The first exercise in the course guide (page Error! Bookmark not defined.) is to calculate your current reading speed. I recommend you do this now before you read ahead, so you can see the improvement you get from this course. Use either the test in the course guide or the spreadsheet-based test described above to calculate your reading speed.
Once you have completed the reading speed test, compare yourself to the general population using the table below. Use the check boxes on the right to mark where you are now and where you'd like to be at the end of this course.
Speed
Comments
Current
Target
1 - 100 wpm
Very basic reading speed. You might be learning to read, or English may be your second language. You find it hard to comprehend what you are reading at this speed.
100 - 200 wpm
Basic reading speed. Below average reading speed for adults, or average reading speed for readers between 6-12 years old. Low comprehension.
200 - 250 wpm
Average adult reading speed. Most adults stay at this speed for much of their lives. Your comprehension is average, probably more than half of what you read.
250 - 350 wpm
Slightly above average reading speed. Common with average college students or enthusiastic readers. You easily comprehend more than half of what you read.
350 - 500 wpm
Strong reading speed. You enjoy reading and have relatively high comprehension.
500 - 800 wpm
Excellent reading speed. This is a good target reading speed for most people. You can maintain this speed without doing regular speed drills. Comprehension is high - 75% and above.
800 - 1,000 wpm
Outstanding reading speed. Your comprehension is approaching maximum. You've likely done a top-quality speed reading course and regularly practice speed drills.
1000 - 1200wpm
World Champion reading speed. If you are able to read at this speed with high comprehension, you should probably be competing in the world championships. While this speed is achievable, the effort to get to this level may not be necessary for your learning goals.
1200+ wpm
Unlikely reading speed. It's unlikely you can read at this speed with good comprehension. It's likely you are skimming or skipping words, phrases and sentences.
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