Can Reading Comprehension Be Taught for Standardized Tests?

When it comes to standardized test preparation, reading comprehension seems to be the most confounding subject for parents and students, which is perfectly understandable. Memorizing vocabulary is self-explanatory, and math presents finite content to be refreshed or learned. But no exam issues a reading list, it is unlikely that a standardized test will contain any literature familiar to its target students and a seemingly endless array of questions can be asked for any given excerpt. As a result, many conclude that there is little useful preparation to be done for standardized test reading comprehension and enter their exams simply hoping for the best.

The reality is that while it is indeed impossible to predict the exact material on any reading comprehension test, the skills required to excel and the types of questions presented are relatively consistent. For example, the crux of practically any nonfiction passage is its thesis statement from which all other components (supporting details, transitions, purpose, etc.) stem. By actively reading to identify the main argument and supporting details within a passage, students set themselves up to anticipate what the questions might ask and ultimately save valuable time. With assistance, even students who struggle with their English coursework are capable of perfecting active reading strategies. The key to standardized test reading comprehension is not deep and nuanced insight but rather an efficient allocation of the student's attention to the elements of the reading which truly matter. Structured practice is essential for the student to feel comfortable reading this way, but he or she can also practice independently since most kinds of reading material, from literature to magazine articles, lend themselves to this kind of analysis.

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