or prevent someone or something by obstructing |
| prominent | important; famous |
| reciprocate | to respond to a gesture or action by making a corresponding one |
| refute* | to prove a statement or theory to be wrong or false |
| prevalent | common |
| oppressive | unjustly inflicting hardship and constraint |
| novel | new or unusual in an interesting way |
| inevitable | certain to happen; unavoidable |
| exert | to make a physical or mental effort |
| obscure* | to make unclear, uncertain, or difficult to understand |
| conventional | ordinary or commonplace |
| detractor | a person who tries to take away from the quality, value or reputation of something or someone |
| dispersed* | spread widely |
| elicit | evoke or draw out a response, answer, or fact from someone in reaction to one’s own actions or questions |
| catalyze | to bring about a chemical reaction; to bring about or inspire |
| evade | to escape or slip away |
| exploit | to make full use of and derive benefit from; to treat someone unfairly in order to make money or gain an advantage |
| sporadic* | occurring at irregular intervals or only in a few places |
| momentous* | of great importance or significance, especially in having a bearing on future events |
| pristine* | clean and fresh is if new; spotless |
| constrict* | to make narrower or tighten |
| ecology | study of the natural world |
| entomology | study of insects |
| genetics | study of genes |
| ornithology | study of birds |
| paleontology | study of fossils |
| zoology | study of animals |
| astronomy | study of stars and planets |
| botany | study of plants |
| neuroscience | science of the brain |
| geology | study of rocks |
| anthropology | study of human behavior and social organization |
| archaeology | study of historical human activity through the excavation of physical objects |
| economics | study of monetary systems |
| ethnography | study of individual cultures |
| folklore | study of traditional stores and myths |
| sociology | study of everyday human social behaviors and interactions |
| empirical | relying on hard data |
| hierarchy | system of rank |
| indigenous | native |
| inhibit | prevent or impede |
| pigment | color |
| predisposed | having a tendency toward |
| equitable* | fair and just; treating everyone equally |
| regenerate | regrow |
| stimulus | something that provokes a specific response |
| indulgent* | having or indicating a tendency to be overly generous |
| feasible | possible |
| oblivious | unaware |
| absolve | to clear of wrongdoing; pardon |
| behold* | to see or observe something, often with a sense of wonder |
| acclaim | to praise openly |
| rectify* | to correct or make right |
| chastise | to criticize severely |
| satiate* | to satisfy |
| adversary | opponent |
| align | to support or adopt the position |
| comprehensive | complete |
| strenuous* | requiring great effort or energy |
| contingent | dependent upon |
| rudimentary | very basic |
| badger | to pester or annoy |
| imposing* | having a striking appearance or commanding pressure |
| deplete | to decrease the supply of |
| adverse | unfavorable, unlucky, harmful |
| ominous | menacing, threatening |
| perpetuate | to continue; to keep from dying out |
| erratic* | unpredictable |
| manifestations* | visible or evident signs or expressions of something; to make something clear or apparent |
| depict | to draw or portray |
| exacerbate | to make worse; to aggravate |
| expedite | to speed up |
| monetize* | to make money from something |
| foreboding | an ominous foretelling |
| aversion | intense dislike; revulsion |
| sedentary | passive or inactive |
| occupy* | take possession of a place or thing |
| palatable | acceptable to the mind or senses |
| credible | believable |
| inconsequential* | lacking importance or significance, trivial, unimportant |
| convene* | to come together for a meeting or assembly |
| opulent | extremely wealthy; extravagant |
| livid | extremely angry |
| yield* | to produce or provide |
| callous | insensitive |
| absolve | to clear of wrongdoing |
| meticulous | very concerned with details |
| scrutiny* | critical observation or examination |
| inherent | inborn or naturally occurring in something |
| marginal | unimportant |
| debilitate | to make weak or feeble |
| debase | to lower in value |
| defunct | no longer in existence or use |
| articulate | well spoken |
| alleviate | to relieve or make more bearable |
| unyielding* | not giving in |
| debilitate | to weaken |
| diligent | characterized by steady, earnest, and energetic application |
| pedestrian | dull, ordinary |
| malignant | causing harm |
| flaunt | to display or show off |
| desolate | depress; bleak; lifeless |
| convey* | to communicate or express something |
| debunk | to prove false |
| ideology | belief system |
| contemporary | current |
| displace | to force someone or something from its home or habitat |
| prestige* | the reputation or influence arising from success or rank |
| disposition | personality |
| peripheral | at the edge of, not central |
| accolade | praise; distinction |
| reluctant* | unwilling or hesitant |
| obliterate | to completely destroy |
Level 2 Vocabulary Words (Difficult)
These words appear often in harder Words in Context questions. Mastering them is important for aiming above 700.
| Word | Definition |
|---|---|
| ambivalent | having mixed feeling or contradictory ideas about something or someone |
| buttress* | to increase the strength of or justification for; to reinforce |
| abate | decrease, recede |
| unobtrusive | not conspicuous or attracting attention |
| tenuous | very weak or slight |
| evoke | to bring or recall to the conscious mind |
| conjecture | the formation or expression of an opinion or theory without sufficient evidence for proof |
| substantiate | to provide evidence to support or prove the truth of |
| mitigate* | to make something less severe, serious, or painful |
| contempt | the feeling that a person or thing is beneath consideration, worthless, or deserving scorn |
| deference | humble submission and respect |
| hinder | create difficulties for someone or something, resulting in delay or obstruction |
| implicit | implied but not plainly expressed |
| invoke | to cite or appeal to someone or something as an authority for an action or in support of an argument |
| dormant | having normal physical functions suspended or slowed down for a period of time; in or as if in a deep sleep |
| divergent | tending to be different or develop in different directions |
| obsolete | no longer produced or used; out of date |
| accentuate* | make more noticeable or prominent |
| copious* | plentiful in number |
| disseminate | to scatter or spread widely |
| eclipse | to make less outstanding or important by comparison |
| empirical | based on, concerned with, or verifiable by observation or experience than theory or pure logic |
| augment* | to expand or increase |
| uncanny | strange or mysterious, especially in an unsettling way |
| supplant* | to supersede and replace; to take the place of |
| placate | to make someone less angry or hostile |
| pretentious* | attempting to impress by showing greater importance, talent, culture, etc. than is possessed |
| palpable* | capable of being touched or felt |
| omit | to leave out or exclude something or someone |
| transpose | cause two or more thing to exchange places |
| entail* | involve something as necessary or inevitable part or consequence |
| lament* | express regret or disappointment about something |
| vindicate* | to clear someone or something of blame or suspicion |
| preclude* | to prevent something from happening or being possible |
| insidious | treacherous, spreading harm stealthily |
| calamitous | disastrous |
| adept | very skilled, expert |
| fickle | erratic |
| aesthetic | pertaining to the appreciation of beauty |
| unattainable* | impossible to achieve |
| corollary | a statement or condition that logically results from a proven argument |
| prevail | to win |
| prevailing | widespread; generally accepted |
| misconstrue* | to interpret something incorrectly, often leading to a misunderstanding |
| antithesis | the direct opposite |
| autonomous | acting independently |
| prohibitive* | serving as an obstacle or barrier |
| decry | to denounce; discredit |
| defame | to libel or slander; to ruin the good name of someone |
| feign | to represent falsely; to fake |
| stipulate* | to specify or demand a requirement or condition as part of an agreement |
| deplorable | regrettable |
| disparate | different; incompatible |
| magnanimous | forgiving; generous |
| synopsis* | a brief summary or overview of a longer text or event |
| harrowing | frightening or traumatic |
| paucity | scarcity or lack of |
| clandestine | done in secret |
| reverberate* | to echo or resound repeatedly; to have a lasting impact or influence |
| cursory | not thorough; superficial |
| posthumous | occurring after ones death |
| propensity | a tendency towards something |
| municipal* | relating to the local government or administration of a city or town |
| supple | flexible |
| replete | completely filled |
| prolific | very productive |
| sway* | to have control or influence over someone or something |
| culpable | deserving of blame |
| deride | to ridicule or mock |
| overt | not hidden; obvious |
| miser | a stingy person |
| heterodox* | contrary to or differing from established beliefs or accepted doctrines |
| ornate | elaborately or heavily decorated |
| introspective | meditative, thoughtful |
| credulity | gullibility, a tendency to be too ready to believe something |
| irrefutable* | impossible to deny or disprove |
| amicable | agreeable |
| resolute | determined |
| mutable | changeable |
| discordant | conflicting; disagreeable in sound |
| benevolent* | kind and helpful |
| epitome | a perfect example |
| tactful | sensitive in dealing with others |
| paltry | lacking in importance; trivial |
| arduous* | involving strenuous effort; requiring a lot of work |
| disparity | difference |
| dispassionate | calm; fair |
| elucidate | to explain or clarify |
| myriad | a vast number |
| unpretentious* | modest |
| eclectic | getting ideas from a diverse range of sources |
| candid | direct |
| malleable | capable of being shaped or formed |
| candor | honesty |
| recurrent* | occurring repeatedly or at regular intervals |
| incongruous | not corresponding or agreeing |
| inadvertent | unintentional |
| abate | decrease, recede |
| incisive | sharpness of mind |
| ascertain | to determine or discover |
| coherent | logically connected |
| appraise* | to estimate the value of something |
| inundate | to overwhelm; to flood |
| immutable | unchangeable |
| accrue | to increase or to gain |
| supersede* | to replace with something better |
| hamper | to prevent the free movement or action of |
| animosity | hatred or bitter hostility |
| deleterious | harmful to one’s health |
| judicious | showing sound judgement |
| impede* | to delay or prevent someone or something by obstructing them |
| acumen | sharpness of judgement or insight |
| audacious | bold; fearless |
| misconstrue | misinterpret |
| nefarious | extremely wicked |
| brevity | concise expression without wasted words |
| notoriety | being famous or well known |
| homogenous* | having the same characteristics throughout |
| nuance | a subtle difference |
| obtrusive | imposing to others |
| depreciate | to devalue |
| derelict | abandoned, neglectful of duty |
| interdependent* | mutually reliant on each other; interconnected |
| censure | blame or condemn |
| ambiguous | uncertain; subject to multiple interpretations |
| complacent | self-satisfied; indifferent; accepting of mediocrity |
| indisputable | impossible to question or doubt |
| antagonist* | an adversary |
| intrinsic | inherent |
| fortuitous | accidental or by chance |
| hiatus | a pause or lapse |
| emulate* | to imitate or strive to equal or surpass; to copy the actions of someone or something |
| verbose | wordy |
| assail | to attack someone |
| robust* | strong or healthy; can also be used to describe data as convincing |
| fathom | to understand |
| accost | to approach and speak to someone |
| acuity | insight; sharpness |
| extrapolate* | to estimate or forecast based on existing trends or date |
| deferential | yielding to the opinion or wishes of another |
| paradox | a contradiction or puzzle |
| affinity for* | a natural liking or attraction to something |
| aberration | a deviation from the normal or proper |
| proscribe | to forbid |
| partition* | to separate into parts |
| disconcerting | confusing; unsettling |
| atrophy | to deteriorate |
| laud | to praise highly |
| dissonant | harsh or irregular in sound |
Level 3 Vocabulary Words (Expert)
These are the most advanced words, likely appearing in only a few hard questions. Focus here only after mastering Levels 1 & 2, especially if aiming for a 750+.
| Word | Definition |
|---|---|
| abet | to aide, act as an accomplice |
| abhor | to detest or loathe |
| verisimilitude* | the appearance of being true or real |
| conspicuous* | standing out so as to be clearly visible |
| ameliorate* | to make better or more tolerable |
| amorphous* | having no definite form or character |
| engender* | cause or give rise to a feeling, situation, or condition |
| tertiary | of the third order, rank, stage, formation; less important |
| austere* | severe or strict in manner, attitude or appearance; lacking any excess |
| citadel | a stronghold or fortress |
| coalesce | to grow together |
| equivocal* | subject to two or more interpretations; of uncertain nature or classification |
| repine | to feel or express discontent |
| repudiate* | to deny the truth or validity of |
| evince* | to reveal the presence of a quality or feeling |
| insuperable* | impossible to overcome or surpass, insurmountable |
| nebulous* | unclear, vague, or hazy, lacking definite form or boundaries |
| demagogue | a person who appeals to the emotions or prejudices of the people |
| neophyte | a beginner or novice |
| cogent | persuasive or forceful |
| laconic | using few words |
| ineluctable* | inevitable, unable to be avoided or escaped |
| denigrate | ridicule; belittle |
| gratuitous | unnecessary, uncalled for |
| mirth | merriment, joy |
| demur | to object |
| superfluous* | exceeding what is necessary or required; unnecessary |
| equivocate | to be ambiguous, not upfront |
| altruistic | selflessness; unselfish concern for the welfare of others |
| partisan | a strong supporter of a cause, person, or party |
| fastidious | very attentive to detail |
| adulation | high praise |
| guile | deception or skillful deceit |
| induce* | to bring about or cause a particular response or action |
| prodigious | causing amazement or wonder; enormous |
| magnanimous | noble, generous |
| hedonism | the pursuit of pleasure |
| demure | modest and reserved, falsely so |
| scrupulous* | a person or process that is diligent, thorough, and extremely attentive to details |
| terse | brief |
| clamor | noise, a mixture of disagreeable sounds |
| colloquial | informal |
| acquiesce | to agree; submit passively |
| irreproachable* | beyond criticism or fault, perfect or faultless in behavior or actions |
| loquacious | talkative |
| haughty | arrogant; snobbish |
| deft | skilled |
| idiosyncratic* | peculiar or unique to an individual; having distinctive characteristics |
| bereft | lacking; missing |
| curt | short in response, commonly used when someone is being rude |
| perfunctory | done routinely with little care |
| rancor | bitterness; spitefulness |
| coalesce* | to come together to form a single group or mass |
| belligerent | aggressive; hostile |
| contrite | affected by guilt |
| omniscient | all knowing |
| untenable | indefensible |
| orthodox* | adhering to established beliefs, customs, or practices |
| decorous | marked by good behavior |
| pertinent | relevant |
| banal | commonplace |
| allay | to lessen, ease, or soothe |
| spurious* | false or not genuine; lacking authenticity |
| surreptitious | secret and stealthy |
| bilk | to swindle or cheat |
| egregious | obviously bad or offensive |
| antipathy | extreme dislike |
| incongruous* | out of place |
| acrimony | bitterness or hostility |
| disparage | belittle; to speak down to someone |
| fervent | passionate or zealous |
| dubious | doubtful |
| venerable* | worthy of respect |
| curmudgeon | a rude person |
| convivial | sociable; festive |
| extol | to commend or praise |
| admonish | to caution or reprimand; to warn |
| partite* | divided into parts |
| capricious | impulsive; whimsical |
| dogmatic | inflexible; rigid in one’s beliefs |
| accretion | gradual build up or growth by addition |
| omnipresent* | present everywhere at the same time |
| extemporaneous | improvised or spontaneous |
| abet | to aid |
| inviolable | not to be broken; sacred |
| untoward* | unfavorable, inappropriate, or inconvenient |
| assent | to agree |
| taciturn | reserved or quiet |
| trite | overused, commonplace, having no freshness or appeal |
| hew* | to cut or shape |
| profligate | wasteful |
| ubiquitous | universal |
| adroit | skillful; accomplished; highly competent |
| abhor | to detest or loathe |
| castigate | to punish severely |
| brusque | rudely concise |
| secular | worldly, not spiritual |
| pious | very observant of religious practices |
| amenable | agreeable or cooperative |
| furtive | sneaky or sly |
| edify | to instruct or enlighten |
| assiduous | diligent; hard working |
| admonish | to caution or advise against |
| heretic | a person holding untraditional or blasphemous opinions |
| incorrigible | incapable of being corrected or reformed |
| auspicious | favorable; promising |
| avarice | greed |
| egalitarian | equal for all |
| circumspect | careful to consider all circumstances and consequences |
| byzantine | very complicated or intricate |
| arcane | known or understood by only a few |
| feckless | weak; ineffective; incompetent |
| ardent | passionate |
| expedient | suitable for achieving a particular end |
| ascetic | self-denying; depriving oneself of something |
| onerous | burdensome or oppressive |
| sagacious | wise |
| indelible | making marks or an impression that cannot be removed or lost |
| aspersion | a false rumor or damaging report |
| innocuous | harmless |
| impious | irreverent; disrespectful |
| assuage | to soother or pacify |
| perspicacious | very perceptive or discerning |
| abstruse | complex; hard to understand |
| petulant | childish; irritable |
| abase | to humble or degrade |
| latent | undeveloped or dormant |
| abdicate | to formally relinquish |
| obstreperous | noisy; unruly |
| harbinger | forerunner or omen |
| beguile | to deceive |
| irreverent | lacking respect |
| parity | state of being equivalent |
| callow | inexperienced; immature |
| perfunctory | routine; done without care |
| dearth | a lack or deficiency |
| enigma | something or someone puzzling or hard to understand |
| amiable | friendly and good |
| eminent | prominent; distinguished |
| pragmatic | practical |
| iconoclast | one who attacks traditional ideas or institutions |
| antipathy | a deep dislike or aversion |
| penitent | remorseful |
| magnate | a powerful or influential person |
| gregarious | sociable; enjoying the company of others |
| languid | exhausted |
| affable | friendly |
| hapless | ill fated; unlucky |
| palliate | to soothe or mitigate |
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Diligently studying these lists using the recommended method is how you build the foundation Zara had, avoiding Khalid's overwhelming experience. But pure memorization isn't the end goal. The real payoff comes when you can instantly recognize these words and understand their meaning within the context of an actual SAT passage or question.
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