Every year, thousands of people take their GED test online at a designated testing location. The online test system was applied after the revision of the GED rule in 2014, which states that the test has to be given on a computer. This test is for candidates who didn’t complete high school. It is the only high school alternative that is accepted all over the USA and Canada.
This article will further guide you about the process of how to get a GED.
Tip: What is a GED?
The Test
The test is available in Spanish and English language and consists consist of the following subjects.
- Social Studies
- Language Arts
- Mathematical Reasoning
- Science
Subjects & Questions: The GED test covers five main subjects reading, writing, mathematics, science and social studies. It is compulsory to pass all the five parts of the GED test. The GED tests are rigorous and passing marks criteria is 60% or higher.
Reading:
The language arts section of the GED exam will test you on on your ability to read, reason, and think things through.
You will be asked to extract the essentials of Reading Comprehension—Main Idea, Detail,Inference—from what you’ve been given to read.
Running a total of 150 minutes (with a break), Reasoning Through Language Arts is the longest subject test.
Reasoning Through Language Arts will test for the following skills:
- Ability to read, edit, write and clearly understand the written English language
- Ability to interpret and answer questions based on text
- Grasp of basic English skills (at a level needed to succeed in college or a job)
- Capability to use evidence to support an argument.
Reading passage will include 25% fiction and 75% nonfiction.
Pro tip: Try our free Language Arts practice test!
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Writing:
The writing test is in two parts. The first part is 75 minutes long and you are required to read given passages and answer 50 multiple choice questions. It will cover four components of writing sentence, structure, mechanics and organization. The second part will be 45 minutes long and it will instruct you to write an essay expressing your viewpoint on an assigned topic.
Pro tip: Read our blog article about how to write a winning essay!
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Mathematics:
Most people worry about the GED math test but we think that with a little studying, you’ll do just fine.
Topics you can expect in the GED Math exam:
- Number operations & number sense = 20-30%
- Data analysis, statistics, & probability = 20-30%
- Measurement & geometry = 20-30%
- Algebra, functions, & patterns = 20-30%
The GED math test will be divided into two parts: The first part will have 5 questions and calculators will not be allowed and the second part will have 41 questions and calculator will be allowed.
The GED Math Test covers materials, like:
- Number operations and number sense
- Measurement and geometry
- Data analysis, statistics, and probability
- Algebra, functions, and patterns
Pro tip: Try our free Math practice test!
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Science:
You will complete 50 multiple choice questions in 80 minutes in the science test of GED. The covered content areas will be life science, earth, space science, physics and chemistry. Majority of the questions shall test your vocabulary and the basic understanding of concepts and principles.
If you were really good at Biology, don’t assume you will ace the GED Science test. In terms of subject matter, the questions on the Science test check your knowledge in the following areas:
- Physical science: About 40 percent of the test is about physical science, which is the study of atoms, chemical reactions, forces, and what happens when energy and matter get together. As a basic review, keep the following in mind:
- Life science: Another 40 percent of the test covers life science — the study of cells, heredity, evolution, and other processes that occur in living systems. All life is composed of cells, which you can see under a microscope. If you don’t have access to a microscope, most life science–related books and the Internet have photographs of cells that you can study.
- Earth and space science: The remaining 20 percent of the test covers earth and space science. This area of science looks at the earth and the universe, specifically weather, astronomy, geology, rocks, erosion, and water.
An improved science vocabulary increases your chances of being able to read the passages and answer the related questions on the test quickly.
As the basis for its questions, the Science test uses the National Science Education Standards (NSES) content standards, which are based on content developed by science educators from across the country.
Pro tip: Try our free Science practice test!
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Social Studies:
This test comprises of 50 multiple-choice questions that test your general knowledge. It measures your ability to comprehend and analyze the information given in the included documents of exam. There will be questions about economics, geography, history, civics and government. History questions include both U.S history (Canadian if you take the test in Canada) and world history.
Social Studies tests the following skills:
(1) Knowledge of content areas:
• Civics and Government (50%)
• U.S. history (20%)
• Economics (15%)
• Geography and the World (15%)
(2) Ability to read, understand, and interpret social studies-related texts.
(3) Problem-solving abilities in social studies-related situations.In essence, you are being tested on your ability to read, reason, and think things through.
The most effective way to prepare for the social studies exam is a by familiarizing yourself with the same type of questions that will appear inside of the test.
Pro tip: Try our free Social Studies practice test!
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Duration: The GED test takes about 7 hours and five minutes. Examinees are advised to review through classroom instructions, self-study and online modules.
Cost: The cost for distance learning prep classes is quite affordable minimum being $50. Some schools charge as high as $180. Almost all online GED review programs provide learning materials like e-books and practice exams.
How To Pass Your GED Exam:
The GED exam has an alarming fail rate, 50% of people who attempt the GED exam fail. Recent trends show the fail rate for the GED exam continues to rise as the test goes through updates.
I bet you’re wondering, why do so many students fail their GED exams?
Simply put, many students aren’t studying the right material. A survey of students who failed their GED exam reveals that 84% of them relied solely on textbooks they purchased from major outlets, like Amazon, to prepare for their exam.
The problem with this tactic is that, textbooks have over 500 pages of information and most of it is outdated and has little to do with the content on the new GED exam. The GED exam will test you on specific concepts and practices. The key to passing this exam, is to make sure you’re only studying the right information (quality over quantity).
But how do you find out what information to study for to pass the current GED exam?
That’s where we come in.
Our updated GED study package includes practice questions direct from this years GED exam to help you prepare for your exam faster and easier.
For 20+ years, we’ve helped students pass their GED exam in 1 month or less with our time tested approach.
We’re so confident that you will pass your GED exam using our study material, that we proudly offer a 100% money back guarantee if you don’t (check out our Policy page to read more).
Our dedication everyday is to provide our students with the greatest opportunity to pass their GED exam on their first try. Not to mention, our students pass their GED exams at double the national average.
Are you ready? Click ‘Learn more’ below to get more information about our powerful GED study package!
What to Expect:
- The subjects mentioned above are further divided into a list of sub-subjects.
- After attaining this GED you will be able to apply for colleges and further education.
- Due to this certificate you can apply at different jobs and it will help you boost your career.
The Process
Before we jump into further details on how to get your GED online, we must first have a look at the key elements.
- Test policies and costs can vary by state.
- The minimum age to take the GED exam is 16 years in most states.
- For further information, you can visit the directory on GED.com
The Prep
Phase I:
First things first, you have to create an account on UGO Prep to get access to practice questions and subject notes. Here, you will be able to get every chunk of information there is about the test.
- FAQs
- Mock tests
- Tutorials
- Study Guides
- Practice questions
- Expert email support
Phase II:
While preparing for your test, collect every material that you can get your hands on. Remember, you have to be crystal clear in your concepts.
Here are some necessary recommendations for you to consider:
- Develop a schedule.
- Study in intervals and at least 3 times a day.
- With online notes, you can have the benefit of studying on the go.
- Start the test preparation process at least 4 weeks before your exam date.
Decide a Test Date
Once you are confident about your preparation level, the next step would be to schedule a test through your MyGED account (https://ged.com/)
Things to Remember:
- You have the option to take all 4 subjects at once, so plan wisely.
- Go through all the notes one last time and make sure nothing is left.
The ‘T’ Day
After you have checked everything in your To-Learn list, head to the examination room and perform your best. It will take about 7.5 hours to complete the test and each subject has different timings.
Final Note:
- In order to get the GED, you must be able to score well in all four subjects.
- You can expect to get the result within a day after the test.
- The copy of the results will be sent to your home.
- In case you don’t pass, you will be required to retake the exam, which happens after a break of 60 days.
- For further key information about how to get your GED, or how to prepare for your GED, you can join our weekly newsletter for free.
