Every SAT coach and college professional will tell you that vocabulary is the key to every aspect of the college application process–from the SAT/ACT tests to writing the essay vocabulary plays an integral part. The Direct Hits SAT Vocabulary books address this issue by helping your student enrich their vocabulary. According to Direct Hits, “A rich and varied vocabulary enables us to speak more eloquently, describe more vividly, argue more compellingly, articulate more precisely, and write more convincingly.”
A powerful and extensive vocabulary has a correlation with success in school, business and of course, standardized tests. However, increasing your vocabulary can be exhausting unless your have the right tools. Direct Hits have addressed the vocabulary study issue by providing a list of core vocabulary (1-225 words) and tough vocabulary (226-440). What’s unique about these books is that a) it’s a manageable list, b) word definitions, c) use in a sentence, and d) the Greek origins of suffixes and prefixes. At the end of the books, there is a simple list of all the words with quick definitions, along with a test to check out how much you have learned.
What I like about these books? They don’t overwhelm you. Your junior high school student can take both of them and in one summer, easily master these 440 vocabulary words. Or if your student is just beginning high school, they can take one word a day and master each one successfully before moving on to the next.
Direct Hits explains their approach: “We study the SAT, research trends of the test, and publish Direct Hits books … that have proven to increase student success.” Their group of educators works hard to improve the books (currently in the 5th Edition) as the SAT changes. To help you see how effective these books can be, they offer free downloads in PDF format to check the books out.
If you are looking for a good summer reading/study course of action for SAT vocabulary, these books will fit the bill.
Here’s a PDF excerpt from the SAT Vocabulary book about “Words with Multiple Meanings“.
Direct Hits vocabulary books are also available as e-books. They can be read on a computer or on mobile devices through the free Kindle app?
Direct Hits Toughest Vocabulary
Free Kindle Reading apps for MAC, PC, iPhone, iPad, Blackberry and Android Smartphone
You can also make contact with Direct Hits online: