Mastering the GED: Effective Strategies for Success
The General Educational Development (GED) test is a standardized test in the United States designed for individuals who did not complete high school. Originating in 1942 to assist returning World War II soldiers, the GED now helps anyone without a high school diploma to earn credentials for career advancement or further education. Accepted nationwide, the GED test takes about seven hours and is known for its accessibility and high success rate. Most US colleges and universities recognize GED certification, which has benefited over 20 million people.
Proper preparation is key to successfully passing the GED. It is important to go beyond simply studying the required subjects and focus on understanding what types of questions will be asked, how they will be asked, and why. The exam doesn’t measure how much you know but how you apply what you know. Although it may seem intimidating, knowing what to expect builds confidence on test day.
Understanding the GED Test
What is the GED?
The General Educational Development (GED) test is a standardized test in the United States designed for individuals who did not complete high school. Originating in 1942 to assist returning World War II soldiers, the GED now helps anyone without a high school diploma to earn credentials for career advancement or further education. Because of its roots in serving the American public, the administrative team that’s responsible for the GED test’s release caters to accessibility.
GED vs. High School Diploma vs. HiSET
The GED, a high school diploma, and the HiSET are all credentials widely accepted by colleges and employers, but there are some notable differences among them.
| Feature | GED | High School Diploma | HiSET |
|---|---|---|---|
| Time | 7 hours (estimated) | 4 years (estimated) | 7 hours (estimated) |
| Question Count | 156-174 (estimated) | N/A | 201 (estimated) multiple-choice and essay questions |
| Sections | 4 | 5+ | 5 |
| Subjects | Reasoning Through Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies | English/Language Arts, Math, Science, Social Studies, Physical Education, Arts, Various Electives | Reading, Writing, Math, Science, Social Studies |
| Prerequisites | You do not currently attend high school; You never graduated from high school; You are at least 18 years old; State-specific requirements | Acquiring a certain… |
Test Outline
There are four sections on the GED test:
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- Reasoning Through Language Arts
- Math
- Science
- Social Studies
Questions are presented in several formats: short answer, multiple-choice, hot spot, fill-in-the-blank, drop-down, drag-and-drop, and extended response.
Social Studies
The social studies portion of the GED measures not only your ability to comprehend basic social studies concepts but consider them in the context of the real world. It has 35 questions in total. Each is tailored to fit one of four topics: economics, civics, geography, and US history. 15 percent of the text centers on economics, 50 percent on civics, 15 percent on geography, and 20 percent on US history. All of these subjects are common across United States high schools. In addition to the various question types you’ll be expected to answer, you will also have to justify many of your answers using reading passages provided to you. The Social Studies section will allow testers 70 minutes to answer 35 questions. Social Studies topics include Reading for Meaning in Social Studies, Analyzing Historical Events and Arguments in Social Studies, and Using Numbers and Graphs in Social Studies.
Math
The math portion of the GED follows two subjects: algebra and mathematical quantities. In addition, your ability to reason is important. Based on what modern colleges are looking for among entering students, you will not receive any questions beyond basic mathematical concepts. However, you will be expected to fully comprehend the basics. 55 percent of the test covers algebra, and 45 percent covers problem-solving on a quantitative basis. When you take the test, you have the option to use both a TI-30XS scientific calculator and a digital calculator. However, you must bring the former on your own. The Math portion of the GED will ask 46 questions in 115 minutes. Formula sheets and an on-screen calculator will be allowed for some, but not all, questions. The test proctor will let you know when you can use these resources. Math test topics include Basic Math, Geometry, Basic Algebra, and Graphs/Functions. Many students consider the math section of the GED to be one of the most challenging to pass. Over 55% of the math questions are algebra-related.
Science
The science part of the GED test seeks to measure your comprehension of scientific concepts. Each question you will find on this part of the test aligns with three scientific subjects: astronomy and Earth science, physics, and biology. These three subjects are not only the most taught in United States high schools but are considered to be the most suitable for adults in today’s world. 20 percent of the science test concentrates on Earth science, 40 percent on physics, and 40 percent on biological subjects. Approximately half of this part of the test comes with some sort of informational piece-be it a picture, a text passage, or something else-with three questions tied to them at maximum. You won’t need a deep understanding of science to complete this particular test. Rather, every question will give you just enough context to be able to solve a question with just a rudimentary understanding of scientific concepts. You will not find questions about more in-depth subjects, such as energy or anatomy. The GED Science exam has a similar structure. Testers will be asked to answer 35 questions within 90 minutes. A formula sheet and calculator are allowed as directed. Science test topics include Reading for Meaning in Science, Designing and Interpreting Science Experiments, and Using Numbers and Graphs in Science.
Language Arts
The language arts portion of the GED actually divides into two subsections: writing and reading. The aim of this portion of the test is to measure your contextual comprehension of the English language and English texts, and your writing and reading abilities. 25 percent of the test is prose and literature while 75 percent is nonfiction. American historical documents frequently appear on the nonfiction part of the language arts test. Each passage you read on the test ranges between 450 and 900 words in length. The writing portion of the test, much like the social studies section, relies on your ability to provide evidence for your answers from the texts provided to you. The formatting of the test factors into the expectations surrounding your answers. Scorers want to see how well you can write on a technological basis-or, more simply put, how well you can type out your thoughts-and how well you can employ evidence to justify your written answers. The rubric you’ll be graded with additionally follows three rules: how well you can express yourself in English, how you organize and flesh out your ideas, and how well you explicate the readings and justify your answers. The reading portion of the test is more “traditional,” and meant to measure your ability to comprehend what you read, as well as draw conclusions based upon evidence within the text. GED test takers are expected to be able to use the context of a sentence to determine vocabulary definitions, the main concept of a piece, and other elements. The Reading and Writing portion of the GED will ask testers to answer 46 questions in 150 minutes. Students will have 45 minutes for the written essay portion.
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Question Formats
The GED exam will ask questions in a variety of ways. While the majority of the questions will be multiple choice, testers should also expect drag-and-drop, fill-in-the-blank, and radio button questions. Some questions require more than one answer. The Reading and Writing section also asks one essay question.
Effective Study Habits
Personalized Prep Program
A personalized GED prep program that allows you to work on your own time at your own pace, according to your unique learning needs, will get you test-ready in no time.
Time Management
On average, students spend about 3 months studying for the GED exam. Just like physical exercise, study is something many people avoid. Making your brain workout fun, active, and engaging is important to get started and keep going.
Active Learning
- Learning happens in you: When you learn something new, you change your brain chemistry. Just like your body needs exercise to stay healthy, your brain must be active to grow. You have to practice to keep it strong.
- Make it meaningful: It can be frustrating when your studies feel irrelevant to you or your life. Many students ask, “Why do I need to know this?” or “When will I ever use this?” For learning to be effective, it must be meaningful. You may be surprised to find that you already use many of the skills tested on the GED. For example, you might not think you use basic algebra daily, but you do! Every time you set a budget, pay bills, or follow a recipe, you use fundamental algebraic skills. You might not write out an equation, but the process is already at work in your mind. Push yourself to make connections between test prep and everyday life skills. Studying for and passing the GED is the gateway to better education and career opportunities.
- Work at your own pace: Each of us has different needs when it comes to study and test-taking. While we don’t always have control over what and how information is presented, we can control how we study it. When studying on your own, you’re in control. Focus on what you need to know and when you need to know it. Master material. Moving on before you are ready can stall your progress and cause frustration. This is especially true in GED subjects like Math. You need to fully master basic skills like multiplication and division before tackling harder problems. Pick something to work on and stick with it. Focus on your strengths. Start strong to build confidence. What’s your least challenging GED subject? Address your specific needs. Fast-track your GED preparation by focusing on the things you struggle with the most. GED Practice Tests are a great way to find personal learning gaps. Review.
- Immediate Feedback: Immediate feedback is essential to learning. The more specific and meaningful the response, the faster we learn. You need to know where you stand. No one likes to see missed questions, but knowing where your weak spots are is the first step to strengthening them. Quality study requires checking for understanding and working to address specific needs. In addition to regular quizzes and practice exams, be sure to track your study time.
- Memorization and Recall: While the GED exam is not based on memorization and recall, it’s important to memorize a few key processes, test-taking strategies, and steps to solve problems. Over-learn: Always over-learn the material. You might think you understand something right away, but that’s often short-term memory. Use your time wisely: Slow down! You can forget something quickly if you attempt to learn something at a rapid pace. Check for full understanding and make sure you are ready to move on. Take breaks: Pause between lessons (and exam sections) to give your brain time to absorb what you’ve learned. Break it up: Divide big concepts or lengthy material into bite-sized chunks. Separate information into sections in your head and in your notes. Sleep: Quality sleep improves memory.
- Dedicated Study Space: Designate a specific place to study. Your personal study space should be adjusted to meet your unique needs. Even if it’s just a different chair in the living room or the end of your kitchen table, the change in location tells your brain it's time to focus. Consider noise-canceling headphones and silencing notifications to avoid distractions.
Effective Note-Taking Strategies
Note-taking is something that people either love or dread. Finding the right note-taking style will make your studying effective and enjoyable. Below are a few tips on how you can take effective handwritten notes when studying for the GED.
- Create headings and subheadings: To stay organized while taking notes, be sure to include headings, subheadings, and highlighting. No one wants to muddle through an indistinguishable block of text! Therefore, when revising notes, break up the text into major headings and smaller subheadings so you can easily find key points on the page. You can further refine your notes by highlighting keywords and breaking up text with bullet points and numbered lists.
- Don’t worry about aesthetics: When writing notes, it can be easy to obsess over how they look rather than focus on the content. Here’s a tip: first, get the main info down in your notebook. Then refine those points by organizing them into sections. Worrying about aesthetics can distract you from jotting down vital information. Notes don’t have to be fancy; make them clear, concise, and structured in a way that makes it easy for you to read later.
- Use nice stationery: Reliable writing materials such as pens, pencils, paper, and other office supplies help you focus on capturing the info you need. Stationery can be used for more than just aesthetics. A comfortable experience will improve the quality of your notes. Colored pens and markers will allow top points in your notes to stand out more. When creating a new page of notes, write the heading in color so you can easily see which topic the notes are on. Another tip is to keep a pad of sticky notes handy. They can key items to the forefront, such as formulas, equations, or definitions.
- Include drawings and graphics: Don’t be afraid to doodle. Visual learning helps you retain info longer, better understand complex topics, and absorb knowledge more quickly. Your graphics don’t have to be masterpieces! Simply draw what makes sense to you. When taking notes, make sure to include drawings of graphs and equations to remember them clearly. If drawing is not your forte, you can also print out graphics and paste them into your notebook.
Practice Questions
One of the best ways to prepare for GED is with practice questions. As you study for the GED, remember that the test-makers are assessing your ability to think critically. Focus on carefully reading test passages and use logic and reasoning to answer questions. Building strong reading comprehension and application skills will better prepare you for all sections of the GED.
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Key Test-Taking Strategies
Critical Thinking
The test makers encourage students to think logically and apply strong problem-solving skills but do not expect perfection.
Understanding the Scoring
The GED is much easier than you might think. You can miss over half of the questions within each subject and still pass. Students need a minimum score of 145 out of 200 on each subject exam. You get one hundred points just for starting the test! The GED is not the SAT. The purpose and structure of these two exams are very different.
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