Forums IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ PhotoReading, Memory Optimizer The 5 day test: little question

The 5 day test is one of the easiest ways to integrate and own the system yourself. Repeat it on 3 to 5 books and you find the layering and multiple passes become less with experience. As a beginner you can get through a book in 1/3rd the time. So when you pick up a book for the 5-day test consider how long it would take for you to read it in the traditional way. In a survey I conducted the PhotoReading book ranged between 6 and 12 hours. No-one from the University of Western Sydney Blacktown Campus estimated a time less than 6 hours. So estimate how long it would take you to read traditionally before you start. Then at the end of 5-days you might decide you need more time at it however compare how much time you've spent with the book at that point and how much you would normally need.

This is a passage from Alex's blog: Seven Tips for Learning PhotoReading and making it part of your life quickly.

I have only one question. You say that doing the 5 day test with a book we want to read will allow us to finish the book in 1/3rd of the time compared to traditional reading.
But paul scheele in his book says that the 5 day test should last about 2 hour.

so how many hours should i read a book (using the 5 day test method) that with the traditional reading i would finish in 15 hours?
5 hours or 2 hours.
and, if 5 hours, how many hours should i spend everyday? 1 hour?

thank you.

You're using tradional reading as a guide.

If a book like the PhotoReading book takes you 12 hours with traditional reading you might expect it to take four hours using PhotoReading. Tha means on that book the 5 day test would take perhaps 2 to 4 more passes similar to day 4's of the 5 day test.

If a book like the PhotoReading book would normally take you 6 hours using traditional reading then in all probability you'll be finished by the end of the 5 day test.

The total time of the 5 day test is about 2 hours. It's an experiement to see how much you get from the book in that time and compare what you usually got with your normal traditional reading. You may not be finished with the book and it's wise to do a few more days as as is mentioned in the last paragraph on page 77.

Alex

i've understood. so if I need more comprehension I should do the 4th day until the book gels. and at the end the result would be about 1/3rd of the time to finish the book compared to traditional reading, right?

another question: should every "4th day" be done one day each?

The 5-day test could be done in one day. Just take incubation breaks every 20 to 30 minutes.

Alex

how many minutes should each incubation break last?

Minimum 5 minutes after the first 30 minutes. That means get up and get away from the work area, stretch, do some edu-k or brain gym listen to a song or two.

At the very least 15 minutes after the 2nd 30 minute block. Longer is recommended.

If you work in 20 minute blocks. 5 minutes after the first block of 20 minutes 5 minutes after the second block of 20 minutes. At least 15 minutes after the third block. Longer is recommended.

I know you take more breas when working in 20 minute blocks however you might want to try it. People have reported that activation and studying is much easier in 20 minute blocks.

Alex

Thank you so much. you've made my photoreading spirit rise again :lol:

for today my anxious questions are finisher

Alex,

What braingym excercises u recommend? Do you have a list? or a website or so?

This site has listed the suitable exercises and what they help with. As well as a brief how to.
http://www.familiesonline.co.uk/article/static/92/

Drink plenty of water too.

Alex