What is the OAR Reading Comprehension Test?
The OAR reading comprehension test forms part of the OAR test battery, which is used as part of the selection process for Officer level roles in the Navy and Marine Corps.
The test assesses a candidate's ability to read and understand a passage of information and make logical conclusions from this. As with all parts of the OAR test, the reading comprehension test is a timed test.
The ability to understand and interpret written information is essential for roles at the Officer level, so doing well on this part of the OAR test is key to attaining an excellent overall cumulative score.
The format of the OAR Reading Comprehension Test
The OAR reading test is a multiple-choice test.
Information is presented as a passage of text. Candidates need to read and interpret this information and then answer questions based on this passage of text.
The answers are given as multiple choice answers, and candidates need to select the answer they believe is correct based on the information they have read.
The test is timed; there are 20 questions to answer in the 30 minutes allocated. Given the information is presented as text, it is advisable to work quickly but accurately to ensure that all of the questions are answered.
How is the OAR Reading Comprehension Test scored?
The reading comprehension skills test is part of the overall OAR test, which is scored on a point-based cumulative system. The minimum score to pass the test is 35 points. The higher the score attained, the greater the chance of being offered a position.
It is recommended that candidates spend 1 - 1.5 minutes on each question to give the best chance of answering all the questions in the allotted time. The more questions a candidate answers in the test, the more points scored to contribute to the overall test cumulative score.
OAR Reading Comprehension Test Tips
1. Practice
Make sure you practice reading comprehension tests before sitting the actual test. This may sound like a straightforward tip but doing as many practice tests as you can means you become familiar with the format and the style of questioning.
2. Set the timer
When practicing, make sure you do so under timed conditions. Putting yourself under the same time pressure and simulating the test conditions that you will face when sitting the test itself will mean that you become comfortable with the pressure that a timed test brings.
3. Read the information carefully
Take your time when reading the passage of information but also when reading the answers. When the pressure is on in a test, it is easy to misread a word, and this can change the meaning of the passage or the answers. Try and stay calm, read and re-read the information and each of the answers so you can be sure you have understood the information given in the passage of text and selected the correct answer
4. Get a good night's sleep
It's essential to make sure you are in the right frame of mind when taking the test. Get a good night's sleep, so you are refreshed and in the right frame of mind when it comes to sitting the test itself.
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