Digital SAT Prep: Vocabulary Words Hack for a High Score

Summary

In this video, Laura Whitmore from Strategic Test Prep addresses the challenge of word and context questions on the new digital SAT English sections. She introduces a vocabulary hack to help students tackle these questions without memorizing hundreds of words. Whitmore explains how words can be broken down into roots, prefixes, and suffixes to deduce their meanings. She provides examples using common roots like 'pug' for fighting and 'path' for feelings, and how prefixes can change word meanings, such as 'a-' for without. The video also promotes the 'properly' app for additional SAT prep and encourages viewers to practice with vocabulary flashcards and context drills.

Takeaways

• 📚 Laura Whitmore introduces a strategy for tackling word and context questions on the digital SAT English sections, which make up nearly 20% of the test.
• 🔑 The video offers a 'vocabulary hack' to avoid memorizing hundreds of words, emphasizing the importance of understanding word parts like prefixes, roots, and suffixes.
• 🌟 The speaker explains that knowing the meaning of word parts can help deduce the meaning of unfamiliar words, which is crucial for non-native English speakers and international students.
• 📖 Examples are given to illustrate how roots like 'pug' (fighting or warning) can be identified in words like 'pugilant', 'repugnant', and 'pugnacious' to infer their negative connotations.
• 🔍 The video teaches that roots like 'path' (feelings) can be found in words like 'empathy', 'sympathy', and 'apathy', helping to understand the emotional context of words.
• 📈 The importance of prefixes is highlighted, with examples like 'a-' (without) in 'amoral' and 'anti-' (against) in 'antipathy', showing how they can change the meaning of a word.
• 🎓 Roots with double meanings, such as 'ped' (children or feet), are discussed, advising viewers to consider context to determine the correct meaning.
• 💡 The video suggests using resources to learn more about roots, prefixes, and suffixes, and then practicing with vocabulary flashcards and context drills in the 'properly' app.
• 📱 The 'properly' app is promoted as a cost-effective and portable way to prepare for the digital SAT with new questions for both English and math sections.
• 👋 Laura Whitmore concludes by encouraging viewers to use the strategies discussed to improve their SAT preparation and performance.

Q & A

What is the focus of the video by Laura Whitmore from Strategic Test Prep?

The video focuses on providing a vocabulary hack for the new digital SAT English sections, specifically addressing word and context questions which make up nearly one in five questions on the test.

How many of the digital SAT English sections are word and context questions?

19 out of the total sections are word and context questions on the digital SAT English test.

What is the main concern of students regarding the SAT English section as mentioned in the video?

Students, especially those for whom English is not their first language, are worried about having to memorize hundreds of vocabulary words and their definitions for the SAT.

What is the vocabulary hack suggested by Laura Whitmore to avoid memorizing hundreds of words?

The hack is to understand the meanings of prefixes, roots, and suffixes in words, which allows students to deduce the meaning of any word, even if they have never seen it before.

What is the significance of the root 'pug' in the context of SAT vocabulary?

The root 'pug' signifies fighting or warning, and knowing this can help deduce that words containing 'pug' are likely negative and related to conflict.

How does the prefix 'a' affect the meaning of a word in the context of the SAT?

The prefix 'a' means 'without', so when it is attached to a word, it negates or removes the meaning of the root word, as seen in the example of 'amoral' meaning 'without morals'.

What is the meaning of the root 'path' and how does it relate to words like 'empathy' and 'sympathy'?

The root 'path' means 'feelings', which is why words like 'empathy' (feeling as if you are experiencing something yourself) and 'sympathy' (feeling bad for someone) are related to understanding and sharing feelings.

What is the role of the prefix 'anti' in the context of word meanings?

The prefix 'anti' is very negative and means 'against' or 'opposed to', which can be seen in words like 'antipathy', indicating strong dislike or opposition.

How can understanding roots and prefixes help with word and context questions on the SAT?

Understanding roots and prefixes allows students to deduce the meaning of words and their connotations (positive or negative), which is crucial for selecting the correct word to fit the context in SAT questions.

What is the recommendation for students to improve their vocabulary and context understanding for the SAT?

Laura Whitmore suggests using resources to learn more about roots, prefixes, and suffixes, and then practicing with vocabulary flashcards and words in context drills in the Properly app.