GED Study Guide

Use this free GED study guide with practice tests and video lessons to pass the GED test quickly. We update it on a regular basis.

The GED® test includes four subtests on these subject areas:

• Reasoning through Language Arts
• Mathematical Reasoning
• Science (incl. Physics, Scientific Method, Chemistry)
• Social Studies (incl. Geography, Government, History)

You can follow traditional prep classes in your area or study online with us to become ready to take the GED test.

This website’s free online GED video lessons help you to get familiar with online learning. If it appeals to you, we recommend you register with Onsego Online GED Classes, an affordable, accredited program, and get ready for the GED exam in no time!

Our online GED classes include lessons with videos and practice questions after every lesson. We also publish practice tests, including sample tests with a timer, so you can learn how to manage your time during the real test.

By taking timed practice tests, you will get used to performing under time pressure, and this may reduce test anxiety considerably.

Getting familiar with the computerized GED testing format is key; optimizing your keyboarding skills will result in better scores.

Choose one of our study guides below to start learning.

GED Study Guide – GED Online Classes

We offer free GED online classes for each of the four GED sub-exams:

• Math GED Online Classes
• Social Studies Online Classes
• Language Arts Online Classes
• GED Science Online Classes

How to Prepare for the GED Test at Home

Preparing for the GED test at home can be done very effectively by following an online GED prep course; alternatively, you can get GED prep books from your local library.

The most important key to passing the GED test is content. This is the most neglected area.

There are tons of things that a student needs to know. When you begin learning for the GED test, you need to know where to start with learning and what subject to choose first.

So, let’s answer the first two questions: where do I start? How do I find out what I should do for test prep? What subjects or lessons should I take?

We say you start with the subjects that are the easiest for you. If Language Arts (RLA) and Social Studies seem the easiest for you, choose these subjects.

I guess you’re wondering why. Well, because when you go through a series of steps, kind of like a series of small successes, you will turn your fear (you know, something like:

I don’t get it at all; there are so many things to learn, blah, blah, blah) into familiarity.

When you start with the easiest subject, the GED content and the test will be easier to conquer, so you won’t need that long to become a proud GED grad. Wouldn’t that be great?

When you get confidence in your academic capabilities, math will not seem like a big problem. I promise. In general, the goal is to go through a series of small successes to develop confidence in your own ability, skills, and experience.

For the same reason, we also encourage students to play (video) games.

GED Study Guide – How to Use GED Practice Tests

When you get closer to the date of your GED exam, or one of the subtests, you should also think about learning better time management strategies and get familiar with educated guessing strategies.

You should take as many practice tests as possible.

It doesn’t matter at this moment if you get 65% correct answers. If you just started learning, you can’t expect to be perfect on the first try. What you want to do is analyze your score. This score is a signal to you about what you know and what you need to learn.

Try to figure out why you missed the question. Was it a lack of knowledge, a wrong guess, or carelessness?
Now, you can plan how to manage your time to score better.

You can simulate the GED test and see how long it takes for you to solve the questions that yield enough points to pass the test.

For example, on the GED Social Studies test, there are 35 questions.

According to GED Testing Service LLC, you need to get 60 to 65% of your answers right to pass the GED Social Studies test.

So, depending on the number of questions, you need to aim to answer correctly between 23 and 25 questions.

So what you should do is take a practice test, set a timer for 70 minutes (because you will get 70 minutes for the Social Studies test), and try to answer the questions.

Would it help if you learned more about life science and read maps or charts? Because charts and maps are always on the GED test?

If you take all of that into account, you will be able to come up with the perfect time management strategy for your GED test.

Study for One GED Test at a Time

Keep in mind that the GED test comes with four separate exams (modules) that can be taken independently. Check here to learn what topics are covered in the GED exam.

Everyone needs to pass the following tests: Math, Social Studies, Science, and RLA, which includes English grammar, writing, and reading.

However, you can take one of the four sub-tests at a time when you feel properly prepared. Please learn all about the GED testing requirements, and keep in mind that you only need to pay for that section that you take!

Removing Distractions

Studying for the GED exam is just a short but intense period, so when you are learning for the GED exam, try to stay away from distractions that kill your precious time. You will be able to enjoy everything when you are the proud holder of the GED diploma.

• Turn off Facebook/Pinterest/Instagram/Twitter, etc.
• Turn off the TV
• Stay motivated. Remind yourself why you are doing this

Removing distractions and staying focused will increase your productivity. With a little determination and self-restraint, you’ll be getting the most out of your online GED prep.

Is the Imposter Syndrome Sabotaging Your Progress?

Do you feel insecure in the student role? Do you doubt your ability to succeed? You might be suffering from a case of imposter syndrome. The imposter syndrome makes us feel like we’re cheating, even if we’re quite knowledgeable and have significant experience.

But don’t worry. You’re not alone. To overcome this syndrome, you need to realize what you are experiencing and change your mindset.

So, benefit from our study tips and online study materials, and make sure you read all the requirements for taking the GED test at an official testing site or online. You can read more about online GED testing here.

Overcoming Learning Barriers

One of the biggest obstacles to getting your GED can be your attitude. Anxiety, fear, and lack of motivation are huge problems, and they’re the hardest ones to overcome. It’s not easy to fight your feelings. How do you learn to feel better about yourself?

How do you learn to be confident? Well, the truth is that you can be successful and accomplish your goals, no matter what teachers or family members have told you in the past.

Negative voices from the past, fear of failure, and stress are all very real, but they’re problems that you can overcome. There are even GED students who were accepted to Harvard! I bet you they had some problems to overcome!

I want to tell you how I discovered how to pass tests, and I never failed. Do you know why? Because I learned how to build systems that keep me on track.

Some time ago, I needed to pass the French language exam (hear me: pass the exam, not learn a language), and my teacher and I had quite an advanced learning plan: 3 hours x 3 days a week. I texted my teacher on Wednesday afternoon:

• “I’ll not make it; I’m too tired”
• My teacher wrote back: “Come in any way, let’s hang out”
• I shook my head and went to meet him. That day, I learned again, and I was back on track

My takeaway: Sometimes, you need a stranger to push you to the next level. I want to apply this to your GED exam preparation. Let us help you, for example, with these Language Arts GED test tips.

How to Stay Motivated

I know it’s not easy to stay motivated. I know because I was there myself. I lost motivation, and learning became less necessary. Then a friend reminded me that when you do nothing, you get nothing.

I started by learning how it happens that successful people always get what they want. I discovered that it all has to do with setting tangible goals. This is the crucial part. It worked for me, and I hope it will work for you too.

Why Do You Need a GED Diploma? Our GED Study Guide

Ask yourself why you need a GED diploma. Do you want a better job and a better future? Then, you will probably need additional education. What would you like to become?

Your GED diploma is your ticket to a fine college education, so there’s really nothing that can stop you anymore from becoming what you’ve always wanted to be. Many homeschooled students also want to earn a GED, as that may help them get into college a bit easier.

GED Diploma and Settings Goals

Set your Goals and Make them tangible – Your goals need to be “smart.” SMART is a best practice basis for setting goals. A SMART goal should be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Time-bound.

It’s important that you write them down. There is enormous power in writing your goals down. When you write something down, you are stating your intention and setting things in motion. Your profile page has a section called “Set your goals.”

This is a crucial part of the whole GED Challenge process. Did you know that just 8% of people achieve their New Year’s resolutions? They start with enthusiasm only to abound the plan after a few weeks. Those who achieved their goal made their goal tangible and were kept accountable.

Remember, you can make it; there is no lift to success; you need to take the stairs and fight all obstacles.

The most important objective of the GED program, just like the HiSET test, is to offer those who did not complete high school an additional chance to earn a credential that is recognized and accepted as equivalent to a high school diploma by practically all educational institutions and employers.

So please, before signing up at a prep center or for an online course, see if there’s a review on a blog. It’s no science GED, so learn what you’re in for.

The official GED test is administrated by the GED Testing Service. So check out our GED Study Guide, and when you’ve passed the four GED subtests, your state will award the GED diploma – the Certificate of High School Equivalency.

Government organizations, employers, and universities and colleges value the GED certificate or diploma (that depends on your state) in the same way as a regular high school diploma with respect to program eligibility, a prerequisite for admission, job promotions, and earnings.

This concludes our GED Study Guide post!

Last Updated on November 19, 2024.