Insider Test Prep

Insider Test Prep

High-Frequency Winning Words

CRITICAL

HIGH-FREQUENCY WORDS

larry krieger's avatar
larry krieger
Jul 06, 2026
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CRITICAL provides a prime example of the SAT test writer’s penchant for words with multiple meanings. Most students will probably associate CRITICAL with a

condition during a medical emergency. To further complicate matters, CRITICAL can also be used to express either disapproval or approval. For example, a critic can write a review that singles out a movie or a play for either its faults or its merits.

Guess what! CRITICAL has a third possible definition. Naturally, it’s the one favored by SAT test writers. Let’s take a look:

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