Adult Learning Center
GED Test: Subjects and Study Suggestions
The GED includes 5 separate tests: Writing, Social Studies, Science, Language Arts/Reading, and Mathematics.
Scroll down to read about each of these 5 subject tests.
Writing Skills
Part I: 50 multiple choice questions, 75 minutes;
Part II: Essay, 45 minutes
Test Contents
Knowledge of sentence structure (30%), organization (15%), usage (30%) and mechanics (25%).
Part I: You will read passages of several sentences or real-life documents like resumes, reports, e-mails. In each you will be asked to correct grammar, sentence construction, spelling or other common writing mistakes.
Part 2: You will write an essay (approximately 250 words suggested) on a topic familiar to most adults. The topic will be given to you at the start of the test and you will have 45 minutes to write your essay. The score for the Language Arts, Writing test is a combination of the score from Part I and the score from Part II.
Preparation:
- Learn to write an essay.
- Focus and develop your main points, organize your writing, develop ideas and use examples, use correct sentence structure, grammar, spelling and punctuation.
- Learn how to edit and proofread
- Practice restructuring and combining sentences
- Review common rules of grammar, including punctuation, subject-verb agreement and verb tense; homonyms (there, they're, and their; to, two, and two; its and it's); parallel structure; subordinate clauses.
Social Studies
50 multiple choice questions, 70 minutes
Test Contents
US History (25%), World History (15%), Civics & Government (25%), Economics (20%), and Geography (15%). Ability to understand reading material, apply ideas, analyze, and evaluate is tested. In this test you will answer Economics, Geography, Civics and Government, and United States and World History questions. You will also interpret maps, charts, political cartoons, speeches, articles, and photographs. Questions will also come from the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, the Federalist Papers, and landmark Supreme Court decisions.
Preparation:
- Take a diagnostic test.
- Read in all content areas.
- Be familiar with the US Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and the Federalist Papers.
- Read and discuss current events, i.e. read newspapers, magazines.
- Interpret charts and graphs.
Science
50 multiple choice questions, 80 minutes
Test Contents
Life Science (45%), Physical Science (35%), Earth and Space Science (20%). Test examines ability to interpret scientific information presented as text or graphics, such as maps, charts, diagrams. Ability to understand reading material, apply ideas, use abstract reasoning, problem-solve, analyze and evaluate is tested. SCIENCE: In this test you will answer Life Science, Earth and Space Science and Physical Science questions. You will be asked questions requiring critical thinking and problem solving skills.
Preparation:
- Diagnostic test.
- Read in the content areas.
- Read Hunting, wildlife, nature magazines.
- Watch health oriented and nature television shows.
- Interpret charts and graphs.
Language Arts, Reading
50 multiple choice questions, 80 minutes
Test Contents
Nonfiction (25%), prose fiction, poetry, drama (75%). Two non-fiction selections of 200-400 words, 3 prose fiction selections, 200-400 words, one poetry selection, 8-25 lines, and one drama selection, 200-400 words. This test focuses on how well you understand and can analyze what you read. In this test you will read stories, essays, plays, poetry, fiction, and possibly a review of a movie or television show. You may be asked to restate, summarize, or explain what you have read. You could also be asked to apply what you have read to another situation.
Preparation:
- Read in the content areas.
- Participate in small group and cooperative learning activities.
- Have discussions on literary works.
- Read and act out plays.
- Use pre-reading strategies such as asking questions prior to reading and DRTA (Directed Reading and Thinking Activities).
Mathematics
Two parts, 25 multiple choice questions each, 90 minutes
Test Contents
Numbers and Operations (20-30%), Measurement and Data Analysis (20-30%), Algebra (20-30%), Geometry (20-30%) Note: all formulas needed for geometry are supplied in test booklet. Approximately 20 percent of the test will require an exact answer on a grid or a coordinate plane. Part 1 of test permits the use of a calculator which will be supplied at the test site. About 50% of test involves drawings, diagrams, charts, and graphs. Tests ability to problem-solve, estimate, and set up problems. Part I allows the use of a Casio FX-260 Solar calculator. Part II does not allow the use of a calculator. A basic knowledge of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division is required. Questions relating to Geometry, Algebra, data analysis, number operations, and problem solving will be included in both parts. In addition to multiple-choice answers, this test includes some "grid" type answer formats.
Preparation:
- Diagnostic test.
- Practice problems involving fractions, percents, proportion, algebra, geometry, and coordinate planes.
- Discuss problem-solving strategies.
- Learn organizing strategies.
- Practice filling out grids and using calculator to solve problems.
- Cover content and test-taking strategies, e.g., read each problem twice, make sure you understand the question before you start the arithmetic.