IMPROVING READING COMPREHENSION OF THE EIGHTH-GRADE STUDENTS OF SMPN 1 KUTA UTARA IN THE ACADEMIC YEAR 2024/2025 THROUGH PQRST STRATEGY

Reading is a progression of comprehension or creating understanding after reading a written text. Unfortunately, the eighth-grade students at SMPN 1 Kuta Utara struggle with reading comprehension in finding general information, specific information, textual meaning and textual references. Therefore, the objective of the study was to figure out whether or not the reading comprehension of the eighth- grade students of SMPN 1 Kuta Utara could be improved through the PQRST strategy. To achieve these objectives, the researcher conducted a classroom action research in two cycles with the research instrument data using tests and questionnaires. This research was conducted based on the results of the pre-test in the initial reflection, especially on the recount text material which showed that students' reading comprehension was still low. The findings showed significant improvement in reading comprehension. The mean scores increased from 67.53 in pre-test to 78.72 in post-test 1 and 87.03 in post-test 2. Moreover, this research showed positive responses concerning implementing the PQRST strategy. The questionnaire result showed that 58.20% strongly agreed, 32.57% agreed, 2.23% were undecided, 0% disagreed, and 0%strongly disagreed. Based on the results of this study, the reading comprehension of the eighth-grade students of SMPN 1 Kuta Utara could be improved through the PQRST strategy.