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Earning a G.E.D., or a General Education Development high school equivalency diploma, a 9-minute test with 4 multiple choice questions and 1 open answer questions including essay questions must be passed. The test is broken into five subjects studied by high school level students: Science, Social Studies, Mathematics, Reading and Writing.
The Science portion of the G.E.D. exam includes multiple choice questions based on both test passages and visuals including charts, diagrams, graphs, and tables. 45 percent of the Science section is devoted to Life Science, or the study of living systems and how they interact. Physical Science comprises 35 percent of the questions while 2 percent are devoted to Earth and Space Science. The use of graphics has increased, and test takers should be careful to read all parts of the visuals including titles and keys.
The Social Studies section of the G.E.D focuses on Economics, Geography, Government and Civics, and History. Important skills in this portion of the exam are the abilities to infer information from implied ideas and to apply a concept to different situations. Also, test takers will want to hone summarizing, paraphrasing, and other comprehension skills. Visuals such as charts, maps and cartoons have been increased in this section also.
The Reading section of the G.E.D. is broken up between literary texts (75 percent) and non-fiction texts (25 percent) of approximately 2 to 3 words. Important skills include comprehension, the ability to demonstrate understanding of the meaning of what is read, and synthesis, the ability to apply prior knowledge and skills to information in order to create a new idea or solution. The ability to compare and contrast will also be tested.
The Writing section of the G.E.D. is split between Part 1, which includes multiple choice questions and Part 2, a 45 minute essay. The multiple choice questions will test spelling, sentence structure, mechanics, and usage. Part 2 of the Writing section tests the ability to write an organized essay with topic sentences, transitions, focus on a singular topic.
The G.E.D.’s Mathematic section has two parts, one that allows a calculator and one that does not. Test takers will be tested on data analysis, statistics, probability, operations, measurement, algebra, geometry, and other skills. Many of the questions test problem solving skills.
After reading about the five sections of G.E.D. exam, the test may seem daunting. However, there are ways to increase your chances of becoming one of the millions improving their lives with a G.E.D. Preparation classes, including online G.E.D. classes, tutor students in all five areas tested by the exam. Also, there are many free online practice G.E.D. tests that help familiarize potential test takers with the format of the test and the test questions.Preparation is key when it comes to taking the G.E.D. equivalency exam.
