Processing speed is the rate at which you see, think about and react to information. Everyone processes at a different rate. Some students process more quickly what they see or read than what they hear and vice versa. Processing speed matters when students need to listen, think and respond to questions or information during class or in a conversation, or on a test, quiz or homework assignment. At times they might need to respond quickly but accurately. In other circumstances, they might have an unlimited amount of time.