Reading comprehension may seem like an “easy marks” section, but many students struggle with it, especially when they're running short on time or don’t understand the passage fully. Whether you're in Class 9, 10, 11, or 12, scoring well in English can boost your overall percentage — and the reading section plays a big part in that.
In this blog, we’ll walk you through some practical and student-friendly tips on how to improve your reading comprehension skills for CBSE English exams, especially if you're preparing for boards or class tests. And if you're looking for structured support and personalised guidance, you can always count on Topnotch Tutorials — the best coaching institute for CBSE in Dwarka.
Let’s get started!
1. Understand the Reading Comprehension Format in CBSE Exams
First things first — know what you're dealing with. In the CBSE English paper, the Reading Section (Section A) usually contains:
- 1 Factual passage
- 1 Discursive or Literary passage
- MCQs, short answers, and long answers based on the passage
For Class 10, this section is worth 20 marks, and for Class 12 English Core, it’s usually 22 marks. That’s a big chunk of your paper!
✅ Tip: These questions are direct and scoring, but only if you’ve mastered the art of fast reading + accurate answering.
2. Develop a Habit of Daily Reading
Most students only practice comprehension when the exam is near. But to really improve, you should read every single day. You don’t need to read novels — simple things like:
- Newspaper articles (The Hindu, TOI, Indian Express)
- NCERT supplementary stories
- Short blog posts or inspirational stories
Reading helps in 3 major ways:
- Boosts vocabulary
- Improves sentence structure understanding
- Increases reading speed
📊 Stat Alert: A 2023 report by NCERT found that students who read 15–20 minutes daily showed 25% better comprehension and vocabulary skills than those who didn’t.
3. Focus on Skimming and Scanning Techniques
When you get the reading passage, don't start reading line by line. Instead, try:
- Skimming: Quickly reading the passage to get the overall idea
- Scanning: Looking for specific keywords or answers within the passage
These two skills help you save time and reduce stress, especially when the clock is ticking in an exam hall.
✅ Practice Tip: Read a short article and try summarising it in one sentence. Then go back and find 3 facts mentioned in it — that’s skimming and scanning in action!
4. Improve Vocabulary and Contextual Understanding
What do you do when you don’t understand a word in the passage?
Instead of panicking or skipping it, try to guess its meaning based on the words around it. That’s called contextual reading — and it’s super helpful for CBSE passages.
Start maintaining a personal vocabulary journal where you write:
- New words
- Their meanings (from context or dictionary)
- One example sentence of your own
🧠 Fun Fact: According to a Pearson study, students with a vocabulary bank of 1000+ words are 40% faster at answering comprehension questions!
5. Practice with Previous Year Papers and Sample Worksheets
You can’t master reading comprehension without practice. Start solving:
- Previous year CBSE papers
- Sample papers from your coaching institute or NCERT
- Free worksheets online
At Topnotch Tutorials, we provide students with chapter-wise English practice sheets, real exam-style comprehensions, and regular tests to track progress. That’s one reason we’re considered the best coaching institute for CBSE in Dwarka.
✅ Pro Tip: Time yourself while solving each passage. Aim for 8–10 minutes per passage including reading and answering.
6. Work on Reading Speed Without Losing Accuracy
Many students either read too fast and miss details, or too slow and run out of time.
To strike the right balance:
- Read short articles and track your words per minute (WPM)
- Slowly try to increase reading speed while maintaining comprehension
- Take 1-minute challenges — how much can you understand in a short read?
📈 Data Insight: Ideal reading speed for CBSE-level students is 200–250 words per minute with 80–90% accuracy.
7. Understand the Question Before Answering
Sometimes students read the passage well but still get the answers wrong. Why? Because they misunderstand the question.
Types of questions to watch out for:
- Fact-based: Direct from the passage
- Inference-based: Requires logical thinking
- Vocabulary-based: Find the meaning of a word from the context
✅ Tip: Highlight or underline key words in the question and match them with the passage using scanning.
8. Make Notes While Reading
A small but powerful trick — make light notes in the margin while reading. You can:
- Underline dates, names, definitions
- Write a 2-word summary beside each paragraph
- Circle any unfamiliar words
This helps you save time when referring back to the passage during questions.
9. Manage Time Effectively During Exams
You should not spend more than 20 minutes on the reading section. Here's a sample plan:
- Reading passage: 5–6 minutes
- Answering questions: 12–15 minutes
- Review answers: 2–3 minutes
Keep a watch or clock handy and practice timed tests. Time management is key to completing the paper with confidence.
10. Take Guidance from Teachers and Online Platforms
There’s only so much you can do on your own. With the right mentor and regular feedback, your reading skills will improve faster.
At Topnotch Tutorials, we offer:
- Live and recorded English comprehension sessions
- Regular feedback on answers
- Guided reading activities
- Vocabulary and grammar boosters
That’s why students trust us as the best coaching institute for CBSE in Dwarka — we don’t just prepare you for exams, we prepare you for life.
Final Words
Reading comprehension is not just about reading — it’s about understanding, managing time, and answering smartly. With daily practice, the right techniques, and a little patience, you can easily score full marks in this section.
And if you're looking for expert guidance, structured practice, and regular feedback, look no further than Topnotch Tutorials. We’re here to help you every step of the way.
