Digital SAT Vocabulary Strategy & Mastery Guide

Vocabulary and strategic concepts for the Digital SAT Reading and Writing section based on PrepScholar's mastery guide.

Craft & Structure Domain

A primary domain of the Digital SAT Reading & Writing section that comprises approximately $28\%$ of the test ($13-15$ questions), evaluating high-utility academic words in context.

Leitner 4-Box Spaced Repetition System

A flashcard organization method where Box 1 is reviewed daily, Box 2 every 3 days, Box 3 weekly, and Box 4 bi-weekly based on word mastery.

Word Tone Polarity

The categorization of a word by its emotional charge: Positive (+), Negative (-), or Neutral (=), used to eliminate incorrect answer choices.

bene / bon

A Latin root meaning good, well, or favorable (e.g., Benevolent, Beneficial, Benign).

mal / dys

A root meaning bad, ill, wrongful, or faulty (e.g., Malicious, Malfunction, Dystopian).

anti / contra

A root meaning against, opposite, or opposing (e.g., Antipathy, Contradict, Antagonistic).

chron / temp

A root meaning time, order, or duration (e.g., Anachronism, Chronic, Contemporary).

path / phil

A root meaning feeling, emotion, or love (e.g., Empathy, Antipathy, Philanthropic).

acri / acer

A root meaning sharp, bitter, or harsh (e.g., Acrimonious, Acerbic, Exacerbate).

loq / loc / dic

A root meaning speak, talk, or declare (e.g., Eloquent, Loquacious, Vindicate).

spec / spic / vid

A root meaning look, see, or observe (e.g., Conspicuous, Scrutinize, Evident).

Reverent

A positive tone word meaning showing deep respect and solemn awe.

Laudatory

A positive tone word meaning expressing praise and commendation.

Pragmatic

A positive tone word meaning practical, realistic, and sensible.

Dogmatic

A negative tone word meaning asserting opinions as indisputable truth.

Objective

A neutral tone word meaning unbiased, matter-of-fact, and evidence-based.

Ambivalent

A mixed tone word meaning having simultaneous conflicting feelings.

Equivocal

A mixed tone word meaning open to double interpretation; ambiguous or uncertain.

Abate

To become less intense, active, or widespread.

Ameliorate

To make something bad or unsatisfactory better.

Anomaly

Something that deviates from what is standard or expected.

Arcane

Understood by few; mysterious or secret.

Buttress

To support, strengthen, or reinforce.

Conflate

To combine two or more separate ideas into one.

Corroborate

To confirm or give support to a statement or theory.

Curtail

To reduce in extent or quantity; impose a restriction on.

Egregious

Outstandingly bad; shocking.

Ephemeral

Lasting for a very short time; fleeting.

Exacerbate

To make a problem or bad situation worse.

Fastidious

Very attentive to and concerned about accuracy and detail.

Galvanize

To shock or excite someone into taking action.

Lucid

Expressed clearly; easy to understand.

Mitigate

To make severe or painful conditions less severe or serious.

Paradox

A self-contradictory statement that may prove true upon reflection.

Precedent

An earlier event or action serving as an example or rule.

Refute

To prove a statement or theory to be wrong or false.

Repudiate

To refuse to accept or be associated with; reject.

Substantiate

To provide evidence to prove or support the truth of something.

Unprecedented

Never done or known before; extraordinary.

Vindicate

To clear someone of blame or suspicion; prove to be right.