What is the GED?
The GED (General Educational Development) certificate is an alternative to a high school diploma for people who didn’t graduate. It demonstrates that you have an equivalent knowledge base to a typical high school graduate. Getting your GED can help you when applying for colleges or looking for jobs where a traditional high school diploma is required. Some colleges look at the test score and use it to determine suitability for specific courses.
How to get a GED
The only way to acquire your certification is by passing the official tests. To pass the tests you must schedule your exams directly with the GED Testing Service.
You can study for the GED at home or at an education center. If you struggle with self-led study at home, you could join a class or course such as the Essential Education GED Academy or Kaplan GED Live.
What’s on the GED test?
The GED comprises four subjects – Mathematical Reasoning, Reasoning Through Language Arts, Social Studies, and Science. Each subject has its own test, and you don’t have to take them all at once. This means you can learn how to prepare for GED test subjects individually and stagger the exams at a pace that suits you.
Mathematical Reasoning
You should learn how to pass GED math test questions on the following exam topics:
- Basic math
- Geometry
- Basic algebra
- Graphs and functions
The math section consists of two parts. It lasts for 115 minutes and includes a three-minute break in between each part. The GED math test doesn’t require the memorisation of formulas because you’ll be provided with a formula sheet and an on-screen calculator. A GED math study guide will help you learn more about these topics.
Reasoning Through Language Arts
The following topics are covered in the Reasoning Through Language Arts GED test:
- Reading for meaning
- Identifying and creating arguments
- Language and grammar
The test lasts for 150 minutes and consists of three parts, with the third part being a written essay. There’s a 10-minute break between parts two and three.
Social Studies
The GED social studies test covers the following topics:
- Reading for meaning in social studies
- Analyzing historical events and arguments in social studies
- Using numbers and graphs in social studies
You get 70 minutes to take the social studies test with no break. It’s common to use a GED social studies study guide to prepare for this subject, since this section will likely introduce you to topics you haven’t had much prior experience with.
Science
Any science GED study guide should cover the following topics which are included in the test:
- Reading for meaning in science
- Designing and interpreting science experiments
- Using numbers and graphs in science
There is just one section in the science GED test and it lasts for 90 minutes.
What score do you need to pass the GED?
You must pass each subject individually to get your certificate; all four subjects have a minimum passing score of 145 out of a possible 200.
How to study for GED test
It can be daunting to study for the exam through online or in-person tutoring, particularly if you’ve been out of education for a while. Here’s how to get your GED studies off to a flying start to optimize your chances of passing.
1. Give yourself three months for GED preparation
The GED Testing Service recommends studying two or three times each week for three or four months to be ready for the test. You might want to spend more or less time on your prep depending on how recently you attended school.
2. Take a pre-GED test
It’s helpful to take at least one GED prep test so you can familiarize yourself with the format of the tests and assess your preparedness. The GED Testing Service has free sample GED pre tests for each subject available on their website. It also has the paid GED Ready Test which mimics the real exams as closely as possible. Once you complete each test, GED Ready advises how likely you are to pass the real test and highlights study materials that could help to improve your score.
Pre-GED testing can help you identify which subjects you need to dedicate the most time to and decide when to invest in additional study materials. For example, if you score poorly on the science test, you could buy a GED science study guide to help you. If you’re struggling with social studies, invest more of your prep time on that subject instead.
3. Choose a study method
There are two key strategies to choose from when studying for GED tests. You could focus on a single subject for three or four weeks and pass that subject’s test before moving onto the next one. Alternatively, you could study all the subjects simultaneously for a few months and take all four tests in one go. Consider your learning style and ability to manage exam stress when deciding how to study.
4. Consider using a GED study guide
There isn’t an official study guide for GED tests, but there are several unofficial options available from the likes of Kaplan and Mometrix. Look for a dedicated social studies, language arts, science, or math GED study guide if you think you have big gaps in your knowledge in a specific subject.
5. Practice computer and calculator skills
As part of your preparations, it’s important to brush up on your computer literacy. The GED Testing Service has a Computer-Based Test Tutorial and a Calculator Tutorial, both of which are free and useful resources for learning how to take the tests, especially if you’re not very computer literate. An important aspect of learning how to pass the math GED test is to practice using the onscreen calculator so you can avoid wasting time in the real exam.
How to get my GED without spending money
If you’re on a tight budget, you can study for your diploma online for free when you make use of the GED Testing Service’s free study guides. They’re a helpful starting point if you want to know how to get a GED fast and what to expect from the tests. You could also make use of Studocu’s student note-sharing community to access free study resources.