GED Test Content, Content of the GED Tests

The GED Tests include five tests: Language Arts-Writing (including multiple choice and essay sections), Language Arts-Reading, Science, Social Studies, and Mathematics (including calculator and non-calculator sections.) Time permitted for all tests totals 7 hours and 20 minutes. More information about each part of the GED is given below:
Language Arts, Writing, Part I 50 questions, 75 minutes

This test contains 50 multiple-choice questions that require you to revise and edit workplace and informational documents, focusing on organization, sentence structure, usage, and mechanics.

Language Arts, Writing Part II Essay, 45 minutes

You are asked to write an essay about an issue or subject of general interest. You may have to present your opinion or explain your views about the topic. The topic is assigned.

Social Studies 50 questions, 70 minutes

The questions are in a multiple choice format. Most are based on written and visual texts about history, geography, civics and government, and economics.

Science 50 questions, 80 minutes

Questions are in a multiple choice format. The science test covers physical science, life science, and earth and space science, requiring you to understand, interpret, or apply information from text and from graphs, charts, tables, and other graphics.

Language Arts, Reading 40 questions, 65 minutes

All questions are in multiple choice format. 75% of the texts are literary and 25% are non-fiction. Reading selections include poetry, drama, fiction, and workplace documents.

Mathematics, Part I 25 questions, 45 minutes

This section allows use of a calculator. A particular calculator, the Casio fx260, is provided for test-takers.

Mathematics, PART II 25 questions, 45 minutes

This section is done without a calculator.
Math tests measure your understanding of math concepts and your ability to apply them in real-world situations. 20% of the questions require you to generate your own answer. The rest are multiple choice. The test covers number operations, measurement and geometry, data analysis, and algebra.