GED study guide
GED · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The GED® test is a high school equivalency credential earned by passing four separate subject exams: Mathematical Reasoning, Reasoning Through Language Arts, Social Studies, and Science. It is designed for adults and out-of-school learners who did not finish a traditional high school diploma and need a credential for college, training programs, or employment. The four subjects are broken into separate exams, so you can space them out however suits you and go at your own pace rather than sitting everything at once. Each subject has its own time limit, and the Reasoning Through Language Arts exam includes a written essay (extended response) plus a 10-minute break between parts 2 and 3. Topics on this exam: Mathematical Reasoning, Reasoning Through Language Arts, Social Studies, and Science. The GED study guide has 4 sections and about 1,707 words.
01Mathematical Reasoning
The GED Mathematical Reasoning domain measures quantitative and algebraic problem solving. You have 115 minutes for about 46 questions. The first segment is calculator-free; after that, an on-screen TI-30XS MultiView calculator and a formula sheet are available. Questions ask you to compute, model, interpret graphs, and solve real-world problems-not just memorize procedures.
415 words, about 2 min02Reasoning Through Language Arts
The GED Reasoning Through Language Arts domain combines reading, language conventions, and writing. You have 150 minutes for roughly 46 questions plus one extended response. Passages include literary texts (fiction, poetry, drama) and informational texts (argument, exposition, workplace documents). Questions ask for main idea, inference, author’s purpose, tone, word choice, and evidence.
415 words, about 2 min03Social Studies
The GED Social Studies domain tests civics and government (about half the questions), U.S. history, economics, and geography and the world. You have 70 minutes for about 35 questions. Most questions present a short passage, map, graph, chart, or political cartoon and ask you to interpret it using social studies concepts.
455 words, about 2 min04Science
The GED Science domain tests life science, physical science, and earth and space science through scientific practices. You have 90 minutes for about 34 questions. Many questions ask you to read a graph, table, or short experiment description, identify variables, evaluate a conclusion, or apply a scientific principle. An on-screen calculator is available for questions that need it.
422 words, about 2 min