When soil material is subjected to external loading (pressure), its particles tend to undergo rearrangement because of the gradual expulsion of air/water from the soil mass which gives rise to reduction in volume. The loading pattern has a significant effect on the behavior of soil as it responds to the loading. In this research, two categories of consolidation tests; namely Rapid Loading Tests and Standard loading tests were carried out on different soil samples extracted from four different locations within Port Harcourt, Nigeria to investigate the effect of rate of loading on the consolidation properties of cohesive soils. In the Rapid loading Tests, the incremental loading was done at every one-hour (1hr.) interval to simulate the rapid loading whereas in the Standard Loading Tests, the load increment was done at every 24 hours or until there was no significant change in the dial gauge reading. The results of the investigation showed that the values for the coefficient of volume compressibility (mv), and compression index (Cc) were higher by an average of 34.8% and 77.2% respectively whereas the values of Coefficient of consolidation (cv), Swelling Index (Cs), the time factor for 90% consolidation (t90) and Preconsolidation pressure (Pc) were found to be reduced by an average of 37.8%, 33.8% ,32.6% and 15.4%respectively. More so, the settlements were found to be higher by an average of 23.5% in the rapidly loaded soil samples as compared to those of the standard loading tests. Lastly, the results of the investigation, when compared to the recommended values, were found to be within the acceptable range of values. Hence, it could be concluded that soils respond differently depending on the loading pattern, and that the compressibility properties of soil materials can be affected by the rate of loading.