In a competitive job market, having a high school diploma or equivalent is virtually a necessity for getting jobs that offer a good living and prospects for advancement.
Whether you’re aiming to land a new job, increase your earning potential, or simply better yourself through education, your GED is a key that unlocks numerous doors to opportunities. It’s evidence of your commitment to achieving your personal and professional goals. So, let’s talk about how the GED test works and how you can maximize your chances of success.
Understanding the GED Test
The General Educational Development (GED) test is designed to measure proficiency in standard high school subjects and is recognized as an equivalent to a high school diploma.
Preparing for the GED involves familiarizing yourself with the test format and the types of questions you’ll encounter. The test consists of four main sections assessing your knowledge and your ability to understand and apply information in different subject areas.
1. Mathematical Reasoning
This section covers basic math, geometry, basic algebra, and graphs and functions. You’ll have 115 minutes to complete this part. The test utilizes multiple choice and other question types such as fill-in-the-blank, drag and drop, drop-down, and select an area.
2. Reasoning Through Language Arts
This portion of the test focuses on reading comprehension, grammar, and identifying and creating arguments. It lasts 150 minutes, including a 45-minute segment for writing an essay.
3. Social Studies
In this section, you’ll need to demonstrate skills in analyzing historical events and using graphs and numbers in social studies. The time given for this part of the test is 70 minutes.
4. Science
This part of the GED test verifies your knowledge of scientific content, designing and interpreting science experiments, and comprehending numbers and graphs. It lasts about 90 minutes.
How To Get Your GED: Strategies and Steps
Preparation is the cornerstone of GED success. Here are effective strategies to help you get ready:
Create a Study Plan
For your GED prep, break down the subjects into manageable segments and dedicate time each day or week to focus on each area. Spend more time on subjects you find challenging and less on those you find easier.
Utilize Study Guides and Practice Tests
Leverage study guides and take practice tests regularly. These resources mimic the format of the actual test, helping you become more familiar with the types of questions asked and how they are structured.
Engage in Active Learning
Active learning involves summarizing notes, teaching the material to someone else, or discussing topics with study partners. This approach reinforces your knowledge and also identifies gaps in your understanding.
Stay Consistent and Persistent
Consistency is the key to retaining information. Make a schedule and stick to it. Persistence is equally important; don’t get discouraged by setbacks. View them as opportunities to learn and grow.
Your Future Is Calling: Take the Next Step with ICT
Getting your GED is just the first step to being considered for positions that offer solid pay, job security, and prospects for advancement. The next step you can take to give yourself a competitive advantage in the job market is to pursue training that leads to a career—vocational training. Interactive College of Technology (ICT) offers diploma and Associate of Science Degree programs at our seven campuses in a variety of in-demand career fields, including human resources, accounting, information technology, and HVAC/R. By training at ICT, you’ll also get the benefit of lifetime career placement support to help you get the jobs you want.
Contact us today to learn more!
