Improving Key Reading Comprehension Strategies for the BOC Exam
When preparing for the Board of Certification (BOC) exam as an athletic training student, improving your reading comprehension skills is crucial. Much like English teachers encourage reading more to enhance comprehension, this advice is helpful—but not always practical when you’re on a time crunch to prepare for the BOC exam. There are strategies you can adopt right now to improve your reading skills and prepare for the test.
Here are three simple, research-backed techniques to help you improve your reading comprehension skills fast:
- Read with Purpose
- Engage with the Text
- Check-in with Yourself
1. Read with Purpose
Reading for the BOC exam isn’t like reading for fun; it’s about quickly extracting information and answering questions efficiently. Whether you’re reviewing clinical scenarios or treatment protocols, each sentence has a purpose, and knowing what you’ll be asked about can help you stay on track.
For example, BOC exam questions often fall into categories like:
- Key Concepts
- Evidence-Based Practices
- Clinical Guidelines
- Patient Care and Management
By anticipating these question types, you can read more effectively. For every section of your study material, ask yourself: “What might I be asked about this topic?” This will keep you focused as you work through practice questions or content from your textbooks.
2. Engage with the Text
When you’re reading clinical guidelines or case studies, don’t just passively read. Actively engage with the material. Take notes, underline key points, or highlight relevant sections in your study guide.
Here’s how you can annotate effectively:
- Circle or underline critical terms (e.g., key symptoms, treatment protocols).
- Star the main points or conclusions to easily revisit.
- Draw arrows to show connections between concepts or treatments.
This method helps reinforce the material and allows you to visually track important information.
3. Check in with Yourself
Have you ever read a section of text only to realize you weren’t processing the information? It’s easy for your mind to wander, especially when studying dense material like the anatomy of an injury or complex rehabilitation methods. Plus – exam fatigue is real! Avoid this by periodically checking in with yourself. After every paragraph, ask: “What did I just read? What is the main idea? How does it relate to the bigger picture of athletic training?”
If you find yourself confused, don’t hesitate to reread the section. By actively engaging with the material and asking these questions, you’ll ensure better comprehension and retention.
Bonus Tip: Know the Author’s Intent
As you read practice questions or case studies, think about the author’s purpose. Understanding the purpose behind the text can help clarify how to answer related questions on the BOC exam.
Reading comprehension strategies are not one-size-fits-all. Adjust your approach depending on the material. For instance, when reading about rehabilitation techniques, focus on understanding step-by-step instructions and the rationale behind each phase. When studying injury prevention strategies, pay attention to key risk factors and evidence-based practices.
While reading more will naturally improve your comprehension over time, it’s helpful to incorporate specific strategies, especially when preparing for high-stakes exams like the BOC exam. By reading with purpose, engaging with the text, and checking in with yourself throughout your study sessions, you’ll be well-equipped to understand and retain crucial information. With practice, these strategies will not only help you prepare for the exam but will become invaluable tools in your ongoing career as an athletic trainer.
