GED 2014
Science and Social Studies Tests
Randy Feldsien
Terri Ferris
Sample test items, used in this presentation, for
the 2002 test were taken from the official GED pre
tests developed by Steck-Vaughn
 Sample test items and information about test
content for the 2014 test was taken from the GED
Testing Services website
 Additional sample test items, information and prerecorded webinars may be found on the GED Test
Services website

www.gedtestingservices.com
www.steckvaughn.hmhco.com
GETTING TO KNOW THE CROWD
 Raise
your hand if you only teach
Science
 Raise your hand if you only teach
Social Studies
 Raise your hand if you primarily
teach in a one room school house
setting
CURRENT SCIENCE AND SOCIAL STUDIES
TESTS
How
do you currently prepare
students to take the science and
social studies test?
 What books do you use?
 What supplemental materials
do you bring into your
classroom?
 What activities do you do with
your students?
WHAT WE ALREADY KNOW ABOUT THE 2014
SCIENCE AND SOCIAL STUDIES TESTS
Computer-based format
 Will no longer be primarily a multiple choice test
 Will include technology enhanced items; multiple
choice, fill-in-the-blank, hot-spot, drag-and-drop
 The Science and Social Studies tests will each
have two short answer items
 There will be more cross-content test items


Will use a calculator to answer some math questions
in the science and social studies content areas
EXAMPLE OF A MORE CROSS-CONTENT QUESTION
Current Test

Testers used basic math
operations (+,-,× and ÷) to
answer questions
2014 Test

Testers use equations and
advanced math skills to answer
questions
QUESTION TYPES
Some examples of the technology enhanced items
SHORT ANSWER (2 QUESTIONS PER TEST)
HOT SPOT
ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF A HOT SPOT
DRAG AND DROP
ANOTHER EXAMPLE OF A DRAG AND DROP
FILL IN THE BLANK
EXTENDED RESPONSE (SOCIAL STUDIES TEST)
SOME THINGS NEVER CHANGE!
What will be the same?
THE CONTENT AREAS WILL BE SIMILAR
Current Test
Life Science -45%
 Physical Science - 35%
 Earth & Space
Science – 20%

2014 Test
Life Science 40%
 Physical Science - 40%
 Earth & Space
Science – 20%

MORE SIMILARITIES BETWEEN THE TESTS
Both tests use graphics
 The primary focus of the test continues to be a
measurement of reasoning skills applied to
scientific context
 Students still do not need an in-depth knowledge
of each sub topic, but they should be familiar
with basic concepts in the areas of physical, life,
and earth and space science

SOME QUESTIONS WILL LOOK
SIMILAR
APPLYING SCIENTIFIC PRINCIPLES
Current Test
2014 Test
FINDING SUPPORTING DETAILS FROM A
READING
LET’S BREAK IT DOWN
The Content Areas
PHYSICAL SCIENCE CONTENT (40%)
Current Test
Structure of atoms
 Structure and
property of matter
 Chemical reactions
 Motion and Forces
 Conservation of
energy
 Interaction of energy
and matter

2014 Test
Conservation,
transformation, and
flow of energy
 Work, motion, and
forces
 Chemical properties
and reactions related
to living systems

TO
CHEMICAL PROPERTIES AND REACTIONS
LIVING THINGS
Physical
Science
Handout
RELATED
Find a balloon and insert a small coin
into it. Blow the balloon up and tie the
end. Now start swirling the balloon
round to get the coin spinning inside it.
It may bounce around at first but
eventually it should settle down. When
you have it swirling, stop moving the
balloon and let the coin continue
swirling on its own. It carries on for
some time due to the low amount of
friction acting on it. For an object to
change direction it must have a force
acting on it. In this case the force is a
centripetal force -- the force provided by
your hand to keep the balloon steady
and keep the coin moving in a circular
path.
Forces & Motion Experiments | eHow.com
WORK, MOTION, AND FORCES
The Spinning Coin - Centripetal Force.
Physical Science
Experiment
LIFE SCIENCE CONTENT (40%)
Current Test



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
Transmission of
disease/pathogens
Effects of disease or
pathogens on
populations
Disease prevention
methods
Matter
Energy
Organization in living
systems
2014 Test

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
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Human body and health
Relationship between
life functions and
energy intake
Energy flows in
ecological networks
(ecosystems)
Organization of life
Molecular basis of
heredity
Evolution
Materials
fresh onions
knife
blender
strainer
coffee filters
Adolph's natural meat tenderizer
beaker
ice cold 95% ethanol
graduated cylinders (10ml and 100ml)
15-ml test tube
test tube rack or 250 ml beaker
glass stirring rod
non-iodized salt
Palmolive detergent
distilled water
Detergent/salt solution:
20 ml detergent
180 ml distilled water
20 g non-iodized salt
5% meat tenderizer solution:
5 g meat tenderizer
95 ml distilled water
Protocol
Cut an inch square out of the center of 3 medium onions. Chop and place in a
blender. Add 100 ml of detergent/salt solution. Blend on high 30 sec-1
minute.
Strain the mixture into a beaker using a strainer with a coffee filter. Add
20-30 ml meat tenderizer and stir to mix. Place 6 ml filtrate in a test
tube. Pour 6 ml ice cold ethanol carefully down the side of the tube to
form a layer. Let the mixture sit undisturbed 2-3 minutes until bubbling
stops. The DNA will float in the alcohol. Swirl a glass stirring rod at the
interface of the two layers to see the small threads of DNA.
http://www.reachoutmichigan.org/funexperiments/quick/highsch.html
MOLECULAR BASIS OF HEREDITY
ONION DNA EXTRACTION
Lana Hays
Life Science
Activity
MOLECULAR BASIS OF HEREDITY
Life Science
Worksheet
EARTH AND SPACE SCIENCE CONTENT (20%)
Current Test
Energy in the Earth
system
 Geochemical cycles
 Origin and evolution
of Earth system
 Origin and evolution
of the universe

2014 Test
Interactions between
Earth’s system and
living things
 Earth and its system
components and
interactions
 Structures and
organization of the
cosmos

CHANGE IS ON THE HORIZON
What will be different?
HOW ARE THE QUESTIONS GOING TO BE
DIFFERENT?

There are three dimensions that underline each
test question
Content-based core ideas
 Science practices
 Crosscutting themes


Each question will be aligned to a science content
as well as a science practice and will focus on one
of two crosscutting themes
CROSSCUTTING THEMES (FOCUSING
THEMES)
Scientific Content Topics
Physical Science (40%)
Life Science (40%)
Human Health and 
living systems

Human body and health

Organization of life
Molecular basis for heredity
Evolution
Chemical properties and
reactions related to human
systems

Interactions between
Earth’s systems and
living things
Energy and related 
systems
Relationships between life
functions and energy intake
Energy flows in ecological
networks (ecosystems)

Conservation,
transformation, and flow of
energy
Work, motion, and forces

Earth and its system
components
Structure and
organization of the
cosmos


Focusing Themes
Earth and Space Science
(20%)



SCIENCE PRACTICES
A skill that is necessary to reason about science
Basic scientific practices assessed on the 2014 test:

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


Determining details and making inferences
Determining central ideas, hypotheses, and conclusions
Analyzing events and ideas
Interpreting meaning of symbols and terms
Analyzing structures
Integrating content presented in diverse ways
Evaluation reasoning and evidence
Analyzing relationships between sources
Reading and interpreting graphs, charts, and other data representations
Measuring the center of statistical dataset
Determining sample space and using probability models to interpret data
Understanding and applying the appropriate tools, techniques and units in
scientific investigations
DETERMINING SAMPLE SPACE AND USING
PROBABILITY MODELS TO INTERPRET DATA



A probability model is a mathematical representation of a
random phenomenon. It is defined by its sample space,
events within the sample space, and probabilities associated
with each event.
The sample space S for a probability model is the set of all
possible outcomes. Suppose a bowl contains 3 red and 2 blue
marbles. If three marbles are picked, one at a time, from the
bowl the sample space or set of all possible outcomes is:
S = {(red, red, red), (red, red, blue), (red, blue, blue),
(red, blue, red), (blue, blue, red), (blue, red, red),
(blue, red, blue)}
- 7 possibilities
An event A is a subset of the sample space S. Once again, the
bowl contains 3 red marbles and 2 blue marbles. If an
individual picks three marbles, one at a time, from the bowl,
the event "pick 2 red marbles" can be achieved in 3 ways, so
the set of outcomes is:
A = {(red, red, blue),(red, blue, red), (blue, red, red)}.
- 3 Favorable possibilities
PROBABILITY
Probability of a favorable outcome =
=
The probability of picking two red marbles is
UNDERSTANDING AND APPLYING THE APPROPRIATE
TOOLS, TECHNIQUES, AND UNITS IN SCIENTIFIC
INVESTIGATION
SOME QUESTIONS WILL LOOK DIFFERENT!
Current Test

Uses simpler concepts, more
explanation, and more
familiar terminology
2014 Test

Requires more prior
knowledge and
understanding of a concept
ANOTHER EXAMPLE
Current Test

Testers analyzed patterns
2014 Test

Testers must know how to read
a chemical equation and
translate it into words
WHAT WILL BE THE SAME?
THE CONTENT AREAS WILL BE SIMILAR
Current Test
History (National and
World) -40%
 Geography- 15%
 Civics and
Government -25%
 Economics - 20%

2014 Test
Civics and
Government - 50%
 US History - 20%
 Economics - 15%
 Geography and the
World - 15%

MORE SIMILARITIES BETWEEN THE TESTS
Both tests use graphics
 The primary focus of the test continues to be a
measurement of reasoning skills applied to social
studies context
 Students still do not need an in-depth knowledge
of each sub topic, but they should be familiar
with basic concepts in the areas of civics and
government, US history, economics, geography
and the world

SOME QUESTIONS WILL LOOK
SIMILAR
INTERPRETING INFORMATION FROM A MAP
2002 Test
2014 Test
INTERPRETING INFORMATION FROM A TABLE,
CHART OR GRAPH
2002 Test
2014 Test
LET’S BREAK IT DOWN
The Content Areas
CIVICS AND GOVERNMENT (50%)
Current Test





Civic Life
Politics and
Government
Foundations of the
American Political
System
Relationship of US to
other Nations
The Roles of Citizens in
American Democracy
2014 Test



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

Types of modern and
historical governments
Principles that have
contributed to development
of American constitutional
democracy
Structure and design of US
government
Individual rights and civic
responsibilities
Political parties, campaigns,
and elections in American
politics
Contemporary Public Policy
US HISTORY (20%)
Current Test



Beginnings to 1820
(Native Peoples,
Colonization, Revolution,
the New Nation)
1801-1900 (Expansion,
Reform, Civil War,
Reconstruction, Industrial
Development)
1890-present (Emergence
of Modern America, Great
Depression, World War II,
Post War US,
Contemporary US)
2014 Test

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Key historical documents
that have shaped American
constitutional government
Revolutionary and Early
Republic Periods
Civil War and
Reconstruction
Civil Rights Movement
European settlement and
population of the Americas
World War I & II
The Cold War
American foreign policy
since 9/11
THE COLD WAR
US History:
Videos on
YouTube and
TeacherTube
www.youtube.com
Keyword:
hiphughes
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/2011/09/911-to-now-wayswe-have-changed.html
AMERICAN FOREIGN POLICY SINCE 9/11
• Aviation and Transportation Security Act
• Federal flight deck officer
•September 11 fee (TSA fee added to airline tickets)
• Patriot Act
•Enhanced border security
• Visa Entry Reform Act
• Post – 9/11 G.I. Bill
US History: PBS
Website
GEOGRAPHY AND THE WORLD (15%)
Current Test

World in Spatial Terms

Places and Regions

Physical Systems

Human Systems

Environment and Society

Uses of Geography

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Beginnings – 1000 B.C. (Beginnings and
Early Civilization)
1000 B.C. – 300 B.C. (Classical Traditions,
Empires, Religions)
300 B.C. – A.D. 1770 (Growing Trade,
Hemispheric Interactions, First Global Age)
1750 – 1914 (Age of Revolutions)
1900 – present (Urbanization, World Wars,
Global Depression, Advances in Science and
Technology)
New Democracies of Africa, Asia, South
America; The Cold War; Global Culture
2014 Test
Development of
classical civilizations
 Relationships between
the environment and
societal development
 Borders between
peoples and nations
 Human Migration

ECONOMICS (15%)
Current Test
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Economic Reasoning and
Choice
Comparison of Economic
Systems
Business in a Free
Enterprise System
Production and Consumers
Financial Institutions
Government’s Role in the
Economy, Labor and the
Economy
Global Markets and
Foreign Trade
2014 Test
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Key economic events that have
shaped American government
and policies
Relationship between political
and economic freedoms
Fundamental Economic
Concepts
Microeconomics and
Macroeconomics
Consumer economics
Economic causes and impact of
war
Economic drivers of exploration
& colonization
Scientific and Industrial
Revolutions
MACROECONOMICS
Macroeconomics seeks to understand economics
on a large scale, often from the point of view of
government policy.
•National output
•Unemployment
•Interest rates
•Inflation
AND
Microeconomics seeks to understand how
individuals and companies make decisions about
how to allocate scarce resources.
• Supply and demand
•Consumer preferences
•Markets
•Monopolies
MICROECONOMICS
Economics is the study of goods and services are
produced, consumed, and distributed in a society.
Economics
Terminology
CHANGE IS ON THE HORIZON
What will be different?
CROSSCUTTING THEMES
(FOCUSING THEMES)
Social Studies Topics
US History (20%)
Civics and Government
(50%)
Development
of Modern
Liberties and
Democracy



Focusing Themes

Dynamic
Responses in
Societal
Systems
•
•
Types of Modern and
historical governments
Principles that have
contributed to the
development of
American constitutional
democracy
Structure and design of
US government
Individual rights and
civic responsibilities

Political parties,
campaigns, and
elections in American
politics

Contemporary Public
Policy






Economics (15%)
Key historical
documents that have
shaped American
constitutional
government
Revolutionary and
Early Republic
Periods
Civil War and
Reconstruction
Civil Rights
Movement

European settlement
and population of the
Americas
World War I & II
The Cold War
American foreign
policy since 9/11








Geography and the World
(15%)
Key economic
events that have
shaped American
government and
policies
Relationship
between political
and economic
freedoms

Development of
classical civilizations
Fundamental
Economic Concepts
Microeconomics and
Macroeconomics
Consumer economics
Economic causes and
impact of war
Economic causes and
impact of war
Economic drivers of
exploration &
colonization
Scientific and
Industrial Revolutions

Relationships
between the
environment and
societal development
Borders between
peoples and nations
Human Migration


SOCIAL STUDIES PRACTICES
Skills that are essential to reasoning in both textual and
quantitative context

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Drawing conclusions and making inferences
Determining central ideas, hypotheses and
conclusions
Analyzing events and ideas
Interpreting meaning of symbols, words, and phrases
Evaluating reasoning and evidence
Analyzing relationships between text
Writing analytic response to source texts
Reading and interpreting graphs, charts, and other
data presentations
Measuring the center of a statistical dataset
MEASURING THE CENTER OF A STATISTICAL DATASET
A measure of central tendency
(also referred to as measures of
center) is a summary measure
that attempts to describe a
whole set of data with a single
value that represents the middle
or centre of its distribution.
 There are three main measures
of central tendency: the mode,
the median and the mean. Each
of these measures describes a
different indication of the
typical or central value in the
distribution.

Social Studies
Practice “How
To”
ACTIVITY: MEASURING THE CENTER OF A STATISTICAL
DATASET
MEASURING THE CENTER OF A STATISTICAL
DATASET
SOME QUESTIONS WILL LOOK DIFFERENT
2002 Test
2014 Test
MORE DIFFERENCES
2002 Test
2014 Test
NEXT STEPS
Let’s wrap it up!
WHAT CAN I DO NOW TO PREPARE?
For Science

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Create hands-on
activities that provide
opportunities for
students to hypothesize
Construct graphs,
charts, tables, and
diagrams from written
passages
Connect science to
everyday life
Incorporate videos,
photographs, and
internet into lessons
For Social Studies

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
Build students’ reading
skills
Connect social studies to
everyday life
Construct and interpret
graphs, charts, tables,
and diagrams
Work on students’
writing skills by having
them summarize the
texts they read
PD OPPORTUNITIES AND RESOURCES
•http://abe.mpls.k12.mn.us/ged_2014_2
•http://www.gedtestingservice.com/educators/new-assessment
•http://www.wonderlic.com/webinars/2014GEDSS
QUESTIONS?
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PLAN
Fill
in your PD plan for science
and social studies.
How can we help you to meet
your PD goals for science and
social studies?