Speed Reading: Evaluating 400 WPM with 82 Comprehension

Speed reading at 400 words per minute (WPM) with 82 comprehension is certainly impressive. In this article, we will explore whether this level of reading speed and comprehension is effective and evaluate the benefits and drawbacks of such a feat.

Understanding the Basics of Reading Speed

For context, most adults read at about 200-300 WPM with varying levels of comprehension. Speed reading techniques can significantly increase reading speed but often come at the cost of comprehension. Your ability to read at 400 WPM with 82 comprehension stands out as an excellent example of effective and efficient reading.

However, if you're looking to improve further, consider honing your skills with techniques that can enhance both speed and comprehension, such as skimming for main ideas, improving vocabulary, and minimizing subvocalization (silently pronouncing words while reading).

Personal Experience and Requirements

Someone who took several tests reported similar results, reading at 360-400 WPM with 100% comprehension. However, they do not feel it constitutes "true speed reading." This person reads a significant amount of technical literature on programming and engineering and averages around 500-700 pages per week. Their personal goal is to maintain high-level comprehension, ideally in the 90's. They believe that beyond 400 WPM, reading becomes less effective because they have to skip words, which they are unwilling to do with the information they find interesting.

Critique and Perspectives on Speed Reading

It's important to evaluate whether a high speed of 400 WPM coupled with 82 comprehension is considered "good" for speed reading. According to the views of a self-proclaimed expert, 400 WPM with lower comprehension is not considered a good speed reading result. True speed reading begins at around 1000-1200 WPM and becomes efficient and permanent at about 2000-2500 WPM, with comprehension rates typically staying above 90-95%.

The author of this article questions the necessity of speed reading. They argue that reading should be a pleasurable act, not just a mechanical process. The reasons for reading a book include gathering information, pleasure, and proofreading. The author discusses different reading methods based on these different purposes:

Information/Study: Reading can be very fast, sometimes high in the thousands of WPM, but this is mainly due to skimming and scanning for relevant content. Pleasure: Enjoyable books can be read quickly, while slower action books may take longer. The key is to enjoy the process and not rush to finish a book. Proofreading: This is a slow and detailed process, often resulting in reading at a single-digit WPM rate.

The author concludes that the person's impressive reading speed and comprehension are not impressive, as the enjoyment and joy in reading are the true values. They emphasize that the goal of reading is not to be the fastest reader, but to gain the most out of each book and experience different methods based on the type of material and purpose of reading.

Conclusion

Evaluating 400 WPM with 82 comprehension in the context of speed reading requires considering multiple factors, including the type of material being read and the goals of the reader. While your reading speed and comprehension are commendable, they may not all be necessary for everyone's reading needs, especially when the enjoyment and comprehension are the key factors.