How to Prepare for Vocabulary Tests
Vocabulary tests are usually designed and conducted to evaluate your knowledge and awareness of the vocabulary. Usually, in these tests, you are required to be aware of the words, their meanings and also should be aware in which context they should be used. Whether you are learning vocabulary in your native language or are preparing for universities abroad, you may find it hard to memorize all of the vocabulary.
The words as used in the exam may range from moderate to extreme and it entirely depends upon the exam you may be appearing in. These tests are mostly utilized by universities and also few business organizations as part of their assessment for choosing the right candidate.
Don't be overwhelmed as there are a lot of ways to make the learning process easier. Here are a few important tips that will help you retain and memorize for longer.
Tips to Qualify Vocabulary Exams
Read! Read! Read!
As the vocabulary tests are purely based on the words, their meaning, and their interpretation. Therefore, read as much as you can in terms of text or the literature. It provides you with better chances of qualifying for the exam as you come across new words.
For example- Certain literature books, magazines, and other reading materials usually have uncommon words which you can jot down along with their meanings.
You may be asked questions like-
The lady was benevolent with her fortune. What is the meaning of Benevolent-?
- Secretive
- Stingy
- Kind
- Careful
- permanently
- imperceptibly
- irregularly
- precariously
- Slightly
- Include
- Entreat
- Imply
- Suggest
- Started
- Closed
- Finished
- Terminated
- Impossible
- Far away
- Observable
- Fearful
- “Dis” means not- disregard, disengaged, dissolve.
- “Mis” means negative- misfit, misread
- “Ous” means full of- fabulous, dangerous.
- Non-, im-, in-, un-, a- mean "not"
- Com-, em-, con- means "with."
- Circum- means "around."
- Super- means "above."
When you read new material, knowing the words and the meaning will help you understand its interpretation with its usage.
Identify New Words
Apart from knowing new words, it is important to understand their usage as well. Avoid cramming the words as it may make them hard to memorize. You may aim to learn a few words every day.
For example-
The land grades into the land-fast ice in certain parts of Arctic so _______ that you can walk off the coast.
As per the sentence, the correct word that is going to be part of the sentence would be ”so gradually or so quickly”. Based on this you can eliminate the irrelevant options like 1, 3, 4. Now you are left with options 2 and 5. But if we further evaluate then slightly does not mean gradually it just means a tiny bit. So, you can eliminate the last option as well.
Learn Synonyms and Antonyms
As you explore and understand new words, you should also learn the synonym and antonyms of these words. Synonyms are words that have similar meanings and antonyms are words with opposite meanings. Understanding the relationship between synonym and antonyms makes it easier to remember the words.
Example-
1. Choose the correct synonyms of the word IMPLICATE?
The word Implicate means to involve or to include. The answer is “include” as it is closely related to the word.
2. Choose the correct antonym of the word “Commissioned”?
The word Commissioned means permitted/worked/ordered/accredited/trusted/hired. So antonym will be the opposite. The answer is “terminated” which is the close match for the antonym of the word “Commissioned”.
Learn commonly used words in Vocabulary tests
You can list out the common words used in different vocabulary tests. You may find them online and chances are high that they might be utilized in the exam you might be appearing for.
Example-
It is difficult to convince young people to plan for their old age, which seems very distant to them.
The answer here is B- Far away.
You may be asked to identify words that are closest in meaning to the one in question.
Learn about prefixes and suffixes
These are part of the words that come at either the beginning or end of the word. Please understand that the words which have common prefixes or suffixes share similar meaning. If you remember the prefixes and suffixes then you may be able to identify the word. For example:
Likewise other common prefixes, suffixes are- mega, super, extra, equi, sub, ness, ment, etc.
Example-
"placate", "complacent, " "placebo, what do they all have in common? “Plac '' is a common word that means “to make happy”. Therefore in cases where you don't know the exact meaning but you know what the root denotes you will be able to derive the meaning.
Make your sentences.
Think about making sentences from words. It will help you memorize faster. Try to use the words in more than one way.
For example-
Their request was disregarded.
Their approach was disregarded by the authorities.
The best way to learn new vocabulary words is to use them in everyday communication.
For example- Try to use new words to describe what you recently read or watched etc.
If you are struggling with a few words then you can write them on sticky notes and place them somewhere so that they are easily visible. It will help you remember and retain them for a long time.
Break down big words
You can break down certain big words to understand the crux.
For Example- ambidextrous is the one who uses both hands. Similarly, a person with conflicting emotions is ambivalent. Here in both words, ambi words are common; they have the same roots.
Vocabulary tests are very common and are mostly found as verbal ability tests in many examinations. You may encounter these tests when applying for jobs where English language skills are essential. For example- In positions such as clerical, customer support representatives, marketing employees, and much more. Vocabulary section is also found in certain important exams such as GRE, SAT, ASVAB, TOEFL, IELTS, PRAXIS, P-NAT and many more.
As your exam approaches, don't get hindered by an enormous number of words that might come in the exam. We understand your anxiety will grow but remember these few tips while you prepare and you can use these techniques to memorize efficiently.
We wish you all the best for your exam!