What You Need to Know to do Well on the Paragraph Comprehension Section

Relax

A timed reading and comprehension test might sound scary, but this is the first thing you should do. Yes, easier said than done. But by the time you walk in to take your test, you should have completed some practice tests to determine which skills needed extra attention before test day. You practiced those skills, retook the practice tests, and are confident about the material you are about to be tested on. So, take a deep breath, and dive in!

Take it one question at a time 

Some passages have more than one question associated with them, but you should look at only one question at a time.

Understand each question 

What is the question asking you to do? Are you supposed to find the main point? Draw a conclusion? Find a word that is nearest in meaning? Make sure you know what the question is asking before you choose among the answer options. This may seem obvious, but when you’re in a hurry, you can make mistakes by misunderstanding the questions.

Read carefully

This tip applies to all reading you'll encounter on the test, whether it’s the directions, the passages, the questions, or the answer options. READ IT ALL!

• • • • Some test prep sites suggest that you read the questions first, so that you know what to look for as you read the passage (are you looking for a detail or to identify the main idea or is it asking about a particular word, etc.).
      • Other sites suggest you read the questions and the answers first, so that you can work to eliminate incorrect answers immediately, thereby narrowing down what you look for as you read. You know how you test best.

Hopefully, you have found the approach that works for you. Regardless of the order in which you read the passages and the questions/answers, make sure that you read them carefully. Make sure that you understand what you are being asked to do in each question so that you can do it.

Watch out for trick words in the questions, like not, except, most likely, etc. They can totally change the goal of your search for the correct answer.

Don’t forget to read the directions. There is often valuable information to be learned there—thus the reason directions are included.

Watch the time

As with all the ASVAB subtests, this test is timed. You have plenty of time, so you shouldn’t feel rushed. Although you don’t have time for daydreaming, either.

Check your baggage at the door 

Answer each question based on the passage, not your own opinions or views on the topic.

Don’t fall into test traps

This goes right along with reading carefully. The test makers intentionally include misleading answers as a test of your skills.

Don’t get tripped up by trick questions that have misleading answer options. Any answer options that include absolutes (all, never, everyone, no one, etc.) or are ambiguous (seldom, sometimes, occasionally, etc.) should be approached cautiously as they may be a trap. These types of answer options are seldom correct.

Make educated guesses if you aren’t sure of the answer, but if you are looking to eliminate wrong answers, getting rid of absolutes or almost trues will help narrow down your choices.