GED Study Guide: How to Study for the GED

How to Study for the GED at Home

According to research published on the GED Testing Services website, the best way to study for the test is by focusing on areas that have been the most challenging for other GED test-takers (acenet.edu). Steck Vaughn published a 5-book series called Keys to GED Success that has been recommended by GED Testing Services. To improve your chances of passing the GED, it targets the five key skill areas, which include:

• Language arts, writing
• Language arts, reading
• Science
• Social studies
• Mathematics

There are many other GED study guides available online or in bookstores. The public library is also a good place to find materials, although you might want your own copy to write in. Look for guides that include a practice test and answers.

Online Options

Study online using a free program offered by Kentucky Educational Television (KET) called LiteracyLink. This program incorporates online, interactive activities and practice tests, which are graded instantly. You may want to begin studying by taking the practice test, then concentrating on the areas you struggled with the most.

Although there are extra materials, such as workbooks, that you can buy from this site, plenty of resources available for free. However, you must create an account to view the study materials.

Study Tips

After finding a study guide that meets your individual needs, set up a study schedule. Frequency and consistency are two of the best ways to prepare for an exam. If you have extra practice tests, take one every week. Then, concentrate on a different subject each day until you feel proficient in it.

Research your state's passing requirements. Each state requires a different number of correct answers to pass, so you'll likely be better prepared if you know how you will be graded.

As with all multiple-choice tests, there are some test-taking techniques you can use to increase your speed. For instance, read the questions before tackling a reading passage. If you know what you will be asked, you'll know what to look for while reading. Additionally, don't spend too long on any question. Make an educated guess if you can; if not, skip it and return later.