Tips for Taking the GED Tests
Included are General, Math, Reading and Writing Tips.
General Tips
The GED Tests include five subject area tests. You do not have to take all five GED Tests in one
day. Most testing centers give the tests over a period of two days. Also, if the testing center has a
schedule which allows you to take the tests at a rate of one or two a day, you are allowed to do
so.
Before taking the GED Tests, it is helpful to use practice tests to understand your strengths and
weaknesses. You may need to improve your academic skills in one or more areas before
attempting the GED Tests. Also, you should practice different test-taking strategies.
Do not waste time hoping for an easy version of the test. Each form of the test is different, but
there is no such thing as an easy version. The only thing that will improve your scores is more
preparation.
Prepare yourself for the tests both physically and mentally. Get plenty of sleep the night before
so you will be calm and well rested. Also, eat a well-balanced meal before taking the test. Dress
comfortably and in layers so you will be prepared if the room is too hot or cold.
Arrive early. You should be at the test site 15-20 minutes before the test is scheduled to begin.
This gives you time to settle in and relax. Also, many testing centers refuse to admit latecomers.
During the tests, if you find yourself losing concentration or becoming tired, pause and take a
deep breath. You may want to briefly pause to rest your neck and shoulder muscles.
Read the test directions carefully to be sure you know how to answer the questions. If you have
any questions about how to take the test and/or mark your answers, ask them before the test
begins. Clearly mark all answers on your answer sheet and thoroughly erase any stray marks.
Make sure the answer you mark on your answer sheet matches your answer choice.
Know the time limits for each test and bring a watch to pace yourself. However, do not bring a
watch with a calculator, as you may not be permitted to wear it during the test. Check your watch
when the test begins and figure out what time it will end. During the test, the proctor will
probably remind you of the time remaining. Try to finish a few minutes early so you will not feel
rushed at the end, and will have time to review questions you were unsure about.
You should answer every question on the test because you will not be penalized for incorrect
answers. However, avoid spending too much time on any one question. Answer the easier
questions first. Skip any questions you are having difficulty with and return to them after you
have completed the rest of the test. If you skip a question, be sure to skip the corresponding place
on your answer sheet. Lightly mark the answer sheet next to questions you skip so you can easily
return to them if there is time. Be sure to thoroughly erase these marks before time ends. If you
turn in your test with these stray marks, your answers could be marked incorrect during scoring.
If you cannot figure out the answer to a question, eliminate as many wrong answers as you can,
and guess from the remaining choices. You will not be penalized if you get an answer wrong,
and your chance of getting it correct is better if you guess than if you leave it blank.
To spot wrong answer choices, look for answers that do not answer the question being asked.
Also, some answers may just seem wrong when you read them. Finally, look for opposite
answers. Both can’t be right, so you may be able to eliminate one. However, be aware that they
could both be wrong.
Read questions carefully before attempting to answer a question or solve a problem. Make sure
you understand the question being asked. Then, decide what information is actually needed to
answer the question. There is probably more information than you actually need. Read each
passage carefully and study the charts, diagrams, and graphs before you answer the question.
Don’t be in such a hurry that you read the question too quickly. You may end up missing
important information, or answering the wrong question. Reread a question if you don’t
understand what is being asked.
Try to answer a question before reading the choices. If your answer is among the choices, it is
probably correct. However, to avoid making a careless error, be sure to read all the answer
choices before making your selection. Often, more than one answer seems to be correct, but only
one can be right. Choose the appropriate answer to the question that is asked.
Once you have selected your answer, reread the question to make sure the answer choice you
have selected actually answers the question that is being asked. Also, check your answer by
looking back at the reading and illustrations. Don’t just rely on your memory.
Be sure to stay calm and pace yourself. Use the testing strategies you have developed in advance.
Good luck!
Math tips
For problems on the math section, read each problem carefully. Be sure you know what the
problem is asking before you start your calculations. You may also want to read the answer
choices before beginning your calculations.
Before you begin a problem, estimate an answer using simpler numbers. Think about the
situation described in the problem and figure out what size answer would make sense. You can
use your estimate later to see if the answer you calculate is reasonable.
When you begin a problem, ask yourself what mathematical operations you will need to perform
to solve the problem. Also, ask yourself if you will need to perform more than one step. Often,
multiple steps are required. If you only perform one step, that answer will often be on the answer
list. However, it will not be the correct answer for the total problem. Make sure your solution
answers the question that was asked in the original problem. You may need to perform additional
steps before choosing an answer.
Use the scratch paper provided to help you think through the problem. If a problem involves
more than one step, write down the answer after each step. This will save time if you have to go
back and rework a step.
Some problems involve geometric figures. If a figure is described, but not pictured, make a quick
sketch on your scratch paper, and label the sketch. This will help you visualize the problem. If a
figure is provided, always read the titles and labels on the graph or figure before using the
numerical information to calculate an answer. Remember that diagrams, maps, and geometric
figures may not be drawn to scale, so you should not try to eyeball an answer. Instead, perform
the necessary calculations. For measurement problems, read the problem carefully to determine
the measurement unit in which to express your answer.
For algebra and word problems, read the whole problem before you start to write an equation or
inequality. The information you need to solve the problem may not be listed until the end. Focus
on the facts needed to solve the question that is asked. Do not be distracted by information you
do not need. When possible, use the formulas page to set up problems involving simple interest,
distance, cost, or geometric figures. Once you have calculated an answer, check your answer by
substituting it for the variable in the original equation. Also, check the reasonableness of your
answer using common sense.
For problems involving probability situations, carefully read the situation described to make sure
you have all facts needed to solve the problem. For problems involving mean or median
calculations, remember that the mean and median represent the center of a set of values. Before
attempting to find the median, use your scratch paper to put the values in order. Use the
calculator (if allowed) to find the mean of a set of values. This will save you time for more
difficult problems.
For problems involving fractions, rounding to the nearest whole number can help you to see
whether you should add, subtract, multiply, or divide to solve a problem. If you need to compare
ratios, use the calculator (if allowed) to convert ratios written as fractions into a decimal form.
This will help you to compare ratios more quickly. Be sure to write ratios in the lowest terms
before attempting to find your answer among the answer choices.
During part I, when the calculator is allowed, you should use the calculator to perform timeconsuming calculations. This will save you time for other parts of the test. In addition, you can
use your knowledge of equivalent decimals and fractions to check fraction problems with the
calculator.
If you cannot figure out the answer to a problem, eliminate wrong answer choices using
rounding, estimation and number sense. These techniques can also help you to check your work
when you have calculated an answer. For difficult problems, consider using “guess and check”.
Try each answer in the equation or problem situation to see which works.
Reading Tips
On the reading test, you will be expected to read and interpret fiction, nonfiction prose, poetry,
and drama selections. You should develop a strategy for reading the passages and answering
questions. One helpful strategy is to first scan the passage quickly to get the main idea. Next,
quickly read the questions related to that passage to get an idea of the information required.
Finally, read the passage slowly, carefully, and critically.
As you carefully read the selection, note important words and details that seem critical to the
selection’s meaning. Examples include key words, character names, dates, and place names.
Also, look for specific details that will help you answer questions about characters, plot,
conflicts, setting, mood, point of view, and theme. As you read a question, notice whether it
refers to a quotation or a specific line or sentence from the reading passage. If so, the answer will
probably be found in the passage in or near that reference.
As you read a dramatic excerpt, visualize the setting, characters, and stage directions as if they
were happening in front of you. Ask yourself what conflicts and themes a playwright is
representing in a particular scene. To infer the playwright’s ideas and characters’ motivations,
you may need to “read between the lines” of dialogue.
Read poems carefully. It is helpful to read a poem more than once. Read first for literal meaning,
and then for deeper meaning. Ask yourself what the poem means. If you cannot answer, read the
poem a third time before answering the questions. When reading a poem, notice the poetic
devices such as rhyme, rhythm, sound, and figurative language.
In any reading passage, always separate main ideas from supporting details. Also, separate facts
from opinions. A fact should have supporting details and information. An opinion will not. Be
sure to select your answers to the questions based on the information given in the passage, not
from outside information you may have.
Be sure to read all answer choices before selecting an answer. Often, more than one answer
seems correct. Select the best answer to the question that is being asked. Watch out for answer
choices that seem too obvious. Some questions seem to follow word-for-word from the passage.
However, the wording may have been slightly changed in a way that alters the meaning. Be sure
to choose the right answer to the question being asked.
Writing Tips
The GED Writing Test includes two sections: a multiple choice section and an essay on an
assigned topic.
Multiple Choice Tips
On the editing section, be sure to read the entire passage before answering the questions that
follow. This is particularly important for organization questions. To determine which tense to
use, look for word cues in the sentence and in the entire paragraph. When considering which
pronoun should be used, look at the entire paragraph. Read the sentences to yourself so you can
tell if items are complete or incomplete, and “hear” the best way they could be rewritten.
Decide which grammar topic a question is asking about. This may make it easier to identify the
correct answer. Answer choices may suggest changes in spelling, punctuation, and capitalization.
However, only one choice will be correct. Also, remember that sometimes a sentence in a
multiple choice item is written correctly. In that case, you should not choose a correction or
revision as an answer.
If you are having difficulty with any multiple choice items, skip them and come back after you
have completed the rest of the editing test.
Essay Tips
Use an outline or thought web to organize your ideas before you begin the essay. Then, use the
personal essay writing strategy that you devise. No matter what strategy you use, it is important
to be sure your essay responds to the question that was asked. Try to restate the essay topic and
include it in your topic sentence. Then, as you write, keep refocusing on the topic to be sure you
are still responding to the question that was asked.
Be sure to include transition words that show how your ideas are related to each other. Use
examples to explain your ideas. Examples can be drawn from personal experience and your
observations of the world. If you are struggling for ideas, try to recall journal entries you have
written.
When you write your first draft, leave wide margins and space between lines. This will give you
space to make corrections and additions during the revision step. Use the revision step to insert
transition words, if you have not already included them. You can add, drop, or move ideas as you
write and revise your essay.
As you write your final essay, keep in mind that your essay cannot be graded if it cannot be read.
Write as neatly as you can. If you need to make corrections on your final essay, carefully draw a
single line through the error and write the correction above it.