Speed Reading FAQ

Reading is one of the most rewarding activities we have. Not only we can learn new things, but we can also open a world of imagination brought to us thanks to novels and stories. However most people think they don't have the time to read. They see reading as a time-consuming activity, without realizing that is the only media where they can control their speed of comprehension and retention, and that can be boosted thanks to speed reading.

Students face similar problems, the amount of text to read can be overwhelimg, but again with speed reading one can make reading a fast activity, leaving us more time free for other things. In this article we answer some of the most common questions about speed reading made by you, our readers.

How to speed read?

To speed read you can use different techniques that work. However the core technique involves widening your eye span to be able to read in chunks of text instead of word by word. Techniques are easy to grasp however you need to practice everyday in order to be able to speed read.

How do you measure speed reading rate?

Time is measured giving the reader a selection of material with a determined amount of words. After he or she, finishes reading, then some questions are asked in order to assess comprehension, they have to be able to answer more than half the questions to be considered successful.

Some say it is better to test with a test that is interesting to the subject, because speed reading has also a psychological factor.

How speed reading software helps?

Speed reading software is designed to help you increase your reading speed through a series of exercises. There are many options, though the best ones have a daily plan and an included testing system that will let you know how are you progressing.

Speed reading software lacks theory though. They make you read faster, but you never get to know the principles.

How fast can a person read?

Pople who attend the World Championship Speed Reading contest read about 1000 to 2000 words a minute. Of course, comprehension levels are also taken into account. There are many contestants that can read up to 5000 words, but they have too low comprehension levels to pass.