2 The GED Testing Service Explains the Test

On the GED Testing Service website, the purpose of the Mathematics Test is explained this way:

"The GED Mathematics Test assesses an understanding of mathematical concepts and the application of those concepts to various situations. The test:

• Measures problem-solving, analytical, and reasoning skills.
• Determines whether a candidate can interpret information from both word problems and graphic formats, including charts, tables, graphs, and diagrams.
• Presents problems in real-life contexts."

© 2011 American Council on Education

3 Multiple-Choice Questions

Forty of the 50 questions on the GED Mathematics test are in the multiple-choice format:

• There are always five choices.


• Occasionally (5) Not enough information is given is presented as an alternative choice, and in some cases, it is the correct answer.


• Questions may involve one step or several steps to reach the solution.


• Incorrect answer choices are often "plausible distractors," which may result from any number of common reasoning errors, including:

      • an incorrect understanding of what the question is asking

      • failure to complete all steps to reach a solution

      • an incorrect procedure or formula

      • failure to integrate information from a problem with an accompanying graphic



• There are three different cognitive levels of multiple-choice questions:

      • Procedural (20%)

      • Conceptual (30%)

      • Application/Modeling/Problem Solving (50%)



• Because of their importance to success with measurement and geometry questions they are featured in Measurement: Lesson 5 - Solving GED Word Problems.

4 Grid Questions

Ten of the 50 questions on the GED Mathematics Test are in alternative formats. Instead of selecting from five answer choices, students will have to record their choices on two different types of grids.

Click for larger image.

Click for larger image.

These grids appear on both Part 1 and Part 2 of the Mathematics Test:

• The standard grid. A downloadable PDF of the standard grid is located in the Resources section of this course.















• The coordinate grid. Because of its frequent use with measurement and geometry questions, it is featured in The Coordinate Plane: Lesson 4 - GED Coordinate Grid


• A downloadable PDF of the coordinate grid is contained in the Resources section of this course.

5 Tables and Graphics

About 50% of the questions on the GED^® Mathematics Test are based on a graphic or a table. These graphics may:

• be used to answer one question
• be used to answer more than one question
• be used in combination with information provided in a word problem

Some of the common graphics on the Mathematics Test include:

• tables of data
• charts of information
• graphs—line, bar, circle, etc.
• drawings that depict distances, objects, etc.
• geometric shapes or figures

Because of their importance to success with measurement and geometry questions, Lines, Angles, and Triangles: Lesson 8 — Problem Solving with Drawings focuses on working with graphics.

6 Formulas Page

Click for larger image.

As a part of the GED Mathematics Test, students will have access to a formulas page, shown to the left.

• All the formulas used in this course are derived from the GED formulas page.
• Because of its importance to success with measurement and geometry questions, Perimeter, Area, and Volume: Lesson 7 focuses on the GED Formulas Page.
• A downloadable copy of the GED formulas page is contained in the Resources section of this course.

Credits