criteria
Noun
Easy difficulty
What does “criteria” mean?
noun.principles or standards by which something may be judged or decided.
SAT Usage
criteria often appears in passages related to evaluation, decision-making, or scientific methods. It emphasizes the specific standards used to assess quality or validity, highlighting the importance of structured judgment rather than vague or subjective opinions, distinguishing it from more general terms like "factors" which lack the connotation of established benchmarks.
Common Confusions
Criteria implies specific standards for judgment, while criterion usually suggests a singular standard or principle.
Do not choose criteria if the context emphasizes personal opinions or feelings rather than principles or standards by which something may be judged or decided.
Example Sentences
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All candidates must meet the basic criteria to qualify.
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The committee agreed on strict criteria for admission.