This research aims to analyze strategies in dealing with vocabulary retention difficulties experienced by students with high and low abilities in the fifth semester of the English Language Education Study Program, muhammadiyah university of kotabumi, academic year 2024/2025. Vocabulary retention is ability to store or remember as many words as possible by engaging in various activities. This study uses qualitative descriptive method with data collection techniques in the from of closed interviews. The results of the study are expected to provide insight into the effectiveness of strategies used by students with different levels of ability and provide recommendations for more effective English teaching.