Aving the ged exam3 pdf

1
PART
I
Preparing for
the GED
C
ongratulations on your decision to take the GED, tests that can make
a dramatic difference in your life. Of course, you want to be prepared for
these important tests—that’s why you bought this book. There’s a lot more
to good preparation than just taking a practice exam or two. That’s why this book gives you
the opportunity to review the knowledge and build the skills you will need for the exams.
But first things first. Before you being studying the different subjects tested on the GED,
you need to learn as much as you can about the tests. That way, you will know exactly how
to prepare. Chapter 1 will tell you all about the GED, including the structure of the exams,
eligibility requirements, testing information, scoring, and fees.
Your time is valuable, and you will want to make the most of your study time. That’s
why the rest of this section is devoted to study strategies and test-taking skills. Chapter 2
reviews basic, effective study techniques. Chapter 3 shows you how to better learn and
remember material. Chapter 4 provides tips and strategies for tackling standardized tests
like the GED. Read the chapters in this section carefully so you can create an effective study
plan and study wisely.
Edward dropped out of high school at 16 when his mother became ill and could no longer work or take care of
Edward and his younger brother. He began working full time and never finished high school.
Rajesh came to America with the equivalent of a tenth-grade education from his native country. He dreamed
of becoming a computer programmer but had to work full time. He often worked extra shifts to help make ends
meet.
Marie was a certified nurse in her native Caribbean country. But when she immigrated, she found out her nurs-
ing certification was not valid in the United States. She could not apply to a U.S. nursing program without a
high school diploma.

T
oday, after taking the GED and earning their high school diplomas, Edward, Rajesh, and Marie—
like thousands of others who take the GED each year—are able to pursue the education and careers of
their dreams. For more than half a century, the GED diploma has given millions of people the opportu-
nity to find better employment, enroll in colleges and training programs, improve their standard of living, and feel
better about themselves and their futures.
3
CHAPTER
1
All about
the GED
PLANNING TO take the GED? Here’s what you need to know to
get started. This chapter covers the basic information about these
important exams. You will learn how the tests are structured, how to
register, and how the tests are scored.

What the Tests Are About
The General Educational Development (GED) exami-
nation is a series of tests covering the broad range of
knowledge and skills students are expected to master in
high school. They are tests for people who wish to earn
a high school diploma but who have been unable to
graduate in the traditional manner. Passing the GED cer-
tifies that you have a high school level education and
entitles you to a GED diploma, the equivalent of a high
school diploma. For hundreds of thousands of people
each year, the GED is an important stepping stone to a
better job and continued education.
Did You Know?
The GED was originally developed for veterans

returning from World War II to help them
complete their educations and earn their high
school credentials. The first test was adminis-
tered more than 60 years ago, in 1942. Since
then, an estimated 15.2 million people have
taken the GED.
The GED is jointly administered by the General Edu-
cation Development Testing Service, a program of the
American Council on Education (ACE) Center for Adult
Learning and Education Credentials, and the education
department of each participating state or province. The
GED exams are actually a battery of five tests that meas-
ure knowledge in five content and skills areas: writing,
reading comprehension (understanding literature), social
studies, mathematics, and science.
GED Components
The GED examinations are actually a battery of
five separate tests:
➧ Language Arts, Writing (Parts I and II)
➧ Social Studies
➧ Science
➧ Language Arts, Reading
➧ Mathematics (Parts I and II)
The complete battery of GED exams takes a total of
seven hours and five minutes. The level of difficulty is set
so that only two-thirds of traditional high school seniors
will pass. On average, at least two-thirds of adults who
take all five exams earn their diploma, and many states
report even higher pass rates. In Utah, for example,
nearly three-quarters (74%) of GED test takers passed

the exam last year. And Iowa boasts a remarkable 95%
pass rate for 2001.
In many testing centers, you can take the GED one test
at a time until you complete all five exams. In others,
you must take the entire battery of tests in one or two
sessions.
The questions on the GED are all multiple choice with
two important exceptions. Part II of the Language Arts,
Writing Test requires you to write an essay, and about
25% of math questions are “alternate format” questions
that may include short written responses. You will learn
details about each exam, including the specific material
covered and the kind of questions to expect, throughout
the rest of this book.
GED Fact Box
According to the American Council on Educa-
tion, which oversees the GED Testing Service:
➧ Over 860,000 adults around the world take
the GED tests each year.
➧ Test takers who pass the GED outperform
40% of high school seniors on the exam.
➧ Approximately 14% of the high school
diplomas distributed each year in the
United States are issued to adults who
pass the GED.
➧ Over 95% of U.S. colleges accept students
with GED credentials, and over 95% of
U.S. employers offer GED graduates the
same hiring, compensation, and promotion
opportunities as employees with a tradi-

tional high school diploma.
➧ Approximately 1 in 20 first-year college
students are GED graduates.
– ALL ABOUT THE GED–
4

Who Takes the GED—and Why
The 860,000 people who take the GED each year are a
very diverse group who come from a rich variety of back-
grounds. As different as their situations and experiences
may be, their main reasons for taking the GED are the
same. Passing the GED:
■
enables them to apply to colleges and universities
■
allows them to apply for jobs or promotions that
require a high school diploma
■
demonstrates to others the importance of
education
■
is a significant accomplishment that improves
self-esteem
GED candidates range in age from 16 to over 60. The
ACE’s publication Who Took the GED? reports that
slightly over half the GED candidates in 2001 were
between the ages of 20 and 39, with an average age of
25.2 years. Two-thirds of the test takers reported com-
pleting tenth grade; one-third had completed their jun-
ior or senior years. Nearly two-thirds of the test takers

reported plans to pursue higher education after earning
their GED diploma.
More GEDs Than Ever
2001 was a record year for the GED—over one
million people took all or part of the exams. The
record number was partly due to the new GED
2002 test series. Test takers had to complete
the old GED by December 31, 2001, or else
begin all over with the new exam. Of the
979,829 adults who took all five exams,
669,403 (68%) earned their high school equiv-
alency diplomas.

GED Eligibility Requirements
GED candidates must first meet certain eligibility
requirements set by the ACE and participating states and
territories. You are eligible to take the GED if you meet
the following conditions:
1. You are not enrolled in high school AND
2. You have not graduated from high school AND
3. You are at least 16 years of age AND
4. You meet the requirements of your state,
province, or territory regarding age, residency, and
the length of time since leaving school. Arkansas,
for example, requires that you be a “legal resident”
of the state, which means that you must spend
most of your time in Arkansas, pay property taxes,
and possess a valid Arkansas driver’s license or
state-issued identification card. Kentucky’s eligi-
bility requirements vary depending upon the can-

didate’s age. Be sure to check with your state
department of education or your local testing cen-
ter for specific eligibility requirements.

Testing Centers and Registration
There are approximately 3,400 GED testing centers
around the world. These centers are typically operated by
local school boards, community colleges, and/or centers
for adult education. Test takers outside the United States,
Canada, or their territories may be able to take the GED
at a Thomson Prometric facility.
Because test centers are run locally, registration pro-
cedures, fees, and testing times vary. You need to contact
the center where you would like to take the tests to find
specific registration, fee, and test time information.
If you live inside the United States, Canada, or their
territories, you can find the testing center nearest you by:
1. Calling 1-800-62-MY-GED OR
2. Checking in the blue pages of your local tele-
phone book (look for “GED Testing” under the
state department of education listing) OR
3. Going to www.acenet.edu/clll/ged/area-contacts-
TT.cfm. From there, select your specific area to
find out how to contact your local testing center.

International Testing
If you live outside the United States, Canada, or their
territories, you can still take the GED through one of
Thomson Prometric’s testing centers. Thomson Promet-
ric, in partnership with the ACE, offers a computer-based

GED and a high school diploma through the state of
– ALL ABOUT THE GED–
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