Each of these words has been confirmed as a correct answer on a vocabulary in context question between March 2023 and September 2026.

Let’s take a look:

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Each of these words has been confirmed as a correct answer on a vocabulary in context question between March 2023 and September 2026.

Let’s take a look:

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SAT test writers regularly recycle questions and vocabulary words. Here is our list of the Double Trouble Words that have appeared as answers on tests between March 2023 and September 2026. Nine of these words were answers on the August 22, 2026 and September 12, 202s SATs. Let’s take a look:

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SAT test writers regularly recycle questions and key vocabulary words. Here is our list of the High-Frequency Words that have appeared on between 3 and 7 SATs between March 2023 and September 2026. FOURTEEN of these MUST KNOW 48 words were answers on the August 22, 2026 and September 12, 2026 SATs. Let’s take a look:

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WRONG ANSWERS

The words on this list have all appeared on a number of test questions.

However, thus far they have all been INCORRECT distracters. Let’s take

a look:

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The August 22, 2026, SAT contained a significant number of recycled question that generated our impressive list of direct hits. As always, the test also contained several vocabulary in context questions that challenged students with a new set of words. Let’s take a look at each of the 13 new words:

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I am extremely pleased to report that the 189 REAL WORDS listed and defined on my series of S-1, S-2, S-3, S-4, and S-6 lists produced 17 CONFIRMED Direct Hits on the August 22, 2026 SAT! In addition, the S-5 list of Wrong Answers produced two important hits.

Please note that I will be updating these lists to reflect the new August 22, 2026 exam. For example, NOMINAL will now be moved from the Double Trouble list to the Triple Threat list.

Here are the 17 words:

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ESCHEW means to deliberately avoid or stay away from something because you think it is wrong, bad, or unhelpful.

ESCHEW has appeared on the March, May, and June 2026 SATs. In fact, many online sources have proclaimed ESCHEW “the word of the year.”

Thus far, ESCHEW has indeed been the correct answer for at least two vocabulary in context questions. Let’s take a look:

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The Blood Chemistry Cluster first appeared among the earliest Digital SATs back in early 2023. The passages are carefully designed to allow SAT test writers to use pairs of antonyms as answers. Let’s take a look at the High-Frequency words in this cluster:

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SAT test writers have a strong interest in collectible items such as stamps, coins, and especially vintage action figures of superheroes and Teenage Ninja Turtles. Really, I’m not kidding or exaggerating. The four key High-Frequency answers in the Collectible Items Cluster have generated 14 correct answers on vocabulary in context questions. Let’s take a look:

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SAT test writers have a special liking for words with multiple meanings. REALIZE is an exceptionally tricky example of this type of word. Let’s take a look:

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PERVADE and PERVASIVE both describe items or ideas that are widely distributed in an area or group. These High-Frequency words have been answers on 5 vocabulary in context questions. Let’s take a look and see how they have been used:

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SUBSTANTIATE is a High-Frequency word that means to provide evidence to support something. For example, AP history students are expected to SUBSTANTIATE their thesis statements with verifiable historical facts. SAT test writers have used three very different examples to illustrate SUBSTANTIATE. Let’s take a look:

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Look closely at the word UNDERMINE. It literally means “to dig under a mine and thus weaken it.” When an author UNDERMINES an argument, he or she weakens it. For example, Thomas Jefferson used the Declaration of Independence to UNDERMINE or weaken belief in the divine right of kings.

UNDERMINE is a High-Frequency word that has appeared as an answer to vocabulary in context questions on the June 2025, November 2025, and June 2026 SATs. Let’s take a look:

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Here’s a very easy question: How would you define the word GOOD? Everyone knows that GOOD most nearly means favorable and satisfactory. For example, we enjoy eating a GOOD meal and students are proud to earn a GOOD SAT score.

This definition is accurate. But this is the SAT and of course there is more. GOOD has a surprising secondary meaning that SAT test writers are using to create a High-Frequency “most nearly means” question. Let’s take a look:

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COMPLEMENTARY is not a difficult word. It means to combine in such a way as to enhance or emphasize the qualities of two people or procedures. Even so, SAT test writers used COMPLEMENTARY in a carefully crafted High-Frequency vocabulary in context question. Let’s take a look:

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Many cities justifiably boast about their culinary excellence. But which cities have the world’s best restaurants and cuisine? No problem! UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) has recognized 69 cities for their rich culinary heritage, cuisine, and food culture. As you can see in our picture, Popayan, Colombia has the distinction of being one of these cities.

The title “City of Gastronomy” DENOTES or indicates a city’s status as a center of culinary excellence. SAT test writers are fascinated with this topic. They have written a series of vocabulary in context questions featuring several of the UNESCO cities. Let’s take a look:

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What do Martian meteorites, aquatic organisms, and the respiratory systems of modern birds have in common? On first glance the answer to this seemingly absurd question seems to be “absolutely nothing!” But wait – this is the SAT and anything is possible!! Let’s take a look:

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Our picture provides a particularly vivid depiction of the DISPARITY or differences in economic levels between the opulent grandeur of the Taj Mahal and the poverty found in the nearby crowded streets.

DISPARITY is an important High-Frequency SAT vocabulary word. But don’t expect to see a passage describing stark economic DISPARITIES. Let’s take a look at how SAT test writers actually use DISPARITIES:

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A mosque is a Muslim house of worship. SAT test writers have created a large cluster of vocabulary in context questions that use standard features of mosque architecture to illustrate a variety of words. Let’s take a look:

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