Passing the GED will provide you with new work prospects and the foundation you need to continue your education. But how much time should you devote to studying for the GED exam?
What abilities are required when learning how to study at home for the GED exam?
This guide will show you how (and what) to study for each subject on the GED test.
Table of Contents
What Should You Study for the Exam?
Fortunately, understanding what to study for the GED test does not have to be a guessing game. Language arts, math, social studies, and science are the four disciplines covered on the test. You’ll have the knowledge you need to pass the GED test if you prepare for each of these separately.
In a Month, How Do I Study for the GED?
The GED is a high school diploma substitute.
Instead of a diploma, you’ll get a test score that verifies your high school knowledge equivalence and college preparation. You can apply for college and jobs as if you had a high school diploma if you do well. Studying for and taking the GED may feel difficult because your GED score has a lot riding on it, and you’re probably combining GED prep with a lot of other responsibilities. But rest assured, if you’re ready to make studying a priority, you can pass the GED in a month.
Prepare for the GED by Working Backwards
The initial step is to pick a date for the test.
Mathematical Reasoning, Reasoning Through Language Arts, Social Studies, and Science are the four sub-tests that make up the GED. You don’t have to take all of these examinations at once; depending on your schedule and how busy you are with extracurriculars, jobs, and other commitments, you may opt to do so on the same day or spread them out over a few weeks.
Keep in mind that if you decide to take all four tests on the same day, you’ll need to concentrate on improving your testing endurance in addition to studying the subject; the total time for all four examinations will be more than seven hours. The majority of people want to spread out their tests.
However, regardless of how you arrange your testing, it’s a good idea to start planning ahead of time. Because each testing center sets its own test dates, you’ll need to log in to your GED account to see which testing centers are available in your state. After that, you can construct a study schedule to ensure you’re prepared for exam day. Then, working backward from your test date, create a calendar. It’s a good idea to incorporate your study plans into your regular routine, so utilize a planner or an online calendar to plan out your study time. You should study for at least 90 minutes per day, 4-5 days a week. Make time blocks for studying and stick to them! Treat your study blocks like any other commitment, such as a job shift or a doctor’s appointment. If you don’t devote time to studying for the GED now, you’ll pay the price later.
Prepare for the GED Test by Testing Your Readiness
Taking a diagnostic test is the best approach to determine your GED preparation. Take a practice exam under test-like conditions for each of the four subtests—find a quiet spot free of distractions to test, set a timer, put your phone away, and don’t take unexpected pauses. If you plan to take all of the subtests on the same day, you should start working on endurance as soon as possible.
However, for this first diagnostic test, concentrate solely on the material. You don’t have to take all four practice tests in one day, regardless of how you want to test; instead, schedule time for each test over the course of a few days (or even weeks!). You can increase the number of practice exams you take per day later if you need to build up stamina. You should spend time reviewing and remediating the test questions soon after each practice test. Examine all of the questions, not just the ones you answered incorrectly. That way, you can confirm what you already know and ensure that none of your correct responses were just guesses. Make sure you understand why you got an answer wrong when you come across one.
Make a list of topics on which you consistently struggle so you may better focus your study time.
Review of the Topics on the GED Test
Allow the outcomes of your practice exam to guide how you spend the remainder of your study time.
The topic lists you produced following your diagnostic tests should provide you with an excellent starting point for where you should focus your efforts. If there’s a subtopic you know a lot about, don’t spend too much time going over it again (even though it might boost your overall GED confidence). Between your practice exam and the real GED, you won’t forget what you learned, and you’ll be able to make better use of your time by focusing on areas where you need more help.
However, if there is a specific sub-topic that you are having trouble with, giving yourself a crash course just before the test is not a good idea.
It’s unlikely that you’ll master a topic you’ve been struggling with for a long time in a month.
You could use the time you’d spend studying a topic you’ve never really grasped on reviewing topics that only require a little more study time before you’re comfortable with them. Consider revising your GED exam date if you discover that you still need to practice on a number of areas before you’re ready to take the test. It’s preferable to go into the exam feeling confident and scoring well the first time rather than having to retest.
The Arts of Language
Multiple-choice questions make up the GED Reasoning Through Language Arts test, which takes about 150 minutes to complete.
Use the following advice to help you succeed on this exam:
* Before reading the passage, read the question.
* Come up with your own way of phrasing the inquiry.
* Do you have a question for which you have no answer?
* Summarize paragraphs as you read, using the process of elimination to arrive at your best guess.
Math
Multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank, drag-and-drop, and other questions are included in the GED Mathematical Reasoning test, which takes 115 minutes to complete.
The quadratic formula, perimeter, and mean or median are all topics that demand quantitative or mathematical problem-solving skills.
Here are some research suggestions:
* Before selecting an answer, read all of the information.
Try estimating or approximation if you’re unsure of the answer. Can’t you seem to find the correct answer? Look for numerals that are written in a different way.
Social Studies Is a Course That Teaches You About
On the GED Social Studies test, you’ll have 70 minutes to answer questions. Many of these questions, like those on the language arts exam, are based on a passage (or historical document.)
As you prepare for this subject on the GED, keep the following suggestions in mind:
* Keep in mind that the answer is frequently found in the paragraph rather than memorizing historical facts.
* Use graphs or data to assist you in answering the question.
What Does the Data Say to You?
*Instead of focusing on names and dates, consider the reason or effect of an event.
*Get to know the terms used in economics.
It’s time to put your knowledge to the test!
Science
In total, you’ll have 90 minutes to answer questions on the GED Science test, which will cover areas such as earth science, life science, and physical science. These study tips will help you prepare for the exam:
* Keep an eye on the latest trends. Graphs and tables provide information about the data.
What Exactly Is It?
* Before reading a paragraph or data set, review the question. If you’re having trouble with a question, skip it and come back to it at the conclusion of the exam.
How Much Time Should You Spend Studying?
Most students study for the GED for around three months, dividing their time according to the subjects they need to concentrate on the most.
But don’t allow the average timeline to dictate when you take the test—wait until you’re sure of your abilities before taking it. Remember that you do not have to take all of the exam subjects on the same day. Spread them out across a few weeks or months if possible. Remember to take breaks during your study time to keep your mind fresh while you examine how to study for the GED test at home.
GED Preparation at Home
With the help of online study classes, getting ready for the GED test at home has gotten a lot easier. There are numerous excellent online GED programs available to assist you in navigating the course material and preparing for the test.
The GED is for students who, for whatever reason, dropped out of high school and want to take advantage of this program to earn an equivalent certificate. There are over 40 million adults in the United States who do not have a high school diploma or a GED. Having a bachelor’s degree opens up many more professional opportunities and allows you to pursue a college education.
Begin With Simpler Topic Areas
Our free online GED prep course contains practice exams that will assess your level of knowledge and identify which topic areas you should concentrate on. They will assist you in assessing your abilities and will familiarise you with the testing procedure. The GED exam is a computer-based standardized test that includes four modules or subtests in Science, Literacy (Reasoning through Language Arts), Social Studies, and Mathematics (Mathematical Reasoning).To familiarise yourself with the assessment format and create self-confidence, begin with the topic field that is easiest for you.
The GED curriculum emphasizes problem-solving and critical-thinking skills, as well as the knowledge skills required in today’s businesses and colleges. The four courses are all connected with the State Career Curriculum. The four courses are connected with state standards for career and college readiness. Students can select one of the subtests to take at a time. As a result, students may study for one of the four components, pass that segment, and then proceed to the next module. Some students, on the other hand, prefer to take many subtests in one session, which is also acceptable.
You Might Be Able to Pass the GED Exam Without Studying.
Many GED candidates have amassed so much knowledge over the years that they may be able to pass the four GED modules without studying at all.
However, because the GED is a rather tough exam that assesses applicants’ knowledge at the level of graduating high school seniors, taking a prep class or enrolling in an online course is the way to go.
Some states even require GED applicants to attend a preparatory course and/or pass the official GED Ready Practice Test before taking the official exam.
You May be Required to Take Lessons in Some States.
Underage GED applicants (16 and 17 years old) in Georgia, for example, must attend GED prep classes for at least forty hours and pass the GED Ready Test or the Aztec Practice Test. GED test-takers in Hawaii must finish at least sixty hours of GED coursework before registering for GED testing. All HiSET (before GED) applicants in Iowa must attend prior instruction and score high enough on the official HiSET practice test.
Underage students (16, 17, and 18 years old) in Louisiana must first take instructional classes and score well enough on the HiSET Official Practice Test to be eligible for testing.GED candidates in Tennessee must take and pass the HiSET Official Practice Test in order to qualify, but no prior instruction is required. There are also a few states, such as Illinois, that require GED test takers to take and pass a Civics and Constitution test as well. Please keep in mind that these are only examples and do not purport to be comprehensive.
State-Mandated Requirements
GED exam takers must meet certain standards in each state. Before embarking on the GED course, be sure you know and understand exactly what your state expects of you. If you don’t, you risk squandering your valuable time and money on study materials that you may or may not require.
The age restrictions, as well as the cost of GED testing, differ by state. Four states subsidize the test for their residents, while others only partially subsidize it. However, the entire battery costs around $120 on average, with some states charging more.
Online Lessons, Both Free and Paid, Can be Taken From the Comfort of Your Own Home.
There will be plenty of GED preparation materials available at your local library or bookshop.
Choose the books that you believe will be the most beneficial to you, as they will serve as your teachers if you choose to learn from books. Be aware that GED prep books can be expensive, so checking out a used book store or looking online for any good used books may be worthwhile. You should write down the title of the book, the edition (this is crucial because your copy must be current! ), the author and/or the publisher, then look for it on eBay or AbeBooks.To view all of your alternatives in your area, look for local GED prep locations. More and more students are opting to take an online GED prep course to prepare for their GED exams. Many reputable online courses contain a variety of GED practice tests and highly effective video sessions. Please bear in mind that there are free online programs as well as premium courses that cost a small charge. Online GED study allows you to learn from the comfort of your own home without having to commute, and there are several excellent online courses available today, but choose wisely. You can learn more about good online courses by visiting your state’s Department of Education website, and Otsego GED Prep is another well-known. Keep in mind that you must take the four GED modules (subtests) in person at a state-approved testing location. There is no way to take the GED test online!
With Learning Express, You May Study at the Library (Online at Libraries)
LearningExpress, an online service offered by many major libraries, allows you to prepare for the GED examination in the library. You’ll learn what’s on the test and get training so you can confidently prepare for GED testing. You may have already attended certain classes in specific subjects, so you’ll be confident in your abilities and understanding. If that’s the case, you should take a practice test to evaluate if your knowledge is sufficient or if you need to spend more time studying for that section.
At Night, You Can Study.
Due to family obligations or professional commitments, many GED applicants have busy schedules. This is why many educational institutions provide GED night programs so that no one feels left out or behind when it comes to getting more adult education to advance in life.
You can inquire about their night class choices by contacting a major prep site near you. As previously said, many folks do not feel comfortable attending a classroom to prepare for the GED exam, despite the fact that there are numerous opportunities for free or low-cost GED teaching. And there are good reasons for that.
Attending a night class may be difficult due to family or work obligations, and distance is often an issue.
