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