General Educational Development Test (GED) Study Guide

General Educational Development Test Study Guide

The General Educational Development test study guide provides information about the tests required to receive a diploma without graduating from a traditional school. The General Educational Development (GED) program helps students prove they are prepared for college or work.

There are four tests that will be discussed in this GED study guide, which can either be taken in one sitting or at different times. The questions are multiple-choice, short-answer, and matching, with one essay required for language arts. When taken all together, the time limit for the exams is just over seven hours (individual test time limits are broken down below). Calculators are allowed for certain portions of the test (specified below).

Content covered includes mathematical concepts such as algebra and geometry, as well as history and other social studies concepts. Basic grammar skills will be tested, as will candidates' ability to interpret written works and create a written work. Knowledge of scientific concepts will be tested, including the ability to conduct experiments.

GED Math Test Study Guide

The exam explained in this GED Math test study guide allows one hour and 55 minutes for the test (it contains a break in between the two sections to allow test-takers to access their calculators for the second section, as calculators are not allowed during the first portion). Test-takers are provided with a formula sheet, and there is a calculator available on the computer for the second of the two portions.

The test is made up of multiple-choice and fill-in-the-blank questions, as well as drag and drop and drop-down questions. It covers topics including geometry, algebra, mathematics foundations, and graphs, which will be further explored below. The areas of the test are as follows:

• Algebraic Problem-Solving (55%)
• Quantitative Problem-Solving (45%)

Algebraic Problem-Solving

Test-takers' ability to use algebraic concepts will be tested, including their work with equations. A candidate must be able to use and solve a variety of equation types, as well as be able to utilize and create expressions. An examinee must know how to find values for a set of numbers, including mean, median, and mode. This area also requires an understanding of probability.

Proficiency in solving complex problems by using algebra will be analyzed. This encompasses being able to graph problems using various methods. Additionally, examinees must be able to recognize patterns and be able to use functions. The ability to use polynomials will be tested.

Quantitative Problem-Solving

In this area, test-takers are expected to know how to do mathematical problems related to ratios, statistics, and geometric concepts.

Examinees must be able to use basic mathematical concepts to work with positive and negative numbers. Knowledge of how to use decimals and fractions will also be tested, as well as the use of exponents. Test-takers must know how to use measurements and be able to apply all of these concepts in a practical manner.

Test-takers must be able to use geometric concepts to solve problems, including working with geometric shapes to determine circumference, volume, and/or area. Examinees' awareness of how to use data will be tested, as will some statistic work.

GED Social Studies Test Study Guide

For the exam corresponding to this GED Social Studies test study guide, candidates will have one hour and 10 minutes to answer the multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank, drag and drop, and embedded drop-down questions. Examinees will have a calculator on the computer that they may use when necessary.

Knowledge of how different types of governments operate and how economies work will be tested. Test-takers will need to know the basics of world geography and history and understand the history of the United States. Topics on the exam include the following:

• Civics and Government (50%)
• United States History (20%)
• Economics (15%)
• Geography (15%)

Civics and Government

Examinees must prove their understand of the ways governments may be run, with a particular focus on the government of the United States. Candidates must combine their knowledge of types of governments that countries around the world currently use with their understanding of governments throughout history.

A test-taker must be familiar with how the United States in particular manages their government. This requires an awareness of the different functions of the government on the local, state, and federal levels. It is important to know each person's rights and what is expected of citizens as a result of these rights.

United States History

It is vital to have an understanding of various periods in the history of the United States and key events in each of these periods, such as wars. Test-takers must be able to evaluate and make connections between historical events when provided with information about them.

Test-takers are not required to memorize many specific dates but must have an overall understanding of the events themselves. Examinees' knowledge of how to best assess these historical events will be tested. Topics such as the impact of immigrants and the fight for equal rights will be covered.

Economics

Examinees must know how economic systems work and the variations that can exist within and between them. Necessary knowledge covers how governments and economies interact.

A test-taker's understanding of the different aspects of economics and how they apply in relationship to various economic systems will be assessed. (This includes both micro- and macroeconomic concepts). Additionally, examinees need to understand the impacts of war on economics.

Knowledge of how various areas of government can influence economies will be tested, and it is relevant to understand how governments can help control economic systems. The role that consumers play in economic systems will also be evaluated. A test-taker should understand the influence of economics in encouraging industry.

Geography

Test-takers will need to understand the effects of physical features throughout the world, and it is critical to know how these features have historically affected civilizations.

Examinees should understand how attributes of the world's topography and natural landmarks can influence the cultures of the peoples in their proximity. It is vital to understand how historical groups developed their societies in connection with their land's geography and the availability of natural resources.

Examinees must be able to find the correlation between geographic features and the way boundaries in the world have been established. It is also important for them to understand the effect of geography on the movement of people groups throughout time.

GED Language Arts Test Study Guide

Examinees will be required to demonstrate their knowledge of how to read and write effectively, as covered in this GED Language Arts test study guide. The exam will be divided into three sections, containing multiple-choice, drag and drop, and drop-down questions, as well as one essay question. Test-takers will have two hours and 30 minutes to take the test, with 45 of those minutes designated to the essay. The passages provided on this test range from 400 to 900 words and are approximately 75% informational texts and 25% fictional texts.

The exam will require an ability to analyze a written piece, as well as a strong knowledge of the rules of grammar. Test-takers must be familiar with argumentative writings and be able to create their own piece. Areas to be covered are as follows:

• Analyzing and Creating Text Features and Technique (35%)
• Using Evidence to Understand, Analyze, and Create Arguments (45%)
• Applying Knowledge of English Language Conventions and Usage (20%)

Analyzing and Creating Text Features and Technique

The ability to identify the various parts of a text will be tested, as will the ability to correctly assemble a piece.

Examinees must be able to distinguish the main ideas of a passage and know how aspects such as character and environment can be used to get a point across. The ability to identify critical events, ideas, and plots will be tested, along with the ability to recognize the point of view and style in a passage. Understanding how language can be used to express ideas symbolically will also be assessed.

A test-taker must understand how a certain arrangement of ideas can emphasize the message of a piece. It is imperative for them to know best practices for transitioning from one section to another. Finally, knowledge of how to juxtapose seemingly contradictory ideas will be necessary.

Using Evidence to Understand, Analyze, and Create Arguments

Knowledge of how evidence can be used to support an argumentative piece will be tested. Examinees must be familiar with the different kinds of evidence that can be used and must know how to take information from one piece and apply it to other situations.

A test-taker needs to be able to decide what evidence in a piece pertains to the main point, both in works of nonfiction and in fiction pieces. They must be able to outline the important ideas of a piece.

Questions may ask concerning the truth contained in a piece of evidence or whether the included ideas are supportive of the main point of the piece. An examinee must be able to decide how trustworthy a source is and whether the information is necessary or not. Test-takers' skills in comparing the evidence used in two different pieces will be tested.

Examinees will be asked to work with visual evidence in this section, as well. This evidence may be presented as data in graphs or tables. It is necessary to understand how a picture can be tied to a piece in order to reinforce the main point.

Applying Knowledge of English Language Conventions and Usage

Test-takers must know the accepted rules of the English language and how to correctly use them, for the test encompasses both terminology and grammar.

A test-taker's knowledge of which word is the correct one to use in a certain situation will be tested, including words that are related but have different means. An examinee must know about word agreement, including making sure a subject and verb agree with one another and knowing which pronouns are the right ones to use in a situation. The ability to identify and correctly use transition words will be assessed.

An examinee must prove that they understand the correct way to put together a sentence. This covers use of modifiers, as well as both run-on sentences and fragments of sentences. Test-takers must know how to use conjunctions correctly and how to condense sentences. Ability to use correct grammar, including capitalization and punctuation, will be tested (with special attention given to apostrophe usage).

GED Science Test Study Guide

Test-takers are required to prove that they understand scientific concepts in a variety of areas. The exam covered by this GED Science test study guide contains multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank, matching, drop-down, and short-answer questions and has an allotted time frame of one hour and 30 minutes. Examinees are allowed to use an approved personal calculator or the provided computer calculator as necessary on this test.

Knowledge of how to use science practically, including how to follow the scientific method, must be shown. Examinees must understand concepts from different areas of science:

• Physical Science (40%)
• Life Science (40%)
• Earth and Space Science (20%)

Physical Science

Examinees must understand the concepts behind chemicals, including their makeup and potential actions. This area also covers the concepts of energy and motion, as well as force and work.

Knowledge of how all matter is composed will be tested. It is important to understand chemicals, including their various states and how to work with chemical equations. Test-takers need to understand how to create equations that meet all the requirements of certain situations. Examinees' understanding of how mass and solutions relate to chemicals will also be assessed.

Test-takers need to know about energy, including the types of energy and how energy can change through various states. They must know how temperature can transform energy to create different reactions.

Examinees must be familiar with concepts related to motion, including rate and velocity. It is critical to understand how acceleration works and its impact on momentum. Understanding of how motion is transferred between objects will be tested. Knowledge of force, including the laws associated with it, will be assessed, including how they are influenced by the mass of objects involved. Another crucial concept to understand is gravity and how it influences objects. Test-takers must understand the concepts behind simple machines.

Life Science

Test-takers must understand how various life functions work in different organisms, with a particular focus on human bodies. It is important to know how organisms interact with each other within their environments. Examinees' understanding of inherited characteristics and evolution will also be tested.

Knowledge of different life operations in different types of organisms will be examined. This necessitates an understanding of the requirements of life as well as an awareness of how cells work.

Examinees should focus on the various systems of the human body and what each does. Test-takers' understanding of the concepts of homeostasis and outside influences' effects on humans will also be assessed. Necessary knowledge includes diseases and how they are transferred.

An understanding of how all life forms operate together within an ecosystem is necessary for the exam. Candidates must know how symbiosis is maintained in an ecosystem and what can happen if resource availability changes.

It is important to know the concepts behind heredity. An examinee must understand how chromosomes work and know how to figure out the likelihood of certain traits being inherited. Test-takers must understand how humans can evolve over time.

Earth and Space Science

This area requires an understanding of the makeup of the Earth and knowledge of how the universe has advanced throughout time.

Examinees should understand the systems (such as the atmosphere and layers) of the Earth. Critical information includes how oceans and weather patterns work. Knowledge of how all of these systems interact will be tested, including how they can cause natural disasters. Test-takers must know how humans can use natural resources and the consequences of these decisions.

Valuable information includes knowing how components of the universe were formed, including stars and planets, and test-takers should understand smaller space objects such as moons and comets. Information encompassing how all of these structures interact with one another will be useful in this section of the test.