To pass the GED® a student must know what’s on the GED Social Studies test. You must demonstrate a variety of skills, such as the ability to read text passages with comprehension, to understand information and data presenting in charts and graphs, to analyse historical events and arguments and use reasoning and critical thinking skills to interpret the information provided.
The GED does not require rote memorisation of facts and information such as historical names and dates of events. There is no need to spend hours learning information the day before you write your exam, like when you prepare for traditional school exams.
However, its a good idea to have some background knowledge of the topics that may be presented to you in the exam, to help you puzzle out the correct answers and draw conclusions about the questions asked.
The Online GED Prep™ course is designed to help you to become familiar with the kind of questions and topics that the GED® Social Studies test includes. When you have completed the online course and passed all the practice tests with good scores, it will tell you if you are ready to book your GED Social Studies test. If you need more practice, it will list the lessons and skills you should first revise. It sets you up for success!
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The GED® Social Studies test is 70 minutes with no breaks and it is divided into four major categories:
Civics & Government
(50%)
topics include types of government structures, both modern and historic, constitutional government, levels and branches of the U.S. government, the electoral system, public policy, the role of the citizen etc.
US History
(20%)
topics include colonisation, the American Revolution, the Civil War and Reconstruction, industrialization, immigration, World Wars 1 & 2, the Cold War, American foreign policy and the movements for equal rights.
Economics (15%)
includes basic economics concepts and systems, the government and the economy, labor and consumer economics issues.
World Geography (15%)
topicsinclude major stages in world history, ancient civilizations, human migration, geographical borders between nations, the relationship among resources, the environment, and societies etc.
GED® Social Studies Test Skills
You will be tested in the following SKILLS, using a variety of texts and resources which cover the topics listed above. You will need to develop your vocabulary and understanding of terminology related to those subjects and topics.
- to identify key ideas, make inferences, recognise hypotheses and conclusions
- to analyse information and ideas in context and recognise an author’s purpose and point of view,
- to evaluate the reasoning and evidence used in a text,
- to analyse and integrate information in various materials,
- to be able to interpret data and statistics in charts and graphs and
- to find the centre in a statistical data set, including the average, median and mode.
Question Types used on GED® Social Studies Test
1. Drag-and-drop questions present you with a small image, words, or numerical expression and you will have to select the correct answer and then drag and drop it in a specified location on the computer screen.
2. Drop-down questions present you with various options and you will have to click on the correct response to complete a statement.
3. Fill-in-the-blank questions require you to type a word, phrase, or number in a box that appears on the screen.
4. Hot-spot items consist of a graphic image or images. You will need to click on one or more “points” or graphics on the screen to select an area.
5. Multiple-choice questions have four options (A, B, C or D) and you must select the best answer.
With the Online GED Prep™ study programme you can study at your own pace and review lessons at any time. It will help you to develop the skills you need to score well on the GED® Social Studies Test.