The SAT, GRE, GMAT, and other similar exams, test vocabulary, which correlates with intelligence: people with high intelligence have good vocabularies. So, by assessing your vocabulary, the academic institution you're applying to can get a handle on assessing your suitability for college and graduate studies. A good vocabulary is particularly important for the exams' reading comprehension questions, sentence completion questions, and the essay writing section.
The best SAT and GRE vocabulary word lists come with the popular vocabulary-learning software Ultimate Vocabulary. We recommend Ultimate Vocabulary because Ultimate Vocabulary provides a "meta" SAT vocabulary word list: the vocabulary software combines the SAT vocabulary word lists from the 8 best-selling word lists. Also, the SAT Exam or GRE versions of Ultimate Vocabulary are designed specifically to boost your scores in the SAT and GRE.
Go to Ultimate Vocabulary for more information. Click "For SAT Exam" or "For GRE Exam" from the top menu. Alternatively, copy and paste the words from the below SAT word list into your own custom word list, a feature that also comes with the standard Ultimate Vocabulary software.
| earnest | ebullient | eccentric | eclectic |
| ecological | eclipse | economize | ecstatic |
| edify | educe | efface | effect |
| effective | effectual | effeminate | effervescent |
| efficacious | efficient | effluvium | effrontery |
| effulgence | effuse | egoism | egotism |
| egregious | egress | eject | elapse |
| elasticity | elated | elegy | element |
| elicit | eligible | eliminate | elite |
| elocution | eloquent | elucidate | elude |
| elusion | emaciate | emanate | emancipate |
| embargo | embark | embarrass | embellish |
| embezzle | emblazon | emblem | embody |
| embolden | embolism | embroil | emerge |
| emergent | emeritus | embellish | embitter |
| embrace | emigrant | emigrate | eminent |
| emit | emollient | emphasis | emphasize |
| emphatic | empower | emulate | enact |
| enamor | encamp | encomium | encompass |
| encore | encourage | encroach | encumber |
| endanger | endear | endemic | endorse |
| endue | endure | endurance | enemy |
| energetic | energy | enervate | enfeeble |
| enfranchise | engender | engrave | engross |
| enhance | enigma | enjoin | enlighten |
| enmity | ennoble | enormity | enormous |
| enrage | enrapture | ensnare | entail |
| entangle | enthrall | enthrone | enthuse |
| enthusiastic | entirety | entreaty | entrench |
| entwine | enumerate | epicure | epidemic |
| epigram | epilogue | epiphany | epitaph |
| epithet | epitome | epoch | equalize |
| equanimity | equilibrium | equitable | equity |
| equivalent | equivocal | equivocate | eradicate |
| errant | erratic | erroneous | erudite |
| erudition | eschew | especially | espouse |
| espy | esthetic | estimable | estrange |
| ethical | ethnicity | eugenic | eulogize |
| eulogy | euphemism | euphonious | euphony |
| evade | evanescent | evasion | eventual |
| evert | evidence | evidential | evince |
| evoke | evolution | evolve | exacerbate |
| exaggerate | exasperate | excavate | exceed |
| excel | excellence | excellency | excellent |
| exception | excerpt | excess | excitable |
| excitation | exclamation | exclude | exclusion |
| exclusive | excrescence | excretion | excruciate |
| exculpate | excursion | excusable | execrable |
| execration | executor | exegesis | exemplar |
| exemplary | exemplify | exempt | exert |
| exhale | exhaust | exhaustible | exhaustion |
| exhaustive | exhilarate | exhume | exigency |
| exigent | existence | exodus | exonerate |
| exorbitance | exorbitant | exotic | expanse |
| expansion | expectancy | expedient | expedite |
| expeditious | expend | expense | experience |
| experiment | expertise | expiate | explicit |
| explosion | exposition | expository | expostulate |
| exposure | expressive | expulsion | extant |
| extemporaneous | extempore | extensible | extensive |
| extent | extenuate | exterior | external |
| extinct | extinguish | extol | extort |
| extortion | extradite | extradition | extrajudicial |
| extraneous | extraordinary | extravagant | extremist |
| extremity | extricate | extrude | exuberance |
A very effective way of learing such a lengthy list of SAT words is to copy and paste it into a vocabulary program, such as Ultimate Vocabulary, which will then automatically generate flash cards for you, and provide definitions. These sorts of programs have lots of ways of helping you to learn the words.
*Troy and I recommend only products that we have tried and tested. These include Ultimate Vocabulary. We have agreed to receive a commission from some sales of Ultimate Vocabulary software because we are happy to endorse that software.
