Curriculum
Exam Subjects
The GED® exam is made up of 4 subjects, broken into separate exams: Mathematical Reasoning, Reasoning Through Language Arts, Social Studies, and Science. You don’t have to take all 4 exams at once — you can space them out and go at your own pace.
Mathematical Reasoning
OverviewLearn math concepts, measurements, equations, and applying math concepts to solve real-life problems. You don’t have to memorize formulas and will be provided a formula sheet to use on the exam.
Topics
- Basic Math
- Geometry
- Basic Algebra
- Graphs and Functions
Exam DetailsFormat
- 2 parts
- Access to math formula sheet and on-screen calculator
- Multiple choice and other question types (drag and drop, fill-in-the-blank, select an area, and drop-down)
Duration
- 115 minutes
- Includes 2 minutes of instructions and final review
- Includes 3 minute break between parts
Reasoning Through Language Arts
Overview
Learn reading and writing concepts, including grammar. You’ll need to read excerpts from a variety of informational and literary sources and show your understanding, draw conclusions, and write clearly. Your writing will demonstrate your ability to analyze two passages, decide which argument has more convincing evidence and explain why the evidence supports your choice.
Topics
- Reading for Meaning
- Identifying and Creating Arguments
- Grammar and Language
Exam Details
Format
- 3 sections
- 1 written essay (extended response)
- Multiple choice and other question types (drag and drop, select an area, and drop down)
Duration
- 150 minutes
- Includes 3 minutes of instructions and final review
- Includes 10 minute break between parts 2 and 3
- Includes 45 minutes for the written essay
Social Studies
Overview
Learn to to apply American social studies concepts, know how to read graphs and charts displaying social studies data, and use reasoning to interpret information. The social studies exam is not about memorization. You won’t need to memorize the capitals of countries or dates that events occurred, but given some information about an event you might need to use that in drawing conclusions.
Topics
- Reading for Meaning in Social Studies
- Analyzing Historical Events and Arguments in Social Studies
- Using Numbers and Graphs in Social Studies
Exam Details
Format
- 1 part
- Access to on-screen calculator
- Multiple choice and other question types (drag and drop, select an area, and drop down)
Duration
- 70 minutes
- Includes 2 minutes of instructions and final review
- No break
Science
OverviewLearn to understand science concepts, know how to read graphs and charts displaying scientific data, and use reasoning to interpret science information. The science exam is not about memorization. You won’t need to memorize the periodic table of elements, but you will need to recognize names and symbols of key elements in answering some questions.
Topics- Reading for Meaning in Science
- Designing and Interpreting Science Experiments
- Using Numbers and Graphics in Science
Exam DetailsFormat
- 1 part
- Access to on-screen calculator
- Multiple choice and other question types (fill in the blank, drag and drop, hot spot, and drop down)
Duration
- 90 minutes
- Includes 2 minutes of instructions and final review
- No break
Passing Score
The GED exam has a passing score of 145 out of 200 for each subject. To earn your certificate, you’ll need to score 145 on all four subjects. Be sure to check with your prospective university about scores required for admission.
