Methods for responding to reading comprehension questions comprise steps providing a structured approach for reading a test passage and responding to test questions thereafter. A student following the method begins by reading and circling the directions. The student thereafter reads and underlines the passage title. Prior to or after reading the passage the student reads the questions following the passage to determine whether the question can be answered directly from the text or requires reasoning therefrom. The student then reads the provided passage either once or twice, underlining key words and text therein. The student then reads the answer choices to each question, eliminating obviously incorrect answers and thereafter selecting the best answer to the question.