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How to Prepare for and Pass the GED Science Test

December 17, 2020

From human evolution to the Earth’s placement in the cosmos, the GED science exam will test your knowledge of many different subjects. But before you start to feel overwhelmed, take this bit of encouragement: the GED science test has a 90% pass rate, meaning if you are well-prepared, you have a great chance of doing well on the exam.

By learning more about what to expect and spending time studying well in advance, you’ll be well prepared when test day arrives. Check out our tips to learn how to pass the GED science test.

What’s on the GED Science Exam?

The GED science test is a 90-minute exam with questions across three main topics: Earth and space science, life science, and physical science. As with the other GED exams, the science exam is scored from 100-200, with a passing score set at 145 or higher. Questions are in a variety of formats, such as multiple-choice, drop-down, short answer, and more.

Here’s an in-depth look at the topics you’ll be tested on for the GED science exam:

  • Reading and meaning in science
  • Designing and interpreting science experiments 
  • Using numbers and graphics in science

Are there Commonly Missed Questions?

The difficulty of the questions on the science exam depend on your preparedness. The hardest questions on the tests will be the ones you did not study enough. The best approach is to study, take a practice exam, spend additional time on the areas you fall short, then take the practice test again to make sure you improved. If you implement this strategy, you will be prepared for the test.

Tips for Passing the GED Science Exam

Keep in mind that the GED science exam isn’t about memorizing facts. Instead, you’ll need to use your reasoning skills to interpret scientific data. Here are some tips for passing this part of the GED.

  • Use the question as a source of information (most include a graph, chart, diagram, text, etc.)
  • Focus on the bigger picture—don’t get lost in the basic details of a topic.
  • Remember to think like a scientist:
    • Use data to make conclusions
    • Review an experiment and find the hypothesis, variables, errors, etc.
    • Know how to apply math in a scientific setting
  • Ready carefully before you answer a question

Studying for the GED Science Exam

Are you ready to dive into your studies? Once you’ve spent time reading up on the three main topics, you can assess where you’re at by taking GED Ready, the official GED practice test. You can also try a free GED sample test to help further your studies. Once you’re happy with your score, you’ll know you’re ready to take the GED science exam with confidence.

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