About Paragraph Comprehension

Paragraph Comprehension evaluates your reading comprehension skills through short passages followed by questions. You will need to identify main ideas, draw conclusions, determine word meaning from context, and understand the author's purpose. On the CAT-ASVAB, you have approximately 22 minutes for 10 questions. Like WK, PC is weighted double in the AFQT formula, making it extremely important for your overall score. The passages are typically 1-4 paragraphs long and cover diverse topics. Strong reading skills developed through regular practice will serve you well on this section.

Topics Covered

Main Idea Identification
Supporting Details
Drawing Conclusions
Making Inferences
Author's Purpose & Tone
Vocabulary in Context
Fact vs. Opinion
Cause and Effect
Sequence of Events
Summarization

Sample Questions

Sample Question 1
Read: 'Despite the challenges, the team persevered. Their determination ultimately led to success.' The word 'persevered' most likely means:
  • Gave up
  • Continued despite difficulty
  • Celebrated
  • Complained
Context clues ('despite challenges' and 'led to success') indicate persevered means continued despite difficulty.
Sample Question 2
Read: 'The scientist's hypothesis was initially met with skepticism. However, subsequent experiments validated her theory.' What happened to the scientist's hypothesis?
  • It was rejected
  • It was proven correct
  • It remained unproven
  • It was modified
'Validated' means confirmed or proven correct through subsequent experiments.
Sample Question 3
Read: 'The company implemented a new safety protocol after three workplace accidents occurred in one month. Employees must now wear protective gear at all times in designated areas.' Why was the new protocol implemented?
  • To save money
  • Due to accidents
  • Employee request
  • Government mandate
The passage states it was implemented 'after three workplace accidents.'

Study Tips for Paragraph Comprehension

Read the Questions First

Before reading the passage, quickly scan the questions. This helps you know what to look for while reading, saving valuable time.

Practice Active Reading

As you read each passage, mentally note the main idea, key details, and the author's tone. This makes answering questions faster.

Eliminate Wrong Answers

If you are unsure, use process of elimination. Cross out answers that are clearly wrong or not supported by the passage text.