The PSAT 8/9 tests vocabulary in context: a Reading and Writing question gives you a passage and asks which word fits, and the wrong answers are usually words that are close in meaning. Studying a whole theme at once is what builds that discrimination — you learn not just what each word means, but how it differs from its neighbors.
Read the definition, then the example, then the memory cue. Come back a few days later and cover the definitions — recalling a word cold is what fixes it, and rereading it is not.
The 19 words
Alphabetical. Everything in the Perception & Understanding guide.
01
distractedverb/adjective
unable to concentrate due to being preoccupied; diverted from attention
The distracted driver failed to notice the red traffic light, helping the observers form a more accurate understanding of the underlying issue.
Memory cueFive flashing alerts pull the mind away from its task and leave it distracted.
02
evaluateverb
to assess or judge the value, quality, or importance of
The committee will evaluate all proposals before making a decision, helping the observers form a more accurate understanding of the underlying issue.
Memory cueEvaluate by placing quality, value, and importance on a judgment scale.
03
evaluatedverb
assessed or judged the value, quality, or importance of
The candidates were evaluated based on their skills and experience, revealing how perspective influenced the conclusions people drew from the same evidence.
Memory cueThe item was evaluated after its value and quality were weighed on a scale.
04
exposurenoun
the state of being exposed to something; experience or contact with
Limited exposure to sunlight can lead to vitamin D deficiency, helping the observers form a more accurate understanding of the underlying issue.
Memory cueExposure places something outside its shield and in contact with the surrounding force.
05
hearingnoun
the faculty of perceiving sounds; a legal proceeding where evidence is presented
The court scheduled a hearing to review the new evidence, revealing how perspective influenced the conclusions people drew from the same evidence.
Memory cueAn ear receives sound; a courtroom hearing receives evidence.
06
identifiedverb
established or recognized the identity of something
The detective identified the suspect from the security footage, shaping how the audience interpreted the information that followed in the discussion.
Memory cueA matching name tag shows that the object's identity has been identified.
07
ignoreverb
to refuse to take notice of or acknowledge; to disregard intentionally
You should never ignore the warning signs of a serious illness, shaping how the audience interpreted the information that followed in the discussion.
Memory cueTurn your eyes and ears away from the ringing bell to ignore it intentionally.
08
imagineverb
to form a mental image or concept of something not present
Can you imagine what life was like before electricity, shaping how the audience interpreted the information that followed in the discussion.
Memory cueImagine by projecting a mental picture of something that is not present.
09
interpretationnoun
an explanation or understanding of the meaning of something
Her interpretation of the poem was both unique and insightful, shaping how the audience interpreted the information that followed in the discussion.
Memory cueAn interpretation is one reader's labeled key to the meaning of a message.
10
judgesverb
forms an opinion about something; presides over legal proceedings
The panel judges contestants based on creativity and skill, helping the observers form a more accurate understanding of the underlying issue.
Memory cueA judge weighs evidence on a scale to form an opinion or legal ruling.
11
profoundadjective
very deep or intense; showing great insight
The book offers profound insights into human nature, revealing how perspective influenced the conclusions people drew from the same evidence.
Memory cueA profound idea descends far below the surface into deep insight.
12
recognitionnoun
acknowledgment of something's existence, validity, or legality; identification of someone or something
She received recognition for her contributions to the field, helping the observers form a more accurate understanding of the underlying issue.
Memory cueRecognition joins a familiar face to its name and places an acknowledgment stamp beside it.
13
recognizeverb
to identify someone or something from having encountered them before; to acknowledge the existence or validity of
I didn't recognize her with her new haircut, revealing how perspective influenced the conclusions people drew from the same evidence.
Memory cueRecognize a familiar face by matching it to memory, or recognize a fact with an acknowledgment stamp.
14
recognizedverb
identified from previous encounters; acknowledged as valid or important
He is recognized as one of the leading experts in his field, helping the observers form a more accurate understanding of the underlying issue.
Memory cueThe face matched memory and the claim received approval; both were recognized.
15
reflectverb
to throw back light, heat, or sound; to think deeply or carefully about something
Take some time to reflect on what you want to achieve, helping the observers form a more accurate understanding of the underlying issue.
Memory cueA mirror reflects light; a quiet mind mirrors an idea while thinking deeply.
16
reviewedverb
examined or assessed something formally; wrote a critical evaluation
The committee reviewed all applications carefully, helping the observers form a more accurate understanding of the underlying issue.
Memory cueA reviewed work has passed under a formal magnifying glass and critical pen.
17
tracenoun/verb
to find or discover by investigation; a mark or line left by something
Detectives were able to trace the phone call to a nearby location, revealing how perspective influenced the conclusions people drew from the same evidence.
Memory cueTrace a trail by following the faint marks back to their source.
18
tracedverb
followed or discovered the course or origin of something
She traced her ancestry back five generations to Ireland, revealing how perspective influenced the conclusions people drew from the same evidence.
Memory cueInvestigators traced the line backward until they discovered its course and origin.
19
watchedverb
looked at or observed attentively over a period of time
She watched the sunset from the balcony until the last light faded, shaping how the audience interpreted the information that followed in the discussion.
Memory cueAn open eye followed the subject attentively over time; it watched.
