SSAT and ISEE Tip of the Week: How to Study Vocabulary

Since vocabulary is one of the main areas tested on the ISEE and SSAT tests, you will need to learn as many new words as possible before taking the test. While vocabulary questions primarily appear on the verbal section of the test, there are also vocabulary questions on the reading section.

Make a List

The most obvious way to improve your vocabulary skills is to read widely and often; alongside reading, however, you should also study vocabulary more intentionally. The Test Innovators list of Words to Know is a great place to start. You can make your own list of words to study, using hard words from ISEE and SSAT practice tests, practice exercises, and reading passages. We recommend that you make your vocabulary lists into flashcards, whether online, using a website like Quizlet, or physical cards.

Be Consistent

In order to memorize your flashcards, choose a consistent time to study, perhaps 20-30 minutes per day. Writing a sentence, or drawing a picture, for each new word can be a great way to remember the meaning of the word in context.

Work on learning a small set of new words—say, 5 to 10 words—per day or every couple of days. When you have learned a set, set these words aside and work on the next set of 5-10 words. Once a week, review all of the new ISEE and SSAT vocabulary that you have learned that week by writing the words out, creating a new sentence for each.

Repeat, Repeat, Repeat

The most important part of learning new ISEE and SSAT vocabulary is repetition. Reading, writing, and repeating words out loud until they are set in your memory is a simple, but powerful way to learn new words. Don’t be discouraged if it takes time to learn new words, or if you forget some of the words for a while. Memorization comes through diligence, review, and repetition; even though it’s hard work, your test scores will thank you!