GED Test-taking Strategies

Get Ready to Pass Your GED

Good job!

GED – A Life Changing Event
A GED can help you get a job.
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A GED can get you promoted.

A GED can help you get into college, trade school or other advanced training.

A GED can increase your income.

A GED can provide you with a sense of accomplishment.

A GED can provide you with a sense of accomplishment.
A GED can give you confidence to help your children in school.

To do well on the test ….
To do well on the test:
Know the content.
Know simple test
taking strategies.

A Word About Content
Prepare and learn your content material. Use:
Books and study guides
On-line services
Adult Education Classes
Take as many GED Practice Tests as possible.

To do your best --- practice reading

Consider …..
…… taking only one test at a time.

How long does it take for the test?
It will take you approximately
7 hours to take the entire GED test
There are five subtests
Reading (65 minutes)
Writing (including an essay) (120 minutes)
Social Studies (70 minutes)
Science (80 minutes)
Math (90 minutes)
You may use a calculator on one portion of the Math test. The calculator will be provided at the test site.

Before the test …
Be well rested.
Gather the materials you need – Government issued picture ID, admission ticket, 3 or 4 sharpened #2 pencils.
Stay away from people who will speak negatively about passing the test

The day of the test…
Eat well before the test.
Give yourself extra time to get to the testing site.
Arrive early.
Take a watch to monitor your time.
Approach the test with confidence.
Don’t forget your ID and pencils
Be positive!!!

During the test…
Know the time limit for each test.
Check the clock or your watch so you can pace yourself.
Make sure you read all directions carefully.
Have a strategy for answering the questions. Some people read the passage, then read the questions, while others skim the questions before reading the passage.
Don’t panic when people finish before you do. There is no reward for finishing first.

During the test…
Pause a take a deep breath if you find yourself losing concentration or becoming tense or tired.
Use deep breathing and stretching to remain relaxed during the test.

Improving your odds in answering multiple choice questions
The multiple choice questions on the GED test have a phrase followed by five options. Read all the answer choices before you choose an answer.
Eliminate the options you know are incorrect.
Answer the easiest first—Skip any question you are having a problem with and come back later .

Don’t change your answer unless you have a good reason.
Fill in the bubbles on the answer sheet completely.
Check the number in the test book against the number on the answer sheet to make sure you are putting the answer in the right place.

If you have time go back and check your answers.
Check each answer by looking back at the reading and illustrations. Don’t rely on your memory of what you have read or seen.
Use common sense.

Multiple choice answers
Eliminate answers
Some answers are obviously wrong
Some answers are partly wrong
Some answers are true statements but have nothing to do with the question
If two possible answers are exactly opposite, one of them is probably the correct choice.

Multiple choice
Watch for absolutes and qualifiers
Answers that include always, never, all, and none are generally not correct.
Answers that include seldom, generally, and tend to be are often correct.
Look for degrees of correctness
If the answer is a number, one choice is likely to be too large and one too small.
If the correct answer is “a year,” one choice is likely to be too early and one too late.

Should I Guess? YES YES YES

Strategies for Math
Read the entire problem including the answer choices and make sure you understand what you are being asked to find before you begin calculations.
If a problem has more than one step write down the result after each step. This will save you time if you have to go back and rework a step.
Make a quick sketch of any figure that is only described and not pictured then label the sketch.

Strategies for Math
Use the formula page.
Check your answer by substituting it for the variable in the original equation.
In many Algebra word problems the information you need most is given last. Read the entire problem before you start to write an equation or inequality.

Strategies for Math
Use your scratch paper.
Number questions on your scratch paper so you can easily find the work if you want to check it.
Estimate if possible.
NOTE: If it's been a long time or math was not your favorite subject in school, taking time to review with a tutor or taking an adult education class can help you pass the GED math test.

Strategies for Charts and Graphs
Remember that maps, diagrams and geometric figures may not be drawn to scale. Don’t eyeball an answer: do the work.
Always read the titles and labels on the graph before you use the numerical information to solve a problem.
In addition to math, you will find charts and graphs in social studies and science.

Strategies for Reading
Reading is 85% of the test.
Scan the reading passage to get the main idea.
Read the questions first to see what information you need so you can look for it when reading the passage.
Read the passages slowly and clearly. Pay special attention to main phrases and ideas.

The Essay
The essay accounts for about 40% of the Writing test score.
Scoring criteria include:
Attention to the prompt
Organization
Appropriate English mechanics

Strategies for Essays
Make sure you respond to the prompt.
Picture the GED scorers who will read your essay.
Do not worry about your spelling.
Write as neatly as you can so your writing can be read.
Try to restate the essay topic itself and put it into your topic sentence.

Use transition words (therefore, including, however, furthermore, finally, in conclusion).
Use life experiences if possible to help with your essay.
Keep refocusing on the topic as your write to make sure your stay on topic.
Develop a rough draft on your scratch paper. Add, drop or move ideas as you compose your rough draft.

Copy the rough draft onto the test booklet. Leave plenty of time to do this. A good rule of thumb is 30 minutes for developing and proofing, 10 minutes to transfer and 5 minutes for final proofing and editing.
Read your essay to yourself to see how it sounds and to better hear whether verb forms are correct and if verbs agree with their subjects.
Make corrections on your final essay by carefully drawing a single line through an error and making the correction above it.

Remember it's okay not to know everything — the GED test has some questions designed to challenge the limits of your knowledge.

Taking the Test
Once you are ready, you’ll take the GED test at an official test center.
Beware: Some companies and schools claim to offer the GED test online. This is not possible. The GED test is not given on-line, only at official testing centers.

What if I don’t pass?
You need only take the portion or portions you did not pass.
Before you re-take the test be sure and study.

Picture yourself as a new GED graduate

For More Information
Call 877-376-9433

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GED Test-taking Strategies

by Richard Sebastian on Jun 23, 2009

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