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While, at first thought, reading comprehension seems a skill that is learned at school or university, it is, in fact, an ability that we continue to develop throughout our lives.

Let's not forget that we live in a digital era that floods us with information. Because of this, the ability to absorb and process complex texts quickly has become an invaluable skill. It can easily be a decisive factor in someone's career advancement.

Furthermore, strong reading skills also enhance emotional intelligence (reading fiction, essays, and memoirs can deepen empathy and broaden perspectives), as well as critical thinking skills, which are of the essence in everyday life.

And let us remind you about the cognitive benefits of reading! Research shows that reading can actually prevent cognitive decline, and if one has strong reading comprehension skills, this activity becomes ten times more enjoyable!

How to Improve Reading Comprehension Skills

Regardless of the reason you want to improve your reading comprehension skills–whether you're a student who wants to pass the LSAT reading comprehension section, a professional who wants to get a better job, or a bookworm who wants to finally understand James Joyce's Ulysses–we're here to help!

Below, you'll discover 11 strategies on how to get better at reading comprehension! We've even included a neuroscientific method you can try from the comfort of your home!

1. Broaden Your Background Knowledge Before Reading

Before diving into a complex novel, essay, or academic text, it's essential to build a foundation of background knowledge about the topic, especially if it's an unfamiliar subject matter. This preparatory step can significantly enhance your reading comprehension by giving context to unfamiliar terms, cultural references, or historical events.

There are several effective ways to do this: watch a documentary, read an introductory article, explore a timeline of events, or even skim a summary or analysis of the work.

For example, if you're planning to read Victor Hugo's Les Misérables, it would probably be a good idea to learn about post-revolutionary France, the Napoleonic Wars, and the early 19th-century French legal and class systems. Having a bit of context can give deeper meaning to Jean Valjean's transformation, for instance. You'll also find it easier to read between the lines and identify the key ideas of the novel.

2. Use an E-Reader

Yes, we know! E-readers don't offer the same experience as physical books. They don't have that pleasant bookish smell, and you can't slowly turn the pages. But when it comes to reading comprehension, trust us, an e-reader is a treasure!

Here's why you should try one:

• Modern e-readers come with pens, and you can annotate directly on the screen, just like you'd do on paper.

• They connect to Wi-Fi. This means that when you don't know the meaning of a word, all you have to do is click on it, and the e-reader will display its definition from various dictionaries. It can also access websites like Wikipedia.

• Modern e-readers allow you to change the color of your highlights, so you can connect ideas more easily.

• Since they connect to Wi-Fi, e-readers can also access Google Translate. If you're reading a book in English but it is heavily filled with German words, for example, you can simply tap on a word and get its translation in English.

You can certainly do all these things yourself if you choose a paperback, but it takes much more time and effort. If you're a test-taker who practices for a reading comprehension exam, you probably don't have that much time for this. Your attention is likely directed toward dissecting various reading comprehension questions and their answer choices.

3. Improve Your Vocabulary

A robust vocabulary is critical for reading comprehension. Therefore, here are some tips to enhance your vocabulary:

• Keep a vocabulary bookmark while reading—a physical bookmark where you jot down unfamiliar words and their meanings.

• Write these words by hand to help commit them to long-term memory.

• Review your vocabulary list regularly.

• Try to use new vocabulary in conversation or writing to reinforce retention.

• Use vocabulary-building apps or play word games like crossword puzzles or Scrabble.

• Use diverse reading materials to expose yourself to different vocabulary and contexts.

4. Use Your Critical Thinking Skills

If you want to understand the text thoroughly and remember the overall point from it, let your critical thinking do the hard work. Take breaks frequently and question what you're reading using these methods:

• Pause periodically and ask critical questions. For example:

• What just happened in this section?

• What is the author’s main point?

• Why did this event or concept matter?

• Quiz yourself after reading a section or chapter. Analyze the characters' behaviors and how the plot evolves. Did the main character make the wrong choices? Could you relate the plot to your own experience?

• Turn headings into questions before reading. For example, change “The Causes of Climate Change” into “What are the causes of climate change?” This primes your brain to search for answers, increasing focus and comprehension.

• Create and answer main point questions. After reading, write down a summary question like “What is the key takeaway from this section?” Writing your answer reinforces understanding and reveals whether you truly grasp the core message.

5. Train Your Brain with Neurofeedback

Reading comprehension relies heavily on your ability to focus, sustain attention, and engage in higher-order thinking—all of which are governed by the prefrontal cortex, the brain’s center for executive function. Mendi is a neurofeedback device that trains this region of the brain, offering a promising tool for enhancing reading performance across a variety of contexts:

• For students preparing for high-stakes exams, such as LSAT or MCAT–Mendi can help by improving sustained attention, enhancing working memory, and helping students stay calm under pressure and cognitively flexible.

• For adults who wish to read more, Mendi can help by strengthening cognitive control, reinforcing neural pathways related to sustained attention, and encouraging mindfulness.

• For adults and children with ADHD, Mendi can serve as a complementary tool to improve focus, reduce distractibility, enhance self-regulation, and improve cognitive stamina.

Because Mendi is non-invasive, easy to use, and interactive, it's an ideal wellness tool for children, teens, and adults who are struggling to improve their reading skills.

6. Use Summarizing Techniques

Summarizing helps distill a text into its most essential elements. After reading a passage, try to explain it in your own words, either out loud or in writing. This is the best strategy that forces your brain to process the material more actively and ensures you’ve truly understood it.

Use structured reading comprehension strategies to guide your summaries:

• For narratives, the Somebody–Wanted–But–So–Then method helps break down plot and character motivation.

• For expository texts, use the formula: Main idea + Key details + Summary sentence.

• Write a paragraph that answers: What is this section mostly about? What are the important facts or events?

7. Avoid Books That Feel Too Challenging

Difficult reading comprehension passages, essays, and books are definitely good in some situations. But don't overwhelm yourself–if possible, of course.

Texts that are overly complicated will kill your motivation and leave you deeply frustrated. For instance, don’t start with Proust or Joyce if you’re just beginning to strengthen your reading level. Those never-ending sentences and weird words will probably confuse and bore you.

Instead, find your learning zone:

• Choose books just slightly above your current reading level.

• Re-read simpler books to uncover deeper meaning the second time around.

• Build up gradually to more sophisticated literature as your skills grow.

• If you do have to read more complex texts (for an exam, for instance), use various digital tools to summarize them in simpler words.

8. Read Various Passages Aloud

Try reading three, four passages aloud every day to engage multiple senses. By vocalizing the words, you reinforce comprehension through both visual and auditory channels. You’re less likely to skim and you may even catch nuances—tone, rhythm, emotion—that might go unnoticed when reading silently.

This technique is especially effective with poetic or rhythmically written prose, where the sound enhances meaning.

9. Join a Book Club

Book clubs are excellent for those who want to learn new active reading strategies and share their current reading habits with others! When you discuss a book with someone else, you hear different interpretations, discover some context clues you may have missed, and reflect more critically on what you've read.

Plus, when you're part of a book club, you're more likely to finish the books you start. The secret? Accountability!

Book clubs are particularly useful for students struggling with reading comprehension. When they're in a group, they can listen to each other reading passages, offer each other textual support, ask comprehension questions, and outline the most important information. On test day, they'll all be ready!

10. Make Some Drawings or Diagrams

If you like to draw or generally prefer information that is presented in a visual format, why not put the images you think of while reading on paper? Think diagrams, timelines, mind maps, or simple sketches. This way, you externalize your thinking, making abstract ideas concrete. This can also help you see the bigger picture.

Try these strategies:

• Draw timelines for historical or narrative sequences.

• Make mind maps to connect important concepts in nonfiction.

• Sketch character relationships, settings, or key events to anchor details in memory.

• Create flowcharts to break down processes or arguments step-by-step.

11. Additional Tips and Useful Habits

To enhance your reading comprehension, consider the following tips:

• Read at the time of day when you’re most alert, as your brain’s ability to retain and process information drops significantly when you’re tired.

• Choose a quiet, focused time when your mental energy is high.

• Re-read difficult passages instead of powering through; sometimes, a second or third read is what makes everything click, especially with dense or philosophical material.

• Keep a reading journal where you note not just summaries, but your personal thoughts, emotional reactions, and any quotes that stood out. This reflection reinforces comprehension and adds a personal dimension to your reading.

• Annotate your books. Whether you’re underlining key passages, writing margin notes, or marking thematic symbols, interacting with the text like this boosts engagement and comprehension.

• Limit distractions while reading. Set your phone to Do Not Disturb mode, wear noise-canceling headphones, or use a focus timer. Comprehension thrives in a distraction-free environment.

• Pair reading with audio. Some people comprehend better when they listen to the text while following along in print. This dual sensory input can be especially helpful for auditory learners.

Don't Forget to Get Your Mendi!

Mendi can be an invaluable tool for anyone who wants to get better at reading comprehension! It is a science-backed neurofeedback device trusted by neuroscientists and loved by thousands of users around the world! By training your prefrontal cortex, the brain's command center for cognitive performance, Mendi can help you build the mental stamina needed to truly understand what you read!

Get your Mendi now and start training your brain!

Frequently Asked Questions

How can I improve my reading comprehension?

You can improve your reading comprehension by building background knowledge, expanding your vocabulary, reading actively (e.g., asking questions, summarizing), and practicing focus-enhancing strategies like reading aloud or using neurofeedback tools such as Mendi to strengthen attention.

Why do I struggle with the reading comprehension section?

You may be struggling with reading comprehension if you are stressed and anxious or do not have a healthy lifestyle. You may also find it difficult to comprehend texts because of distractions, limited vocabulary, lack of background knowledge, or difficulty focusing, which is especially common in people with ADHD or high mental fatigue.

Why has my reading comprehension gotten so bad?

A decline in reading comprehension can be caused by increased screen time, chronic stress, lack of regular reading, burnout, or cognitive overload from information fatigue.

How can joining a book club improve my reading comprehension?

Joining a book club can significantly improve your reading comprehension by fostering accountability and providing exposure to varied interpretations and diverse genres, ultimately enriching your understanding of the material.