With the help of reports from Reddit's r/SAT, roots2words.com, and student feedback, I’ve compiled a list of the most common and challenging vocabulary from the October 2024 US and International SATs. I've put these into a quiz format for students and parents to challenge themselves. Good luck!

SAT Vocabulary October 2024 - Round 2 - Warm-up Reading Passage

Instructions: Read this passage carefully before taking your quiz. All 11 vocabulary words from October 2024 Round 2 appear in context. Pay attention to how each word is used naturally in the story.

The Academic Conference Crisis

Professor Elena Martinez arrived at the international philosophy conference with what seemed like a notional understanding of the controversy that would soon engulf the entire event. Her earnest approach to academic discourse had always served her well, but she was unprepared for the intellectual battlefield that awaited.

The keynote speaker, Dr. Wilhelm Hartmann, had gained notoriety for his misanthropic philosophy, arguing that human nature was fundamentally corrupt and that genuine altruism was impossible. His critics claimed he was not a veritable scholar but rather a provocateur who deliberately conflated pessimistic observations with rigorous philosophical analysis.

Elena knew that Hartmann's inflammatory reputation would likely preclude any meaningful dialogue during the panel discussions. His presence seemed designed to induce controversy rather than foster genuine intellectual exchange among the assembled academics.

The conference organizers had attempted to establish clear demarcation between different philosophical schools, but Hartmann's supporters and detractors refused to respect these boundaries. What was supposed to be a collegial gathering had devolved into heated arguments that rendered the nominal structure of formal presentations almost meaningless.

Elena found herself in an inconspicuous corner of the conference hall, watching as younger scholars attempted to vindicate their theoretical positions against Hartmann's relentless criticism. She reflected on how academic conferences, like democracy itself, required good faith participation from all parties to function effectively.

The experience reminded her why she had chosen philosophy in the first place—not to win arguments or gain recognition, but to grapple honestly with the fundamental questions that had puzzled humanity for millennia. Despite the chaos around her, Elena remained committed to the principle that thoughtful dialogue, even when difficult, was essential for the advancement of human understanding.