Reading Comprehension · Study Guide
This section is different from any reading test you've taken before. You read a passage, the passage is taken away, and then you answer True/False questions from memory. Here's how to train for it.
The Reading Comprehension section has three distinct phases. Understanding the flow is half the battle — most people don't realize the passage gets removed until it happens.
You get a written passage — usually 1–2 pages about a workplace topic. Read carefully. Focus on facts, not opinions.
The proctor takes the passage. You cannot look back at it. Everything from here is from memory.
You get 20+ True/False questions about what you just read. No multiple choice — just True or False, from memory.
You can't remember everything. But you don't need to. The test questions target specific, testable facts. Train your brain to flag these four categories automatically.
Dates & Numbers
Percentages, years, measurements, quantities, time periods. If the passage says “34% increase” or “within 90 days,” the test will ask about it. These are the easiest facts to remember — and the easiest to get wrong if you mix up the numbers.
Names & Places
People, organizations, locations, departments. The test might say “John Smith proposed the new policy” when actually it was Maria Chen. Connect each name to their role or action.
Cause & Effect
Look for signal words: “because,” “as a result,” “therefore,” “due to.” The test loves flipping cause and effect — saying something was the cause when it was actually the result, or vice versa.
Sequences & Processes
First, then, next, finally, before, after. If the passage describes a 3-step process, the test may swap steps 2 and 3 to see if you noticed the order. Pay attention to what came before and after each event.
Click a category below to see what you should be mentally flagging as you read. On test day, your brain does this automatically with enough practice.
Click each category above to see what to flag mentally while reading. On test day you won't have a highlighter — but your brain can do this automatically with practice.
True/False questions use a well-known trick: absolute words. Recognizing them instantly gives you an edge even when your memory is fuzzy.
Red Flag Words — Usually Make a Statement False
When you see these words in a T/F statement, your first instinct should be “probably false.” Real-world passages rarely make absolute claims. If the passage said “most workers completed training” but the question says “all workers completed training,” it's false.
Qualifier Words — More Likely to Be True
These hedging words leave room for exceptions, which makes statements harder to disprove. A statement with “most” or “often” is more likely to match what the passage actually said. But don't rely on this trick alone — always try to remember the specific detail first.
Important: This is a guideline, not a rule. Sometimes “all” is correct because the passage genuinely said “all.” The trick is to use absolute words as a signal to double-check your memory, not as an automatic answer.
Here's a sample passage with 5 True/False questions. Read the passage carefully, then click “Remove Passage” to simulate the real test. Try answering from memory before checking the explanations.
Sample Passage
In January, Henderson Mechanical reported that hand injuries across its four shop locations had increased by 34% compared to the previous year. Most incidents involved lacerations from improper tool handling and burns from soldering work performed without adequate protective equipment. The company's safety director, Maria Chen, proposed a comprehensive training program to address the trend before OSHA scheduled an inspection.
The program required every employee — including office staff who occasionally visited the shop floor — to complete three mandatory training sessions. Each session lasted 4 hours and covered a different topic: personal protective equipment selection, proper tool maintenance and handling, and emergency response procedures. Sessions were held over 3 consecutive days during regular work hours, with temporary contractors brought in to cover production during training periods.
Six months after the program concluded, Henderson Mechanical saw hand injuries drop by 41% across all locations. Near-miss reports actually increased by 15%, which the safety team considered a positive sign — workers were identifying hazards before injuries occurred. Based on these results, the company announced plans to expand the program to all 12 regional offices within the next 12 months.
Practice Questions — True or False
1. The new safety program was introduced because of an increase in hand injuries.
2. All employees were required to attend the safety training.
3. The training sessions lasted two full days.
4. Injury rates never decreased after the program was implemented.
5. The company plans to expand the program to all regional offices by next year.
1
Don't just let your eyes scan the words. After each paragraph, pause and mentally summarize: “Who? What? When? Why?”
2
Read a news article for exactly 15 minutes, close it, then write down every fact you remember. Do this daily for 2 weeks and your retention will double.
3
Research shows your first instinct is usually correct on recognition-based questions. Only change an answer if you have a specific reason — not just doubt.
Take a full-length Reading Comprehension practice test with realistic passages and timed conditions — just like the real exam.