|
Preparing for vocabulary
tests, such as the SAT
or GRE Verbal, can seem
quite overwhelming.
A vocabulary study list
could easily be 1,000
words. While you may
be familiar with some
of the terms already,
to think of memorizing
even 100 new ones is
a daunting task. However,
all students face the
same challenge. What's
to be remembered is
that there are indeed
ways to prepare, from
practice tests to flash
cards to mnemonic techniques.
Find the one that works
best for you and conquer
those words!
1. Practice Vocabulary
Tests: These tests,
available online and
in book form, are a
great way to assess
your vocabulary IQ.
From analogies to sentence
completion, they also
give you an idea of
what to expect from
the actual test. In
school, we're told to
look at study questions
at the end of a reading
assignment first. The
reason being is that
you'll then know what
to look for when reading.
The same holds true
for practice vocabulary
tests and/or quizzes.
It's even better if
you take the tests under
test conditions (timed,
with no outside distractions).
2. Study Word Parts:
Familiarize yourself
with word parts. That
is, the roots and affixes
of words. Most of the
English language comes
from Greek, Latin, and
Anglo-Saxon. If you
become familiar with
common roots, prefixes,
and suffixes, it should
aid you in spelling
and comprehension. For
instance, the Latin
root "-gress" (or -grad)
means "step, walk, decree."
From this root, we get
words like progress,
digress, regress, transgress,
and congress.
3. Read Vocabulary
Lists: These are
available online, at
the bookstore, and in
your library. They typically
contain the most common
terms found on standardized
tests like the GRE.
As with practice tests,
to know what to expect
from your real test
is part of the readiness.
With vocabulary lists,
make note of the words
you know and those that
you don't. From the
list of words unfamiliar
to you, begin your research.
4. Mnemonics: These
memory tricks can be
a great help in learning
and memorizing new words
by way of association.
Mnemonic techniques
make use of what we
already know, providing
context to that which
is new. From a cartoon
to a rhyme to an acronym,
mnemonics can help us
make sense of the unfamiliar.
For instance, with vocabulary
cartoons, the new word
is given a definition,
a link word (rhymed;
e.g. lament and cement),
a visual, and a fun
caption. This multi-sensory
approach gives your
brain a robust reference
to return to later when
the word is needed again.
When preparing for a
vocabulary test, a mnemonic
technique can truly
simplify what looks
to be impossible.
5. Flash Cards:
These are excellent
for self-quizzing and
can be taken wherever
you go. Flash cards
have been used since
our earliest education
years, but they remain
just as effective when
studying for the SAT
or GRE. You can make
cards yourself, which
works well if you have
a specific word-list
to study. You can also
purchase the cards in
book form (for a low
price) or download/print
them from online sources.
If you do make your
own flash cards, just
remember to make the
definition small enough
that it cannot be read
in a "flash." Include
the definition and sample
sentences to review
when simply studying
from the cards.
6. Word Games:
Word games like word
searches and crosswords
are fun ways to study.
By engaging in such
skill games, you're
giving your brain the
building blocks for
new words and the memorization
of them. For vocabulary
tests, it can only help
if when you look down
at the test, the words
jump out; much like
they do in a word search,
a crossword, or an anagram.
7. Create Sentences:
Measure your progress
by taking a self-quiz.
As a helpful exercise,
take a set of new vocabulary
words (say, 25 at a
time) and list them.
Go down the list and
try to write a sentence
for each. Afterwards,
check them against your
study aids. If your
sentence is written
correctly, using the
right definition, then
you can check it off
your list for now. For
those you got wrong,
put them to the side
for your next quiz.
As your real test approaches,
begin to time yourself.
Give yourself 45 seconds
for each sentence, so
about 12 minutes total
for 25. Under test conditions,
you will need to be
decisive. (Note: Even
for the words you get
right, continue to review
them - even if you're
not quizzing yourself.
Repetition can only
help.)
8 Enroll in a Prep
Course: For those
studying for the SAT
or GRE, it's recommended
that you take a prep
course. You can sign
up through your school
or online. Courses vary
in price, format, and
length, ranging from
a weekend cram session
to a week-long study
seminar. They're also
available online. Keep
in mind that independent
study can prove as effective,
especially if you invest
in a software program.
Prep courses are helpful
however in identifying
where you should focus
your "prep" the most.
9. Join the Discussion:
More economical
than a prep course,
simply immerse yourself
in an environment that's
all about learning new
words. Study groups,
both in-class and online,
can help you stay in
practice while not even
realizing it. Ever join
a roundtable discussion
about a favorite TV
show? You could quote
from past episodes,
cite scenes and pieces
of dialogue that support
your opinion. You're
an expert and you don't
even realize how much
effort you've put into
becoming one. The same
can be said of vocabulary.
If you make it one of
your interests, you
could be well on your
way to being a wordsmith.
Try and put your new
vocabulary words into
practical use, such
as in casual conversation
with friends. By doing
so, your brain will
get a bit of helpful
reinforcement and a
mini-workout.
10. Practice Makes
Perfect: Remember,
you may need to learn
1,000 vocabulary words
for your test. I know
it sounds insurmountable,
but it's not. Solid
preparation can do wonders
for your confidence
as test-day approaches.
Be confident that your
studying will pay off
in the end. It's of
course not going to
be easy, but it will
be rewarding.
"A vocabulary of truth
and simplicity will
be of service throughout
your life." - Winston
Churchill, 1874-1965
|
