Test-Taking Strategies

13: Reading Comprehension Test Strategies

13 Reading Comprehension Test Strategies You won't find reading comprehension problems on teacher-prepared exams because they don't test whether or not you have learned anything in a course. They're supposed to gauge whether you can find or figure out information contained in a given reading passage, and are popular in standardized tests. As with every other test, the testwise student has a decided edge. STRATEGY 1: IGNORE THE INSTRUCTIONS Most instructions tell you to read the passage and then answer the questions. Don't do it. Read the questions first. You'll save lots of time that way. Since most reading comprehension tests are time tests, the more time you save, the more points you can score. If the questions ask for specific factual material contained in the reading, it seldom pays to read the entire passage carefully. Skim it to find the facts, supply the facts, and move on. 72 Reading Comprehension Test Strategies 73 Reading comprehension questions often ask you to make conclusions or draw inferences about what the author is saying in the passage. To supply such nonspecific information , you will have to read the entire passage. But if you've read the questions first, you'll have a better idea of what you are reading for. STRATEGY 2: USE YOUR TIME WISELY Reading comprehension tests are usually time tests. So plan to use your time to answer as many of the easiest questions as possible. Tactic 1: Don't skip around after reading passages If one passage looks difficult after you read it, don't skip to the next one and plan to come back later. Reading selections are almost always arranged with the easier ones first, the more difficult ones last. Skipping around after you've read the passages can only waste time. Tactic 2: Locate the easiest questions If you are good at finding factual references in the reading passages, but poor at forming conclusions, do the factual passages first. As you read the questions, which you should do before reading the passages, if you find "conclusions" questions, mark them and go on to skim the next set of questions. STRATEGY 3: CHECK YOUR ANSWERS After you have chosen an answer, compare it to the sentence that gave you the answer: • Be sure that the answer covers all parts of the question. 74 TEST-TAKING STRATEGIES • Be sure that you have checked the answer you intended to check; students lose too many points by finding the correct answer but checking the wrong one. STRATEGY 4: DON'T ADD ANY FACTS Base your answers entirely on facts contained in the reading passage. Even if you know something about the subject, remember that this is a test of your ability to read and understand a given passage. Applying your outside knowledge can only cost you points, unless the instructions specifically tell you to apply it. STRATEGY 5: FORGET YOUR OWN CONCLUSIONS Keep reminding yourself that you're being tested on your understanding of the words, sentences, facts, and ideas in the passage-nothing more unless specifically asked for. If you think the author's facts or conclusions are wrong, keep that to yourself; answer questions based on the author's facts and the author's conclusions, and only those. Especially if you know something about the subject, read carefully; students lose points because they jump to conclusions based on their own preconceptions. Be sure that you can point to the reading passage that supports the conclusions reached in the answer you want to mark. ...