GED Study Guide


GED Study Guide

Related Topics: Science Math Math Anxiety

Pages:10 (3250 words)


Topic:Study Guide

Document Type:Study Guide



Scared of taking the GED test? Well, you are not alone. Many students are in the same position as you. However, don’t worry. This study guide has all the information you need to prepare for the test The information includes clear details and explanations about all the four tests or sections of the GED test that you need to know about. At the end of this study guide, you should know how to fully prepare for the examination so that you can pass each section with flying colors.

What is a GED

GED is an abbreviation for General Educational Development. It is a secondary school equivalency test originally developed to help young Second World War veterans to complete their secondary school education officially. About five years from when it was developed, it was offered to civilians for the same purpose.

The General Educational Development test covers four sections/ subject areas:

  • Reasoning through Language Arts
  • Social Studies
  • Science
  • Math

Essentially, what the GED test aims to do is to evaluate whether the examinee has the knowledge and skills of a secondary school graduate. The entire test takes approximately 7 hours to complete. However, it is not all done on the same day. The different sections/ subjects are tested on different official test days. Nevertheless, some states allow examinees to take all sections on the same day.

Math GED Test

The Math test is perhaps the one most examinees fear. However, with adequate preparation, the math test can easily be aced. The GED math test covers quantitative and algebraic problem-solving. Half of the questions in the GED math test are algebraic questions, while the other half involves quantitative problem-solving. The quantitative questions focus on geometric thinking and number operations, so they are not exactly hard.

The objective of the GED math test is to assess secondary school-level mathematical problem-solving skills. As mentioned previously, the test covers a wide range of topics, including algebraic questions and numeric reasoning questions. The questions are not all of the same structure. Some of them are multiple-choice questions, while others are fill-in-the-blank questions.

Officially, the GED math test is supposed to take a maximum of 115 minutes (about two hours) to complete. The only questions you need to revise for the test are data analysis, patterns, functions, algebra, probability, statistics, geometry, measurement, number sense, and number operations questions.

How to Prepare

As mentioned earlier, most examinees fear the GED math test more than any other test. This is not because it is hard, but because of math anxiety. Math anxiety is a real thing, a stress-triggered when one has to face or is facing, math questions[1]. This anxiety can prevent one from successfully solving math problems and passing this math test.

However, there is a solution to overcoming math anxiety. According to a recent research study, math anxiety or fear emanates from the stress of learning math fast before a test. Many examinees usually also fear that the time to complete the math test may be too little. Further, many fear that they will forget the things they have memorized or that the questions will confuse them, and they will end up failing. What is important to note is that while memorizing is useful in other areas of life, in math, it is not. It is better to understand concepts to be able to apply them where appropriate.

Getting rid of math anxiety can primarily be done through self-tutoring. In other words, one can eliminate his or her fear of mathematics through tutoring themselves. The best way to tutor yourself is, perhaps, to take as many GED math practice tests as often as possible in the days leading up to the exam. Taking several GED tests and completing past papers can make you familiar with the questions and gradually increase your confidence in passing the exam. Practice tests will specifically help you familiarize yourself with the structure of the test and the instructions. The tests will also give you an idea of the math topics to put most emphasis on when preparing.

To get completely rid of math anxiety, you should put maximum emphasis on the areas you find most difficult to understand. Just hoping that there will be fewer questions of the type you are not familiar with is not a good strategy.

Sample Test Questions

1. You want to purchase a shirt, and it is 15 percent off from its previous price of 32.5 USD. What is the current price?

A. $37.38

B. $20.00

C. $15.50

D. $27.63

Answer: D. $27.63

2. If a=b(1/n) is equal to an=b, what is 43 equal to?

A. 64^(1/3)

B. 4(1/3)

C. 64

D. 464

Answer: A. 64^(1/3)

3. Jane owns five cats (K) that she wants people to purchase at 15 USD per cat. So far, she has spent 10 USD to raise each cat. Which of the expressions below best captures how to arrive at Jane’s profit (P)?

A. P=5K-5K

B. P=15K-5K

C. P= 15K-10K

D. P=5K-10K

Answer: C. P= 15K-10K

Language Arts GED Test

This test measures three specific skills: the examinee’s ability to read carefully, to write clearly, and to comprehend and edit work appropriately. A quarter of this GED test is literature-focused, while the remaining three quarters are focused on non-fictional works.

Officially, the test has two components: writing and reading comprehension. In the case of the latter component, one is supposed to comprehend the text they read. He or she is also supposed to show university-level skills in identifying the main idea of a text, understanding its key viewpoints, and understanding the meanings of phrases and words in the context of the text.

In the case of the former component, one is supposed to demonstrate one's ability to understand and analyze arguments, and also how to utilize evidence when constructing or expressing a viewpoint. This component of the test also examines the examinee’s ability to develop a paper using well-constructed ideas, proper structure, and proper English.

Officially, the GED Language Arts test is supposed to take a maximum of 150 minutes.

How to Prepare

This test is not particularly difficult to prepare for. What you need to do is to read quality material, such as mainstream media articles, to improve your comprehension and analytical skills. Mainstream media articles include newspapers and online articles by established media outlets. Reading these articles will also show you how to present an argument and how to support it using quality evidence. For every article you read, it is important to always ask yourself three questions throughout: “What,” “Why,” and “How.”

In addition to reading mainstream newspaper articles, you should do GED Language Arts practice tests throughout the week. Start by doing two papers every week. This will help you understand the test structure and familiarize yourself with the queries you will face in the exam.

Sample Test Questions

1. This is a text adapted from an excerpt from Mark Twain’s “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.” Read it and answer the queries that follow:

The whooping continued, and after a minute, I came upon a foggy river bank with massive trees. The current of the river pushed me to the left and onto it and left me caught amongst the roots of the big trees. The current was moving very swiftly on the river, pushing and pulling everything lose with it.

After several seconds, it let down a bit and became still again. I sat where I was perfectly listening to the pounding of my heart in my chest. I believed the beat was about 100 beats with every breath I drew.

I. Which word below best describes the text above?

A. Triumphant

B. Hilarious

C. Eerie

Answer: C. Eerie

II. Which sentence below best describes the association between the text’s language and the character?

A. The character’s use of hyperboles perfectly shows their true motives.

B. The character’s use of run-on sentences shows their mastery of the English language.

C. The character’s writing hints at their regional characteristics.

Answer: C. The character’s writing hints at their regional characteristics.

2. Read the text below and answer the question that follows:

For more than a year, Sonny had not played the piano. Even his life was not going well. He felt things were becoming worse every day. When Sonny put his fingers on the keys, he stumbled. He tried a couple of times, and could not produce a discernible sound. He seemed to panic after every few seconds, and he eventually stopped and got stuck. When he got stuck, his face was like never before. It seemed like he had lost all hope. It seemed as if a fire had burned everything from it.

In contrast, watching the face of Creole, especially as they approached the close of the initial set, I felt that something had taken place. Something that I had not yet heard. When they finished, there was a bit of applause. And then, as if not impressed, Creole commenced playing something else almost sardonic. The sound was Am I Blue. And as if taking a cue from his partner, Sonny too joined in. And then something special started to happen. Creole played well. He freed himself and played his heart out. The low black man uttered something nasty playing the drums, Creole responded, and the man’s drums responded.

As if on cue, the horn blew, and it was sweet, high, and slightly detached. Listening and commenting, Creole sat back. Something beautiful was happening. After a couple of seconds, everyone came together again, and Sonny again became a part of that family. It was easy to tell that from the man’s face. He appeared to have discovered a new piano right under his fingers. And the man seemed like he could not get over this fact. However, for a couple of seconds or minutes, everyone was just happy for Sonny, and everyone appeared to be in agreement with him that new pianos were a pain.

After that, Creole came forward and reminded everyone of what they were supposed to play – the blues. His message hit home. This made the music deepen and tighten. Creole then commenced giving us a lesson on the blues. They were not exactly new. They weren’t very new. Yet, he and the others were playing something newish to make us listen, but at the risk of destruction and ruin. However, while the story of our suffering, our triumph, and our delight cannot be renewed, it is something that must be heard. It is the only story to tell because it is the only light in our darkness.

Adapted from James Baldwin’s “Sonny’s Blues,” 1965.

I. From what viewpoint is this tale being told from?

A. Narrative

B. First-person

C. Outside perspective

D. Second-person

Answer: B. First Person

3. Read the informational text below adapted from and answered the questions that follow:

Continental glaciers moved southward in the Ice Age period, burying large areas beneath the ice. The moving glaciers made river valleys wider and deeper and helped in the formation of the massive and deep basins on which the Great Lakes sit. The dunes, called Sleeping Bear Dunes or perched dunes, were formed by the deposition of glacial sands on high plateaus away from the shore. These dunes in Michigan are a beautiful example of perched dunes. The melting of the glaciers resulted in most of their carvings being filled with melting water. This is responsible for the setting as we know it today.

I. Which of the following sentences best captures this text’s main idea?

A. The Sleeping Bear Dunes were formed recently.

B. It is difficult to understand how the dunes were formed.

C. The Sleeping Bear Dunes were formed through a complex process.

Answer: C. The Sleeping Bear Dunes were formed through a complex process.

II. Which sentence below would be regarded as supporting information?

A. A land erosion discussion.

B. Examples of perched dunes.

C. Information about how many tourists visit the site every year.

Answer: A. A land erosion discussion.

Science GED Test

This test covers the following sciences: earth and space science, chemistry and physics, and life sciences. Life science questions form 45 percent of the test, chemistry, and physics questions form 35 percent of the test, and the earth and space science questions form 20 percent of the test.

Officially, the GED science test has got two themes. The first is Energy and Related Systems, while the second is Human Health and Living Systems.

The first theme covers the earth and space sciences. Expect questions about energy sources, functions, and transformations. Meanwhile, the second theme covers health and living systems. Expect questions about living organism systems, the human body and its functions, and the environment.

Officially, the GED science test is supposed to take a maximum of 90 minutes.

How to Prepare

The best way to prepare for this test is actually to study for it. Do not postpone studying for the GED science test because there are a lot of areas to cover. So draw a timetable today and make sure you read at least something from every major topic for about one hour daily. And when reading, write short notes. This will help you understand the concepts better. Do not cram or memorize concepts. Understand them and find as many examples as possible. Also, do at least one GED paper every week and mark the work yourself. Where you have failed, schedule more time to read on that concept and topic in general.

Moreover, apart from actually reading science from science books, watch science documentaries and science shows, explore nature, and visit science museums. Doing these things will make certain concepts clearer.

Lastly, review several answered science GED tests and notice how arguments are written with evidence. That is what you will also need to do when answering some of the science GED questions. So familiarize yourself with it.

Sample Test Questions

1. An _______ entails modifying a treatment group, while an _______ entails the study of a treatment group according to their present behavior.

A. experiment; experiment

B. observational study; observational study

C. observational study; experiment

D. experiment; observational study

Answer: D. experiment; observational study

2. What is the best interpretation of the fact that the spreading of the seafloor in the Mid-Atlantic Ridge results in the widening of the Atlantic by five centimeters every year?

A. The Ridge is the largest natural structure underwater.

B.  The Ridge is thousands of kilometers long.

C. The continents of Europe and North America are separating apart.

D. The continents of Europe and North America are growing at the Ridge.

Answer: C. The continents of Europe and North America are separating apart.

3. Water boils at 100 degrees Celsius.  Substances that are thicker or more viscous have boiling points higher than 100 degrees Celsius. For example, olive oil has a boiling point of 300 degrees Celsius, while glycerin has a boiling point of 290 degrees Celsius. How much higher in terms of percentage is the boiling point of glycerin compared to that of water? You can utilize your calculator for this question.

Answer: 190%

Working: The boiling point of water is 100 degrees Celsius, while that of glycerin is 290 degrees Celsius. That is, glycerin boils at 190 degrees Celsius higher than water. So 190 divided by the boiling point of water times 100 is equal 190%.

Social Studies GED Test

This test has four major topics or subject areas: the geography of the world (15 percent of the questions), economics (20 percent), world and local history (40 percent), and civics and government (25 percent). You will find that the test, as a whole, has two main themes related to American civics and government. The themes are Dynamic Responses in Societal Systems and the Development of Modern Liberties and Democracy.

The Dynamic Responses in Societal Systems theme focuses on how structures, systems, and policies respond to geographical events and conditions. On the other hand, the Development of Modern Liberties and Democracy Theme focuses on democracy and civil rights. The theme also looks into the structures, policies, events, ideas, and historical figures that helped to conceive the idea of democracy.

Officially, the GED social studies test is supposed to take a maximum of 70 minutes.

Test Questions

1. Read the text below and answer the (1) question that follows.

Congresswoman: The food safety regulations for organic foods will probably increase the cost of some staple foods. The increase in costs is, however, justified because the safety of food is paramount.

Citizen X: The rising food prices are cancer affecting our families. The high cost of foods is driving many families away from preparing healthy foods to eating highly processed fast foods. They are also affecting the diets of our children.

Which loaded word below does Citizen X use to drive his point home?

A. Diets of our children.

B. Processed fast foods.

C. Rising food prices.

D. Cancer.

Answer: D. A cancer

2. Interpret the graph below and explain what claim below it best disapproves:

A. In this century, voters have not supported third-party candidates.

B. Since 1960, the one third-party candidate who has received most support was Ross Perot in the early nineties.

C. In the history of the United States, no third-party candidate has received more than 10% of the presidential election popular vote.

D. Third-party candidates usually do not get more than 5% of the presidential election popular vote as a group.


C. In the history of the United States, no third-party candidate has received more than 10% of the presidential election popular vote. This claim is disproved by the fact that the graph shows that a third party candidate got 19% in 1992 and 14% in 1968.

3. The GDP (Gross Domestic Product) rises and falls at different times in the business cycle.

What conclusion can be drawn from the graph above?

A. In spite of ups and downs, GDP generally continues going up over time.

B. Recessions usually result in low unemployment.

C. Slowdowns generally follow low points of the cycle.

D. Recoveries generally follow high points of the cycle.

Answer: A. In spite of ups and downs, GDP generally continues going up over time.

The Most Effective GED Study Guides on the Market

The following study guides can help you to prepare adequately for your GED test. They are more comprehensive than this guide and include critical information and practice questions.

  • The Mometrix Test Preparation: This book contains techniques and strategies for taking the GED test.
  • The GED Study Guide: This guide is massive. It contains general information on how to get ready for the GED exam. It also has practice tests for all four sections.
  • The Union Test Prep: This guide has many examples and practice tests to help you prepare for each section of the exam.


To ace this test, you must prepare. You must prepare yourself adequately by creating a schedule and reading and doing practice tests. Only by spending enough time preparing for the test will you reap the reward of good grades. Follow the information on how best to prepare for each section, and everything should be pretty much easy for you on the date of the exam.

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