Comment by ASalazarMX
1 day ago
I was skeptical, but the article starts with Train Dreams, which according to HowLongToRead, would take 2 hours at 300 WPM.
https://howlongtoread.com/books/323872/Train-Dreams
Two days per book full time means one every 16 hours. Enough to read the full Foundation Trilogy with one hour to rest between books.
On a side note, I'm ashamed to share that I tested my reading speed, and while it was 264 WPM, my reading comprehension was 50%. That's why I read slower, and frequently re-read.
https://swiftread.com/reading-speed-test
Out of spite I tried to measure my Spanish reading, 520 WPM and 100% comprehension. Very unfair since it's my native language and I can glance and skip instead of reading every word.
I think reading for fun and reading for a job are difficult to compare; I'm sure this fellow has a very high reading speed and / or can skim across parts that aren't important for the task at hand. But that's making assumptions.
Can't say I ever took a test like that. 644wpm and 100% in English (native language).
Hard to judge that based on just five questions though.
You will feel more judged when you score 67% like me.
Edited to add: we must have followed different links though, mine only had three questions obviously.
I think it gives various passages and questions from a bank.
Mine was a paragraph about small loans to poor populations, and had five questions.
1 reply →
ESL and I got 512 WPM and 75%. I don't agree with the 1 wrong answer but I digress.
Reading fast means you can take in more info per unit of time. It can be a useful ability, if tedious at times.
I'm curious what these tests are measuring if you say your reading comprehension is only 50%. Your comment here is completely articulate and sensible so you are obviously fluent in English.
Edited to add: hm. I just got 67%. I guess my college degree is a waste. Should have gone the humanities route instead.
It hurts, doesn't it? I also thought a few measly questions would be a piece of cake, and mainly focused on speed.
I didn't consciously focus on speed. I just completely overestimated my ability to skim. Interesting. I think I actually would have done better when I was younger and used to doing these things in school. I obviously don't read as carefully as I used to.
Makes you wonder what else you're missing.
In high school, there was an academic event for reading comprehension. I tried it one time and was humiliated. They read aloud to you a story, and then they ask you questions about it after. I have no idea where my head was, as I didn't do well at all. I never tried the event again. It wasn't until that experience before I realized that I'm the type that needs to read things multiple times for it to stick.
I feel like in high school I would have scored better on this. I was overconfident. I skimmed it quickly, like anything I would have done at work, and figured I'd sort of internalize the main points. Like I think I do at work.
Oops.
2000 WPM @ 75%