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The Tests of General Educational Development (GED) provide a universally recognized alternative to a traditional high school diploma. The GED testing program, begun in 1942 and now available in every state and in U.S. territories and Canadian provinces worldwide, offers a second chance at a high school diploma for millions of people who have missed out the first time around. The American Council on Education in Washington, D.C., which governs the GED program, reports that each year in the United States, approximately one out of every seven high school diplomas is based on results from the GED Tests. Who is eligible to take the GED tests? Each state sets its own eligibility rules. In Michigan, there are two answers to this question. The simplest answer is that anyone over the age of 18 who did not finish high school and whose high school class has graduated is immediately eligible to take the GED. The more complicated answer is that some younger individuals are eligible for the GED under special circumstances. These exceptions apply to 16- and 17- year olds and to 18- year olds whose high school class has not yet graduated, all of whom are considered "underage" for the GED. The exceptions are: (1) An underage student may take the test if he or she has a letter of release from the high school principal; (2) An underage student who has been out of school for over a year can be tested; or (3) An underage student may be tested by court order. Individuals with questions about eligibility are encouraged to telephone the testing center where they will take the GED. What are the tests like? An all-new edition of the GED Tests was introduced in January, 2002. The new tests assess content that represents current state and national curriculum standards, including higher order thinking skills such as problem solving and applying information. The GED Tests measure the knowledge and skills normally acquired in a typical high school education today. The tests are primarily multiple-choice in format, although some new item types are now included in the Mathematics test, and an essay is still required as part of the Writing test. In addition, allowing the use of a calculator on some parts of the Mathematics test permits more sophisticated computations than were previously feasible. The five tests are:
Examinees should plan for a total of eight hours or more, including check-in, demographic form, directions, breaks, etc. What does it take to pass the GED, and is it difficult? To assure that a GED credential stands for quality, the GED Tests are normed on graduating high school seniors. Passing scores are set at a point where only approximately 60% of graduates would pass the test. In other words, the lowest 40% of graduates who receive a traditional diploma could not pass this rigorous test and earn a GED. Setting the standard at this level assures the continuing value of the credential to employers and colleges. The GED credential is earned by achieving a score at or above the passing score set in each state. In Michigan, an examinee must attain at least a standard score of 410 on each test and a combined average standard score of at least 450. What if someone does not pass the tests? Persons who do not pass the test on the first try will be notified by the examiner or the GED secretary and can retest until a passing score is reached. Only the final passing score will be reported. If the score originally obtained was very close to passing, retesting may be allowed immediately. However, if an examinee needs to study more before retesting, a wait of several weeks or months may be required. The Examiner will advise the individual as to what is needed. It should also be noted that, since each examinee can take any given form of the test only once, there is a limit of three tries maximum in any given contract year. Again, the Examiner will have this information if needed. Anyone who is unsure whether he or she is ready to pass the five parts of the GED Test is encouraged to take the Official GED Practice Test in advance. (See Preparation section) Obtaining score reports Examinees who completed testing at WISD will contact the new GED Testing Center at WCC for additional transcripts in the future. How does someone prepare to take the GED? Individuals who remained in high school almost to graduation and were in good academic standing may be ready to pass the GED tests without further preparation, particularly if they have kept up with math, reading and writing in their everyday life. Individuals who left school earlier, were in academic difficulty, and/or have not kept up with math, reading and writing will probably need to prepare to take the tests. Adult and Community Education Departments in local school districts and community colleges frequently offer, at no charge, GED-prep classes. Classes are particularly recommended for individuals who are definitely not yet ready. Any licensed testing center, will be able to provide information about GED-prep programs in their area. Libraries and bookstores carry GED-prep books and software, which are useful either to study intensely or just for a simple refresher. Be certain to use materials designed for the 2002 GED, since older books will not match the new tests. Individuals who are not certain about whether they are ready for the tests or how much further study is needed are encouraged to purchase an Official GED Practice Test from the center where they plan to take the GED. The practice test reduces anxiety by including items just like those on the real test, predicts how well the person will do on the real test, and can help the person decide what kind of preparation is necessary, if any. What if someone started the GED Tests previously and wants to finish now? Scores from GED Tests taken after January 1, 2002, can be used toward completion of the tests at any licensed center. Examinees who did not take all five tests should be able to complete just the missing sections. Examinees who took all parts but have not yet passed should be able to apply some parts of the test toward a final passing score. Please note that persons whose partial scores are from the older edition will have to start over. Are accommodations available for persons with special needs? Examinees with documented special needs are eligible for a variety of special accommodations in taking the test. For example, the GED tests are available in Braille, in large print, and in some foreign languages. In addition, some administration adjustments can be made. For example, a scribe can write for persons unable to do so, time can be adjusted, seating patterns can vary, etc. In each case, specific rules govern the accommodations which can be allowed, and professional documentation may be required. Questions pertaining to accommodations should be directed to the Chief Examiner at the testing center where you plan to take the tests.
The Mathematics Test is divided into two equally weighted parts, each containing 25 questions. On Part I of the test, you may use the Casio fx-260 calculator to compute answers. A calculator will be provided for your use at the official GED Testing Center. Because estimation and mental math are critical skills, you are not permitted to use the calculator on Part II of the test. (See calculator directions.) A math formulas page is provided for your reference during the test. (See formulas.) The Mathematics Test assesses your understanding of mathematical concepts and the application of those concepts to various realworld situations. The following four major areas are tested on the Mathematics Test: Number operation's and number sense (20%-30%) Although 80% of the mathematics questions are multiple choice, 20% of the questions require you to construct your own answer. Rather than select from five choices, you must record answers on either standard or coordi nate plane grids. Both Parts I and II of the Mathematics Test have multiple-choice, standard grid, and coordinate plane grid questions. (See directions for standard grid and coordinate plane grid. SAMPLE QUESTIONS Directions: Choose the one best answer to each question. 1. A painter mixes gallons of paint in large cylindrical bucket so that there will be no difference in color among individual gallons.
If one gallon of paint has a volume of approximately 8000cm³, what is the maximum number of whole gallons of paint that can be poured into the bucket? (1) 3 Answer: 3 The Math formulas page will be helpful for this question. You must use the appropriate formula for the volume of a cylinder and recognize that its radius, is half of the diameter shown Once the volume is computed, that answer is divided by 8000. Since only whole gallons are to be poured into the bucket, the quotient is rounded DOWN. The concept of rounding up or down (as appropriate to a particular situation) to produce a whole-number answer is an important one for you to understand. Volume of bucket: (3.14) x (20)² x (60) = 75,360cm³ 75,360 divided by 8000 = 942 gallons Answer is rounded DOWN because 10 whole gallons would not fit. Final answer: 9 gallons 2. A surveyor made the measurements shown in the diagram below
What is the measure, in feet, of AB, the straight-line distance across the stream? (1) 50 Answer: 4 You must recognize similar triangles in the diagram and set up the correct proportion, which could be expressed as: Letting AB be represented by x and substituting the other measures from the diagram, the proportion is then solved for the unknown measure. AC/EC = AB/ED becomes 40/10 = x/25 Cross-multiplying: 10x = 1000 3. Shane is working with a. spreadsheet on his computer. The spreadsheet will calculate the cost of the wood trim around rectangular windows based on the dimensions of the window and the price of the wood. The following entries have been made. Length of window in feet Width of window in feet Price per foot of wood trim Cost of trim per window
Shane wants to enter a formula in the last column so that the spreadsheet will calculate the final cost of the job. Which of following formulas should he enter? (1) A7 x B7 x C7 Answer: 2 You must recognize that the perimeter of the rectangle must be found and multiplied by the cost per foot of the trim used. The cell locations become the variables in the formula. (perimeter of rectangular window) times (price per foot of wood trim) (2 x length + 2 x width) x price per foot Note: The following question is a specific example of questions likely to be found on the Mathematics Test, Part I, which allows the use of a calculator. 4. Last month, the balance in Tisha's checkbook was $1219.17. Since then she has deposited her latest paycheck of $2425.66 and written checks for $850.00 (rent), $235.89 (car payment), and $418.37 (credit card payment). What is the current balance in Tisha's checking account? (1) $ 921.40 Answer: 2 The paycheck would be added to the existing balance, and the checks written would be subtracted. The realistic amounts in the question would require considerable time for the arithmetic to be done by hand, but the values can be entered into the calculator in one continuous string as they are presented in the expression. New balance = Old balance + Paycheck deposited - Checks written New balance = 1219.17 + 2425.66 - 850.00 - 235.89 - 418.37 New balance = $2140.57 5. Byron purchased a $5000 certificate of deposit (CD) at his local bank. The CD will pay him 7% simple interest at the end of 2 years. How much INTEREST, in dollars, will Byron have earned from his CD at the e end of the 2-year period? Mark your answer in the circles in the grid on your answer sheet. Answer: 700
The formula for simple interest is found on the formulas page in the front of the Mathematics Test, simple interest = principal x rate x time Alternate-format responses can be right-left-, or center-justified, as shown in the examples below. 6. One ingredient in the sauce Kyle is preparing for tonight's dinner is a ½ teaspoon of red pepper. If the recipe he is using is designed to make enough sauce for 8 Mark your answer in the circles in the grid on your answer sheet. Answer: ¼, 0.25, or .25 Since Kyle is serving four from a recipe designed for eight, he needs 4/8, or ½, the amount of each ingredient. One half of ½ teaspoon is found by multiplying: This answer could also be gridded using the decimal equivalent of ¼, namely 0.25, or .25 but, in this example, the fraction is gridded to illustrate the use of the fraction bar.
Note: In the last two examples, a. decimal answer and a fraction were gridded. Mixed numbers, such as 3½, CANNOT be gridded. They must be changed to decimal or fraction form. In the case of 3½, the answer could be gridded as 3.5 or 7/2 . Answers for alternate-format questions using the standard grid shown in the previous two examples will NEVER be a negative number, such as -8, since the grid does not accommodate negative numbers. Both of the points mentioned above are included in the directions for alternate-format questions found on the actual test 7. Show the location of the point whose coordinates are (3, -4). Mark your answer on the coordinating plane grid on your answer sheet. Answer: See coordinate plane grid
The coordinates in the ordered pair are listed with the x-coordinate (horizontal) first and the y-coordinate (vertical) second. The point (3, - 4) is located in the lower-right, or fourth, quadrant of the graph. The Mathematics Test is in two booklets. Each part has 25 questions. The total time for taking the Mathematics Test is 90 minutes. For Part I, a calculator (the Casio fx-260) will be provided for your use. However, you are not required to use it. If you plan to use the calculator, become familiar with its operations before you take the test. Basic directions for the calculator are provided here and on the actual test. Ten questions (seven on Part I and three on Part II) on the Mathematics Test are not multiple choice. These are not the most difficult questions on the test. You should become familiar with the methods of recording your answers for these alternate-format questions (standard grid and coordinate plane grid). On the coordinate plane grid, make sure that you fill in only one circle to represent your answer. If you fill in more than one circle on your graph, your response will be marked as incorrect. You will be provided with a page of formulas at the front of the Mathmatics Test booklets. Those formulas are also here for your convenience. Become familiar with what is included on this page in advance of the test so that you will be able to find information more quickly during the test. You do not have to memorize the formulas. Some questions will provide you with more information than you need to answer them correctly. Use only the data that are relevant to the particular question. Some multiple-choice questions may not contain enough information to answer the question, In that case, the correct response is "Not enough information is given." When you obtain an answer, take a moment to determine whether your answer makes sense given the parameters of the problem. For example, if your calculation indicates that a 1-pound bag of carrots cost $25, you should check your work for errors because $25 is not a reasonable price for this item. Use your personal experience to solve the problems. The settings used for the problems in the Mathematics Test are usually realistic. For example, in a test question that requires you to compute weekly earnings, ask yourself, "How would I calculate my weekly earnings?" In diagrams, do not assume that lines are parallel or perpendicular unless the problem gives you that information in either words or symbols. This rule is true even when the lines look parallel or perpendicular. |
