Preparing for the GED® Tests
The GED® Tests
To obtain a General Educational Development (GED®) diploma, students must now take a battery of four computer-based tests:
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Reasoning through Language Arts
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Social Studies
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Science
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Mathematical Reasoning
To learn more about the 2014 GED® tests, click here.
To learn more about taking the GED® tests in Durham (including information about the new testing fees), please refer to Durham Tech's website. Click here.
GED® Study Materials
We use the Kaplan GED Test 2016 Strategies, Practice, and Review book as our primary study guide. We supplement the Kaplan book with a wide range of other books, workbooks, and online resources.
To make it easier for our tutors to find materials that they can use to supplement the lessons covered in the Kaplan book, we have created a google spreadsheet that lists resources that are relevant to each Kaplan lesson/chapter. The spreadsheet contains a tab or page for each of the four subjects. Click here to view the spreadsheet.
GED & Pre-GED Resources
Click here to view a spreadsheet that lists resources organized by Kaplan GED Test 2016 Strategies, Practice, and Review topics. (Each tab covers one subject.)
Reading
Writing
TV411 is a collection of videos and web activities designed to help you reach your learning goals. Pick a topic—reading, writing, vocabulary, math, science, or finance—and get started. You can register for free if you want to keep track of the lessons you've done and the videos you've watched.
GCF Learn Free provides hundreds of free lessons on topics such as reading, English, math, computer basics, jobs, money, time, food, health, and map. Registration is optional and will allow you to track your progress.
Each entry in this user-friendly online dictionary includes a short, entertaining explanation that describes what the word means and how it is used. If the word can be confused with another, they include that information as well. You can also sign up for free vocab instruction based on a quick online assessment.
This free, web-based resource requires students to register and take a quick placement test. The site offers more than 900 leveled reading passages with comprehension questions and many analogy, antonyms, and sentence completion questions.
The Student Center on this site provides the following resources: (unofficial) 2002 GED Practice Test, Glossary, Reading Handbook (key concepts), and GED Links. It also provides overviews, outlines, flashcards, review quizzes, and GED practice quizzes for each chapter included in the McGraw Hill GED Reading book. This site has not been updated for the 2014 GED® tests.
Science
Over 200 animations and slide shows on a variety of math and science topics that use key vocabulary words, short videos, and online student quizzes. Material is designed for kids but very useful for adults who need to review basic science concepts (e.g., different forms of matter and energy, basic chemistry, photosynthesis, global warming) prior to taking the science test.
Over 200 animations and slide shows on a variety of math and science topics that use key vocabulary words, short videos, and online student quizzes. Material is designed for kids but very useful for adults who need to review basic science concepts (e.g., different forms of matter and energy, basic chemistry, photosynthesis, global warming) prior to taking the science test.
TV411 is a collection of videos and web activities designed to help you reach your learning goals. Pick a topic—reading, writing, vocabulary, math, science, or finance—and get started. You can register for free if you want to keep track of the lessons you've done and the videos you've watched.
This Youtube Channel provides 40 educational videos on various biology topics.
Click on Learn, then select Science, and then select your topic to find interactive lessons a wide range of science topics.
The Student Center on this site provides the following resources: (unofficial) 2002 GED Practice Test, Glossary, Additional Readings, and GED Links. It also provides overviews, outlines, flashcards, review quizzes, and GED practice quizzes for each chapter included in the McGraw Hill GED Science book. This site has not been updated for the 2014 GED® tests.
Social Studies
This site provides English grammar lessons, quizzes, and exercises. Repeat each lesson as many times as necessary. Each lesson is completely self-correcting. Lessons focus on word and phrase patterns; clause patterns; verb tense and verbal patterns; verb forms and sentence patterns; punctuation and capitalization; and troublesome words. No registration required.
Road to Grammar is a free resource featuring quizzes, games, and lessons. Each quiz provides instant feedback and notes to explain why an answer is correct or incorrect. Before taking the quizzes visitors can work through a dozen practice activities and five practice games.
This site provides an excellent introduction to paragraphs for students preparing to write the essay portion of the GED Writing test.
This Wiki provides a great introduction to writing essays.
Use this online tool to plan your next essay. Fill in each section and then print the finished map before starting your rough draft. You can also print the template to use offline. This is a great tool for anyone learning to write effective essays.
This site is a great reference for any writer.
The Student Center on this site provides the following resources: (unofficial) 2002 GED Practice Test, Glossary, Writing Handbook (key concepts), Essay Scoring Guide, and GED Links. It also provides overviews, outlines, flashcards, review quizzes, and practice quizzes for each chapter included in the McGraw Hill GED Writing book. This site has not been updated for the 2014 GED® Tests.
Math
Over 200 animations and slide shows on a variety of math and science topics that use key vocabulary words, short videos, and online student quizzes designed to check content knowledge of topics covered. Material is designed for kids but very useful for adults who need to review basic math concepts (e.g., estimating/rounding, division, fractions, percents, geometry, algebra) prior to taking the Math test.
Register for free to take a quick placement test and track your progress through the interactive math lessons.
TV411 is a collection of videos and web activities designed to help you reach your learning goals. Pick a topic—reading, writing, vocabulary, math, science, or finance—and get started. You can register for free if you want to keep track of the lessons you've done and the videos you've watched.
GCF Learn Free provides free lessons on topics such as math, computer basics, jobs, and money. Registration is optional and will allow you to track your progress.
The Student Center on this site provides the following resources: (unofficial) 2002 GED Practice Test, Glossary, Math Handbook, Formulas, Alternate Answer Grids, Calculator Directions, and GED Links. It also provides overviews, outlines, flashcards, review quizzes, and practice quizzes for each chapter included in the McGraw Hill GED Math book. This site has not been updated for the 2014 GED® tests.
This page contains a number of interactive history and social studies lessons on a wide range of topics relevant to the Social Studies test. Take a quiz to assess your understanding of the topics covered after completing the interactive lesson. No registration is needed, and all interactive are free.
Educational Videos on Social Studies Topics
The following videos provide helpful background information for students preparing for the Social Studies test:
Click on Learn, then select Humanities, and then select your topic to find interactive lessons a wide range of relevant topics.
The Student Center on this site provides the following resources: (unofficial) 2002 GED Practice Test, Glossary, Social Studies Readings, and GED Links. It also provides overviews, outlines, flashcards, review quizzes, and GED practice quizzes for each chapter included in the McGraw Hill GED Social Studies book. This site has not been updated for the 2014 GED® tests.