GED Math Test

Many students consider the GED Math test to be the hardest of the five exams.  The GED Mathematics exam is intended to addess a student's knowledge of standard high school math.  Students are tested on basic math concepts and theory as they relate to everyday scenarios.  Additionally, students are evaluated on their ability to understand math topics in a variety of formats such as charts, graphs, diagrams, and tables.

GED Math Test Summary Information

The test is broken into two sections
Part 1 of the GED Math Test

• 25 questions
• 45 minute time limit
• Calculator use is allowed (you will be given access to a Casio fx-260 Solar Scientific calculator)

Part 2 of the GED Math Test

• 25 questions
• 45 minute time limit
• Calculator is not allowed

GED Math Topics

• Number Operations and Number Sense
• Measurement and Geometry
• Data Analysis, Statistics, and Probability
• Algebra, Functions, and Patterns

Question Formats and Types

• There are three types of questions:
  • Procedural
  • Conceptual
  • Application/Modeling/Problem Solving
• Half of the questions are based on tables, charts, graphs and diagrams
• 80% of questions are multiple choice (5 choices)
• 20% of the questions are alternative format (students record answers on standard or coordinate plane grids)

 

Math Topic	Number of Questions	Abilities Tested
Number Operations and Number Sense	10 to 15 Questions	Representation, number relationships, and equivalent values for integers, fractions, decimals and rational numbers. Place values and number properties. Real-world applications with percents, ratios and proportions. Determining the appropriate operation (i.e., multiplication, division, etc.) to use to find an answer. Solving problems using mental math, paper/pencil or with a calculator. Solving problems by estimating and determining reasonableness of answers
Data Analysis, Statistics, and Probability	10 to 15 Questions	Work with tables, charts, and graphs to construct, interpret and draw inferences. Calculate and analyze data with measures of central tendency (e.g., mean, mode, median and range). Make predictions and inferences based on data analysis and probabilities. Analyze statistical reports and recognize data sampling and bias. Use experimental or theoretical probabilities to make predictions and determine possible outcomes.
Algebra, Functions, and Patterns	10 to 15 Questions	Solve problems using algebraic expressions and equations, including linear, quadratic and exponential equations. Depict information from tables, graphs and written descriptions as variables and equations. Recognize and use indirect and direct variation techniques. Represent information found in tables and graphs as patterns and relationship among numbers.
Measurement and Geometry	10 to 15 Questions	Answer questions related to area, surface area, perimeter, volume, capacity, weight, mass and angle measurement. Determine the y-intercept of a line, a line's slope and the intersection of two lines. Utilize both metric and standard units of measure, and be able to convert between. Utilize the Pythagorean theorem to solve problems. Analyze and describe geometric figures, including the concepts of parallelism, perpendicularity, and congruence.

Question Types

There are three types of questions used on the GED exams: procedural, conceptual and application/modeling/problem solving.

Procedural Questions

Procedural questions assess a student's ability to identify a process for solving a problem.  There will be approximately 10 procedural questions on the test.  To do well on procedural questions, a student must be able to:

• Understand charts, tables and graphs.
• Use formulas and round, estimate and order numbers as necessary.
• Be able to use the order of operations to solve problems with multiple operations.
• Determine the correct way to solve standard one-step problems.

Conceptual Questions

Conceptual questions evaluate a student's ability to comprehend and apply mathematical concepts to various problems. There will be approximately 15 conceptual questions on the exam.  Students must understand how basic math principles and concepts work and how to apply them.  Students may be asked to show how to solve a problem but not required to calculate the answer.  To succeed on the conceptual questions, a student needs to be able to:

• Identify basic math principles.
• Understand and use symbols, signs and math terms.
• Evaluate, integrate, compare and contrast various math concepts and principles.
• Recognize and evaluate assumptions and relationships.
• Develop exampes and counter-examples of mathematical concepts.

Application, Modeling, Problem Solving

The questions in this section evaluate a student's ability to apply mathematical principles and solve problems.  There will be approximately 25 application/modeling/problem solving questions on the GED math exam.  To do well on the problem solving questions, students need to be able to:

• Make out the type of problem that is presented.
• Determine if there is enough information to solve the problem.
• Recognize and eliminate any unnecessary information that is not required to solve a problem.
• Choose and apply the best approach to solving the problem.
• Evaluate the reasonableness and accuracy of the answer.

Resources

Calculator - You are allowed to use a calculator on Part I of the GED Mathematics Test.  You will be provided with a Casio fx-260 Solar Scientific Calculator.  You will not be allowed to bring/use your own calculator even if you own a Casio fx-260 Calculator.  The video below will help orient you with how to use the provided calculator.

Video - Using your GED provided Casio fx-260 Solar Scientific Calculator