When you meet an unfamiliar word, don't just re-read the definition repeatedly — instead, build a vivid mental story or image that links the word to something you already know.
Take the word languid, meaning slow and relaxed without much energy. Picture a languorous iguana lying in the sun, barely lifting its head. That silly image sticks far better than a flashcard ever could.
You can layer this technique further by connecting words to real-life contexts. For example, utterly — meaning completely or absolutely — might remind you of someone throwing up their hands and saying "I am utterly done!" Think of a dramatic friend or a movie scene. Emotion makes memories stronger.
For more complex words like administration — the management or organization of something — try breaking it into parts: ad (toward) + minister (to serve). An administration serves and manages. Morpheme awareness combined with a mnemonic image creates two mental hooks instead of one.
As recommended by Khan Academy's Digital SAT prep resources, building a rich vocabulary strategy — not just memorizing lists — is one of the highest-impact moves you can make for reading comprehension sections.
The truth is, test vocabulary isn't about cramming hundreds of words the night before — it's about owning a smaller set of words so deeply that you recognize them instantly under pressure. These associations give you that ownership, and that confidence is what carries you through on test day.