So hello all my amazing followers!
I'm so sorry I haven't posted another subject for GED studying yet, I've been mega busy. I've finally gotten a job, and in order to get back and forth to said job, I have to stay at a friends house and she doesn't have internet (which will be changing within the next 1-3 days as her internet router should be coming in early this week).
In other great news, I have taken my GED test and PASSED!
Reading was my best subject at 690, and I was in the 97th percentile.
(For those that don't know, that means only 3% of people who took the GED test have done better than me OR that 96 percent did worse than me, whichever way you choose to look at it.)
Math and Writing were my second highest scores at 670, in the 96th percentile!
Science comes in 4th place with a score of 610, in the 86th percentile.
Social Studies is my lowest score, at 560, in the 73rd percentile.
I am so very happy and excited on these scores, and now that I have experienced the test, I'm going to give you some advice and some facts.
(Please remember that I'm testing in Texas so not everywhere may be EXACTLY the same, but I imagine its pretty close.)
1.) There are 26 different formats of tests, so chances are NOBODY in your testing class will have the same test as you do, so don't even bother trying to cheat, its useless and will only get you a failing grade and you may be banned from retaking the test at any other point in time.
2.) Math (at least on my format of the test) was relatively easy and I feel that most of the other formats probably are as well. There was no trigonometry (if you're taking a computerized test, this is probably not the case, and starting in 2014, everyone should be doing computer testing at your local testing center) and no geometry, simpy basic math (percentages, ratios, PEMDAS, equations, basic algebra) so those are the areas you should REALLY study on majorly before taking the test and then maybe do a bit of studying in Geo and Trig.
3.) Science is relatively easy, most answers can be found directly within the test just by reading the passage before the question.
4.) Reading/Writing can be tough, especially if you dont normally write or read, my advice would be to read A LOT in order to get in the hang of reading faster, as if you read slowly, you may not have enough time to complete the tests.
DEFINITELY do several practice essays before doing your writing test, I'll give you a few subjects to write on, each essay should be between 250-300 words approximately, and if you send them into me via email or anonymous message on tumblr, (or non-anon if you'd like, but i'll be posting them publicly) then I'll personally grade them for you!
(a) What are the essential characteristics of a good parent?
(b) Is there too large of an emphasis placed on grades in our society? Explain why you think so or don't think so, give two examples based on life experiences)
(c) If you could change any one thing about your childhood, what would it be and why?
(d) Choose an important person who you have looked up to in your life and who has helped you. Now write an essay about why you look up to him/her and how the person has helped you. Give examples and be specific.
5.) Don't be nervous, things are going to be quiet in this room, most probably you'll be placed in cubicles so nobody can cheat off you and you can't cheat off anyone else without being REALLY obvious about it. You wont be allowed anything, no pens or pencils of your own (they will be provided for you, as will scratch paper), no phones, jackets, drinks, food, keys, hats, etc. Nobody will rush you, someone will tell you when there are either 10, 5 or 1 minute left, but as long as you can read semi-quickly, you shouldn't have any problems with time.
6.) If you come across a question you just dont know the answer to, skip it and come back to it after you've finished the rest of that subject of the test. If you still don't know an answer for it, then try narrowing it down first. Out of 5 answers, if you KNOW that 2 of them cannot possibly be correct, then look at the other three and just guess. By taking those 2 possible answers out of your guessing, you raise your chance from 20% of a right answer, to 33% of a right answer. And if you know 3 aren't correct, then you only have to choose between 2, which gives you a 50/50 shot of guessing correctly, and those are so much better than the original 20%.
7.) Eat a good breakfast and go to the bathroom before hand. You dont want to be in a super quiet room and have your stomach start to growl at you or something, its loud and rather embarrassing. You also don't want to be constantly thinking about how badly you have to use the toilet, it ruins your concentration. If you're taking an entire day or two to take the tests, then you will be let out for a lunch break (and probably be let out for breaks between tests for a quick run to the bathroom as well).
And i think that is all I have to tell you guys.
Congratulations to one of my followers, Raquel, who recently passed her GED test! That's amazing and I wish you the best in life!
To everyone else: Happy Studying!
I'll start the next subject of GED studying next week, but what should the next subject be? You can answer below, should it be science, social studies, reading or writing?
