Advisors : (1) Dr. Bustami Usman, M.Pd. (2) Dr. Siti Sarah Fitriani, S.Pd., M.A. Key Words : Concept Mapping Technique, Teaching Reading. The aim of this study is to investigate the improvement of class X students’ ability of SMAN 1 Sawang in reading comprehension by implementing concept mapping technique. True experimental design was employed in this study in which the samples were chosen by random sampling two classes from the four classes. The samples were divided into experimental class and control class. The experimental class was taught by using Concept Mapping technique, whereas the control class was taught by using conventional technique (teacher centered approach). Furthermore, the tests and questionnaire were used as the instruments to collect data in this study. Then, the data obtained were analyzed by using the computer program SPSS version 16 for examining the normality, homogeneity, and independent t-test score. The questionnaire was analyzed by using Likert scale to find out the students’ responses toward the use of Concept Mapping in reading comprehension. The t-test result for pre-test compared to post-test for experimental class and control class were statistically significant (p=0.000) which is lower than significance degree (0.05). The results of this finding indicate that alternative hypothesis is accepted and the null hypothesis is rejected because the students of experimental class achieved better score than those in control class. In addition, the students’ responses toward the use of concept mapping in learning reading comprehension were quite positive (74.6%). Therefore, it can be concluded that concept mapping technique improved class X students’ ability of SMAN 1 Sawang in reading comprehension.