GED 2014 Math..... A Good Starting Point

My continued understanding of the new GED 2014 series test is………

This week I begin my journey into the realm of the new GED 2014 Math Test.  Am I a little nervous?  Yes... you could say that.  But as I have been researching and talking with colleagues, I realize that I do have a starting point.  There is a place I can start... and there are a lot of resources on the web I can go to.

For starters, I will still need to assess and see what my students understand and what they don't when it comes to the mathematical reasoning.  For me, I use the TABE test. I consider that test a starting point.  I will still need to talk with the student, see how much math they THINK they use in their everyday life, and also what their mathematical comfort level is.

Because the new GED math test is on the computer and a calculator can be used for the majority of the test, I will need to get my students using both of those tools.  The calculator is obvious and the easiest to incorporate.  Even though there will be some problems (I am hearing 3??) at the beginning of the test where the calculator will not be allowed, I will encourage students to use the calculator whenever they are doing math.  That does not mean that they may practice a problem or two in class to get the general concept of how to do a particular skill.... just that they need to be comfortable using the tools that will be allowed on the test.  For example, I will teach students the concept of multiplying mixed numbers and perhaps practice a couple, but then I will demonstrate how to solve the problem on the calculator.  Of course, they will be using the TI30XS calculator.  For an online video on how to use this calculator, check out GED Testing Service Resources. 

Students also need to get comfortable using the computer.  For math, I will have them access and use resources such as Worksheetsdirect, Learningtrends, Kahn Academy, and a great GED Math Blog.  The math blog features GED math problems in both English and Spanish.

GED Math Help

All great resources.  Check them out.

3 Things Learners Need to Know About the New GED Test

My continued understanding of the new GED 2014 series test is………

I have been teaching adults to pass the GED® tests since 1995 and have seen two revisions, one in 1998 and another in 2002.  Soon, beginning in January 2014, I shall be teaching to the new computer based GED® test.

I recently attended the Wisconsin 2013 GED/HSED and Adult Literacy Conference.  It was just what I needed to jump start my preparation for this new test.  While the new 2014 GED® test will be different from the 2002 GED® test in many ways, one thing remains the same.  Completing the GED® continues to create opportunities for success.

There are many things I learned while at the conference.  Three of them include:

1.  Learners will need to be comfortable with the new calculator, Texas 30XS.  There will be a calculator reference sheet available on most of the GED® Mathematical Reasoning Test.  I was able to practice using the Texas 30XS calculator during one of the sessions, and while not too difficult to learn, I do think students will need repetition to feel at ease.  There are tutorials and lesson plans on the TEXAS Instruments site that will help when planning lessons.  In addition, the GED Testing Service has a great TI 30XS Demonstration Video.

2.  Learners will need to be comfortable with the keyboard.  At one point during the conference I was told that the recommendation was that learners should be able to type at a speed of 35wpm.  One site you might want to check out is powertyping .com.  This site offers typing lessons as well as games that your students can use as they develop their typing skills.

3.  Learners need to know basic math for the new 2014 GED® math test, but it is not directly assessed on the new 2014 GED® Test.  The new test has 45% Quantitative Problem Solving and 55% Algebraic Problem Solving.  For more information, you may want to check out gedtestingservice.com

Check out this fun math activity.  This would be a great opening activity for a math class.

 

     Regardless of what number is chosen, the answer is always 5. 

1.       Think of a number.

2.       Double it.

3.       Add ten.

4.       Divide it by 2

5.       Subtract your original number.

6.       Your answer should be 5.