Can you beat the world champion's speed reading record?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Hierophant
  • Start date Start date
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the topic of speed reading, specifically in relation to the world champion's record of 4700 words per minute (wpm). Participants share their own reading speeds, experiences with speed reading tests, and thoughts on the implications of these speeds for comprehension and cognitive abilities. The conversation includes personal anecdotes and reflections on reading practices.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express skepticism about the accuracy of speed reading tests, with varying results reported, such as 200 wpm, 785 wpm, and 1,548 wpm.
  • Several participants discuss their reading strategies, including sub-vocalization and the practice of reading frequently to improve speed.
  • There are mentions of comprehension challenges, with some participants noting that they struggled to understand the text while attempting to read quickly.
  • One participant questions whether reading speed correlates with the ability to understand complex theories or mathematics.
  • Concerns are raised about the choice of texts used in the speed reading tests, with some participants finding the language difficult or outdated.
  • Some participants share humorous takes on their reading speeds and the implications of scoring lower than expected.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the validity of speed reading tests or the relationship between reading speed and comprehension. Multiple competing views are presented regarding effective reading strategies and the impact of text complexity on reading speed.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the texts used in the tests may be outdated, which could affect comprehension and speed. There are also references to personal conditions that may influence reading performance, such as cognitive impairments or language proficiency.

Who May Find This Useful

This discussion may be of interest to individuals exploring speed reading techniques, educators assessing reading comprehension, and those curious about the cognitive aspects of reading.

  • #31
Enigman said:
Copyright issues perhaps? and they probably wanted a famous text which was easily recognizable...its for marketing of e-readers:
It surely wasn't recognizable.
It was highly confusing and I had to re-read it several times, and gave up getting it.

In other words, it wasn't interesting or enjoyable.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
  • #33
"I took a speed-reading course and read War and Peace in twenty minutes. It involves Russia." (Woody Allen)
 
  • #34
Crop your puns Caveat.
 
  • #35
lmao that was a wild guess, I'm an average reader
 
  • #36
Caveat said:
lmao that was a wild guess, I'm an average reader
:smile:
I meant crop the picture not the post...picture was exceeding the post frame.
 
  • #37
lol yeah I know but it would have been deleted anyways because I was just being silly.. I couldn't read 3000 wpm if my life depended on it
 
  • #38
Mandelbroth said:
Amoebae don't have finals to worry about. :-p

I feel like this would be the biggest upside. :D
 
  • #39
Around 840wpm for me, 3/3 correct (843 on the first test, 837 on the second).
 
  • #40
First try, I got 245...the writing was different from what I'm used to so I read a little slower. The second try, I got 331.
 
  • #41
Evo said:
. . .I guess considering I have mild OCD and need to make sense of things. It made no sense. Eh, I read for pleasure, not for speed.

I have severe OCD and sometimes compulsively reread sentences ten or fifteen times. It helps me memorize the material, though. :D
 
  • #42
I got 4WPM. Oh oops - forgot to read the directions, takes too long... this took 6 minutes to write and then check...
 
  • #43
You read 10,540 words per minute.
That makes you 4,116% faster than the national average.

That's because I clicked finish right away, I immediately recognized the passage, all three questions were right.

When I do it for reals I get 230 wpm, I guess I appreciate reading comprehension more than the swiftness of reading.
 

Similar threads

Can YOU Beat My Record for Memorizing Digits of Pi?
  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
4K
Writing: Input Wanted Building a Generation Ship: The SFV Exodus
  • · Replies 96 ·
4
Replies
96
Views
12K
Seaport 2.5 Miles Above Sea Level(?)
  • · Replies 10 ·
Replies
10
Views
10K
Graduate Moderator moves what he dislikes
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
3K