Speed Reading: 100X Speed Reading and Memory- 5 Courses in 1

Reading is becoming more and more important in the new knowledge economy and remains the most effective human activity for transforming information into knowledge.

If top readers read at speeds of above 1000 words per minute (wpm) with near 85% comprehension, they only represent 1% of readers. Average readers are the majority and only reach around 200 wpm with a typical comprehension of 60%. This seems surprising since most readers, actively reading work documents, newspapers, magazines, books or the contents of a computer display are practicing daily for at least one hour. With such an intense training everyone should be close to top performances.

Unfortunately, this is far from the real situation. The average reader is five times slower than the good reader. Things are even worse if we consider reading efficiency as well as speed. Reading efficiency is reading speed weighted by comprehension rate and it amounts to 200 x 60% or 120 efficient words per minute (ewpm) for the average reader and to 1000 x 85% or 850 ewpm for top readers. Thus, an efficiency ratio of seven divides these two categories.

Compare the results of the average reader to other areas. We may imagine a sprinter practicing every day for several years on the running track and then just calmly walking for a race. We can also picture a racing driver never exceeding 30 mph or a pianist playing every day of the week for 20 years and only able to play music like a beginner. Unfortunately, since the age of 12, most readers do not substantially improve their efficiency and never reach their full capacity.

Every computer-user who is also a slow typist is aware of the benefits he could obtain with a typing course, but nearly no one suspects the much higher profits he could reach by improving his reading comprehension and speed. The rapid improvement of voice recognition may gradually make typing virtuosity obsolete since a good typist performs well under the speed of speech. On the other hand, human or computer speaking, with an average speed of 150 wpm, will always remain many times slower than a good reader, without any consideration of the skimming and skipping possibilities.

There are three possible ways to improve reading. The fastest is probably a speed reading seminar based upon good materials and animated by a dynamic instructor. It is quite usual for a slow reader to double and even triple his reading efficiency during a two-day class offering a positive atmosphere, carefully selected texts and comprehension tests. However, as this rapid and encouraging improvement is not sufficiently anchored, it often fades with time.

A book about speed reading is the second possibility. Such a book usually provides speed and comprehension tests as well as techniques to improve reading. It often includes more general information about concentration, interest stimulation, skimming techniques and ways to approach a text. Some methods may include audio or videocassettes. A book-based method requires a good deal of time as well as a strong commitment from the reader.

Finally, a speed reading computer program is probably the most efficient way to achieve top reading levels. Computers offer unique exercises to boost reading efficiency through interactivity, text animation and pacing. Higher reading skills obtained with a computer screen are totally transferable to reading from paper. Unfortunately the inverse way does not work so well. Speed reading software delivers enjoyable and fast paced training, thus giving the consistent practice necessary to break lifelong slow reading habits. This is the task that seminars and speed reading books usually leave up to the reader.

HOW GOOD IS YOUR MEMORY?

Before we begin the journey of improving your memory, it is first necessary to assess your present memory level. Only when you have a clear picture of where you are now, will you be able to start moving towards where you would like to be.

TEST #1:

Answer ‘yes’ or ‘no’ to the following statements:

1.

Do you ever go into a room and forget what you went in for?

Yes No

2.

Do you have difficulty recalling passwords and PINs?

Yes No

3.

Do you exercise to keep your brain active?

Yes No

4.

Do you misplace your keys/mobile phone often?

Yes No

5.

Do you always remember your friends’ and relatives’ birthdays?

Yes No

6.

Do you have difficulty remembering people’s names or phone numbers?

Yes No

7.

Do you keep yourself organized?

Yes No

8.

Do you often forget to purchase necessary items from the market?

Yes No

9.

Do you find it difficult to learn new words and their meanings?

Yes No

10. Do you sometimes forget to lock the door of your house or car and repeatedly need Yes No to check it as you go out?

11. Do you often forget your papers/notebooks or bag in office or at a friend’s house? Yes No

12. Do you often get stuck in the middle of an examination or forget a speech halfway? Yes No

score: ________

TEST #2:

Time allowed: For Memorizing: 3 minutes, for Recalling: 5 minutes

You get 3 minutes to memorize the following 30-digit number. After your time is up, turn to the Recall Sheet and try to write down this number within 5 minutes.

2 4 3 9 4 6 1 0 2 8 3 4 8 9 2 9 9 7 8 3 4 1 6 7 2 0 4 5 7 8

Scoring: For every digit recalled correctly in sequence, you score 1 point.

TEST #3:

Time allowed: Memorizing 5 minutes, Recalling 8 minutes

Here is a list of numbered items. Take about 5 minutes to memorize the twenty items listed here, by number. You must remember not only the item, but to which number it belongs.

After 5 minutes turn to the Recall Sheet on the next page where these numbers will be jumbled, and you will be asked to recall the word corresponding to each number from 1 to 20 within 8 minutes.

1 Wood 11 Flowers

2 Pen 12 Snake

3 Car 13 Gift

4 Window 14 Bag

5 Jacket 15 Monitor

6 Book 16 Shoes

7 Mango 17 Table

8 Mobile 18 Paper

9 Speakers 19 Clothes

10 Mirror 20 Carpet

Scoring: For every word recalled correctly, you score 1 point.

RECALL SHEET

Test #2

Recall time: 5 minutes

Scoring: For every digit entered correctly in the right sequence, you score 1 point.

Your score: ___________

Test #3

Recall time: 8 minutes

Scoring: For every word written correctly, you score 1 point.

16 9

5 15

12 10

6 14

8 5

1 3

18 7

13 17

2 11

19 4

Your score: __________

Performance Analysis

So how was your overall performance? To find out, fill the following chart:

Test No. Your Score

Test #1

Test #2

Test #3

Total score _____________

IF YOUR SCORE IS BETWEEN 1 TO 25

You need to work on the fundamentals of memory. Pay special attention to the first section of this course and you will see a dramatic improvement in no time.

IF YOUR SCORE IS BETWEEN 26 TO 49

You are already using a few of the memory techniques (knowingly or unknowingly). This course will help you in further improving and enhancing your memory skills.

IF YOUR SCORE IS BETWEEN 50 TO 62

You are using your memory very efficiently. Have a look at the contents and focus on the areas where you need to do some fine-tuning to really unleash your true potential.

This course contains a lot of techniques and methods that will enable you to drastically improve level of memorizing things. After learning techniques from this course, you can perform these tests again and see the difference.