standardizedintermediate100 words

PTE Academic Vocabulary

Pearson Test of English Academic

Master the top 100 vocabulary words for PTE Academic. High frequency academic words, essay linkers, and Describe Image trend language with definitions and examples.

Start Learning

About Pearson Test of English Academic

PTE Academic is a computer based English proficiency test by Pearson for study abroad, work visas, and migration. It is accepted by universities in Australia, the UK, Canada, and New Zealand, and for Australian visa applications.

Exam Sections

1

Speaking and Writing

2

Reading

3

Listening

Why Vocabulary Matters

Vocabulary decides Fill in the Blanks across Reading and Listening, powers essay range in Write Essay, and supplies the trend language for Describe Image and Retell Lecture. Academic collocations and linkers carry the most marks per word learned.

Essential Vocabulary Words

Master these 100 high-frequency words to excel in your PTE Academic exam

1

conduct

verb
easyhigh

To carry out or perform an organized activity

Example: Researchers conduct surveys every year.

2

pose

verb
mediumhigh

To present or introduce a problem or question

Example: Automation poses fresh challenges.

3

raise

verb
easyhigh

To bring up an issue for discussion

Example: Critics raise concerns about privacy.

4

draw

verb
easyhigh

To arrive at a conclusion by reasoning

Example: Analysts draw conclusions from data.

5

reach

verb
easyhigh

To arrive at a decision or level

Example: Talks reached a consensus at dawn.

6

gain

verb
easyhigh

To obtain or increase something gradually

Example: The policy gained momentum quickly.

7

albeit

conjunction
hardmedium

Although, even though

Example: The result was modest, albeit useful.

8

moreover

adverb
easyhigh

In addition to what was said

Example: Moreover, costs fell each quarter.

9

furthermore

adverb
easyhigh

Moreover, in addition

Example: Furthermore, trials confirmed the effect.

10

nevertheless

adverb
mediumhigh

In spite of that fact

Example: Scores dipped; nevertheless, pass rates held.

11

consequently

adverb
mediumhigh

As a result of something

Example: Funding stopped; consequently, labs closed.

12

conversely

adverb
mediummedium

In an opposite way

Example: City rents rose; conversely, rural rents fell.

13

subsequently

adverb
mediumhigh

Afterward, at a later time

Example: Patients recovered and were subsequently discharged.

14

notwithstanding

preposition
hardmedium

In spite of something

Example: Notwithstanding delays, the trial finished.

15

hence

adverb
easyhigh

For this reason, therefore

Example: Costs doubled, hence the review.

16

thereby

adverb
mediummedium

By means of that action

Example: Automation cuts waste, thereby saving money.

17

whereas

conjunction
easyhigh

In contrast to the fact that

Example: Urban air worsened, whereas rural air improved.

18

phenomenon

noun
mediumhigh

An observable fact or event of interest

Example: Migration is a global phenomenon.

19

hypothesis

noun
mediumhigh

A proposed explanation awaiting testing

Example: The hypothesis needs more evidence.

20
empiricaladjective
hardmedium

Based on observation rather than theory

Example: Empirical evidence supports the claim.

21

analyze

verb
easyhigh

To examine something in detail

Example: Economists analyze spending patterns.

22

commence

verb
mediummedium

To begin formally

Example: Lectures commence at nine sharp.

23

significant

adjective
easyhigh

Large or important enough to matter

Example: Exports showed significant growth.

24

crucial

adjective
easyhigh

Extremely important for an outcome

Example: Sleep is crucial for memory.

25

vital

adjective
easyhigh

Absolutely necessary for success

Example: Clean water is vital for health.

26

feasible

adjective
mediummedium

Possible and practical to achieve

Example: A phased rollout is feasible.

27

viable

adjective
mediummedium

Able to work successfully over time

Example: Solar farms are now viable.

28

prevalent

adjective
mediummedium

Widespread in an area or group

Example: Remote work is now prevalent.

29

contemporary

adjective
mediummedium

Belonging to the present time

Example: Contemporary art divides critics.

30

undergo

verb
mediumhigh

To experience a process or change

Example: The sector underwent rapid change.

31

derive

verb
mediummedium

To obtain something from a source

Example: Models derive strength from data.

32

attribute

verb
mediumhigh

To regard something as caused by

Example: Growth is attributed to exports.

33

denote

verb
mediummedium

To mean or indicate something

Example: Red bars denote rural areas.

34

signify

verb
mediummedium

To be an indication of something

Example: Falling rates signify progress.

35

entail

verb
hardmedium

To involve something as a consequence

Example: Reform entails higher spending.

36

encompass

verb
mediummedium

To include a range of items

Example: The survey encompasses twelve cities.

37

trigger

verb
mediumhigh

To cause something to start suddenly

Example: Drought triggered price spikes.

38

hinder

verb
mediummedium

To delay or obstruct progress

Example: Congestion hinders emergency response.

39

impede

verb
hardmedium

To slow or block movement forward

Example: Strikes impeded hospital admissions.

40

refute

verb
hardmedium

To prove a claim false with evidence

Example: Data refuted the early warning.

41

concede

verb
hardmedium

To admit something is true reluctantly

Example: Critics concede the costs fell.

42

assert

verb
mediumhigh

To state firmly as fact

Example: Authors assert the link is causal.

43

contend

verb
hardmedium

To argue or claim something firmly

Example: Scholars contend the policy failed.

44

correlation

noun
hardmedium

A mutual relationship between things

Example: Study found a correlation with income.

45

consensus

noun
mediumhigh

General agreement among a group

Example: Scientists reached a consensus.

46

controversy

noun
mediummedium

Prolonged public disagreement

Example: The verdict sparked controversy.

47

disparity

noun
hardmedium

A noticeable difference between things

Example: Pay disparity persists across regions.

48

dilemma

noun
mediummedium

A situation needing a hard choice

Example: Commuters face a daily dilemma.

49

incentive

noun
mediumhigh

A reason that encourages action

Example: Subsidies create green incentives.

50

realm

noun
mediumlow

A field of activity or interest

Example: Sleep belongs in the realm of health.

51

scope

noun
easyhigh

The extent covered by something

Example: The review widened its scope.

52

facet

noun
hardlow

One aspect of a complex subject

Example: Cost is one facet of reform.

53

array

noun
mediummedium

An ordered arrangement or range

Example: Sensors collect a vast array.

54

magnitude

noun
hardmedium

The great size of something

Example: The quake reached huge magnitude.

55

surge

verb
mediumhigh

To rise suddenly and strongly

Example: Demand surged after subsidies.

56

fluctuate

verb
mediumhigh

To rise and fall irregularly

Example: Prices fluctuated all spring.

57

plateau

verb
mediummedium

To level off after a rise

Example: Sales plateaued in winter.

58

soar

verb
easyhigh

To climb steeply and fast

Example: Shares soared on the news.

59

plummet

verb
mediumhigh

To fall sharply and suddenly

Example: Arrivals plummeted during lockdowns.

60

trajectory

noun
hardmedium

The path of development over time

Example: The recovery stays on trajectory.

61

proportion

noun
mediumhigh

A part relative to the whole

Example: A large proportion commutes daily.

62

marginal

adjective
mediummedium

Small and barely significant

Example: Gains were only marginal.

63

negligible

adjective
hardmedium

Too small to matter

Example: The side effects were negligible.

64

stark

adjective
mediummedium

Severe and impossible to ignore

Example: Stark gaps divide the districts.

65

pronounced

adjective
hardmedium

Very noticeable and strong

Example: Effects were most pronounced inland.

66

unprecedented

adjective
hardmedium

Never seen or done before

Example: Turnout hit unprecedented levels.

67

gradual

adjective
easyhigh

Happening slowly over time

Example: A gradual recovery began.

68

drastic

adjective
mediummedium

Extreme and sudden in effect

Example: Drastic cuts followed the audit.

69

stem

verb
mediummedium

To originate from a source

Example: Delays stem from staff gaps.

70

fuel

verb
mediummedium

To feed or intensify something

Example: Rumors fueled market panic.

71
ambiguousadjective
mediumhigh

Open to more than one reading

Example: The survey question was ambiguous.

72
coherentadjective
mediumhigh

Logical and consistent throughout

Example: Her essay stayed coherent.

73
mediumhigh

To consist of or be made up of

Example: The panel comprises six experts.

74
assessverb
easyhigh

To evaluate the nature of something

Example: Teachers assess progress monthly.

75
comprehensiveadjective
mediumhigh

Covering everything needed

Example: The guide is comprehensive.

mediummedium

To make up for a loss

Example: Grants compensate remote schools.

77
substantialadjective
mediumhigh

Large in size or importance

Example: Substantial funds went to labs.

mediumhigh

To make a process easier

Example: Mentors facilitate group work.

79
hardhigh

To make damage less severe

Example: Trees mitigate urban heat.

80
hardmedium

To ease pain or problems

Example: Clinics alleviate rural shortages.

hardmedium

To make problems worse

Example: Smog exacerbates asthma cases.

hardmedium

To confirm with more evidence

Example: Witnesses corroborated the logs.

83
mediummedium

To repeat for emphasis

Example: The speaker reiterated the deadline.

84
succinctadjective
mediummedium

Brief and clearly expressed

Example: Write a succinct summary.

85
meticulousadjective
mediummedium

Showing great care for detail

Example: Meticulous records saved the trial.

86
pragmaticadjective
mediummedium

Guided by practical results

Example: A pragmatic plan won support.

87
prudentadjective
mediummedium

Showing care for the future

Example: Prudent savings cushioned the shock.

88
mediumhigh

To publicly support a cause

Example: Nurses advocate longer staffing.

89
hardlow

To outline boundaries precisely

Example: Maps delineate flood zones.

90
nuancenoun
hardmedium

A subtle shade of meaning

Example: The essay missed that nuance.

91
hardmedium

The reasons behind a decision

Example: The rationale convinced voters.

92
hardmedium

A typical pattern or model

Example: A new paradigm guides treatment.

93
salientadjective
hardmedium

Most noticeable and important

Example: Salient trends appear first.

94
hardlow

The perfect example of a type

Example: Penang is the quintessential food city.

95
hardmedium

To strengthen or support

Example: Data bolstered the proposal.

96
hardmedium

Something that sparks change

Example: Protests were a catalyst.

97
hardlow

To make clear by explaining

Example: Charts elucidate the method.

98
peruseverb
mediumlow

To read carefully and thoroughly

Example: Peruse the passage before answering.

99
tenetnoun
hardlow

A core belief or principle

Example: Fairness is a central tenet.

100
hardlow

To place side by side for contrast

Example: Graphs juxtapose urban and rural trends.

Expert Preparation Tips

Proven strategies to master vocabulary for PTE Academic

Learn collocation anchors as pairs, for example conduct research and reach consensus, since FIB blanks test the full phrase
Master contrast and result linkers, such as nevertheless and consequently, to lift cohesion scores in essays and summaries
Practice Describe Image trend verbs daily: surge, fluctuate, plateau, soar, and plummet
Read each FIB sentence with the blank covered, predict the logic word, then match the option
Dictate example sentences aloud to train Write from Dictation spelling and memory

Stop forgetting PTE Academic words

Reading a list once will not get you the score you want. WordFlippin turns these words into daily practice with spaced repetition, so they stick when the exam clock is ticking.

Create a free account in under a minute. Add words, review on your schedule, and walk into PTE Academic ready, not hoping you remember.

Start Learning Free
PTE Academic Vocabulary: Top 100 Words for Pearson Test of English Academic | WordFlippin