Understanding Effective Reading

 

Taking the COMPASS® assessment requires you to be an active reader. What is an active reader? Active readers pay close attention to what they're reading in order to make the material meaningful. This means you can't rush through the material or read the information slowly. When you read slowly you've forgotten the details at the beginning by the time you've reached the end. Active reading requires you to do several things.

 

  

First, you must ask questions about the information you're reading.

• Are there unfamiliar words or phrases?
• Can you determine the meaning of the word from the surrounding information?
• Is any of the information in the passage familiar to you? Have you heard of something similar?
• What is the main idea of the passage?
• Do you understand what the question is asking?

By asking yourself questions as you read you keep yourself alert and focused to the author's message and purpose for writing the information.

 

 

 

Second, if you're not sure what the information in the passage means go back and reread the confusing parts.

• What is most confusing and why?
• What do I already know that can help me figure this information out?

 

 

 

 

 Finally, think about what the passage is about.

• What did you just read and does it make sense? Can you summarize the details?
• Can you put the information into your own words?
• Review the question and all responses, are there any responses that simply don't make sense?

 

 

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