WHAT'S ON THE GED: REASONING
THROUGH LANGUAGE ARTS
The GED® Reasoning through Language Arts Test (RLA) evaluates your reading and writing skills.
You will have 2.5 hours for about 46 questions that require you to:
 answer questions based on single passages and on passages that are paired together
(reading and thinking skills);
 review written text and select words and phrases so that the final product is written
correctly (language skills); and
 compose an extended response to a writing prompt based on reading one or two
passages or a passage accompanied by a graphic (writing skills).
The first section of the test includes reading and language questions and concludes with about 45
minutes for the Extended Response. You will have a 10-minute break before the second section,
which includes reading and language questions only.
You will need a minimum score of 145 to pass the Reasoning through Language Arts Test, which is
one of the four tests you will need to pass in order to earn a high school equivalency diploma.
READING CONTENT AREAS
You will answer questions based on a wide range of types of reading materials. Seventy-five percent
of the questions are based on informational texts, which include workplace- and communitybased documents, general nonfiction, and nonfiction related to general interest social studies
and science topics. Twenty-five percent of the questions are based on fiction selections.
LANGUAGE CONTENT AREAS
The language skills model real-life editing to ensure correct sentence
structure, agreement (subject-verb and pronounantecedent), capitalization, punctuation, homonyms, and possessives. The questions also
assess appropriate word choice and elimination of informal usage to fit the purpose of the
writing task.
EXTENDED RESPONSE
The Extended Response requires reading text materials and responding to a writing prompt
(assignment) by developing an argument and supporting your ideas with evidence from the
text.
EXTENDED RESPONSE QUESTION ON THE REASONING THROUGH
LANGUAGE ARTS TEST
An important task on the GED Reasoning Through Language Arts Test involves writing an
extended response to a passage, two passages, or a passage accompanied by a graphic. This
activity integrates reading and analytical skills with writing skills.
You can take up to 45 minutes at the end of the first section of the RLA Test to complete the
assignment. This task has its own clock to help you manage your time. Here are some time
management suggestions:
Preview the writing prompt.
Read the selection or selections, carefully using the highlighter tool to draw
attention to information for later use.
 Compose a thesis statement.
 Gather evidence from the text to support your thesis statement.
 Plan your response (use the offline wipe-off board).
 Draft your response (in the text box that scrolls down).
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Review your response to improve your writing and correct any errors with the
editing tools—cut, copy, paste, undo, and redo.
QUALITIES OF A SUCCESSFUL EXTENDED RESPONSE
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Your response can earn up to 6 points. It is reviewed for three different “traits” or qualities, and
each trait is assigned a score from 0–2. So, 3 traits times a maximum of 2 points each equals a
maximum of 6 points.
Unlike other writing that you may have done in the past, this task is “evidence-based writing,”
meaning that you need to base your position on the information and arguments in the reading
materials.
Trait 1: Creation of Arguments and Use of Evidence
To earn a score of 2 on Trait 1 you need to do the following:
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Create an argument by making a logical claim that clearly states your position.
Use 3 or more specific references from the text(s) to support the claim.
Identify valid arguments and/or fallacious claims in the text(s).
Point out supported and/or unsupported claims in the text(s).
Trait 2: Development of Ideas and Organizational Structure
To earn a score of 2 on Trait 2 you need to do the following:
 Create an effective organizational structure.
 Sequence ideas logically so that one idea leads to the next.
 Elaborate main ideas and tie them to specific evidence from the text.
 Make effective transitions to cohesively link ideas.
 Use accurate and advanced word choice.
 Employ an appropriate level of formality (no slang, etc.).
Trait 3: Clarity and Command of Standard English Conventions
To earn a score of 2 on Trait 3, you need to have few errors that would interfere with a reader’s
understanding of what you wrote. You should also do the following:
 Use varied and correct forms of sentence structure.
 Maintain subject-verb and pronoun-antecedent agreement.
 Adhere to the rules of capitalization, punctuation, and spelling.
 Distinguish between commonly confused words, such as possessives and
homonyms.
 Avoid wordiness and awkward constructions.
WHAT'S ON THE GED: SOCIAL
STUDIES
The GED® Social Studies Test evaluates your ability to understand, interpret, and apply information.
You will have 70 minutes to answer 35 questions that are based on reading passages and
interpreting graphics such as charts, graphs, diagrams, editorial cartoons, photographs, and maps.
You will need a minimum score of 145 to pass the Social Studies Test, which is one of the four tests
you will need to pass in order to earn a high school equivalency diploma.
CONTENT AREAS
Civics and Government (50%) topics include modern and historic governments,
constitutional government, levels and branches of the U.S. government, the electoral
system, and the role of the citizen.
 U.S. History (20%) topics stretch from colonialism and the American Revolution
through the Civil War and Reconstruction into the modern era of industrialization,
immigration, two world wars, the Cold War, and the movements for equal rights.
 Economics (15%) topics include basic economics concepts and systems, the
government and the economy, and labor and consumer economics issues.
 Geography and the World (15%) topics cover major stages in world history as
well as the relationship among resources, the environment, and societies.
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SOCIAL STUDIES PRACTICES
In addition to testing your understanding of social studies passages and graphics, questions are
based on your understanding of major skills, called Social Studies Practices. They include the
following:
 Determine Central Ideas, Inferences, Hypotheses, and Conclusions.
 Analyze Words, Events, and Ideas in Social Studies Contexts.
 Analyze Author’s Purpose and Point of View.
 Evaluate Author’s Reasoning and Evidence.
 Analyze and Integrate Relationships Within and Between Social Studies Materials.
 Interpret Data and Statistics in Graphs and Charts.
 Find the Center in a Statistical Data Set, Including Average, Median, and Mode.
COMPUTER-BASED SOCIAL STUDIES TEST QUESTION FORMATS
You will work with five question formats on the Social Studies Test. Many of the questions will be
in the familiar multiple-choice format, but you will need to be acquainted with the other formats as
well.
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MULTIPLE-CHOICE
Multiple-choice questions have four options (A through D). You will click on the best answer.
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FILL-IN-THE-BLANK
Fill-in-the-blank questions will require you to type a word, phrase, or number in a box that
appears on the screen.
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DROP-DOWN
Drop-down questions give you the opportunity to click on the correct response to complete
a statement.
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HOT-SPOT
Hot-spot items consist of a graphic image or images. You will need to click on one or more
“points” or graphics on the screen.
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DRAG-AND-DROP
Drag-and-drop items require you to click on a small image, words, or numerical expression
and to drag and drop it in a specified location on the computer screen.
MATH PROBLEMS ON THE SOCIAL STUDIES TEST
Many social studies investigations use mathematics. For that reason, there will be math
questions on the GED® Social Studies Test.
Although you do not have to use a calculator, you may use either a handheld or an on-screen
version of the TI-30XS MultiView™ calculator on the Social Studies Test. Some problems will
say: You MAY use your calculator. When you see that language, the calculator icon appears at the
top of the screen. If you cannot remember how to use the calculator, you can open the
online Calculator Reference Sheet.
You can click the links to open, move, and close both the online Texas Instruments TI-30XS
MultiView™ calculator and the Calculator Reference Sheet. You will want to move them on the
computer screen so that they don’t block the problem. Also remember that you will have an offline wipe-off board that you can use as scratch paper.
WHAT'S ON THE GED:
MATHEMATICAL REASONING
The GED® Mathematical Reasoning Test evaluates your ability to solve mathematical problems and
apply mathematics to a variety of contexts. You will have 90 minutes to answer approximately 46
questions based on the following:
 Quantitative Reasoning (45%), which includes problems with positive and negative
whole numbers, decimals, and fractions; ratios, proportions, and percents; data and
statistics; and geometric measurement
 Algebraic Reasoning (55%), which includes expressions, polynomials, equations,
inequalities, linear equations, quadratic equations, and patterns and functions. A variety
of formats will assess evaluating, solving, and graphing skills in algebra.
[ RELATED: GED Mathematical Reasoning Practice Questions ]
You will need a minimum score of 145 to pass the Mathematical Reasoning Test, which is one of the
four tests you will need to pass in order to earn a high school equivalency diploma.
TOOLS
Calculator: For most of the test, you will be able to use either a hand-held or an online version of the
Texas Instruments TI-30XS MultiView™ scientific calculator. You’ll be able to access the online
calculator during the exam by clicking on the calculator icon. You can also take your own hand-held
TI-30XS MultiView™ calculator to use on test day.
For the first five questions on the test, you will not be able to use the calculator. You can take up to
12 of the 90 minutes with these questions. Check all of your work carefully before you leave this
section of the test. You will not be able to return to these problems once the online calculator is
enabled.
If you forget how to use a specific calculator function, you will be able to access a Calculator
Reference Sheet from the computer screen by clicking on the “Calculator Reference Sheet” icon.
Formula Sheet: You will be able to access select formulas by clicking on the “Formula Sheet” icon
provided. Any other formulas should be memorized.
Symbol Selector: On some fill-in-the-blank problems, you will need to use a symbol from the
symbol selector toolbar. You can enable it during the exam when the “Symbol” icon shows up on the
light blue toolbar at the top of your screen.
At the testing center, you will be given a dry erase marker and a wipe-off board that you can use
as scratch paper.
COMPUTER-BASED MATHEMATICS TEST FORMATS
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MULTIPLE CHOICE
Many of the questions will be multiple-choice with four options (A through D). You
will click on the best answer.
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FILL-IN-THE-BLANK
Fill-in-the-blank questions will require you to type a numerical answer to a problem or to
enter an equation by clicking to open the symbol selector and then inserting the symbol in
the box. You may also be asked to type a word or phrase in the box to answer a question
about your thought process.
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DROP-DOWN
Drop-down questions give you the opportunity to click the word “Select” and choose the
option that correctly completes the statement.
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DRAG-AND-DROP
Drag-and-drop items require you to click on an image, number, or symbol and to drag and
drop it to a specified location on the computer screen to create an expression, equation, or
inequality.
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HOT-SPOT QUESTIONS
Hot-spot questions are based on a graphic such as a number line, coordinate grid, or
geometric figure. You will need to click on a specific place or places on the figure.
USING THE TEXAS INSTRUMENTS TI-30XS MULTIVIEW™
CALCULATOR
Remember: You do not have to use the calculator to solve problems; only use it if it is relevant to the
problem or if you believe it will be helpful.
Here are some things to keep in mind:
The hand-held version has an On/Off button at the lower-left hand side.
To use the online version of the calculator, click the calculator icon on the screen
to open the calculator in a new window. Use your mouse to drag the calculator to the
side of the computer screen so that it does not cover the problem. When you are
finished with a calculation, click on the “X” at the top of the window to close the
calculator.
 When you are finished with a calculation, use the enter button. (There is no “equal
sign” button on this calculator.)
 Use the white numeric keypad to enter numbers, the decimal point, and the negative
sign (−) for a negative number such as −13 .
 The operation keys, on the right, allow you to add, subtract, multiply, and divide. (Use
the minus sign here for subtraction; use the negative sign (−) on the keypad to indicate a
negative number.)
 Use the bright green 2nd button at the left of the calculator to activate the 2nd
functions (in bright green) above the keys. Some of the main ones are square root,
exponent, percent, and mixed number functions.
 The four arrows at the top right of the calculator allow you to move the onscreen
cursor up, down, left, or right as needed. The delete key to the left of the arrows allows
you to correct mistakes as you work.
 Every time you begin a calculation, press the clear button above the operation
keys to clear the calculator’s memory.
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ACCESSING THE SYMBOL SELECTOR TOOLBAR
Some questions will instruct you to use a particular symbol from the “symbol selector.” This isn’t
available for all problems. When it is, though, you’ll see a “Symbol” icon that will bring up this
toolbar:
Click on a symbol to insert it in the correct place in an expression, equation, or inequality. When you
are finished with the toolbar, click on the “X” at the top of the window to close the window.
USING THE WIPE-OFF BOARD
Even with all of the computer-based tools, you may still feel the need for some scratch paper to do
the following:
Write down the relevant numbers that you need to answer a specific question.
Solve the problem by hand and use the calculator to check your work.
Make a drawing or a diagram to help you picture a situation that is described in a
word problem. This is an important strategy when working with measurement and
geometry problems that do not contain a graphic.
At the testing center, you will be provided with a wipe-off board and dry erase marker, similar to the
material shown at the right. Make use of the board throughout the GED Mathematical Reasoning Test
and ask for a new one if you feel that you need it.
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