Ten Surefire Ways to Prepare for the GED Test

IN THIS CHAPTER

check Finding ways to improve your skills for each test

check Giving yourself time to study and sleep

check Preparing yourself for the big day

Of course you want to do well on the GED test — otherwise, you wouldn’t be reading this book. But we also know that your time is limited, so this chapter gives you ten ideas and tips for preparing for the test, from selecting the right test-taking time for you to working through practice tests and getting familiar with the computer format, so you can do your very best on test day. These tips are all part of preparing for the big day. You want to be able to arrive at the test site with the least amount of worry and stress. Removing as many sources of stress before that day will make everything go much smoother.

Selecting the Best-Possible Test Date

Why take time to prepare for the GED test when you have a million other things to do? Sure, you probably live a busy life all the time, but do your best to find a period in your busy schedule when you can concentrate on preparing for and passing the test. Because the test is administered in small test centers, you may be able to arrange a date and time that suit you. Choose the test date wisely. If you have enough time to prepare, you’ll do well. It’s just that simple. Select a date that gives you enough time to prepare but not one that’s so far in the distance that you’ll retire before you take the test. Check out Chapter 1 for information on scheduling the test.

Taking Practice Tests

Taking practice tests before you take the actual test will help you get familiar with the test format, the types of questions you’ll be asked, and what subject areas you may need to work on. Take as many practice tests as you can before test day, and take them under the same conditions as the actual test (and be sure to practice with the time limits, too).

You can find two complete practice tests for each section of the GED in this book (check out Parts 6 and 7). Still want more practice? The GED Testing Service also provides some free practice tests at www.gedtestingservice.com/educators/freepracticetest. You also may want to try taking an Official GED Practice Test, available at testing centers, preparation classes, and online from the GED Testing Service. The official practice test in particular can help you predict your score, which allows you to see how close you are to passing the real GED test.

Studying Subject-Matter Books

If you’ve taken all the practice tests in this book and reviewed the answer explanations (see Parts 6 and 7), you may have identified key areas in which you’re lacking skills. Although those practice tests can’t help you predict your score on the real GED test, they can help prepare you for the actual test and give you a general idea of your strengths and weaknesses. If you didn’t get at least 80 percent correct on any of the sample test sections, you need to work on your test-taking skills and the subject matter.

Visit your local bookstore or library (so you don’t end up spending all your hard-earned money) for the many For Dummies books that are meant just for students. For example, consider the following fun, interesting, and easy-to-read books (all published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.) that can either improve your skills or simply make you more familiar with (and, therefore, more comfortable with) certain subjects:

Algebra I For Dummies and Algebra II For Dummies, by Mary Jane Sterling
Anatomy and Physiology For Dummies, 2nd Edition, by Maggie Norris and Donna Rae Siegfried
Astronomy For Dummies, 3rd Edition, by Stephen P. Maran
Biology For Dummies, 2nd Edition, by Rene Fester Kratz and Donna Rae Siegfried
The Civil War For Dummies, by Keith D. Dickson
Congress For Dummies, by David Silverberg
English Grammar For Dummies, 2nd Edition, by Geraldine Woods
Everyday Math For Dummies, by Charles Seiter
Geometry For Dummies, 2nd Edition, by Mark Ryan
Politics For Dummies, 2nd Edition, by Ann DeLaney
U.S. History For Dummies, 2nd Edition, by Steve Wiegand
World History For Dummies, 2nd Edition, by Peter Haugen

To find other helpful For Dummies books, check out www.dummies.com.

Although the Reasoning through Language Arts section doesn’t test your knowledge of literature, reading literature can help you prepare for that test. Consider reading one or two plays, novels from 1920 to the present, and recent short stories. Reading also helps you on all the tests! Read as many nonfiction articles in magazines, newspapers, or online as you can. Try to vary the content of your reading. Choose articles on current events, history, politics, and science.

You may also want to check out SAT For Dummies, 8th Edition, by Geraldine Woods with Peter Bonfanti and Kristin Josephson, and ACT For Dummies, 5th Edition, by Lisa Zimmer Hatch and Scott Hatch (both published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.). Although these books are aimed at high-school juniors and seniors who are taking college-entrance exams, if you can master the review material and sample questions, you’ll prepare yourself not only for the GED test but also for the next step, the college-entrance exams after you receive your diploma.

Enrolling in a GED Test Preparation Class

If you like to interact with other people and prefer a teacher to guide you through your preparation, consider taking a GED test preparation class — a class designed to prepare you to take and pass the GED test. Costs for these classes vary widely, and some are offered free of charge. Consider whether you learn better on your own or in a group, and whether you have the time to take a class, and make your decision accordingly.

To find a class in your location, ask around. Talk to people you know who have taken the GED test, administrators and teachers at your local high school or college, or people at your local GED testing center. You may also be able to take distance-learning courses (where you do your assignments on your own and contact your instructor via the Internet), which may be a good choice for you.

You may also find that some subject areas, like math, require more help. Local high schools usually offer night-school courses for free or for minimal fees. Although these courses require more time, they also provide more direct help. Better yet, they’re a lot less costly than private GED test-prep classes.

After deciding on a few potential classes, visit the class or instructor, if possible. Make sure that his or her teaching style matches your learning style. The preparation class will be a big investment of your time, so shop around wisely.

After finding a preparation class, consider joining or forming a study group with other GED test-takers. You can help each other study and ask each other questions about different aspects of the test. Be wary before committing to a group, though: If the other group members’ idea of studying is to party for three hours to get ready for five minutes of study, and you want to study for three hours to get ready for five minutes of social activity, you won’t be happy. Talk to the other members of the study group and find out what their goals are for the group. If you can find a suitable group, make a commitment and enjoy your new friends.

Scheduling Time to Study

Whether you study on your own, with a group, or with an instructor, set aside time each day to study. Stick to your schedule as if your grade depends on it (and, by the way, it does!). Study regularly by doing the following:

Take practice tests to find out in which subject area(s) you struggle.

Check each answer on the practice tests, and read all the answer explanations. Make sure you understand your mistakes.
Focus your studies on the subject area(s) you’re weakest in.
Take more practice tests.

Preparing for the Test in Your Mind

To make yourself less anxious about the GED test, visualize yourself at the test center on test day. In your mind, see yourself enter the room, sit down at the computer, listen to the instructions, and reach out to the keyboard. Go through this routine in your mind until it begins to feel familiar. Then see yourself starting the test and scrolling through questions (questions that are likely familiar to you because you’ve taken many practice tests). See yourself noting the easy questions and beginning to answer them. By repeating this visual sequence over and over again in your mind, it becomes familiar — and what’s familiar isn’t nearly as stressful as what’s unfamiliar. (This process is called visualization and really works at putting your mind at ease for the test.)

Getting Good Rest the Week before the Test

As part of your plan for preparation, include some social time, some down time, and plenty of rest time because everyone performs better when well rested. In fact, your memory and ability to solve problems improve remarkably when you’re properly rested.

Whatever you do, don’t panic about your upcoming test and stay up all night (or every night for a week) right before the test. Last-minute cramming rarely works. Instead, plan your last week before the test so you get plenty of sleep and are mentally and physically prepared for the test.

Practicing Your Route to the Test Site

On certain days and occasions, you just don’t want to get lost or be late. These days include your wedding day, an important interview, and the day you’re taking the GED test. Make sure you plan a route from your home or job, or wherever you’ll be commuting from, to the testing site. Map it out and practice getting to the test center. If you’re driving to the test center, make sure you know where to park. Arrive early enough that you can be sure to find a spot. Remember, you can’t leave the car in the middle of the street if you expect to drive it home, too.

Leave extra time for surprises. You never know when your street could be declared the site for an elephant crossing or when a herd of oxen decides to meander across your road. The crowd, oxen, and elephants could make you late for the tests unless you allow yourself some extra time.