Achieving a GED is a life-changing milestone for adults who didn’t complete their high school education. It levels the playing field and opens up new opportunities, including college admissions and better employment prospects.
Getting a good score on the GED requires a consistent commitment to study over an extended period. Start early and create a plan for tackling the subjects on the test.
Math
The math section of the GED exam can seem intimidating for many. However, you don’t need a “math brain” to pass this test; you need the proper study methods and materials.
The test’s first part includes five questions assessing arithmetic skills and basic number sense. The second part consists of 41 questions that test essential and useful math formulas. You’ll be allowed to use a calculator for the second portion of the test.
Review essential math topics such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. Practice converting numbers from whole numbers to decimals and from fractions to percentages. Also, study how to use formulas relating to shapes and objects such as area, perimeter, volume, etc.
Graphs and functions are another important topic on the GED exam. Practice these concepts by taking a GED practice test and using study techniques such as identifying points in the coordinate plane, basic graphs, function notation, and interpreting graphs. Remember, getting your GED is within reach, and mastering these concepts is a decisive step in the right direction.
Reading Through Language Arts
As the name implies, this test is about reading and writing. It also includes a written essay section. The GED website has guidelines for the essay portion, which include tips like using evidence to support your argument, avoiding slang or abbreviations, and varying sentence structure and paragraph length.
Make a study plan that breaks down your preparation into daily, weekly, and monthly goals. Schedule study blocks on your calendar and treat them like any other binding commitment, such as a shift at work or a doctor’s appointment.
Practice online exams so you are comfortable with the questions and structure. You can also find areas where you need to focus more by taking practice exams. Be sure to budget your time to save time on questions you need help answering correctly. If you get stuck, try eliminating the answers that don’t match the question’s context clues and skip those with absolutes like always or never.
Social Studies
If you attended high school in the past decade, you may have noticed that the curriculum focused on math and language arts. That left one subject behind: social studies.
The GED’s Social Studies test measures your ability to analyze and interpret social studies information presented through reading passages, arguments, and infographics. You’ll also have to complete multiple-choice questions and fill-in-the-blank items.
The GED Social Studies test covers the following subjects: history, geography, civics and government, economics, and contemporary global issues. You won’t be asked to remember state capitals or historical dates. Still, you will be expected to understand basic political theory and history, such as the types of modern and historical governments and their structures, individual rights and responsibilities of U.S. citizens, and the history of critical documents like the Constitution and Declaration of Independence. Be sure to carefully read questions and answer choices, especially those requiring you to identify a specific part of a map, graph, or chart.
Science
The science part of the GED test focuses on physics, biology, and earth science. It also includes questions about scientific practices. The test contains multiple-choice questions and drag-and-drop, fill-in-the-blank, and select-an-area questions. There is no extended response essay like the one on the social studies test.
Studying the scientific symbols and terms you will use during this exam section is essential. Also, it is a good idea to practice reading charts and graphs. The questions on the GED science exam often require reading about scientific experiments and studies. You can also find many answers to these questions in the questions themselves.
Being well-rested and alert on the day of your testing is essential. Try to eat a healthy meal and get plenty of sleep before your test. Exercising on your test day to calm your nerves is also a good idea.
