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 13 words
Alphabetical. Everything in the Knowledge & Ignorance guide.
01
discoververb
to find or learn something for the first time
Scientists hope to discover new species in the unexplored rainforest, helping observers distinguish informed judgment from a conclusion based on limited knowledge.
Memory cueLift the cover from a hidden chest to discover what was unknown.
02
discoveredverb
found or learned something for the first time
The archaeologists discovered ancient artifacts buried beneath the temple, revealing how much the participants understood about the subject before making their decision.
Memory cueThe lifted cover revealed what had been discovered for the first time.
03
discoverynoun
the act of finding or learning something new; something that has been found
The discovery of penicillin revolutionized modern medicine, showing how access to accurate information changed the quality of the response.
Memory cueA discovery is the bright object revealed when a cover is removed from the unknown.
04
evidencenoun
information indicating whether something is true or valid; proof
The detective gathered evidence at the crime scene, revealing how much the participants understood about the subject before making their decision.
Memory cueEvidence is a trail of facts leading a detective toward TRUE or FALSE.
05
experimentnoun/verb
a scientific test to discover something unknown; to try something new
The laboratory experiment yielded unexpected but promising results, revealing how much the participants understood about the subject before making their decision.
Memory cueAn experiment puts a new idea into a test tube to discover what happens.
06
forgottenverb/adjective
no longer remembered; neglected or overlooked
The abandoned town has been largely forgotten by the outside world, helping observers distinguish informed judgment from a conclusion based on limited knowledge.
Memory cueA forgotten photograph fades until no one remembers the face.
07
ignorantadjective
lacking knowledge or awareness
He was ignorant of the local customs, helping observers distinguish informed judgment from a conclusion based on limited knowledge.
Memory cueAn ignorant figure wears a blindfold beside an unopened knowledge book.
08
informedadjective
having knowledge of a subject
Voters should be informed about the issues, revealing how much the participants understood about the subject before making their decision.
Memory cueAn informed mind has the subject's facts filed and ready.
09
learnedadjective
having much knowledge acquired by study
The learned scholar published many papers, showing how access to accurate information changed the quality of the response.
Memory cueA learned person stands on a staircase built from years of study.
10
rememberverb
to have in or be able to bring to one's mind an awareness of past events
I can still remember the day we first met, helping observers distinguish informed judgment from a conclusion based on limited knowledge.
Memory cuePull an old photograph from the mind's archive to remember the past.
11
rememberedverb
brought to mind; recalled from memory
She suddenly remembered where she had left her keys, revealing how much the participants understood about the subject before making their decision.
Memory cueThe faded photograph lit up again when the event was remembered.
12
theorynoun
a supposition or system of ideas intended to explain something based on general principles
Darwin's theory of evolution revolutionized our understanding of biology, helping observers distinguish informed judgment from a conclusion based on limited knowledge.
Memory cueA theory organizes connected ideas into a possible general explanation.
13
unknownadjective
not known or familiar; not discovered or identified
The artist remained unknown during her lifetime but gained fame posthumously, revealing how much the participants understood about the subject before making their decision.
Memory cueAn unknown object remains behind a question-mark curtain without a name.
