| 100% | VPPICK | 6 | Major political announcement before a convention, informally |
| 43% | MYTURN | 6 | Announcement before a move |
| 41% | PRIMARY | 7 | Election before a convention |
| 39% | HEREIGO | 7 | Announcement before taking a leap |
| 38% | ZIT | 3 | Problem before a big date, informally |
| 38% | EVE | 3 | Night before a major holiday |
| 38% | IDO | 3 | Words before a major pronouncement |
| 38% | EVE | 3 | Day before a major holiday |
| 38% | EVE | 3 | Night before a major event |
| 37% | ONEBC | 5 | Last year before a major change |
| 37% | CRAM | 4 | Study right before a major test |
| 36% | DRUMROLL | 8 | Percussion sound effect before a big announcement |
| 36% | COLDFEET | 8 | Last-minute nerves before a major event |
| 36% | SECONDOPINION | 13 | What might be sought before a major decision |
| 36% | NEE | 3 | Word before a maiden name in wedding announcements |
| 35% | BIO | 3 | Class for a physiology major, informally |
| 35% | DNC | 3 | Political org. with a quadrennial convention |
| 35% | UNITY | 5 | Goal of a political convention |
| 34% | STATES | 6 | Roll call at a political convention |
| 34% | KEYNOTE | 7 | ___ address (speech at a political convention) |
| 34% | ORATE | 5 | Speak at a political convention, say |
| 33% | BIGNEWS | 7 | "I have a major announcement!": 2 wds. |
| 33% | KEYNOTE | 7 | Major speech, as at a convention |
| 32% | STATE | 5 | It's called in a political convention roll call |
| 32% | JANATA | 6 | The J in BJP; a major Indian political party |
| 31% | TAXES | 5 | Subject of a major bill before the U.S. Senate |
| 31% | EXPO | 4 | Major event at a convention center, for short |
| 30% | INCHAOS | 7 | Like a supermarket before a major storm, perhaps |
| 29% | LOCALTIME | 9 | Announcement before landing |
| 29% | ANA | 3 | Before a B |