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ACING THE
GED EXAMS
ACING THE
GED EXAMS
NEW YORK
®
Copyright © 2005 LearningExpress, LLC.
All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions.
Published in the United States by LearningExpress, LLC, New York.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data:
Acing the GED exams.
p. cm.
ISBN 1-57685-488-4
1. General educational development tests—Study guides. 2. High school equivalency
examinations—Study guides.
LB3060.33.G45A35 2005
373.126'2—dc22
2005044228
Printed in the United States of America
987654321
ISBN 1-57685-488-4
For more information or to place an order, contact LearningExpress at:
55 Broadway
8th Floor
New York, NY 10006
Or visit us at:
www.learnatest.com
Elizabeth Chesla is the author of many reading and writing guides for students, including TOEFL Exam Success.
She is from South Orange, NJ.
Jelena Matic is a chemist and contributing science writer for ACT Exam Success. She is from Queens, NY.

Maxwell Antor is a high school math teacher and math writer for SAT Exam Success. He is from Oakland, CA.
Margaret Muirhead was social studies contributor for this book and is a history and career writer from
Arlington, MA.
About the Contributors
v
PART I Preparing for the GED 1
Chapter 1 All about the GED 3
Chapter 2 Study Skills 11
Chapter 3 Learning Strategies 17
Chapter 4 Test-Taking Strategies 23
PART II The GED Language Arts, Writing Exam 29
Chapter 5 About the GED Language Arts, Writing Exam 35
Chapter 6 Sentence Structure 41
Chapter 7 Usage 49
Chapter 8 Mechanics 61
Chapter 9 Organization 69
Chapter 10 Writing an Effective Essay 75
Chapter 11 Tips and Strategies for the GED Language Arts, Writing Exam 87
Chapter 12 GED Language Arts, Writing Practice Questions 91
PART III The GED Social Studies Exam 123
Chapter 13 About the GED Social Studies Exam 129
Chapter 14 World History 133
Chapter 15 Civics and Government 143
Chapter 16 Economics 147
Chapter 17 Geography 151
Chapter 18 Tips and Strategies for the GED Social Studies Exam 155
Chapter 19 GED Social Studies Practice Questions 171
Contents
vii

– CONTENTS–
viii
PART IV The GED Science Exam 203
Chapter 20 About the GED Science Exam 209
Chapter 21 Unifying Concepts and Processes 213
Chapter 22 Science as Inquiry 217
Chapter 23 Physical Science 223
Chapter 24 Life Science 233
Chapter 25 Earth and Space Science 239
Chapter 26 Science and Technology 245
Chapter 27 Personal and Social Perspectives in Science 249
Chapter 28 History and Nature of Science 257
Chapter 29 Tips and Strategies for the GED Science Exam 261
Chapter 30 GED Science Practice Questions 265
PART V The GED Language Arts, Reading Exam 297
Chapter 31 About the GED Language Arts, Reading Exam 303
Chapter 32 Reading Comprehension Strategies 307
Chapter 33 Reading Literature 317
Chapter 34 Fiction 321
Chapter 35 Poetry 327
Chapter 36 Drama 331
Chapter 37 Nonfiction 337
Chapter 38 Tips and Strategies for the GED Language Arts, Reading Exam 341
Chapter 39 GED Literature and the Arts, Reading Practice Questions 347
PART VI The GED Mathematics Exam 379
Chapter 40 About the GED Mathematics Exam 385
Chapter 41 Measurement and Geometry 389
Chapter 42 Number Operations and Number Sense 405
Chapter 43 Algebra, Functions, and Patterns 411
Chapter 44 Data Analysis, Statistics, and Probability 417

Chapter 45 GED Mathematics Practice Questions 423
APPENDIX A Online Resources 459
APPENDIX B Print Resources 461
ACING THE
GED EXAMS
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–
5
Maine. If you reside outside the United States, Canada,
or their territories and wish to take the online exam, you
must be at least 17 years old.
For more information on international testing for
the GED, contact 866-776-6387 or Thomson Prometric,
1000 Lancaster Street, Suite 200, Baltimore, MD 21202.
Ask for the Regional Registration Center in your
country or province. Or visit their website at www.
prometric.com.
Thomson Prometric has testing centers available in
the following regions:
■
Australia/New Zealand
■
China
■
Europe
■
India
■
Indonesia

■
Japan
■
Korea
■
Latin America/Caribbean
■
Middle East/North Africa
■
Pakistan
■
Southeast Asia
■
Sub-Sahara/Africa
■
Ta iw an
■
Thailand

Spanish and French Versions of
the GED
In addition to the standard English version of the GED,
there are also Spanish and French versions, initially devel-
oped for Puerto Rico and Canada, respectively. These tests
are now authorized for use throughout the United States
but may not be available in all areas and are not available
at international testing centers (international GED can-
didates must take the English version). A new version of
both the Spanish and French GEDs went into effect on
January 1, 2004. Any partial scores from individual Span-

ish or French exams taken prior to December 31, 2003,
are invalid, and candidates must take the complete battery
of new exams.
The Spanish GED
The structure and content of the Spanish GED is essen-
tially the same as the English GED, with the important
exception that the examples and test questions are based
on Spanish language and culture. In the Language Arts,
Reading Test, all excerpts are from Spanish-language
writers with an emphasis on writers from the Caribbean
and Central and South America. In the Language Arts,
Writing Exam, grammar questions focus on issues spe-
cific to the Spanish language, such as gender agreement
and multiple-object pronouns. The essay is scored by
readers whose first language is Spanish or who are sec-
ondary or college-level Spanish instructors.
The French GED
The French GED also follows the English GED in format
and structure. Like the Spanish GED, it draws its ques-
tions and context from French language and culture.
Most measurement questions use the metric system.
Essays on the French exam are scored by readers whose
first language is French or who have taught French at the
secondary or college level.

Special Accommodations
Special testing accommodations are available for GED
candidates with documented disabilities that may affect
their ability to pass the GED. These accommodations
include:

■
testing in English-language Braille
■
testing by audiocassette
■
large-print test editions
■
extended time
■
frequent, supervised breaks
■
use of a calculator or scribe
■
private testing rooms
Dictionaries and spell checkers are not permitted, nor is
having someone read the questions aloud to the candidate.
If you will need special accommodations to take the
GED, request the appropriate form from your local test-
ing center:
■
Form L-15 for learning disabilities and attention
deficit/hyperactivity disorder
■
Form SA-001 for emotional and physical
disabilities
– ALL ABOUT THE GED–
6
Once you have completed the form and provided the
necessary documentation, return the form to your GED
testing center. Be sure to request and complete this form

well in advance of your test date to allow sufficient time
for processing.

GED Testing Fees
Fees for the GED vary widely. In some states, you can
take the GED exams at no charge; in others, all testing
centers charge the same fee (usually between $20–$80);
and in others, individual testing centers determine their
own fees (also usually between $20–$80). In Pennsylva-
nia, for example, the fee varies from $25–$55, depending
upon the location of the center. In Georgia, the fee at any
testing center is $55.

When the Test Are Offered
Each test center determines when and how often it will
offer the GED exams. Some centers may offer the tests
only two or three times a year; others offer them much
more frequently. The Paterson Adult and Continuing
Education Center in Paterson, NJ, for example, offers the
tests two or three times a month. The Aurora Public
High School System in Aurora, CO, on the other hand,
offers the tests every Thursday and two Saturdays each
month. Contact your local testing center to see when the
tests will be offered. If the dates and times are inconven-
ient, check other centers nearby. Their offerings may bet-
ter fit your schedule.

How the Tests Are Scored
Each of the five GED tests is scored separately on a stan-
dard scale of 200 to 800 points. Each correct answer is

worth one point, but because the individual tests have
different numbers of questions, the score for each test is
converted to this 200–800 standard. This allows the
scores on all five tests to be compared. The Language
Arts, Writing Test score is a statistical combination of the
scores for the multiple-choice questions and the essay,
but a high score on Part I is no longer enough to pass the
exam. Since 2002, candidates must pass both parts of the
test in order to pass the Language Arts, Writing Exam.
The GED score reflects an estimate of your skills and
knowledge in each content area as compared to recent
high school graduates.Your score will be reported in two
ways: a number from 200–800 and a percentage. The
percentage indicates how your score compares with the
performance of graduating high school students. If your
percentile rank is 85, for example, that means you have
scored better than 85% of graduating high school sen-
iors. Here’s a more detailed example:
GED TESTS SCORE
Language Arts, Writing 606
Social Studies 688
Science 490
Language Arts, Reading 621
Mathematics 552
Average Overall Score 591
Percentile Rank 81%
What Is a Passing Score?
The minimum score required to pass the GED and earn
the GED diploma is set by individual states, provinces,
and territories. The passing score is usually a combina-

tion of both a minimum score per test and a minimum
average score overall. Most testing jurisdictions use the
passing score set by the GED Testing Service:
■
a minimum score of 410 on each test
■
a minimum average score of 450 overall
If you answer approximately 60–65% of the questions
correctly, you should receive a standard score of about
410 points per exam.
– ALL ABOUT THE GED–
7
Enough to Pass
In most states, you must score 410 on each
exam and an average score of 450 overall in
order to pass the GED.
Getting Your Scores
How and when you get your GED results will also vary
from testing center to testing center. Most centers, how-
ever, will mail your results for all tests except Language
Arts, Writing in 2–4 weeks. Scoring of the essay part of the
exam typically takes longer, so you may have to wait 4–6
weeks for those test results. Some centers may also post
test scores or provide a number to call for test results.
Getting Your Diploma
Most states will automatically issue your diploma if you
pass the GED. The names of candidates with passing
scores are forwarded to the state department of educa-
tion, and you can expect to receive your diploma in the
mail in approximately 6–8 weeks.

Retaking the GED
Fortunately, if you do not pass the full battery of tests or
would like to improve your score, you can retake the
GED. Most states allow you to retake the tests two or
three times within a specified time period. Often, you
can retest only after you have completed all five exams.
New Jersey, for example, allows GED candidates to retake
the tests two times, with no additional fee, within six
months of the initial testing date and no more than three
times within one year. Georgia’s retesting policy, on the
other hand, depends upon the candidate’s scores. If the
candidate earned an average standard score of 430 or
more, he or she may retake the tests at any time. If the
candidate’s score was between 400–429, the candidate
must wait three months or provide evidence of remedial
study before retaking the exams. Candidates scoring
below 400 must wait six months or present evidence of
remedial study before retaking the tests.
Check with your state or providence to find out the
regulations regarding retesting. Also, be sure to check
with your testing center regarding fees for retaking the
exams. These fees are usually significantly lower than the
initial exam fee, typically between $5–$30.

The Structure of the GED
Each of the five GED tests contains 40–50 multiple-
choice questions, with the exception of the mathematics
exam, which also contains 25% “alternate format” ques-
tions (this will be explained further in Chapter 40). The
Language Arts, Writing Test also contains an essay sec-

tion. The time allotted for each test varies from 45 min-
utes (essay) to 90 minutes (math exam). The table on the
next page describes the basic structure of the exams,
including length, number of questions, and type of ques-
tions. You will learn more about the kinds of questions
on each exam as you read Parts II–VI.

The GED 2002
A new battery of GED exams went into effect on January
1, 2002. The tests were revised to include a greater
emphasis on higher-level thinking skills such as critical
analysis and to incorporate reading skills on all of the
tests, especially the science and social studies exams.
Other specific changes include:
■
more questions about interpreting graphics, espe-
cially on the math, science, and social studies exams
■
inclusion of business documents and more com-
plete documents (instead of excerpts)
■
revised scoring of the Language Arts, Writing Test,
so that the essay is now scored separately, making
writing skills essential for passing the GED
■
an increase in the percentage of questions about
history on the social studies exam
■
allowing the use of calculators for Part I of the
math exam (test centers supply all candidates

with a Casio FX-260 Solar Calculator)—both
parts of the test are weighted equally and both
must be completed to pass the exam
■
inclusion of “alternate format” questions on the
math exam (questions that require students to
respond in a format other than multiple choice)
■
more questions about higher math concepts (stu-
dents must know more than arithmetic to pass
the math exam)
You will find out much more about each of the GED
exams in the chapters ahead. But first, it’s time to review
study skills and create your study plan.
– ALL ABOUT THE GED–
8
NUMBER OF
GED TESTS QUESTIONS SUBTOPIC/TYPE OF QUESTION TIME LENGTH
Language Arts, 50 Multiple choice: 75 minutes
Writing, Part I 30% sentence structure
30% usage
25% mechanics
15% organization
Language Arts, 1 Essay 45 minutes
Writing, Part II
Social Studies 50 Multiple choice: 70 minutes
40% history (25% national history, 15% world history)
25% civics and government
20% economics
15% geography

Science 50 Multiple choice: 80 minutes
45% life science
35% physical science
20% Earth and space science
Language Arts, 40 Multiple choice: 65 minutes
Reading 30–35% analysis
30–35% synthesis
20% comprehension
15% application
75% literary texts
25% nonfiction
Mathematics, 50 Multiple choice (80%) and 90 minutes
Parts I and II alternate format (20%):
(Note: A standard 75% calculations
calculator is per- 25% set-up (determining the correct way
mitted for Part I of to solve the problem)
the math test. Cal- 20–30% geometry and measurement
culators are provided 20–30% number operations and number sense
at the test site. No 20–30% algebra, functions, and patterns
calculators are per- 20–30% data analysis, statistics, and probability
mitted for Part II.)
Total: 240 + essay 7 hours, 5 minutes
– ALL ABOUT THE GED–
9
M
aybe it’s been a while since you last studied for an exam, or maybe you have never had to pre-
pare for standardized tests like the GED. In any case, you may be unsure about the best way to get
ready for these important exams. Fortunately, there are many strategies that can help you learn and
remember the material you need to know to succeed on the GED. There are several important steps to take before you

begin to study.

Environment and Attitude
To study means “to give one’s attention to learning a subject; to look at with careful attention.” Notice that the word
attention comes up twice in this definition. To study well, you need to be able to focus all your attention on the mate-
rial. So, the first step is to make sure you have the right kind of learning environment and attitude.
The Right Mood
Studying can bring wonderful rewards. You can gain new knowledge. You can do well on tests—like the GED—that
enable you to achieve your academic and professional goals. But it can still be difficult to get in the mood to study.
After all, studying can be hard work, and you might be worried about whether you will pass the exam. You may have
many other things you would rather do, or you might just have trouble getting started. These are all reasons that may
11
CHAPTER
2
Study Skills
HOW MUCH time you spend studying each week is important. But
how you study is the key to your success. This chapter shows you
how to set up an effective learning environment, determine your learn-
ing style, and create an effective study plan.
lead you to procrastinate and put off work that you need
to do. But procrastinating can cause lots of trouble at test
time. If you procrastinate too much or for too long, you
won’t be prepared for the exams.
One of the best ways to beat procrastination is to use
a reward system. Everyone likes to be rewarded for a job
well done, and if there’s going to be a reward at the end
of the work, it’s easier to get started. So promise yourself
a small reward for each study session. For example, you
might promise yourself a trip to the gym or a phone call
to a good friend as a reward for an hour of study. You

might promise to treat yourself to a movie after you fin-
ish a chapter or give yourself a nutritious snack after you
finish a difficult lesson. You can also think about the
reward you will give yourself when you pass the GED.
Make sure this reward is a big one!
You can also get in the mood for studying by thinking
about the short- and long-term rewards you will receive
for your hard work. Keep in mind the benefits you will
receive from your GED study time:
■
You will gain or reinforce important knowledge
and skills in five fundamental subject areas.
■
You will be able to apply to U.S. colleges and
universities.
■
You will be eligible for jobs and training pro-
grams that require a high school diploma.
■
You will get the education you need for a success-
ful future.
Remember that while you are preparing for the GED,
your attitude is very important. It can dramatically affect
how much you learn and how well you learn it. Make
sure that you have a positive attitude. You will study, you
will learn, and you will do well. Your study time will be
time well spent.
Mood Booster
Whenever you need help getting motivated to
study, try saying the following out loud:

➧ I know more today than I did yesterday.
➧ I will know more after I study than I know
now.
➧ Every minute I spend studying will help me
achieve my goals.
The Right Conditions
You can have the best attitude in the world, but if you
are tired or distracted, you are going to have difficulty
studying. To be at your best, you need to be focused,
alert, and calm. That means you need to study under the
right conditions.
Everyone is different, so you need to know what con-
ditions work best for you. Here are some questions to
consider:
1. What time of day do you work best—morning,
afternoon, or evening? How early in the day or
late in the night can you think clearly?
2. Do you work best in total silence? Or do you pre-
fer music or other noise in the background?
3. If you prefer music, what kind? Classical music
often helps people relax because the music is soft
and there are no words. But you may prefer
music that energizes you, such as rock and roll.
Others work best with music that has special
meaning to them and puts them in a positive
state of mind.
4. Where do you like to work? Do you feel most
comfortable sitting at the kitchen counter? At the
dining room table? At a desk in your office or
bedroom? (Try to avoid studying in bed. You will

probably be relaxed, but you may be too com-
fortable and fall asleep.) Or do you prefer to
study out of the house, at the library or a local
coffee shop?
5. What do you like to have around you when you
work? Do you feel most comfortable in your
favorite chair? Do you like to have pictures of
family and friends around?
6. What kind of lighting do you prefer? Does soft
light make you sleepy? Do you need bright light?
If it’s too bright, you may feel uncomfortable. If
it’s too dark, you may feel sleepy. Remember that
poor lighting can also strain your eyes and give
you a headache.
7. How does eating affect you? Do you feel most
energized right after a meal? Or does eating tend
to make you feel sleepy? Which foods give you a
lot of energy? Which slow you down?
8. Can you put problems or other pressing con-
cerns out of your mind to focus on a different
task? How can you minimize distractions so you
can fully focus on your work?
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Think carefully about each of these questions. Write
down your answers so you can develop a good study plan.
For example, say you work best in the morning but need
total silence to work. If you have children, you would be
wise to schedule your study time early in the morning
before the kids are up or first thing after they leave for

school. If you wait until they are in bed, you will have a
quiet house, but you may be too tired to study well. Sim-
ilarly, if you have trouble concentrating when you are
hungry, schedule study time for shortly after meals, or be
sure to start your study sessions with a healthy snack.
The Right Tools
Help make your study session successful by having the
right learning tools by your side. As you study for the
GED, have:
■
a good English dictionary, such as Merriam-
Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary, Eleventh Edition
■
paper or legal pads
■
pencils (and a pencil sharpener) or pens
■
a highlighter, or several highlighters in different
colors
■
index or other note cards
■
folders or notebooks
■
a calendar or personal digital assistant, such as a
Palm Pilot®
■
a calculator
■
graph paper

As you gather your supplies, keep your personal pref-
erences in mind. Perhaps you like to write with a certain
kind of pen or on a certain kind of paper. If so, make sure
you have that pen or paper with you when you study. It
will help you feel more comfortable and relaxed as you
work.
Learning How You Learn
Imagine that you need directions to a restaurant you
have never been to before. Which of the following would
you do to find out how to get there?
■
Look at a map.
■
Ask someone to tell you directions.
■
Draw a map or copy someone’s written directions.
■
List step-by-step directions.
Most people learn in a variety of ways. They learn by
seeing, hearing, doing, and organizing information
from the world around them. But most of us tend to
use one way more than others. That’s our dominant
(strongest) learning style. How you would handle getting
directions, for example, suggests which learning style you
use most often:
■
Visual. Visual learners learn best by seeing.Ifyou
would look at a map for directions, you are prob-
ably a visual learner. You understand ideas best
when they are in pictures or graphs. You may

learn better by using different colors as you take
notes. Use a highlighter (or several, in different
colors) as you read to mark important ideas.
Mapping and diagramming ideas are good learn-
ing strategies for visual learners.
■
Auditory. Auditory learners learn best by
listening. If you would ask someone to tell you
directions, you are probably an auditory learner.
You would probably rather listen to a lecture than
read a textbook, and you may learn better by
reading aloud. Try recording your notes on a tape
player and listening to your tapes as one of your
main study strategies.
■
Kinesthetic. Kinesthetic learners learn best by
doing.(Kinesthetic means feeling the movements of
the body.) They like to keep their hands and bod-
ies moving. If you would draw a map or copy
down directions, you are probably a kinesthetic
learner. You will benefit from interacting with the
material you are studying. Underline, take notes,
and create note cards. Recopying material will
help you remember it.
■
Sequential. Sequential learners learn best by
organizing. If you would create a step-by-step list
of driving directions, you are probably a sequen-
tial learner. You may learn better by creating out-
lines and grouping ideas together into categories.

Think carefully about how you learn. Which is your
dominant learning style? Keep it in mind as you read
about learning strategies in Chapter 3.

Creating a Study Plan
Sometimes, we put off work because the task just seems
too big to handle. But you can make any task manageable
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13
If English Is Your Second Language
by creating a project plan. Follow these four steps to cre-
ate a successful study plan for the GED:
1. Get the correct information. Your first step is to
find as much as you can about the exams. Get all
the details about the GED. Contact your local
testing center to find out:
■
specific state eligibility requirements (make sure
you are eligible to take the exams)
■
when the tests will be offered
■
where they will be held
■
what you need to do to register
■
when you need to register
■
how much the tests cost
■

if you must take all the tests at once or if you can
take individual exams
In addition to these administrative matters,
you need to learn as much as possible about the
tests. What exactly will be tested on the exams?
What subjects? What kinds of questions? Chap-
ter 1 provides general information about the
basic structure of the GED exams. Parts II–VI
each begin with a summary of the content cov-
ered on each exam and the type of questions you
will be asked on the tests. Be sure to read these
sections carefully.
2. Find out what you already know and what you
need to learn. To create an effective study plan,
you need to have a good sense of exactly what
you need to study. Chances are, you already
know much of the test material well. Some of it
you may only need to review. And some of it you
may need to study in detail. Take the pretests at
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14
Whatever your general learning style, most of
us learn to speak and understand language
best by listening. If English is not your native
language and you need to improve your read-
ing and writing skills, take some time to build
your listening skills, too. The more familiar you
become with the sounds and rhythms of the
language, the more quickly you will learn.
Spend as much time as possible around peo-

ple speaking English. Go to places where you
will see and hear English, such as to plays or
to the cinema. The more you hear the lan-
guage, the more comfortable you will be
thinking in that language. This will make it
easier to understand written English and to
write effectively.
Of course, the best thing you can do to
improve your English writing and compre-
hension skills is to read. Read as much as
you can in English to learn the structure and
style of the language. Rent movies based on
novels. Watch the film to build your listening
skills, and then read the book to improve your
reading comprehension and writing skills.
Good novel/movie combinations to try are
those by John Grisham, including:
A Time to Kill
The Client
The Firm
The Pelican Brief
Of course, there’s more to movie adaptations
than legal thrillers. Here are some more good
choices, from classics to contemporary, from
American to world literature:
Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt
The Cider House Rules by John Irving
The Color Purple by Alice Walker
The Commitments by Roddy Doyle
The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexander

Dumas
Doctor Zhivago by Boris Leonidovich
Pasternak
Gone With the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan
The Shipping News by E. Annie Proulx
Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
You can also read English versions of books
that you have already read in your native lan-
guage. The plot and characters will already
be familiar to you, so you will be able to
understand more as you read.
the beginning of each section or take a practice
GED to get an idea of how you would do on the
exam. How did you score? What do you seem to
know well? What do you need to review? What
do you need to study in detail?
3. Set a time frame. Once you have a good sense of
how much studying is ahead, create a detailed
study schedule. Use a calendar to set specific
deadlines. If deadlines make you nervous, give
yourself plenty of time for each task. Otherwise,
you might have trouble keeping calm and staying
on track.
To create a good schedule, break your study-
ing into small tasks that will get you to your
learning goals. A study plan that says “Learn
everything by May 1” isn’t going to be helpful.
However, a study plan that sets dates for learning

specific material in March and April will enable
you to learn everything by May 1. For example,
take a look at the following five-month study
plan created by a GED candidate who needs to
focus on both Language Arts exams:
Week 1 Study math. Focus: geometry and
number operations.
Week 2 Study math. Focus: algebra and data
analysis.
Week 3 Take practice math GED. Review
errors.
Week 4 Study science. Focus: life sciences,
start physical sciences.
Week 5 Study science. Focus: physical sci-
ences, and Earth and space sciences.
Week 6 Take practice science GED. Review
errors. Review math.
Week 7 Study social studies. Focus: national
history.
Week 8 Study social studies. Focus: world
history.
Week 9 Study social studies. Focus: geography
and economics. Take practice social
studies GED.
Week 10 Review errors. Review math and
science.
Week 11 Study grammar/writing. Focus: sen-
tence structure, usage.
Week 12 Study grammar/writing. Focus:
mechanics, organization.

Week 13 Study grammar/writing. Focus: essay
writing strategies.
Week 14 Take practice writing test. Review
errors.
Week 15 Review social studies, math, and
science.
Week 16 Study reading/literature. Focus: literary
vs. nonfiction texts.
Week 17 Study reading/literature. Focus:
comprehension and application.
Week 18 Study reading/literature. Focus:
analysis and synthesis.
Week 19 Take practice reading exam. Review
errors.
Week 20 Review all subjects.
Notice how this schedule builds in time to
review each subject and establishes different top-
ics to focus on each week.
As you set your deadlines, think carefully
about your day-to-day schedule. How much time
can you spend on studying each week? Exactly
when can you fit in the time to study? Be sure to
be realistic about how much time you have and
how much you can accomplish. Give yourself the
study time you need to succeed.
4. Stick to your plan. Make sure you have your
plan written on paper and post your plan where
you can see it. (Don’t just keep it in your head!)
Look at it regularly so you can remember what
and when to study. Checking your plan regularly

can also help you see how much progress you
have made along the way.
It’s very important that you don’t give up if
you fall behind. Unexpected events may inter-
rupt your plans. You may have to put in extra
time at work, you may have to deal with a
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