| Before you make the journey in learning to | | | | is primarily due to the fact that different types of |
| become a master speed reader, answering the | | | | tests have been applied to the question. IQ tests |
| question in the title can go a long way to | | | | may increase, but IQ tests reflect only one type |
| motivating you to keep practicing and mastering | | | | of intelligence. Additionally, academics still argue |
| the art and science of speed reading. A review of | | | | about the nature of intelligence in general. |
| academic research in this area can confuse most | | | | So let's keep to our original question and use the |
| people. In this article I will clarify the question and | | | | definition noted above. Can mastering rapid |
| simplify the answers. | | | | reading make you smarter? Unhesitatingly, I and |
| First, notice the title says "mastering speed | | | | many experts will say "YES!" |
| reading." This means that you not only go through | | | | By mastering speed reading you will process far |
| a well designed training that stimulates changes in | | | | more information and facts that are relevant to |
| your brain's neural networks, but you also can | | | | your own life and give you better insight into how |
| confidently and effectively apply that learning to a | | | | you can improve or make changes to your life in |
| variety of types of materials. When you can | | | | a way that is meaningful to you. This is in fact, |
| accomplish this level of expertise, you have | | | | one of the primary motivators for adults to take |
| literally changed the way you learn. You will have | | | | up the training. The most creative and successful |
| changed the way your brain processes | | | | business leaders tend to be avid readers. Reading |
| information. In fact, "mastering speed reading" is | | | | more, and reading in a wider variety of topics |
| really about learning to learn in an accelerated, and | | | | more quickly gives you the competitive edge |
| thus brain enhanced, manner. | | | | needed in today's marketplace. Well designed |
| We know this is true by two measures. One | | | | speed reading programs are designed to help you |
| measure is the results of people who master the | | | | accomplish this. |
| skills and how they report about their experiences | | | | Certainly the ability to apply what you learn |
| reading as rapid readers. The other measure is | | | | requires you to remember what you have read. |
| with brain scanning devices and EEG | | | | Thus as you add the volume of information you |
| (electro-encephalographs) that demonstrate | | | | process through rapid accelerated reading, you |
| enhanced brain functioning while someone is speed | | | | increase the volume and strength of the |
| reading. | | | | neural-networks in your brain. This allows you to |
| Next, let's examine what it means to be "smart." | | | | create new connections that you can apply to |
| Being smart has been defined as the ability to | | | | your life and professional work in new and |
| process and apply information and facts in a | | | | creative ways for you. |
| manner of enhancing your life. Being "smart" also | | | | All these facts add up to answer the question |
| means being able to analyze, memorize and recall | | | | that mastering speed reading does make you |
| information, and use that information in a creative | | | | smarter. So, while on your road to trying to |
| way. Similarly, you can apply this definition to the | | | | develop these skills, if you get frustrated, keep in |
| word "intelligence" as well. | | | | mind that you are making yourself smarter as |
| So does speed reading raise your IQ scores? | | | | you strive to master speed reading. |
| Academic research is mixed on this question. That | | | | |