Reading Comprehension Strategies

🟢 Lite — Quick Review (1h–1d)

Rapid summary for last-minute revision before your NMAT exam.

Reading Comprehension — Key Facts

Question Types

1. Main Idea: What is the passage primarily about?
2. Supporting Details: Specific information from the passage
3. Inference: What can you conclude that is NOT directly stated?
4. Vocabulary in Context: Meaning of word/phrase in the passage
5. Tone/Attitude: What is the author’s tone or attitude?
6. Purpose: What is the purpose of the passage?
7. Text Structure: How is the passage organized?

Speed Reading Techniques

• Skim: Read quickly for main idea (titles, first/last paragraphs, topic sentences)
• Scan: Look for specific information (keywords)
• Close reading: Read slowly and carefully for detail

⚡ NMAT High-Yield: Don’t read questions BEFORE reading passage — you may get biased. Read passage first, then answer questions.

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🟡 Standard — Regular Study (2d–2mo)

Chapter: Reading Comprehension Strategies

1.1 Understanding Passages

Types of Passages

1. Expository: Informative, factual (most common on NMAT)
2. Narrative: Storytelling (events, experiences)
3. Descriptive: Detailed description of a person/place/thing
4. Argumentative/Persuasive: Takes a position, argues for or against
5. Literary: Fiction or creative nonfiction

Common NMAT Topics

• Science and technology
• Health and medicine
• Social issues
• Education
• Environment
• Business and economics

1.2 Speed Reading Techniques

Skimming

Purpose: Get the main idea without reading every word

Technique:

1. Read the title
2. Read the first paragraph (usually contains thesis/main idea)
3. Read the first sentence of each paragraph
4. Read the last paragraph (usually contains conclusion)

When to use: When you have limited time or want overview first

Scanning

Purpose: Find specific information quickly

Technique:

1. Know what information you need
2. Look for keywords (names, numbers, specific terms)
3. Move eyes quickly down the page

When to use: When looking for specific facts to answer detail questions

Close Reading

Purpose: Full understanding of passage for inference and analysis questions

Technique:

1. Read passage carefully
2. Underline key points
3. Note transitions (however, therefore, moreover)
4. Identify author’s argument and supporting points

1.3 Question Types and Strategies

1. Main Idea Question

Common stems:

• “The main point of the passage is…”
• “The primary purpose of this passage is…”
• “Which statement best summarizes the passage?”

Strategy:

• The main idea is usually found in the first or last paragraph
• Look for the most comprehensive statement
• Avoid too narrow or too broad answers
• Avoid answers that are only supporting details

Example: “Which of the following best describes the main idea of the passage?”

• (A) Carbon dioxide levels have increased recently
• (B) Global climate change is caused by human activities ✓
• (C) Many countries signed the Paris Agreement
• (D) Renewable energy is better than fossil fuels

2. Supporting Detail Question

Common stems:

• “According to the passage…”
• “The author states that…”
• “Which of the following is mentioned as…”

Strategy:

• Go back to the passage and locate the specific information
• Don’t rely on memory — re-read
• The answer is usually directly stated in the passage

3. Inference Question

Common stems:

• “It can be inferred from the passage that…”
• “The author implies that…”
• “Which conclusion is best supported by the passage?”

Strategy:

• The answer is NOT directly stated but must be logically derived
• Don’t go beyond what the passage says
• Eliminate extreme answers
• Look for the “best” inference, not a possible one

Example: “It can be inferred that the author believes…”

• Answer choices must be reasonable conclusions, not wild guesses

4. Vocabulary in Context

Common stems:

• “The word ‘X’ in the passage most nearly means…”
• “As used in the passage, the word ‘X’ means…”

Strategy:

• Find the word in the passage
• Read the sentence and surrounding sentences
• Determine meaning from context
• Don’t choose the dictionary definition — choose contextually appropriate meaning

5. Tone/Attitude Question

Common stems:

• “The tone of the passage is…”
• “The author’s attitude toward the topic can be described as…”
• “How does the author feel about…”

Common Tone/Attitude Words:

• Positive: enthusiastic, supportive, admiring
• Negative: critical, dismissive, pessimistic
• Neutral: objective, factual, unbiased
• Other: humorous, satirical, nostalgic, urgent

Strategy:

• Look at word choice (diction)
• Look at sentence structure
• Consider the purpose

6. Purpose Question

Common stems:

• “What is the purpose of this passage?”
• “The author wrote this passage primarily to…”
• “This passage is primarily intended to…”

Strategy:

• Consider the intended audience
• Consider the overall message
• Similar to main idea but focuses on author intent

7. Text Structure Question

Common stems:

• “How is the passage organized?”
• “The author develops the argument by…”

Answer types:

• Chronological order
• Compare and contrast
• Cause and effect
• Problem and solution
• Example/illustration
• Definition and elaboration

1.4 Avoiding Common Mistakes

Mistake 1: Reading Questions First

Don’t read questions before the passage — you’ll look for specific things and miss the overall meaning. Read the passage first, then answer questions.

Mistake 2: Choosing “Not Answered”

If “None of the above” is not an option and you think none of the answers fit, re-read — you’re probably missing something.

Mistake 3: Over-relying on Prior Knowledge

Use your knowledge to help, but answer based on what the passage SAYS, not what you know.

Mistake 4: Selecting First Impressions

Always check your answer against the passage. Don’t just go with your gut feeling.

Mistake 5: Getting Stuck on Difficult Questions

Mark and move on. Return if time permits.

1.5 Timing Strategy

Per Passage

• Spend 4-5 minutes per passage
• 2-3 minutes reading
• 2 minutes answering

If Running Out of Time

• Read first/last paragraph for main idea
• Answer main idea and vocabulary questions
• Guess on detail questions

1.6 NMAT High-Yield Points

⚡ Commonly Asked:

1. Main idea: Usually in first or last paragraph
2. Inference: NOT directly stated, must be logically derived
3. Vocabulary in context: Use surrounding sentences for clues
4. Tone words: Know positive, negative, neutral descriptors
5. Don’t read questions first: Read passage entirely first
6. Supporting details: Answer is usually directly stated
7. Skim for main idea: Read title, first/last paragraphs, topic sentences
8. Transition words: However, therefore, moreover (signal relationships)
9. Purpose vs main idea: Purpose = author’s intent; Main idea = central message
10. Text structure: Know chronological, compare/contrast, cause/effect, problem/solution