Vocabulary-Building Strategies

A strong vocabulary is one of the greatest advantages you can have in the SET. In Stage 1, a wide vocabulary helps you understand comprehension passages quickly and accurately, and it helps you choose the correct answer from the MCQ options. In Stage 2, ambitious and precise word choices in your extended writing will impress the examiner and lift your marks. This final lesson gives you practical strategies for building a powerful vocabulary in the weeks and months before the Sutton Selective Eligibility Test.

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Strategy 1: Read Widely and Actively

Reading is the single most effective way to build your vocabulary. But there is a difference between passive reading (just following the story) and active reading (paying attention to language).

How to Read Actively

1. Spot unfamiliar words. When you come across a word you do not know, do not skip it.
2. Use context clues. Look at the words and sentences around the unfamiliar word to work out its meaning.
3. Check your guess. Look the word up in a dictionary to see if you were right.
4. Write it down. Add the word to your vocabulary notebook (see Strategy 2).