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.

GED 2014 Test | Highlights... cont.

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

1. Individuals will need to take all four of the GED tests at an approved Pearson Vue Testing Center.
2. The total testing time (all four tests) is 7 hours.
3. The breakdown of the tests is as follows:  Science 1 hr 15 min, Social Studies 1 hr 30 min, Mathematical Reasoning 1 hr 15 min, and Reasoning Through Language Arts 3 hr.
4. Individuals will not have to take the tests at the same time, but can take them one at a time.
5. For the Mathematical Reasoning test, there will be an on-screen scientific calculator.  Hand held calculators will not be allowed.
6. Scratch paper will not be allowed.  Rather individuals will be able to use small white boards and on screen highlighting.
7. Tests are not adaptive:  Questions do not change in difficulty based on individuals responses.
8. Within a test, Individuals will be able to move back and forth between problems/questions and problems can be marked so that an individual can go back to complete them.
9. An on-screen formula sheet will be provided for the Mathematical Reasoning test.

2014 GED Test Sampler

So..... I received information awhile back on the new GED 2014 computer based test which included sample questions, called "2014 GED Test Item Samplers".

I would recommend that every GED instructor download, view, and actually take the sample tests.  They are quite different from our current version of GED tests and will challenge everyone who teaches GED on how to think and teach differently.

Ideas......please comment so that we can all learn together.

It will be an adventure!