Besides being a pain in the ass, traditional memorization is not an effective learning tool.  It is not reliable over the long term because it relies primarily on our short-term memory.  This type of memorization creates a single, empty association between the word and its defining sentence.  Such a method can bring you marginal success through repetition, but why work so hard when you can work smart?

In order for an idea to be easily remembered, it must be associated or connected to multiple areas in your brain.  The logic here is straightforward.  The more ways you can meaningfully connect to an idea, the more embedded in your brain it becomes.  For example, consider one of your clearest memories.  Such a memory is clear because it is composed of vivid details like smells, how you felt, who was there, etc.  Multiple details give your brain different ways to associate with and remember things.

This associative conception of memory is helpful to learning SAT vocabulary words.  To create more meaningful associations, take a moment to see how you can connect to the word or defintion.

• Does the word elicit a particular feeling or sensation?  How or when have you heard it before?
• Does the word's meaning remind you of a particular person, character, or place?
• Is there a song that reminds you of this word? Perhaps a clip from a movie, TV show, or website?

The point here is that it's never enough to simply connect a word to a definition; instead, let the definition be the catalyst in discovering multiple associations and connections.  You'll find that associative understanding trumps standard memorization every time.