What Kinds of Questions Are on the GED Test?

Mathematics

The mathematics portion is separated into two parts. On the first portion, the test taker is allowed to use a calculator. The official calculator used for the GED is the Casio fx-260, and is supplied on the test day. Approximately 80 percent of the questions are multiple choice; the remaining 20 percent require the test taker to form their own answers on a standard or coordinate plane grid. Questions pertaining to number operations and number sense make up 20 to 30 percent of the exam, 20 to 30 percent focuses on measurement and geometry, 20 to 30 percent on algebra, functions, and patterns, and finally 20 to 30 percent on data analysis, statistics, and probability. For 50 questions test takers are allowed 90 minutes; both parts are 25 questions each.

The Language Arts: Reading portion consists of 40 questions, each in multiple choice format. Seventy-five percent of the test consists of questions pertaining to literary text and include at least one question taken from drama, poetry, prose fiction before 1920, prose fiction between 1920 and 1960, and prose fiction after 1960. The remaining 25 percent are questions based on non-fiction prose, workplace documents, and critical review of visual and performing arts. Test takers are allotted 65 minutes for the 40 questions.

The Language Arts: Writing portion of the GED test is two sections. The first section is composed of 50 multiple choice questions on the subjects of organization, usage, sentence structure, and mechanics, with 75 minutes allowed for the section. The second section requires the test taker to write an essay on an assigned topic given on the test day. The topic is a general interest subject or interest that requires no special knowledge. The test taker should develop ideas or opinions thoroughly, have clear organization, and show an acceptable grasp of the usage of punctuation, grammar, word choice, and spelling. There is no minimum word count but there are 45 minutes allowed to complete the essay.

The science portion is made up of 50 multiple choice questions. The questions come from the subjects of life science, physical science, and Earth and space science. The 75-minute test consists of questions that require the test taker to read a paragraph, map, graph, or table and answer a question on what they have read.

The social studies portion consists of 50 multiple choice questions. The test taker is asked questions regarding history, civics and government, geography, and economics. Like the science portion, many questions require the test taker to read paragraphs, charts, and graphs and then decipher the information. Also included are questions about information included in photographs and political cartoons. Seventy minutes are allowed to complete this portion.