In this chapter, you will assess your goals and learn how to most effectively use this book to ensure you perform your best on the GED® test.
You are reading this book because you want to make a better future for yourself, and that future begins with obtaining the equivalent of a high school degree. The doors that will open depend on your personal and professional goals, as the many successful people who earned a GED® test degree—including some famous people listed nearby—can tell you. We admire your motivation and congratulate you on your decision.
We are also delighted that you have chosen to use this book to prepare for the GED® test. We have helped millions of people achieve their goals, and we are honored to have the privilege of helping you. Your road to a passing—or even a College-Ready—score involves a combination of content, reading skills, writing skills, test-taking skills, practice, and self-evaluation.
The chapters in this book address the content and skills you need, and it is your job to learn the content and practice the skills. Most chapters contain drills that will help you assess your mastery. Answers and explanations for these drills can be found in Part VIII. Moreover, there are two full-length practice tests (along with answers and explanations) in Part IX. While the tests are not computer-based like the actual GED® test, they are representative of the number and types of questions you will encounter. You should take these tests under simulated testing conditions. In the pages that follow, we suggest when you should take each test.
Of course, we understand that your needs may differ from someone else’s, and we want to ensure that you get exactly what you need from this book. To that end, this chapter will guide you on the proper use of this book based upon your particular knowledge, needs, and goals.
Please begin by answering the three questions below and reading the study plan that follows.
Famous People Who Earned Their GED® Test Credential
Wally Amos, founder of Famous Amos Cookies
Augusten Burroughs, bestselling author
Ben Nighthorse Campbell, former U.S. Senator
Dr. Richard Carmona, former U.S. Surgeon General
Michael Chang, tennis champion
Eminem, rapper, actor, and record producer
Drake, rapper, songwriter, and actor
D. L. Hughley, political commentator and comedian
Bishop T. D. Jakes, pastor, author, and filmmaker
Peter Jennings, journalist and news anchor
Honorable Greg Mathis, U.S. District Court judge
Ruth Ann Minner, former Governor of Delaware
F. Story Musgrave, NASA shuttle astronaut
Danica Patrick, auto racing champion
Mary Lou Retton, Olympic gold medalist
Michelle Rodriguez, actor and screenwriter
Chris Rock, comedian and actor
Hilary Swank, Academy Award–winning actor
Dave Thomas, founder of Wendy’s
Mark Wahlberg, actor and producer
1. I am familiar with the structure of the GED® test, how it is scored, and how to register for the test. □ Yes □ No
2. I am familiar with the look and feel of the GED® test, including various functionalities, such as the calculator and review screens. □ Yes □ No
3. I am familiar with the format of the question types that appear on the GED® test. □ Yes □ No
If you answered No to either of questions 1 or 2, read Chapter 2 (or the relevant parts of Chapter 2) before you complete this chapter.
If you answered No to question 3, read Chapter 3. You may do so now or after you complete this chapter.
Even if you answered Yes to all three questions, we encourage you to read the Other Resources section on this page of Chapter 2. You may do so now or after you complete this chapter.
Next, proceed through the following steps.
Step One: Answer each group of questions below.
Step Two: Take Practice Test 1 (Chapter 24).
Step Three: Review and, if appropriate, change your answers to the questions below.
Step Four: Read and follow the study plan that follows each group of questions below.
4. I want to learn or to improve my ability to apply relevant test-taking strategies that an effective test taker utilizes. □ Yes □ No
5. I want to improve my ability to read and analyze charts, graphs, and other data-based figures. □ Yes □ No
6. I want to improve my ability to read and understand text, regardless of which one of the four GED® tests I am taking. □ Yes □ No
If you answered Yes to question 4, complete Chapter 4.
If you answered Yes to question 5, complete the “Understanding Graphics” tutorial, available for download when you register your book online.
If you answered Yes to question 6, complete the “Reading Comprehension” tutorial, also available for download.
7. I want to improve my mastery of answering reading questions relating to informational passages. □ Yes □ No
8. I want to improve my mastery of answering reading questions relating to literary passages. □ Yes □ No
9. I want to improve my mastery of answering language questions. □ Yes □ No
10. I want to improve my ability to write extended response answers. □ Yes □ No
If you answered Yes to question 7, complete Chapters 5 and 6.
If you answered Yes to question 8, complete Chapters 5 and 7.
If you answered Yes to question 9, complete Chapters 8 and 9.
If you answered Yes to question 10, complete Chapters 10 and 11.
Even if you answered No to any of questions 7 through 10, we recommend that you complete Chapters 5, 8, and 10, as well as the drills in Chapters 6, 7, 9, and 11.
11. I want to refine my mastery of one or more of the following concepts of basic arithmetic. □ Yes □ No
• The number line
• Rounding off
• Multiplying positive and negative numbers
• Absolute values
• Order of operations (PEMDAS)
• Commutative and distributive properties
• Factors and multiples
• Fractions
• Decimals
• Percents
12. I want to refine my mastery of one or more of the following concepts of applied arithmetic. □ Yes □ No
• Setup problems
• Mean, median, mode, range, and weighted mean
• Ratios and proportions
• Rate problems
• Scale and unit conversion
• Charts and graphs
• Exponents
• Radicals
• Scientific notation
• Probability
• Combinations and permutations
13. I want to refine my mastery of one or more of the following concepts of algebra. □ Yes □ No
• Simple equations
• Inequalities
• Translating English into math
• Polynomials
• Quadratic equations
• Rational expressions
• Simultaneous equations
• Functions
14. I would like to learn a test-taking strategy that may, on certain algebra problems, make those problems easier to solve. □ Yes □ No
15. I want to refine my mastery of one or more of the following concepts of geometry. □ Yes □ No
• Lines and angles
• Rectangles and squares
• Triangles and pyramids
• Circles, spheres, cylinders, and cones
• Setup geometry
• Graphing (the coordinate plane)
• Equation of a line
If you answered Yes to question 11, complete Chapter 12 and all or the relevant parts of Chapter 13.
If you answered Yes to question 12, complete Chapter 12 and all or the relevant parts of Chapter 14.
If you answered Yes to question 13, complete Chapter 12 and all or the relevant parts of Chapter 15.
If you answered Yes to question 14, complete the Backsolving section in Chapter 15.
If you answered Yes to question 15, complete Chapter 12 and all or the relevant parts of Chapter 16.
Even if you answered No to any of questions 11 through 15, we recommend that you complete Chapter 12, as well as the drills in Chapters 13 through 16.
16. I want to refine my mastery of United States history. □ Yes □ No
17. I want to refine my mastery of civics and government. □ Yes □ No
18. I want to refine my mastery of economics. □ Yes □ No
19. I want to refine my mastery of geography. □ Yes □ No
If you answered Yes to question 16, complete Chapter 17 and 18.
If you answered Yes to question 17, complete Chapter 17 and 19.
If you answered Yes to question 18, complete Chapter 17 and the relevant parts of Chapter 20.
If you answered Yes to question 19, complete Chapter 17 and the relevant parts of Chapter 20.
Even if you answered No to any of questions 16 through 19, we recommend that you complete Chapter 17, as well as the drills in Chapters 18, 19, and 20.
21. I want to refine my mastery of one or more of the following concepts of life sciences. □ Yes □ No
• The scientific method
• Cell theory and the origins of life
• Genetics
• Evolution and natural selection
• Plants
• Ecosystems and food chains
• The human body and human health
• Bacteria and viruses
22. I want to refine my mastery of one or more of the following concepts of physical and earth sciences. □ Yes □ No
• Energy and heat
• Physical laws, work, and motion
• Waves and radiation
• Solids, liquids, and gases
• Chemical reactions
• The changing earth
• Glaciers, erosion, and the ice ages
• Natural resources and sustainability
• Fossils
• Astronomy
If you answered Yes to question 21, complete Chapter 21 and all or the relevant parts of Chapter 22.
If you answered Yes to question 22, complete Chapter 21 and all or the relevant parts of Chapter 23.
Even if you answered No to either question 21 or 22, we recommend that you complete Chapter 21, as well as the drills in Chapters 22 and 23.
23. My goal is to achieve a Passing/College-Ready score.
If you answered College-Ready, we recommend that you complete all chapters in this book, without regard to the study plan above.
After you have completed the chapters according to your study plan, you should take Practice Test 2 (Chapter 26). If the test indicates areas on which you should try to further improve, revisit the appropriate chapters.
Also, remember that you have access to other resources as described on this page.
If you follow the steps outlined above, are diligent in your work, and assess your progress throughout your preparation, by the time you sit for the GED® test, you should find it familiar and manageable, and you should be able to take it with confidence!
Happy studies and best wishes for a successful future!
