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 16 words
Alphabetical. Everything in the Trust & Deception guide.
01
authenticadjective
of undisputed origin; genuine
The museum acquired an authentic Picasso, shaping whether the audience considered the account reliable and worthy of confidence.
Memory cueAn authentic object carries a verified-origin seal and no imitation mark.
02
candidadjective
truthful and straightforward; frank
His candid assessment surprised everyone, shaping whether the audience considered the account reliable and worthy of confidence.
Memory cueA candid speaker removes the mask and gives the truth directly.
03
credibleadjective
able to be believed; convincing
The witness provided credible testimony, revealing how honesty or deception influenced the response of the people involved.
Memory cueA credible claim stands firmly on believable evidence.
04
cunningadjective
having skill in achieving one's ends by deceit
The cunning strategist outmaneuvered opponents, revealing how honesty or deception influenced the response of the people involved.
Memory cueA cunning planner uses clever hidden tactics to achieve the desired end.
05
disguisenoun/verb
to give a different appearance to conceal identity; a means of concealment
The spy used an elaborate disguise to infiltrate the enemy headquarters, shaping whether the audience considered the account reliable and worthy of confidence.
Memory cueA disguise is a mask that changes appearance to conceal identity.
06
genuineadjective
truly what something is said to be; authentic and sincere
Her genuine concern for others made her a beloved community leader, shaping whether the audience considered the account reliable and worthy of confidence.
Memory cueA genuine object passes the authenticity test and contains no fake mask.
07
legitimateadjective
conforming to the law or rules; able to be defended with logic
She had legitimate concerns about the safety of the product, revealing how honesty or deception influenced the response of the people involved.
Memory cueA legitimate claim passes both the rulebook test and the logic test.
08
misleadingadjective
giving the wrong idea or impression; deceptive
The misleading statistics painted an inaccurate picture of the economy, giving observers evidence for deciding whether the claim could be trusted.
Memory cueA misleading sign confidently points away from the true destination.
09
pretendingverb
acting as if something is true when it is not
The children were pretending to be astronauts exploring space, giving observers evidence for deciding whether the claim could be trusted.
Memory cuePretending means wearing a mask and acting as though its false appearance were true.
10
sincereadjective
free from deceit; honest
Her sincere apology was accepted, revealing how honesty or deception influenced the response of the people involved.
Memory cueA sincere person removes every mask and speaks honest words.
11
slyadjective
having cunning and deceit
The sly fox evaded the hunters, shaping whether the audience considered the account reliable and worthy of confidence.
Memory cueA sly fox reaches the goal through a hidden, deceitful path.
12
stagedverb/adjective
presented or performed on stage; planned and carried out deliberately
The photograph turned out to be staged rather than candid, revealing how honesty or deception influenced the response of the people involved.
Memory cueA staged scene occurs beneath theater lights because it was deliberately arranged.
13
suspiciousadjective
having or showing cautious distrust; causing one to suspect something is wrong
The police found his behavior suspicious, giving observers evidence for deciding whether the claim could be trusted.
Memory cueA suspicious observer watches through narrowed eyes and checks for signs that something is wrong.
14
trustworthyadjective
able to be relied on as honest
She proved to be a trustworthy friend, revealing how honesty or deception influenced the response of the people involved.
to confirm or prove the truth or accuracy of something
The experiment was designed to validate the researcher's hypothesis, shaping whether the audience considered the account reliable and worthy of confidence.
Memory cueValidate a result by checking its evidence and pressing a TRUE AND ACCURATE stamp.
16
validatedverb
confirmed or proved to be true, accurate, or justified
Her concerns were validated when the audit revealed significant errors, revealing how honesty or deception influenced the response of the people involved.
Memory cueThe evidence check confirmed the result, so it received a VALID stamp.
