Is the GED Test Hard? What You Need to Know to Pass the GED

October 29, 2019

If you’re planning to take the GED test, you may be wondering: is the GED test hard? Well, it depends! If you don’t take time to study and get familiar with the test format, you may struggle with taking the GED. But with enough preparation, you can go into the GED test with confidence that you’ll pass.

If you’re someone who dropped out of high school in 11th or 12th grade, you may already have an education foundation to take and pass the test. Need more assurance? The pass rate for the GED test was an impressive 80% in 2018. 

The GED test measures your understanding of high school subjects like reading, math, social studies, and science. The test usually takes up to 7-8 hours to finish. On average, students spend about 3 months studying for and taking the test. All of that preparation will help you be well prepared for a bright future. You’ll learn valuable skills that can be applied to college courses, a job, and other future tests.

Is the Test Similar to High School?

High school offers students a chance to build upon their knowledge base for four years. They learn one course at a time and take many tests along the way. If you weren’t able to complete a traditional high school program, the GED allows you to exhibit the same skills in its tests.

How Can I Prepare for the GED?

Here are five key tips to set you up for success in preparing for and passing the GED:

1. Learn What to Study

The GED is made up of four parts, testing your knowledge of reading, math, social studies, and science. These are broad topics, so it’s important to read up on what specific skills you will need to know for the test. Identify which areas you need more brushing up on, then focus on those subjects in your studies.

2. Take Practice Tests

Practice tests will help you better determine your strengths and weaknesses. They’ll help you get familiar with the test format and feel more comfortable when the big test day comes. Specific practice tests like the GED Ready allow you to see which subjects you are doing well in as well as the ones you may need to spend a little more time working on. Find practice tests online and take them regularly throughout your study period to measure progress.

3. Study Consistently

When it comes to preparing for the GED, consistency is crucial. This is not a test you can just cram for and then hope for the best. Carve out time to study several times a week or even every day. Create a study schedule to help keep you on track.

4. Find a Preparation Program

Getting ready for the GED can feel overwhelming, but a GED preparation program can help direct your studies. Find the right program to meet your needs, then stick with it until testing day.

Start Preparing for the GED Today

GED Testing Service offers a complete list of study tips, prep materials, and courses to help you prepare for the GED. You can study on your own or get help from in-person or online GED instructors. If you’re ready to start your future with a GED, visit GED.com today to be prepared for exam day.

 

 

36 Comments

  1. Can you take your Ged classes and test if you haven’t completed Geometry yet? Also for a child with an 89 IQ is the classes in person better or online? Is more time spent in the classroom than the time online?

    Reply

    1. Hi Mary! You can take GED classes if you haven’t passed Geometry. Many students benefit from in-person and online classes. It’s up to you to decide but many of our students prefer going to an adult education center.

      Reply

        1. Hi Nicci. You’ll need to contact the specific adult ed center to see if they are open. Thank you!

          Reply

    1. Hi, if you can find out if in-person testing centers are open when you schedule your next test.

      Reply

      1. Anyone that needs to take the GED test I really don’t think it’s fair if you have a learning disability or dyslexia. It is hard to test and study. I don’t think the smart person that made this ged test can understand. I feel like if you go to a doctor and get tested for a learning disability or dyslexia you can test at the level.

        Reply

    2. Hello, where can i get test for ged in Virginia? I believe all public schools are closed. Can i take the test online at home ?

      Reply

  5. Hi,
    I was wondering how long I should study for the GED, before actually taking the GED exam?
    Also when is the soonest I can get my GED?

    Reply

    1. Hi Amanda! It takes the average student about 3 months to get their GED but can be quicker or longer depending on how much you study. Study time really depends on how comfortable you are with each subject. We suggest taking the GED Ready practice test before each actual test because it’s a good indicator of how you will perform on the test. We also suggest going through our free study guides to see how comfortable you are with each subject and their concepts. Please reach out with anymore questions!

      Reply

    2. I dropped out when I was in 9th grade. That was in 01 maybe. Then in 03 I had a traumatic brain injury. I thought I would get the Kaplan 2021 GED prep book. Just to check it out. I finished the pre test and just checked to see what I got right and wrong. Not sure how much the pre test is alike to the actual test. haha But I got 109 right and 45 wrong. I knew i would fail at the math. I actually did really well on mathematical reasoning part 1, getting more than 50% right. If after all these years of not doing any kind of school or studying AND having a brain injury, I can get ANY of those questions right, I have no doubt that you can do it.

      I think a bunch of the questions just take thought. I know you have a limited time on the test. But I could not figure one out. It was about two people that made an amount a month. Then asked you a specific question. I thought and thought and finally got it right. It just took my mind time to understand the best way to work it out. Don’t give up. You may know more than you think.

      Reply

      1. Hey Josh, can I ask what you did to prep? I’m in a similar situation being out of school for over 20 years and I know none of the math 😞 so discouraging.

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  7. Hi! I have an IQ of 114 and I’m in 12th grade but I had to drop out because of family issues. I have a hard time paying attention and really getting engaged with stuff, I’m wondering what I should use to be able to study for it so I can really learn, thank you.

    Reply

  9. I dropped out in 9th grade. There was so much happening in my life. I would sit in class and not pay attention at all. I would think about all the stuff. I started to do home school. That same year, so had a traumatic brain injury. Coma and all that. I started doing it again years later. Here at am, 35 and still never finished.

    I got the Kaplan test prep book. I can do language stuff. I’ve always been good at that. But the math I would fail. Haha. It’s still exciting to try.

    Reply

  10. I was diagnosed with COVID-19 and I was informed that I could take my G.E.D.@ home while in quantine.
    #graduate2021#achievethedream

    Reply

    1. Why.. haven’t I heard anything back from#myGED representatives about testing @ home while recovering from covid-19???

      Reply

  11. I am from a foreign country, I took he GED several times, I passed all the other subtests and can never pass the Maths, I got a sore of 7 and can never pass the math even attended GED classes, is there any special test I can take just to get the Math points

    Reply

    1. Hi Malissa. We offer great study tools for math. GED Flash offers 100s of practice questions to help you. Additionally, the GED Ready practice test will show you how likely you are to pass the real test. At the end it gives you a comprehensive study guide on everything you need to work on.

      Reply
  12. Pingback: GED Essay Writing And Its Importance - Bright Writers

  13. Hello I am trying to test quickly to get my GED due to there being an issue with my High School Diploma. I have to give my Background Investigator a copy of my GED once I pass all the tests, how fast can I get that paper stating I received my GED for employment with the Law Enforcement Agency I applied with?

    Reply

  14. I just have one question, can I take the GED test without ever taking any classes?

    Reply

  16. How much time does it take for an international student who has never studied for a highschool diploma or GED to study for the GED? And how long does it take to recieve results?

    Reply

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