The General Education Development (GED) test is a high school equivalency exam that measures an individual’s proficiency in core academic subjects. The test was created to provide individuals who did not complete high school with a credential that is equivalent to a high school diploma. The GED test covers four content areas: Reasoning Through Language Arts (RLA), Mathematical Reasoning, Science, and Social Studies.
The GED test is a computer-based exam that consists of multiple-choice questions, short answer responses, and an essay. The test is designed to assess an individual’s critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills. The GED test is widely recognized by employers, colleges, and universities as an indicator of an individual’s readiness for college-level work or employment.
The GED test is administered by the GED Testing Service, which is a joint venture between the American Council on Education (ACE) and Pearson VUE. The test is available in English and Spanish and can be taken at authorized testing centers throughout the United States and Canada.
In general, the GED test is a challenging exam that requires individuals to have a solid foundation in core academic subjects. However, with proper preparation and practice, individuals can successfully pass the GED test and earn a high school equivalency credential.
Content Areas of the GED Test
The GED test covers four content areas: Reasoning Through Language Arts (RLA), Mathematical Reasoning, Science, and Social Studies. Each content area is designed to assess an individual’s knowledge and skills in a particular subject area.
- Reasoning Through Language Arts (RLA): The RLA section of the GED test measures an individual’s ability to read and comprehend written material, as well as their ability to write clearly and effectively. The RLA section consists of multiple-choice questions, short answer responses, and an essay.
- Mathematical Reasoning: The Mathematical Reasoning section of the GED test measures an individual’s understanding of mathematical concepts and their ability to apply them in real-world situations. The Mathematical Reasoning section consists of multiple-choice questions, drag-and-drop items, and a calculator.
- Science: The Science section of the GED test measures an individual’s knowledge of fundamental scientific concepts, as well as their ability to apply scientific reasoning to solve problems. The Science section consists of multiple-choice questions and short answer responses.
- Social Studies: The Social Studies section of the GED test measures an individual’s knowledge of social studies concepts, including history, economics, geography, and government. The Social Studies section consists of multiple-choice questions and short answer responses.
Each content area of the GED test is equally important and requires individuals to have a solid understanding of the subject matter. It’s important to study and prepare thoroughly for each content area in order to pass the GED test and earn a high school equivalency credential.
Format of the GED Test
The GED test is a computer-based exam that is designed to be accessible and user-friendly. The test is administered at authorized testing centers throughout the United States and Canada.
The GED test consists of four separate content areas, as mentioned above. Each content area is timed separately, and the total test time is approximately 7.5 hours. The breakdown of the test time for each content area is as follows:
- Reasoning Through Language Arts (RLA): 150 minutes (including a 10-minute break)
- Mathematical Reasoning: 115 minutes
- Science: 90 minutes
- Social Studies: 90 minutes
The GED test is designed to be adaptive, which means that the difficulty of the questions will adjust based on an individual’s answers. If an individual answers a question correctly, the next question will be slightly more difficult. If an individual answers a question incorrectly, the next question will be slightly easier.
The GED test consists of a variety of question types, including multiple-choice questions, drag-and-drop items, and short answer responses. The RLA section also includes an essay, which is evaluated by trained essay scorers.
Individuals are allowed to use a calculator for the Mathematical Reasoning section of the test. The calculator is built into the test and can be accessed through the computer interface.
Overall, the GED test is designed to be a challenging and comprehensive exam that measures an individual’s proficiency in core academic subjects. It’s important to familiarize oneself with the format of the test in order to feel prepared and confident on test day.
Scoring on the GED Test
The GED test is scored on a scale of 100-200, with 145 being the passing score for each content area. In order to earn a GED credential, an individual must score at least 145 on each of the four content areas.
Each content area is scored separately, and the scores are not averaged together. This means that an individual may pass some content areas and fail others. In order to earn a GED credential, an individual must pass all four content areas.
The scoring process for the GED test is complex and involves a combination of computer-based scoring and human scoring. The multiple-choice questions and drag-and-drop items are scored automatically by the computer, while the short answer responses and essays are scored by trained human scorers.
The essay in the RLA section of the GED test is scored on a scale of 0-4. The essay score is then combined with the multiple-choice score to create an overall RLA score.
Individuals who do not pass a content area of the GED test are allowed to retake that content area two additional times without any waiting period. After the third attempt, individuals must wait 60 days before retaking the test.
Tips for Success on the GED Test
Here are some tips for success on the GED test:
- Create a study schedule: It’s important to create a study schedule and stick to it. Set aside a specific time each day or week for studying, and make sure to stick to it as much as possible.
- Use study materials: There are many study materials available for the GED test, including books, online resources, and practice tests. Utilize these resources to get a sense of what the test will be like and to practice the types of questions that will be on the exam.
- Take practice tests: Taking practice tests can help you identify areas where you need to focus your study efforts. It can also help you get used to the format of the test and the types of questions you will encounter.
- Get familiar with the computer-based interface: The GED test is administered on a computer, so it’s important to get familiar with the computer-based interface. Take some time to practice using a computer for the types of tasks you will be doing on the test, such as typing and using a calculator.
- Stay calm and focused on test day: On test day, it’s important to stay calm and focused. Take deep breaths and try to relax before the test begins. During the test, read each question carefully and take your time. If you don’t know the answer to a question, move on and come back to it later.
By following these tips, you can increase your chances of success on the GED test and earn your GED credential. Remember, preparation is key, so be sure to put in the time and effort needed to succeed on the exam.