SAT Vocab Audit: November 2024

Tracking the most troublesome tested words

A strong academic and practical vocabulary yields benefits across a wide range of settings and scenarios, including on high stakes tests. That's why I avidly analyze trends into what words most frustrate test takers on important exams.

 My expansive network of educators and the broader legion of self-prep heroes on the r/SAT subreddit had a lot to say about the most challenging vocabulary on the November 2024 SAT.  Here are the encountered words we've already featured:

amorphous (adj) - lacking a definite shape; formless; vague or indefinite
BREAKDOWN: A- (no) + MORPH- (shape) + -OUS (state of)

anomalous (adj) - abnormal, peculiar, or irregular; deviating or departing from the common order, form, or rule
BREAKDOWN: AN- (not) + HOMO- (same) + -AL (pertaining to) + -OUS (state of)

palpable (adj) - capable of being perceived, particularly touched or felt; plainly evident or obvious
BREAKDOWN: PALP- (touch) + -ABLE (able to be)

Hmmm, my list and College Board’s list didn’t overlap much this time around, did they? What other words appeared that future SAT test takers should make sure to learn?

appraise
authentic
catalyzing
confound
continuity
corroborate
disperse
entice
exploit
feasible
forsake
foster
fraudulent
heterogeneity
incongruous
indoctrinate
insurmountable
irrefutable
manifest
pretentious
reiterate
substantiate
transpose

Be sure to add words from the October SAT to your list as well.

“It's tough to make predictions, especially about the future.” —Yogi Berra