SAT

SAT · Science & Data · Advanced

English · 100 cards

Advanced Science & Data vocabulary for the SAT, with example sentences.

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empirical

adj. based on observation rather than theory

The claim rests on empirical findings from the field.
quantitative

adj. relating to numerical amounts

The team favored a quantitative approach to the question.
qualitative

adj. relating to qualities rather than numbers

She gathered qualitative impressions through interviews.
correlate

v. to show a mutual relationship between things

Higher rainfall tends to correlate with crop yields.
extrapolate

v. to extend known data to estimate the unknown

We cannot safely extrapolate beyond the tested range.
interpolate

v. to estimate values between known points

Researchers interpolate missing values from neighbors.
deviation

n. the amount by which something differs from normal

A small deviation from the mean was still recorded.
anomaly

n. something that differs from what is expected

The sensor flagged an anomaly in the readings.
paradigm

n. a typical model or framework of thinking

The discovery overturned the dominant paradigm.
methodology

n. the system of methods used in research

The paper details a rigorous methodology.
replicate

v. to reproduce results by repeating a study

Other labs failed to replicate the original finding.
calibrate

v. to adjust an instrument for accuracy

Technicians calibrate the device before each run.
hypothesize

v. to propose an explanation to be tested

They hypothesize that warmth speeds the process.
inference

n. a conclusion reached from reasoning

The inference depends on a few key assumptions.
regression

n. a method for relating variables statistically

The regression revealed a weak upward slope.
coefficient

n. a number that quantifies a relationship

The coefficient indicates a moderate association.
variance

n. the spread of values around their mean

High variance made the pattern hard to interpret.
magnitude

n. the size or extent of something

The magnitude of the shift surprised the analysts.
threshold

n. the level at which an effect begins

The dose exceeded the safety threshold.
parameter

n. a measurable factor defining a system

Each parameter was tuned within strict limits.
phenomenon

n. an observable fact or event

The phenomenon recurs under specific conditions.
catalyst

n. something that speeds a process without being consumed

The enzyme acts as a catalyst in the reaction.
synthesis

n. the combining of parts into a whole

The review offers a synthesis of recent work.
equilibrium

n. a state of balance between forces

The system settles into a stable equilibrium.
entropy

n. a measure of disorder in a system

Entropy tends to increase in a closed system.
dataset

n. a structured collection of related records

The dataset spans two decades of observations.
statistical

adj. relating to the analysis of numerical data

The effect reached statistical importance.
systematic

adj. done according to an organized plan

They conducted a systematic search of the literature.
longitudinal

adj. following the same subjects over time

The longitudinal design tracked patients for years.
confounding

adj. mixing variables so effects are unclear

A confounding factor distorted the apparent link.
negligible

adj. so small as to be unimportant

The difference proved negligible in practice.
robust

adj. strong and not easily disturbed

The finding remained robust across many trials.
plausible

adj. seeming reasonable or probable

The model offers a plausible account of the data.
ambiguous

adj. open to more than one interpretation

The wording of the question was ambiguous.
definitive

adj. settling a matter conclusively

No definitive answer has yet emerged.
conclusive

adj. serving to prove a point decisively

The trial yielded conclusive support for the idea.
preliminary

adj. coming before a main stage

These preliminary figures may yet be revised.
theoretical

adj. based on ideas rather than practice

The prediction is theoretical and untested.
fundamental

adj. forming an essential basis

Symmetry is a fundamental principle in physics.
mitigate

v. to make something less severe

Engineers worked to mitigate the measurement noise.
propagate

v. to spread or transmit widely

Errors can propagate through every later step.
attenuate

v. to reduce in strength or intensity

Shielding helps attenuate the background signal.
amplify

v. to increase the strength of something

The instrument amplifies faint electrical pulses.
quantify

v. to express something as a number

It is hard to quantify the uncertainty precisely.
validate

v. to confirm something as accurate or sound

Independent trials helped validate the model.
falsify

v. to show a claim to be false

A single counterexample can falsify the theory.
corroborate

v. to support a finding with further evidence

New observations corroborate the earlier claim.
scrutinize

v. to examine very closely and critically

Reviewers scrutinize each step of the argument.
discrepancy

n. a lack of agreement between values

A discrepancy appeared between the two methods.
aggregate

v. to combine into a single total

The tool aggregates readings from many sites.
heuristic

n. a practical rule for solving problems quickly

The model relies on a simple heuristic.
deterministic

adj. fully determined by prior causes

The simulation follows a deterministic rule.
stochastic

adj. involving randomness or chance

They modeled the process as a stochastic system.
linear

adj. involving a straight-line relationship

The response was linear over the tested span.
exponential

adj. growing ever faster in proportion to size

The colony showed exponential growth at first.
asymptotic

adj. approaching a limit without reaching it

The curve is asymptotic to a fixed ceiling.
monotonic

adj. consistently increasing or decreasing

The trend was strictly monotonic throughout.
saturate

v. to fill until no more can be absorbed

The detector saturates at very high intensity.
oscillate

v. to move back and forth regularly

The voltage continued to oscillate over time.
fluctuate

v. to rise and fall irregularly

Readings fluctuate with the surrounding climate.
converge

v. to come together toward a single point

The estimates converge as data accumulate.
diverge

v. to move apart in different directions

The two forecasts diverge sharply over time.
isolate

v. to separate one element from others

They isolate the cause by holding others fixed.
manipulate

v. to deliberately alter a condition

Researchers manipulate one input at a time.
quantum

adj. relating to the smallest units of energy

The theory invokes quantum effects at tiny scales.
spectrum

n. a range of related values or wavelengths

The instrument records the full light spectrum.
covariate

n. a variable considered alongside the main one

The model adjusts for age as a covariate.
residual

n. the difference between observed and predicted

The residuals showed no clear pattern.
outlier

n. a value far from the rest of the set

One extreme outlier skewed the summary.
benchmark

n. a standard used for comparison

The new method beat the established benchmark.
metric

n. a standard of measurement

Accuracy is only one metric among several.
attribute

v. to regard something as caused by

They attribute the rise to a single driver.
infer

v. to conclude from reasoning and evidence

From the trace we infer a hidden mechanism.
postulate

v. to assume something as a basis for reasoning

He postulates a force acting at a distance.
substantiate

v. to provide evidence to support a claim

The author failed to substantiate the assertion.
refute

v. to prove a statement wrong

The new findings refute the older hypothesis.
reconcile

v. to make conflicting accounts agree

The team tried to reconcile the two results.
delineate

v. to describe or define precisely

The report delineates each stage of decay.
elucidate

v. to make something clear and understandable

The diagram helps elucidate the pathway.
discern

v. to perceive or recognize with effort

It is hard to discern a signal in the noise.
underpin

v. to support or form the basis of

A simple law underpins the entire model.
preclude

v. to prevent something from happening

Small sizes preclude any firm conclusion.
constrain

v. to limit or restrict within bounds

Physical laws constrain the possible outcomes.
optimize

v. to make as effective as possible

They optimize the design for minimal loss.
disperse

v. to spread out over a wide area

The pollutant quickly dispersed in the river.
derive

v. to obtain by reasoning from a source

They derive the equation from first principles.
normalize

v. to adjust values to a common scale

We normalize the scores before comparison.
simulate

v. to imitate a process using a model

The program simulates fluid flow in pipes.
hypothetical

adj. based on a supposition, not real

They consider a hypothetical extreme case.
intrinsic

adj. belonging to the nature of a thing

Mass is an intrinsic property of an object.
spurious

adj. false or based on faulty reasoning

The link turned out to be entirely spurious.
tenuous

adj. weak or insubstantial

The connection between them is tenuous.
salient

adj. most noticeable or important

The figure highlights the salient features.
nuanced

adj. showing subtle distinctions

The data demand a more nuanced reading.
incremental

adj. increasing gradually in small steps

Progress came through incremental gains.
synthesize

v. to combine ideas or substances into a whole

The author synthesizes findings from many fields.
extrapolation

n. the act of extending data beyond its range

The forecast rests on a risky extrapolation.
permeate

v. to spread throughout something

Uncertainty seems to permeate the whole field.
attenuation

n. a gradual loss of strength

Signal attenuation grows with distance.
perturbation

n. a small disturbance to a system

A tiny perturbation altered the outcome.

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