| Before committing to a GED program, most | | | | the GED test can seem difficult. But these skills |
| students and adult learners want to know what | | | | are skills used everyday -- balancing a checkbook, |
| to expect on the GED test, and whether the test | | | | following a recipe ... perhaps developing or following |
| is harder than the tests and exams they took in | | | | a new way of doing things at work. The thinking |
| high school. | | | | skills used for these everyday life events are the |
| There's no question about it -- the GED test is | | | | same ones required to earn the GED credential. |
| hard. But according to graduates of the PassGED | | | | While most people already have these skills and |
| program, the test isn't as hard as high school | | | | use them daily, it's important to sharpen them for |
| exams since classes focus on essential skills and | | | | the test. And some skills may need to be learned, |
| relevant information. The emphasis of the GED | | | | or relearned. By following these four easy steps, |
| tests is not on memorization, but on thinking skills | | | | a GED candidate can easily gain skills, reduce test |
| and the application of practical knowledge. | | | | difficulty and increase test scores. |
| So what's the difference? Just consider how | | | | 1. Understand the Test: Get acquainted with the |
| standard high school classes and courses work. | | | | GED test structure; become more familiar with |
| Over weeks and months, a student covers lots | | | | how test passages and questions are presented |
| of information and in most cases, must commit | | | | and the best way to find the right answer among |
| most of that information to memory. While | | | | five multiple-choice options. You'll also want to |
| quizzes and tests create a grade, and indicate | | | | review the essay section of the writing test, since |
| how well a student is progressing through the | | | | your original essay is a major portion of the |
| material, the real test -- or most important grade | | | | Language Arts - Writing Test score. |
| -- results from mid-term and final exams. | | | | 2. Practice First: Take some GED practice tests to |
| Students who have a tough time with | | | | gain knowledge of the test and to determine skill |
| memorization may not test or score well, | | | | weaknesses and strengths. Pre-tests or practice |
| especially if several weeks or months have | | | | tests can also help you plan a study guide and |
| passed since the information was covered. | | | | determine how much time and effort you'll need |
| And many students find it hard -- or even tedious | | | | to prepare for the GED. |
| -- to learn and remember information that doesn't | | | | 3. Prepare: Enroll in a GED class, a GED study |
| seem important or practical to their lives. For | | | | program, basic skills or GED test prep program. |
| example, a history or social studies test may | | | | Most communities offer free or low-cost |
| require that the student remember the date the | | | | programs and classes through local community |
| Declaration of Independence was signed. The | | | | colleges, universities or high schools. Or you may |
| correct answer may not seem very relevant to | | | | opt for an online GED program, especially if your |
| everyday life, but could make the difference | | | | schedule, job or family obligations, or even |
| between a passing and failing grade. | | | | finances make classes difficult. If you're looking |
| The General Education Development test | | | | for an online GED program, you'll want to shop, |
| measures knowledge differently, and focuses on | | | | compare and read the fine print -- lots of online |
| application skills. Like high school, it requires | | | | companies offer fake diplomas or promise results |
| knowledge of social studies, science, basic algebra | | | | that they can't deliver. |
| and geometry, reading and writing. But it's not | | | | 4. Get Support: Find a community-based or |
| memory of knowledge that the test measures. | | | | workplace support group or study group that |
| It's the use and application of it. | | | | shares your goals, or an online learning community |
| For some people - especially those who have | | | | of GED students and instructors. You'll get test |
| relied on memorization skills in their education, GED | | | | advice, test-taking tips and learn about resources |
| testing can seem more difficult than high school. | | | | you'll likely need. But most importantly, a support |
| Generally, it's easier to just memorize information | | | | group or learning community will offer |
| than to know how to use it. For people who | | | | encouragement from people who want you to |
| haven't had much experience in making | | | | achieve your educational and career goals. |
| inferences, analyzing data, and making judgments, | | | | |