Random Words training: columns of 20, scored like the championship

Words are listed in columns of 20, five columns to a page. Each column is separate: you start at its first word and remember as many as you can in order, and you may choose which columns to attempt. The sheet holds the world record plus 20%.

Standard mode presents 500 words — the 410-word record plus 20%, in whole columns — across 5 pages, drawn roughly 80% concrete nouns, 10% abstract nouns and 10% verbs, as the rulebook describes.

Each column of 20 is scored on its own. These are the WMSC rules, with the rulebook's own examples:

• 20A complete column, all correctA point for every word.
• 10One mistake in the columnPlurals, gaps and synonyms all count: 20 ÷ 2.
• 0Two or more mistakesThe column scores nothing.
• 19One word misspeltClearly memorised: only that word loses its point.
• 9One mistake and one misspellingHalve first, then subtract: 20 ÷ 2 − 1.
• 13Last column: 13 words, all correctA partial final column scores its words.

Column totals are added and a half mark is rounded up (72.5 becomes 73). Ties are broken on decision points: the correct words in attempted columns that scored 0.

• Finish columns, don't sample them. A column with two gaps scores nothing, so it pays to secure 20 words before starting the next column.
• Watch plurals. “Candles” for “candle” is a memory mistake, and a second one costs the column.
• Stop the last column where your memory stops. Thirteen sure words score 13; guessing on risks two mistakes and a 0.
• Picture every word, even the abstract ones. Give “justice” or “whisper” a concrete image and place it on a memory palace route, one or two words per location. See visualization for turning abstract words into pictures.

The full method is in How to memorise a list of words.