There is a ton of information about the GED Math test online, and it can be hard to sift through all of it without getting overwhelmed and discouraged. For that reason, we’ve put together a list of tips and tricks that can save you time and improve your score on the most difficult of the four GED tests. So, without further introduction, here is our best advice for the GED Math test.
- Register at www.ged.com. This is the official site of the GED, and it has some useful resources. There’s information about the exams and state-specific guidance (testing procedures vary in some locations). Most importantly, however, once you register you can…
- Take a practice test! Even if you know you’re not ready for the real thing, the best way to start your prep is to take a practice test. These are retired questions from real tests, so they are the best way to see what the test actually looks like. Also, practice scores are generally close to what you would actually get on the test, so taking a practice test is a great way to know where you stand. If you score at least a 150 on your practice test, go ahead and schedule the real thing! (Note, however, that the online version of the test is a bit harder than the in-person version, so maybe try and get a 155 on the practice test first if you are planning to take your GED Math test online.) You have 120 days to finish the practice test.
- Get the right calculator and learn how to use it. The only calculator you can use on the GED Math test is the TI-30XS Multiview. Prices change, but you can usually get one for around $20. Buy it as soon as possible! Then, spend some time getting to know it. The official GED calculator reference guide is here. The calculator can save you huge amounts of time and brainpower on the day of the exam…if you know how it works.
- Get comfortable with the formula sheet. Good news! You don’t have to memorize any formulas for the GED Math test. You will be given every formula that you need on the test. However, you should still review the sheet ahead of time: don’t just assume that you’ll be able to find what you need on your test day.
- Focus on algebra. If you only have time to study one content area before your test, make it algebra. There will be many algebra questions on the test, and there will be many word problems that depend on algebraic concepts, especially equations and inequalities.
- Break it up into small portions. Unlike the other GED tests, the Math test requires a lot of basic subject knowledge. If you haven’t flexed your math muscles in a while, you could end up overwhelmed. It is really important to break your studying up into small portions and do a little bit every day. Our GED math lessons and practice tests usually take about fifteen minutes to complete. Try to set a goal of completing one or two of them every day, and you’ll be amazed how much progress you can make in just a few weeks.
- Answer the easy questions, flag the hard questions. You don’t have to answer every question correctly to pass the GED Math test. In fact, you really only have to answer about half correctly. So don’t get discouraged when you run into tough questions! Just take your best guess, flag that question, and move on to the next one. Concentrate on answering all the easy questions on the test, then return to the ones you’ve flagged. You may be able to pass the test just by answering questions that seem easy to you, and, at the very least, you can build your confidence and get comfortable in the exam setting before you tackle the tough stuff.