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The GED Test


Here are descriptions of the 5 tests in the GED.

  • Interpreting Literature and the Arts Test: multiple choice, 40 questions, 65 minutes. This test measures your ability to comprehend and analyze reading selections in three areas: Popular Literature (50%), Classical Literature (25%) and Commentary on the Arts (25%). Commentary on the Arts includes reviews and criticisms of literature, film, television, drama, music, dance, and art.

  • Social Studies Test: multiple choice, 50 questions, 70 minutes. This test will measure your ability to use knowledge and information about fundamental social studies concepts in a variety of ways, including history, economics, political science, geography, anthropology, psychology, and sociology.

  • Science Test: multiple choice, 50 questions, 80 minutes. This test will cover topics in Life Science, including biology (50%) and Physical Sciences, including earth science, physics, and chemistry (50%).

  • Math Test: multiple choice, 50 items, 90 minutes. This test will measure your problem-solving skills in the areas of algebra (30%), geometry (20%), arithmetic (50%). The arithmetic portion includes measurement (30%), number relationships (1-%), and data analysis (10%). A formulas page is provided in every Mathematics Test booklet. Approximately 15% of items on the test require the use of formulas. You will use a scientific calculator on a portion of the test.

  • Writing Skills Test Part I: multiple choice, 75 minutes. Part I tests your ability to recognize and edit content errors in sentence structure (35%), usage (35%), and mechanics (30%).

  • Writing Skill Test Part II: essay, 45 minutes. Part II requires you to respond in writing to an essay question.

    Scoring:
    The minimum passing standard score is 410. You must have an average of 450 on the five tests. The recommended standard score for students planning to take the college placement test is between 500 and 600.

    Here are the Minimum Average GED standard scores for admission to Colleges

    and Universities in Oregon

    Oregon State University 580
    University of Oregon 580

    Portland State University

    		 580
    Southern Oregon State University 580
    Western Oregon State College 580
    OIT 580

     

     



    Check with a counselor at the college or university for more information on admission.

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