Download - GED Test Overview
GED Test Overview
Orientation to the General Educational Development
Exam (GED)
Five GED Tests
• Language Arts, Writing
• Language Arts, Reading
• Social Studies• Science• Mathematics
5
Test Length(minutes)
Numberof
QuestionsLanguage Arts,Writing
120 50 +Essay
Language Arts,Reading
65 40
Social Studies 80 50Science 80 50Mathematics 90 50
435
Measured Skills on GED Test
• Communication: Written and Visual Text
• Information Processing• Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
Test Design
• Communication: Written Text Informational texts Historical, political, social/cultural texts Texts representing different groups Different kinds of literature texts
Test Design
• Communication: Visual Text Graphs, charts, maps, photos, cartoons,
figures, diagrams, timelines 60% Social Studies Test 50% Science Test 50% Math Test
Critical Thinking and Problem SolvingEmphasis on Higher Order Skills
• Social Studies
Comprehension 20%
Application 20% Analysis 40% Evaluation 20%
• Language Arts, Reading
Comprehension 20%
Application 20% Analysis 30% Synthesis 30% (percentages are approximate)
Language Arts, Writing
• Multiple Choice Section - 50 questions
“How to” Documents
Informational Mailings
Memos, Letters
• Essay
Micro-Level Sentence Editing
• Reader evaluates the accuracy of the writer’s use of Standard Edited American English (SEAE) Sentence structure Usage Mechanics
Macro-Level Document Editing
• Reader evaluates the writer’s ability to communicate effectively with the reader Add, remove, or reposition a sentence Effective topic sentence Sequencing of paragraphs Transition of sentence among
paragraphs
Direct Writing AssignmentExpository Essay
• Assigned prompt• Generate,
organize, connect, and express ideas
• No required word count
• 37% to 40% of score for Language Arts, Writing Test
Sample PromptTopic F
If you could make one positive change in your daily life, what would that change be?In your essay, identify the one change you would make.Explain the reasons for your choice. Use your personal observations, experience, and knowledge.
Essay Scoring Rubric
• Holistic scoring based on the reader’s overall impression
• Four-point scale 4 Effective 3 Adequate 2 Marginal 1 Inadequate
Language Arts, Reading
• Literary Text (75%)
• Non-fiction Text (25%)
Literary Text (75%)
• Poetry• Drama• Fiction
Pre 1920 1920 - 1960 1960 - present
Non-fiction Text (25%)
• Non-fiction Prose• Biography, Critical Reviews of Fine
and Performing Arts• Workplace and Community
Documents
Social Studies
• History (40%) US/Canada Specific Global (world)
• Civics (25%)• Economics (20%)• Geography (15%)
American History
Major periods and development Colonization through
westward expansion Civil War Industrialization Armed conflict and
global economic depression
Postwar and contemporary United States
Enduring issues and current challenges
World History
• Major periods and development Early civilizations and
the great empires World religions Feudalism through
the era of expansion Global Age Revolutions Armed conflicts 20th century
Civics and Government
• Democracy, citizenship, and foreign relations Politics and
government The American
political system Relationship of
United States to other nations
Roles of citizens
Economics
• Economic theory and consumerism Economic reasoning
and choice Comparison of modern
economic systems Production and
consumers Financial institutions Government’s role in
the economy Labor Global markets
Geography
• The world in spatial terms Places and regions Physical systems Human systems Environment and
society Uses of geography
Science
• Life Science (45%) Biology and Health
• Earth and Space Science (20%)
• Physical Science (35%)
Chemistry and Physics
Science
• GED Science test is not based on Bloom’s Taxonomy of Critical Thinking;KnowledgeComprehensionApplicationAnalysisEvaluationSynthesis
National Science Educational Standards (NSES)
• Scientific Understanding and Skills• Unifying Concepts• Science as Inquiry• Science & Technology• Science in Personal and Social
Perspectives• History/Nature of Science
Life Science
• 45% Life Science and Biology
Life Science: Biology and Health
• Fundamental Understandings The cell Molecular basis of
heredity Interdependence of
organisms Matter, energy, and
organization in living systems
Earth and Space Science
• Fundamental Understandings Energy in the Earth
system Origin and evolution
of the Earth system Origin and evolution
of the universe
image courtesy of nasa.gov
Physical Science: Chemistry and Physics
• Fundamental Understandings Structure of the atom Structure and
properties of matters Chemical reactions Motions and Forces Interactions of
energy and matter
Mathematics
• Numbers, Number Sense, and Operations (20-30%)
• Data, Statistics, and Probability (20-30%)
• Geometry and Measurement (20-30%)
• Algebra, Functions and Patterns (20-30%)
Mathematics
• Two separate booklets - one score
• One answer sheet• 20% alternate format questions
Alternate Format
• Standard Grid• Six on Part I
Calculator Permitted
• Two on Part II• Answers can be
left, center, or right justified
Alternate Format
• Coordinate plane grid
• One on Part I Calculator Permitted
• One on Part II
Booklet One
• Scientific calculator permitted Casio fx-260
• 50% of the math questions (25)
• Alternate format: six standard grids and one coordinate plane grid
Booklet Two
• Estimation and mental math emphasized
• Calculator not permitted• 50% of the math questions (25)• Alternate format: two standard grids
and one coordinate plane grid
Scoring
• Raw scores on each section added and converted to standard score ranging from 800-200
• 410 required to pass each subtest• 450 average of the five subtest
scores to pass the whole battery and earn a GED Certificate