GED Mathematical Reasoning Test For Dummies E-Book

Murray Shukyn

• Herausgeber: John Wiley & Sons
• Kategorie: Bildung
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 380

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2015

Beschreibung

Gear up to crush the GED Mathematical Test

Does the thought of taking the GED Mathematical Reasoning Test make you weak? Fear not! With the help of GED Mathematical Reasoning Test For Dummies, you'll get up to speed on the new structure and computer-based format of the GED and gain the confidence and know-how to make the Mathematical Reasoning Test your minion. Packed with helpful guidance and instruction, this hands-on test-prep guide covers the concepts covered on the GED Mathematical Reasoning Test and gives you ample practice opportunities to assess your understanding of number operations/number sense, measurement and geometry, data, statistics, and probability, and algebra, functions, and patterns.

Now a grueling 115 minutes long, the new Mathematical Reasoning section of the GED includes multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, hot-spot, drop-down, and drag-and-drop questions—which can prove to be quite intimidating for the uninitiated. Luckily, this fun and accessible guide breaks down each section of the exam and the types of questions you'll encounter into easily digestible parts, making everything you'll come across on exam day feel like a breeze! Inside, you'll find methods to sharpen your math skills, tips on how to approach GED Mathematical Reasoning question types and formats, practice questions and study exercises, and a full-length practice test to help you pinpoint where you need more study help.

• Presents reviews of the GED Mathematical Reasoning test question types and basic computer skills
• Offers practice questions assessing work-place related and academic-based math skills
• Includes one full-length GED Mathematical Reasoning practice test
• Provides scoring guidelines and detailed answer explanations

Even if math has always made you mad, GED Mathematical Reasoning Test For Dummies makes it easy to pass this crucial exam and obtain your hard-earned graduate equivalency diploma.

Leseprobe

GED® Mathematical Reasoning Test For Dummies®

Published by: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030-5774, www.wiley.com

Copyright © 2015 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc., Hoboken, New Jersey

Published simultaneously in Canada

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning or otherwise, except as permitted under Sections 107 or 108 of the 1976 United States Copyright Act, without the prior written permission of the Publisher. Requests to the Publisher for permission should be addressed to the Permissions Department, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 111 River Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030, [phone], fax [phone], or online at http://www.wiley.com/go/permissions.

Trademarks: Wiley, For Dummies, the Dummies Man logo, Dummies.com, Making Everything Easier, and related trade dress are trademarks or registered trademarks of John Wiley & Sons, Inc., and may not be used without written permission. The 2014 GED® Test Item Samplers are the intellectual property of GED Testing Service LLC. ©2014 GED Testing Service LLC. All rights reserved. GED® and GED Testing Service® are registered trademarks of the American Council on Education (ACE). They may not be reproduced without the express written permission of ACE or GED Testing Service. The GED® and GED Testing Service® brands are administered by GED Testing Service LLC under license from American Council on Education. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., is not associated with any product or vendor mentioned in this book.

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Library of Congress Control Number: 2015945227

ISBN 978-1-119-03008-9 (pbk); ISBN 978-1-119-03011-9 (ebk); ISBN 978-1-119-03010-2 (ebk)

GED® Mathematical Reasoning Test For Dummies®

Visit www.dummies.com/cheatsheet/gedmathtest to view this book's cheat sheet.

Table of Contents

Cover

Introduction

About This Book

Foolish Assumptions

Icons Used in This Book

Beyond the Book

Where to Go from Here

Part I: Getting Started with the GED Mathematical Reasoning Test

Chapter 1: Taking a Quick Glance at the GED Mathematical Reasoning Test

Knowing What to Expect: The GED Test Format

Reviewing the GED Mathematical Reasoning Test

It’s a Date: Scheduling the Test

Taking the GED Test When English Isn’t Your First Language

Taking Aim at Your Target Score

Chapter 2: What’s on the Mathematical Reasoning Test?

Looking at the Skills the Math Test Covers

Warming Up to the Test Format

Getting Your Brain in the Game

Reading and Deciphering Math Questions

Using the Mathematical Reasoning Test’s Special Features

Managing Your Time for the Math Test

Chapter 3: Uncovering Your Strengths and Weaknesses with a Diagnostic Test

Taking the Diagnostic Test

Answer Sheet for Mathematical Reasoning Diagnostic Test

Mathematics Formula Sheet

GED Mathematics Diagnostic Test

Answers and Explanations

Chapter 4: Succeeding on the GED Mathematical Reasoning Test

Gearing Up for Test Time

Using the Diagnostic and Practice Tests to Your Advantage

Packing for Test Day

Getting Comfortable Before the Test Begins

Brushing Up on Test-Taking Strategies

Sharpening Your Mental Focus

Part II: Honing Your Math Skills

Chapter 5: Brushing Up on the Basics

Getting to Know Rational Numbers

Mastering Basic Mathematical Operations

Fiddling with Fractions

Dealing with Decimals

Handling Percentages

Practice Session

Chapter 6: Solving Quantitative Problems with Rational Numbers

Tackling Word Problems

Calculating and Comparing Quantities

Answering Questions with Squares, Cubes, and Roots

Solving Rate and Scale Problems

Figuring Out Ratio, Proportion, and Percentage Word Problems

Practice Session

Chapter 7: Solving Measurement Problems

Shaping Up Perimeter and Area

Exploring the Unique Properties of Right Triangles

Solving Problems with Volume and Surface Area

Interpreting and Presenting Data Graphically

Calculating Mean, Median, Mode, Range, and Weighted Average

Using Counting Techniques to Solve Problems

Computing Probability

Practice Session

Chapter 8: Solving Algebraic Problems with Expressions and Equations

Tackling Linear Expressions and Equations

Computing with Polynomials

Writing and Solving Quadratic Equations

Simplifying and Computing with Rational Expressions

Solving Real-World Problems Involving Inequalities

Chapter 9: Solving Algebraic Problems Involving Lines and Functions

Connecting the Dots: Points, Lines, and Slopes

Getting Up to Speed with Functions

Part III: Putting Your Math Knowledge and Skills to the Test

Chapter 10: Practice Test: Mathematical Reasoning

Answer Sheet for Practice Test, Mathematical Reasoning

Mathematics Formula Sheet

GED Mathematics Practice Test

Chapter 11: Checking the Answers and Explanations

Answers and Explanations

Answer Key

Part IV: The Part of Tens

Chapter 12: Ten Shortcuts for Solving Math Problems

Knowing How and When to Round Answers

Ballparking Answers through Estimation

Knowing When to Use the Calculator … and When Not to

Getting to Know the Formulas and How to Use Them

Becoming Accustomed to the Computer Version of the Test

Crunching Numbers in Your Head with Mental Math

Using Units to Solve Problems

Mastering the Fine Art of Factoring

Memorizing the Decimal Equivalents of Common Fractions

Reading the Answers Before Working the Problem

Chapter 13: Ten Tricky Math Problems and How to Solve Them

Solving Increasing the Average Problems

Weeding Out Superfluous Detail

Dealing with Prime Numbers in Fractions

Overcoming Confusion over Absolute Values

Giving Way to Radicals and Irrational Numbers

Calculating Scale Factors

Tackling Playing Card Probability Problems

Working Out Method Problems

Solving Combined Distance-Rate-Time Problems

Grappling with Inequalities

About the Authors

Cheat Sheet

Advertisement Page

Connect with Dummies

End User License Agreement

Guide

Cover

Table of Contents

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Introduction

You’ve decided to take the General Education Development (GED) test to earn the equivalent of a high school diploma. Good for you. You have the fortitude and certitude to clear a major hurdle standing between you and your educational and professional goals. But now you realize that you need extra guidance and practice in mathematics to tackle the Mathematical Reasoning test. Perhaps you took the test once or even twice and didn’t do so well, or you’ve done an honest self-assessment and now realize that math was never your favorite or best subject. Whatever the reason, you need to quickly review the fundamentals and practice solving math problems similar to those you’ll encounter on the test. You want to know what to expect, so you’re not blindsided on test day.

Welcome to GED Mathematical Reasoning Test For Dummies — your key to excelling on the GED Mathematical Reasoning test. Here, you find everything you need to do well on the test, from instruction on basic addition and subtraction all the way up to strategies for solving word problems and dealing with quadratic equations. We also pepper you with plenty of practice questions to reinforce your newly acquired knowledge and skills.

About This Book

As we were writing GED Test For Dummies, 3rd edition (Wiley), we didn’t have the space to cover all four sections of the GED test in great detail. In that book, we provided a general overview of the GED test and two full-length practice tests that covered all four sections — Reasoning through Language Arts (RLA), Mathematical Reasoning, Science, and Social Studies.

Knowing that each section of the GED test can be taken separately and that test-takers probably need more guidance in some subject areas than in others, we decided to develop a separate book for each section — four books, each with a balance of instruction and practice. In this book, we focus exclusively on the GED Mathematical Reasoning test. Our goal is to prepare you to solve any math problem you’re likely to encounter on the test.

We begin by giving you a sneak peek at the test format and an overview of what’s on the test. We then provide a diagnostic test that presents you with math problems that challenge your knowledge and skills across the entire spectrum of high school mathematics to identify your unique strengths and weaknesses. The diagnostic test and the self-assessment form following the test guide you to specific chapters for instruction and practice. When you feel ready, you can then tackle the full-length practice test in Chapter 10 and turn to Chapter 11 for answers and explanations.

We wrap up with two Part of Tens chapters — one to help you avoid ten common mistakes and the other to guide you in solving ten tricky math problems.

Foolish Assumptions

When we wrote this book, we made a few assumptions about you, dear reader. Here’s who we think you are:

You’re serious about earning a high-school diploma or GED endorsement for existing qualifications as quickly as you can.

You’re looking for additional instruction and guidance, specifically in mathematics, not English, science, or social studies.

You’ve made earning a high-school diploma and an endorsement a priority in your life because you want to advance in the workplace or move on to college.

You’re willing to give up some activities so you have the time to prepare, always keeping in mind your other responsibilities, too.

You meet your state’s requirements regarding age, residency, and the length of time since leaving school that make you eligible to take the GED test. (See

Chapter 1

for details.)

You have sufficient English language skills to handle the test. Yes, you will encounter plenty of word problems.

You want a fun and friendly guide that helps you achieve your goal.

If any of these descriptions sounds like you, welcome aboard. We’ve prepared an enjoyable tour of the GED test.

Icons Used in This Book

Icons — little pictures you see in the margins of this book — highlight bits of text that you want to pay special attention to. Here’s what each one means:

Whenever we want to tell you a special trick or technique that can help you succeed on the GED Mathematical Reasoning test, we mark it with this icon. Keep an eye out for this guy.

This icon points out information you want to burn into your brain. Think of the text with this icon as the sort of stuff you’d tear out and put on a bulletin board or your refrigerator.

Take this icon seriously! Although the world won’t end if you don’t heed the advice next to this icon, the warnings are important to your success in preparing to take the GED Mathematical Reasoning test.

We use this icon to flag example questions that are much like what you can expect on the actual GED Mathematical Reasoning test. So if you just want to get familiar with the types of questions on the test, this icon is your guide.

Beyond the Book

In addition to the book content, you can find valuable free material online. We provide you with a Cheat Sheet that addresses things you need to know and consider when getting ready for the GED Mathematical Reasoning Test. You can access this material at www.dummies.com/cheatsheet/gedmathtest.

We also include additional articles at www.dummies.com/extras/gedmathtest that provide even more helpful tips and advice to help you score your best on the GED Mathematical Reasoning Test.

Where to Go from Here

Some people like to read books from beginning to end. Others prefer to read only the specific information they need to know now. Here we provide a road map so you can find your way around.

Chapter 1 starts off with an overview of the GED test and how to register for the exam. Chapter 2 brings you up to speed on what the Mathematical Reasoning test covers. Chapter 3 is a must-read — a diagnostic test followed by a self-assessment to target areas where you need the most guidance and practice. Based on your self-assessment, you’ll know which chapters to focus on in Part II of this book.

The chapters in Part II are the meat and potatoes — instruction and practice across the entire spectrum of high school mathematics:

Basics:

In

Chapter 5

, you hone your basic math skills — addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, and so on — which you need to solve nearly every math problem you’re likely to encounter on the test.

Quantitative problems:

In

Chapter 6

, you find out how to approach word problems and solve quantitative problems, such as those dealing with unit rates (such as miles per hour), ratios, proportions, and percentages.

Measurement problems:

Chapter 7

covers basic geometry — calculating the perimeter and area of flat shapes and the volume and surface area of three-dimensional objects. In this chapter, you also come to master the Pythagorean theorem; the concepts of mean, median, and mode; and approaches to solving probability problems, which are very handy if you ever plan to become a high roller in Las Vegas.

Expressions and equations:

Chapter 8

turns your attention to algebra, where you discover how to solve expressions and equations, deal with polynomials and quadratic equations, and solve real-world problems that involve inequalities. If your head is spinning just from reading that last sentence,

Chapter 8

is a must-read.

Graphs and functions:

Chapter 9

helps you navigate the transition from higher level math to the coordinate plane, where you can see math in action, as it’s used to describe points and lines. Here, you may also have your first encounter with mathematical

functions

— relationships or expressions that contain one or more variables, such as

x

and

y.

Don’t worry; in the course of a single chapter, you’ll know all you need to know about solving math problems that contain variables.

When you’re ready to dive into a full-length practice test that mimics the real GED Mathematical Reasoning test, check out Part III, and then check your answers with the detailed answer explanations we provide for the practice test (but be sure to wait until after you take the practice test to look at the answers!).

If you need a break, turn to the chapters in Part IV, where we help you steer clear of ten common math mistakes and show you how to solve ten tricky math problems.

Part I

Getting Started with the GED Mathematical Reasoning Test

For Dummies can help you get started with lots of subjects. Visit www.dummies.com to learn more and do more with For Dummies.

In this part …

Get oriented to the test format, question types, test scheduling, and scoring, and find out what steps to take if English isn’t your first language.

Find out what’s on the GED Math test and the knowledge and skills you’ll be required to demonstrate on the test.

Take a diagnostic test to identify your strengths and weaknesses and highlight the areas where you may need additional practice.

Prepare for the actual test day and find out what you should or shouldn’t do on the day(s) before and the day of the test and during the exam.

Chapter 1

Taking a Quick Glance at the GED Mathematical Reasoning Test

In This Chapter

Warming up to the GED test format

Checking out what’s covered on the GED Math test

Registering to take the test

Completing the GED test when English isn’t your first language

Understanding what your scores mean and how they’re determined

The GED test offers high-school dropouts, people who leave school early, and people who were educated outside the United States an opportunity to earn the equivalent of a United States (U.S.) high-school diploma without the need for full-time attendance in either day or night school. The GED test is a recognized standard that makes securing a job or college placement easier.

The GED test complies with current Grade 12 standards in the United States and meets the College and Career Readiness Standards for Adult Education. The GED test also covers the Common Core Standards, used in most states in the country. These standards are based on the actual expectations stated by employers and postsecondary institutions.

The GED test measures whether you understand what high-school seniors across the country have studied before they graduate. Employers need better-educated employees. In addition, some colleges may be uncertain of the quality of foreign credentials. The GED diploma provides those assurances. When you pass the GED test, you earn a high-school equivalency diploma. That can open many doors for you — perhaps doors that you don’t even know exist at this point.

The new GED test is now given on a computer and has taken advantage of many different formats that the computer can create. Most of them are variations of multiple choice. You can see examples of all these formats and how they would appear on the computer screen by looking at GED Test For Dummies, 3rd Edition (published by Wiley).

You’re permitted to take the GED in sections, so you can take the Reasoning Through Language Arts (RLA), Mathematical Reasoning, Science, and Social Studies tests in separate testing sessions. This flexibility enables you to focus your studies and practice on one section of the test at a time, and this book supports your efforts to do just that.

Ready to get started? This chapter gives you the basics of the GED Mathematical Reasoning section: how the test is administered and what it looks like, how to schedule the test, including whether you’re eligible, and how your score is calculated (so you know what you need to focus on to pass).

The diagnostic test in Chapter 3 helps you discover your weaknesses and strengths so that with additional practice, you can convert your weaknesses into strengths.

Knowing What to Expect: The GED Test Format

A computer administers the GED test. That means that all the questions appear on a computer screen, and you enter all your answers into a computer. You read, evaluate, analyze, and write everything on the computer. Even when drafting an essay, you don’t use paper. Instead, the test center provides you with an erasable tablet. If you know how to use a computer and are comfortable with a keyboard and a mouse, you’re ahead of the game. If not, practice your keyboarding. Also, practice reading from a computer screen, because reading from a screen is very different from reading printed materials. At the very least, you need to get more comfortable with computers, even if that means taking a short course at a local learning center. In the case of the GED test, the more familiar you are with computers, the more comfortable you’ll feel taking the computerized test. (For guidance on how to more effectively read and comprehend content on a computer screen, check out GED Test For Dummies, 3rd Edition [Wiley].)

Under certain circumstances, as a special accommodation, the sections are available in booklet format. Check with the GED Testing Service to see what exceptions are acceptable.

The computer-based GED test allows for speedy, detailed feedback on your performance. When you pass (yes, we said when and not if, because we believe in you), the GED Testing Service provides both a diploma and a comprehensive transcript of your scores, similar to what high-school graduates receive. They’re available online at www.gedtestingservice.com within a day of completing the test. You can then send your transcript and diploma to an employer or college. Doing so allows employers and colleges access to a thorough outline of your scores, achievement, and demonstrated skills and abilities. This outline is also a useful tool for you to review your progress. It highlights areas where you did well and areas where you need further work. If you want to (or have to) retake the test, these results provide a detailed guide to what you should work on to improve your scores. Requests for additional copies of transcripts are handled online and also are available within a day.

Reviewing the GED Mathematical Reasoning Test

The Mathematical Reasoning section presents you with two general areas of mathematics: 45 percent quantitative, consisting of problem solving involving number operations and geometrical thinking, and 55 percent algebraic problem solving. See Chapter 2 for a more detailed description of the subject matter that the Mathematical Reasoning section covers.

The computer version of the test provides an on-screen calculator for all except the first five questions. If you prefer, you can use a hand-held calculator, but the GED Testing Service is very specific about the make and model of the hand-held calculator you’re allowed to use. If you bring your own hand-held calculator, you must store it in a secure location while you answer the first five questions; then you’re permitted a couple of minutes to retrieve it for use on the rest of the test.

Visit www.gedtestingservice.com/testers/calculator to view a video demonstration of the on-screen calculator provided during the test and to find out which make and model of hand-held calculator is permitted.

If you’re comfortable with on-screen calculators, use the one provided. If you’re not sure of your comfort level, practice using the calculator on your computer or a calculator online. If you aren’t comfortable with on-screen calculators, consider purchasing the approved hand-held calculator.

Questions are presented in four formats:

Multiple choice:

Multiple choice provides you with four possible answers, only one of which is correct. In this book, we provide explanations for all four answers, so you understand why the right answer is correct and why the other three answer choices are incorrect. On the diagnostic test especially, this can provide you with some insight into which math skills you need to practice most.

Drag and drop:

Drag-and-drop items provide you with a list of possible answers, only one of which is correct. On the computer, you choose the correct answer by dragging it to a designated spot with the mouse. This is very similar to playing solitaire on the computer.

Fill in the blank:

Fill-in-the-blank items provide you with no answer choices. You use the keyboard to type the correct answer in the blank.

Hot spot:

Hot-spot items are typically used for questions that require you to plot a point on a graph or coordinate plane. If you’ve ever played the game Battleship on a computer, you’re aware of winning points by clicking a space on the screen with your mouse. If you click the correct spot, you win. If you click anywhere else on the screen, you lose.

It’s a Date: Scheduling the Test

To take the GED test, you schedule it based on the available testing dates. Each state or local testing center sets its own schedule for the GED test, which means that your state decides how and when you can take each section of the test. It also determines how often you can retake a failed section and how much such a retake will cost. Because a computer administers the test, many testing centers allow you to schedule an individual appointment. Your test starts when you start and ends when your allotted time is completed. The test centers are small computer labs, often containing no more than 15 seats, and actual testing facilities are located in many communities in your state.

You book your appointment through the GED Testing Service (www.gedtestingservice.com). Your local GED test administrator can give you all the information you need about scheduling the test. In addition, local school districts and community colleges can provide information about local test centers in your area.

Sending a specific question or request to www.gedtestingservice.com may come with a charge for the service. To save money, you’re better off asking a person at your local testing center. That way, you don’t have to pay for the privilege of asking a question, and your answer will be based on rules and conditions specific to your area.

The following sections answer some questions you may have before you schedule your test date, including whether you’re even eligible to take the test, when you can take the test, and how to sign up for the test.

Determining whether you’re eligible

Before you schedule your test, make sure you meet the requirements to take it. You’re eligible to apply to take the GED test only if

You’re not currently enrolled in a high school.

If you’re currently enrolled in a high school, you’re expected to complete your diploma there. The purpose of the GED test is to give people who aren’t in high school a chance to get an equivalent high-school diploma.

You’re not a high-school graduate.

If you’re a high-school graduate, you should have a diploma, which means you don’t need to take the GED test. However, if you did not complete high school, you can use the GED to upgrade or update your skills and to present a diploma that shows that you’re ready for further education and training.

You meet state requirements regarding age, residency, and the length of time since leaving high school.

Check with your local GED test administrator to determine your state’s requirements concerning these criteria. Residency requirements are an issue because you may have to take the test in a different jurisdiction, depending on how long you’ve lived at your present address.

Knowing when you can take the test

If you’re eligible, you can take the GED test whenever you’re prepared. You can apply to take the GED test as soon as you want. Just contact your local testing center or www.gedtestingservice.com for a test schedule. Pick a day that works for you.

You can take all four sections of the GED test together. That takes about seven hours. However, the test is designed so that you can take each section separately, whenever you’re ready. In most areas, you can take the test sections one at a time, even in the evening or on weekends, depending on the individual testing center. If you pass one test section, that section of the GED test is considered done, no matter how you do on the other sections. If you fail one section, you can retake it at any time. The scheduling and administration of the test varies from state to state, so check with www.gedtestingservice.com or your local high-school guidance office.

Because the test starts when you’re ready and finishes when you’ve used up the allocated time, you should be able take it alone and not depend on other people. You may be able to find locations that offer the testing on evenings or weekends as well as during regular business hours. Even better, because you don’t have to take the test with a group, you may be able to set an individual starting time that suits you.

If circumstances dictate that you must take the paper version of the test, you’ll probably have to forgo the flexibility afforded by the computer. Check well in advance to see what the rules are for you.

You can also apply to take the test if you’re not prepared, but if you do that, you don’t stand a very good chance of passing. If you do need to retake any section of the test, use your time before your next test date to get ready. You can retake the test three times in a year without waiting, but after the third failed attempt you must wait 60 days. In most jurisdictions, taking the test costs money (check with your local testing center to find out specifics for your area). The GED Testing Service does offer a discounted retake up to twice a year, but these promotions change. Some states include free retakes in the price of the test. Check with the GED Testing Service or your state to find out what special discounts may be available. To save time and money, prepare well before you schedule the test. Refer to the later section “Retaking the test(s) if you score poorly” for details.

Are special accommodations available?

If you need to complete the test on paper or have a disability that makes it impossible for you to use the computer, your needs can be accommodated. However, other specifics apply: Your choice of times and testing locations may be much more restricted, but times to complete a test may be extended. Remember also that if accommodation is required, the GED testing centers will ask for documentation of the nature of the accommodation required.

The GED testing centers make every effort to ensure that all qualified people have access to the tests. If you have a disability, you may not be able to register for the tests and take them the same week, but, with some advanced planning, you can probably take the tests when you’re ready. Here’s what you need to do:

Check with your local testing center or check out www.gedtestingservice.com/testers/accommodations-for-disability.Contact the GED Testing Service or your local GED test center and explain your disability.Request any forms that you have to fill out for your special circumstances.Ensure that you have a recent diagnosis by a physician or other qualified professional.Complete all the proper forms and submit them with a medical or professional diagnosis.Start planning early so that you’re able to take the tests when you’re ready.

Note that, regardless of your disability, you still have to be able to handle the mental and emotional demands of the test.

The GED Testing Service in Washington, D.C., defines specific disabilities, such as the following, for which it may make special accommodations, provided the disability severely limits your ability to perform essential skills required to pass the GED test:

Medical disabilities, such as cerebral palsy, epilepsy, or blindnessPsychological disabilities, such as schizophrenia, major depression, attention deficit disorder, or Tourette’s syndromeSpecific learning disabilities, including perceptual handicaps, brain injury, minimal brain dysfunction, dyslexia, and developmental aphasia

Signing up

When you’re ready to sign up for the test, follow these steps:

Contact your local GED test administrator or go towww.gedtestingservice.comto make sure you’re eligible.

Refer to the earlier section “Determining whether you’re eligible” for some help.

Ask the office for an application (if needed) or an appointment.

Complete the application (if needed).

Return the application to the proper office, with payment, if necessary.

Testing fees vary state by state, so contact your local administrator or testing site to find out the fee amount. In some states, low-income individuals may be eligible for financial assistance.

Note: You can do all this online, including submitting the payment, with your computer, tablet, or smartphone. Go to www.gedtestingservice.com to start the process.

Never send cash by mail to pay for the GED test. Most local administrators have payment rules and don’t accept cash.

Working with unusual circumstances

If you feel that you may have a special circumstance that prevents you from taking the GED test on a given day, contact the GED test administrator in your area. If, for example, the test is going to be held on your Sabbath, the testing center may make special arrangements for you.

When applying for special circumstances, keep the following guidelines in mind:

Document everything in your appeal for special consideration.

Contact the GED test administrator in your area as early as you can.

Be patient. Special arrangements can’t be made overnight. The administrator often has to wait for a group with similar issues to gather so arrangements can be made for the entire group.

Ask questions. Accommodations can be made if you ask. For example, allowances include extended time for various special needs, large print and Braille for visual impairments, and age allowance for individuals older than 60 who feel they may have a learning disability.

Taking the GED Test When English Isn’t Your First Language

English doesn’t have to be your first language for you to take the GED test, because it’s offered in English, Spanish, and French. If you want to take the test in Spanish or French, contact your local GED test administrator to apply or see www.gedtestingservice.com/testers/special-test-editions-spanish or www.gedtestingservice.com/testers/special-test-editions-french. However, individuals who speak another language as their first language must take the test in English.

If English, Spanish, or French isn’t your first language, you must decide whether you can read and write English as well as or better than 40 percent of high-school graduates, because you may be required to pass an English as a Second Language (ESL) placement test. If you write and read English well, prepare for and take the test in English. If you don’t read or write English well, take additional classes to improve your language skills until you think you’re ready. An English Language Proficiency Test (ELPT) is also available for people who completed their education in other countries. If you’re not sure of your English language skills, consider taking an ELPT to assess your language skills before taking the GED test.

In many ways, the GED test is like the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) comprehension test. If you’ve completed the TOEFL test with good grades, you’re likely ready to take the GED test. If you haven’t taken the TOEFL test, enroll in a GED test-preparation course to see whether you have difficulty understanding the subjects and skills assessed on the test. GED test courses provide you with some insight into your comprehension ability with a teacher to discuss your skills and struggles.

Websites that can help you plan to take the GED test

The Internet is a helpful and sometimes scary place. Some websites are there to help you in your GED test preparation, while others just want to sell you something. You have to know how to separate the good from the bad. Here are a couple of essential websites (most are accessible through www.gedtestingservice.com):

adulted.about.com/od/getting yourged/a/stateged.htm links to the GED test eligibility requirements and testing locations in your state.usaeducation.info/Tests/GED/International-students.html explains GED test eligibility for foreign students.

If you’re curious and want to see what’s out there, type in “GED test” into any search engine and relax while you try to read about millions of results, ranging from the helpful to the misleading. We suggest leaving this last activity until after you’ve passed the tests. As useful as the Internet can be, it still provides the opportunity to waste vast amounts of time. And right now, you need to spend your time preparing for the test — and leave the rest for after you get your diploma.

Taking Aim at Your Target Score

To pass the GED test, you need to score a minimum of 150 on each section: Reasoning Through Language Arts, Mathematical Reasoning, Science, and Social Studies. If you achieve a passing score, congratulate yourself: You’ve scored better than at least 40 percent of today’s high-school graduates, and you’re now a graduate of the largest virtual school in the country. And if your marks are in the honors range, you’re ready for college or career training.

Be aware that some colleges require scores higher than the minimum passing score. If you plan to apply to postsecondary schools or some other form of continuing education, check with their admissions office for the minimum admission score requirements.

The following sections address a few more points you may want to know about how the GED test is scored and what you can do if you score poorly on one or more of the test sections.

Identifying how scores are determined

Correct answers may be worth one, two, or more points, depending on the item and the level of difficulty.

Because you don’t lose points for incorrect answers, make sure you answer all the items on each test. After all, a guessed answer can get you a point. Leaving an answer blank, on the other hand, guarantees you a zero. The information and practice in this book provides you with the knowledge and skills you need to answer most questions on the Mathematical Reasoning section with confidence and to narrow your choices when you’re not quite sure which answer choice is correct.

Retaking the test(s) if you score poorly

If you discover that your score is less than 150 on any test section, start planning to retake the test(s) and make sure you leave plenty of time for additional study and preparation. Retake the diagnostic test in Chapter 3 and carefully review the answers and explanations to determine your weaknesses and strengths. Concentrate on understanding your weaknesses and try several more GED sample tests to make sure. If none of this helps, enroll in a preparation course or a study group. Remember that you are trying to complete several years of high school in a concentrated time. Don’t get discouraged.

As soon as possible after obtaining your results, contact your local GED test administrator to find out the rules for retaking the failed section of the test. Some states may require that you wait a certain amount of time and/or limit the number of attempts each year. Some may ask that you attend a preparation course and show that you’ve completed it before you can retake the GED. Some may charge you an additional fee. However, you need to retake only those sections of the test that you failed. Any sections you pass are completed and count toward your diploma. Furthermore, the detailed evaluation of your results will help you discover areas of weakness that need more work before repeating any section of the test.

One advantage of taking the GED test on a computer is that you can receive, within a day, detailed feedback on how you did, which includes some specific recommendations of what you need to do to improve your scores.

No matter what score you receive on your first round of the section, don’t be afraid to retake any section that you didn’t pass. After you’ve taken it once, you know what you need to work on, and you know exactly what to expect on test day.

Chapter 2

What’s on the Mathematical Reasoning Test?

In This Chapter

Identifying the skills you need for the Math test

Getting a handle on the test format

Preparing for the test using a few tried-and-true strategies

Getting familiar with the calculator and formula sheet

Doing a little math to help manage your time on the test

The Mathematical Reasoning test gauges your understanding of mathematical concepts and your ability to apply them to situations you may find in the real world. To prepare for the test, you need to know what’s on it, familiarize yourself with the different question formats, and shift your brain into mathematical problem-solving mode. This chapter gets you started by revealing what’s on the Mathematical Reasoning test and providing some tips and tricks for tackling the different types of questions you’ll encounter.

Looking at the Skills the Math Test Covers

To do well on the Math test, you need to have a general understanding of numbers, their relationships to one another, measurements, geometry, data analysis and statistics, probability, patterns, functions, and algebra. (To find out more about these terms and concepts, turn to the chapters in Part II.) In essence, to be successful on this test, you need to have the mathematical knowledge base that most high-school graduates have, and you need to know how to apply it to solve real-life problems.

The GED Math test provides a formula sheet for you to use during the test. Keep in mind that you may not need all the formulas provided, and you may not need a formula for every question. Part of the fun of math is knowing which formula to use for which problems and figuring out when you don’t need one at all.

The Math test assesses four areas: number operations and number sense; measurement and geometry; data analysis, statistics, and probability; and algebra, functions, and patterns. The following sections describe these areas in greater detail.

The formulas you memorized and understand are instantly available to you. The formulas you have to look up and ponder take time that could be used answering questions or checking answers.

Number operations and number sense

Surprise, surprise — these problems deal with numbers. Here’s a breakdown of the two topics in this category:

Number operations

are the familiar actions you take in math problems and equations, such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. You probably mastered these operations in grade school; now all you have to do is practice them.

Number sense

is the ability to understand numbers. You’re expected to be able to recognize numbers (not a difficult task), know their relative values (that 5 is larger than 3, for example), and know how to use them (which takes us back to number operations). In addition, number sense includes the ability to

estimate

(or approximate) the result of number operations — which is always a handy skill on a timed test.

For more about operations and number sense, head to Chapters 5 and 6.

Measurement and geometry