Reading comprehension is a fundamental language skill that plays a crucial role in academic achievement and lifelong learning. It involves not only decoding written symbols but also constructing meaning through interaction between the reader, the text, and the context. Assessing reading comprehension accurately is essential for identifying learners’ strengths and weaknesses and for guiding instructional decisions. This article examines the concept of reading comprehension, its cognitive components, and major approaches to its assessment. Particular attention is given to traditional and alternative assessment methods, highlighting their advantages and limitations in language education contexts.