Practical reading

Navigate forms, lists and alphabetical order

Locate the right field, row or name without confusing labels with the information entered beside them.

Separate labels from answers

A form label names the information needed. The text beside or below it is the person's answer. Read both before deciding what a field means.

Follow sections

Many forms group contact details, dates, choices and declarations. Use section headings to avoid searching the whole page.

01PURPOSE02CLUE03EVIDENCE04ANSWER

Compare letters one at a time

For alphabetical order, compare the first letter and then move right until the words differ. Ignore capital letters unless the task says otherwise.

Check abbreviations

Forms often shorten titles, dates, addresses and contact methods. Use surrounding labels to work out the practical meaning.