Vocabulary for Victory: Building a Strong Lexicon for the CPS HSAT Reading Section
While the CPS HSAT doesn't have a standalone "Vocabulary" section filled with definitions, don't be mistaken—a strong and varied vocabulary is a secret weapon for success. A rich lexicon is critical for mastering the HSAT Reading Comprehension section, influencing your speed, understanding, and ability to answer the trickiest questions.
Building a powerful vocabulary isn't about memorizing a dictionary. It's about developing smart, consistent habits. As you enjoy your summer, here are some effective strategies to build the lexicon you need for victory on test day.
Why Vocabulary Matters on the HSAT
It Increases Reading Speed: When you instantly recognize the words in a passage, you read smoothly and quickly. Stumbling over unfamiliar words costs you precious time and breaks your concentration.
It Deepens Comprehension: Understanding nuanced words helps you grasp the author's specific tone, purpose, and argument more effectively.
It's Directly Tested: "Vocabulary-in-Context" questions directly ask you to identify the meaning of a word as it's used in the passage. A broad vocabulary gives you a major advantage on these questions.
Strategy 1: Become an Active Reader
The single most effective way to build a strong vocabulary is to read consistently from a variety of high-quality sources. This summer, make a habit of reading not just for fun, but with a purpose.
What to Read: Go beyond your usual fiction. Read articles from well-respected magazines and newspapers that cover science, history, and culture. This exposes you to the type of academic language used on the HSAT.
Keep a Word Journal: This is a game-changer. Keep a small notebook with you whenever you read. When you encounter a word you don't know, write it down. Later, look up its definition and, most importantly, write your own original sentence using the word. This active use helps cement the word in your memory.
Strategy 2: Study Smart, Not Just Hard
Active reading is the foundation, but you can accelerate your learning with targeted study techniques.
Learn Roots, Prefixes, and Suffixes: Many English words are built from Latin and Greek word parts. Learning that "bene-" means "good" (like in benevolent, benefit) or that "mal-" means "bad" (like in malevolent, malfunction) allows you to decode unfamiliar words on the spot.
Use Flashcards Effectively: Don't just write the word and definition. A great flashcard includes the word, its definition, a synonym, an antonym, and the sentence where you first encountered it.
Strategy 3: Put Your Vocabulary to the Test
Learning new words is great, but you must confirm that you can understand them in a testing environment. This is where your practice connects directly to your vocabulary-building efforts.
When you take CPS HSAT Practice Tests, you're not just practicing timing; you're seeing the exact level of vocabulary the test-makers use. After each practice test, review every single word you didn't know—in both the passages and the answer choices. Treat these words as a personalized, high-priority study list and add them to your word journal. This is the most efficient way to learn the words that are most likely to appear on the real exam.
Building a strong vocabulary is a process, not a sprint. By starting now and using these active, engaging strategies, you'll be well-prepared to tackle the HSAT with confidence and a lexicon built for victory.