What’s On The GED Test? FREE GED Practice Test In 2025

Anyone who did not complete high school can benefit from taking the GED exam. Because most employers expect applicants to have a high school diploma or the equivalent, adults who did not finish high school can take the GED test to meet this requirement.

So, what exactly is on the GED exam? Those taking the GED for the first time should be familiar with the GED test subjects. We’ll go over each section of the GED test in this article.

Let’s get started with our free GED practice test to pass the actual exam on your first try.

What Is The GED Test?

The General Educational Development Test, or GED, is a standardized test that is administered across the United States. The purpose of the test is to assist individuals who did not complete high school.

The GED test was created in 1942 with the belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to improve their lives. The exam was created after World War II to assist troops returning from the war, many of whom were often illiterate and unskilled outside of combat.

Since then, the test has grown in popularity, and it is now offered to people who did not complete high school. The GED test enables people to obtain the qualifications they need to succeed in their careers or further their education.

GED certification is recognized across the United States and can be obtained at any time of year. The exam takes around seven hours to complete, but the results are well worth it.

GED certification is accepted by colleges and institutions all around the United States.  Furthermore, the GED test has been given to over 20 million people and is still rising, with a high success rate. Some GED holders have gone on to successful careers in politics and education.

What’s On The GED Test?

So what subjects are on the GED? The GED test is computer-based and covers four GED test topics: mathematical reasoning, language arts reasoning, social studies, and science. Each topic requires its own test. It’s not necessary to take them all at once.

The table below includes a summary of each part:

GED subjects	Time	Content	Format
Language Arts (RLA)	150 minutes	Reading for meaning Identifying and creating arguments Grammar and language	Three parts Drag-and-drop, multiple-choice, select-an-area, and dropdown questions A written essay
Mathematics	115 minutes	Basic math Geometry Basic algebra Graphs and functions	Two parts Fill-in-the-blank, drag-and-drop, multiple-choice, select-an-area, and dropdown questions Reference sheet and math formula sheet allowed A calculator is allowed in part two
Science	90 minutes	Reading for meaning in science Designing and interpreting science experiments Using numbers and graphics in science	One part Fill-in-the-blank, drag-and-drop, multiple-choice, select-an-area, and dropdown questions Calculator and reference sheet allowed
Social Studies	70 minutes	Reading for Meaning in social studies Using numbers and graphs in social studies Analyzing historical events and arguments in social studies	One part Fill-in-the-blank, drag-and-drop, multiple-choice, select-an-area, and dropdown questions Calculator and reference sheet allowed

What To Expect On The GED Test?

The GED test not only closely resembles the curriculum found in typical high school courses, but also aims to prepare test takers for real-world intellectual exposure encountered in university settings and beyond. 

Every question you come across will be relevant to either academics or the workplace. To prepare for the exam, make sure you go through a lot of GED sample test questions.

Social studies, mathematics, science, and language arts are the four sections of the GED exam. You won’t be able to get your GED until you pass all of the sections. Unlike other standardized examinations such as the SAT, test takers usually take each section of the test separately rather than all at once.

You’ll find at least one of the following types of questions in each section: fill-in-the-blank, multiple-choice, hot spot, drag-and-drop, and short answer.

On the day of your test, you will be given materials, such as a personal board for notes and scratchwork. Cell phones, as well as any of your other things other than essential test-taking supplies, are not permitted in the testing room. Some storage space should be available, but it will be on a first-come, first-served basis.

Exam participants who arrive more than 15 minutes late to the testing location risk not being able to take the test and will not be refunded their test fees. You should be informed of your test’s date and location, and attend as early as possible. To allow for check-in processes, arrive half an hour before your scheduled testing time.

Social Studies

The GED social studies section assesses not only your ability to grasp basic social studies topics but also the way you apply them in the real world. 

It consists of a total of 50 questions. Each one is targeted to one of four topics: economics, civics, geography, or American history. Economic topics account for 15% of the text, civics for 50%, geography for 15%, and US history for 20%. 

All of these topics are taught in high schools across the United States. You’ll have to defend many of your responses using reading passages supplied to you, in addition to the numerous question types you’ll be needed to answer.

Let’s prepare for your test with our GED Social Studies practice test 

Math

The GED math consists of 50 questions divided into two parts: algebra and mathematical quantities. Furthermore, your ability to think is critical. You will not be asked any questions that go beyond fundamental mathematical principles, as this is what modern institutions seek in new students. You will, nevertheless, be required to completely know the fundamentals.

Algebra is covered in 55% of the test, while quantitative problem solving is covered in 45%. You have the choice of using a TI-30XS scientific calculator or a digital calculator when taking the test. You must, however, provide the former on your own.

Ace your GED math test with our GED Math Practice Test.

Science

You will complete 50 multiple-choice questions on the science section of the GED test within 80 minutes.

The science portion of the GED exam is designed to assess your understanding of scientific principles. Each question on this section of the test relates to one of three areas of science: astronomy and Earth science, physics, and biology.

These three topics are not only the most commonly taught in high schools in the United States, but they are also the most appropriate for adults in today’s environment. Earth science accounts for 20% of the science test, physics for 40%, and biology for 40%.

Approximately half of this section of the exam includes an instructional piece—a picture, a written passage, or anything else—with three questions related to it at most.

This specific test does not need a thorough grasp of science. Rather, each question will provide just enough background for you to be able to answer it with a basic comprehension of scientific principles. There are no questions regarding more complex topics like energy or anatomy.

Study this section with our GED Science Practice Test

Language Arts

The GED’s language arts part is divided into two sections: writing and reading. This section of the exam assesses your contextual knowledge of the English language and texts, as well as your writing and reading skills. 

Prose and literature account for 25% of the test, while nonfiction accounts for 75%. The nonfiction section of the language arts test typically includes American historical materials. The length of each passage on the test varies between 450 and 900 words.

The writing part, like the social studies section, is based on your ability to support your answers with evidence from the materials presented. The test’s layout affects the expectations you have for your responses. Scorers want to assess how well you can write on a level of technology, to put it another way, how well you can type out your thoughts, as well as how well you can use evidence to back up your written responses. The rubric you’ll be assessed on also follows three rules: how effectively you can articulate yourself in English, how well you arrange and flesh out your thoughts, and how well you explain and justify your replies to the readings.

The reading part is more “traditional,” and is designed to assess your ability to comprehend what you read as well as develop conclusions based on evidence found within the book. GED exam takers are required to be able to determine word meanings, a piece’s core topic, and other components based on the context of a phrase.

Practice this section with GED Language Arts Practice Test

How Is The GED Test Scored?

The scoring system for the GED test has recently been modified. There were two stages of passing the GED in the past:

• Passing (getting a score of 150-169)
• Passing with Honors (getting a score of 170-200).

The passing levels for the GED, however, have changed. There are three levels of passing now:

• Passing (getting a score of 145-164)
• GED College Ready (a score of 165-174), indicating that the test-taker is prepared to enroll in college-level courses
• GED College Ready + Credit (score of 175-200), which confirms that the test-taker is ready to attend college-level courses while also providing them with 10 credit hours to utilize in college.

All GED test-takers since January 1, 2014, will be affected by this change. Since that time, if the test-taker has gotten a score of 145-149, they will be regarded as passing.

Each exam is scored by an engine that is programmed to be as near to human-like as possible.

Within 24 hours of the exam date, the results are usually returned to the test taker. When you are able to view your GED test score online, you will be notified through email. You may discover them on the MyGED part of the official GED website for registered test-takers.

If you performed well on the test, you will achieve your GED certificate. 

You still have options if you didn’t perform so well. You have the opportunity to retake the test as many times as you need; however, there are certain restrictions.

There is no time limit on when you may sign up for the first couple of retakes. After the first two retakes, you must wait at least 60 days before attempting the test again.

A cost for each retake is also charged, which is determined by your home state. The first two retakes, however, are free; however, you must do it within a year after the first time you failed the test. If you fail a test, you can only retake it. All retakes can be scheduled online or by calling the official GED center.

What Is A Good GED Score?

A score of at least 145 points in each topic is required to pass the GED exam. The math exam is usually the most difficult. You can retake any subject if your score falls below 145.

If you wish to improve your score in order to get into college, you can retest. You’re ready for college-level courses if your score is between 165 and 174. You might earn up to three college credits in math, science, and social studies, as well as one credit in humanities if you get a score of 175-200.

It’s critical to get some GED practice in before the test. Finally, if you want to go to college, higher scores might save you time and money.

How To Get Ready For The Exam?

Our GED practice tests are created by our experts and will help you easily prepare for your coming exam. It has the same length as the real thing and is extremely useful.

Following the exam, you will receive a report outlining the best study methods based on your results. You’ll also get a sense of how the real exam will be worded, which will help you prepare. These GED exams are totally free if you learn by topic, and it’s only $9.99 for unlocking all full practice tests and other amazing features.

FAQs

Is it hard to pass the GED test?

To pass an exam, you just need to answer 40-50% of the questions properly, depending on the test. With a little preparation, passing the test may be quick and straightforward. If you do not prepare for the exam, it may be too difficult. Few individuals pass the test without first preparing for it.

What kind of math is on the GED?

Basic Math, Geometry, Basic Algebra, and Graphs & Functions are the general topics covered on the GED math test.

What kind of science is on the GED test?

The GED science exam lasts 90 minutes and covers three major topics: Earth and space science, biological science, and physical science.

What is a typical GED score?

A GED passing score is between 145 and 164. At this level, you will receive your GED. A GED College Ready Score ranges between 165 and 174. This score demonstrates that you are prepared to pursue college courses.

Final Words

Have you answered the question “What’s on the GED test?” It is made up of four GED test subjects: mathematics, language arts, social studies, and science. This article explains everything about each section, including the scoring system. We hope that with the information we’ve provided, you’ll be well prepared for the test in the coming days. Best wishes!