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Mathematics Test
The GED Mathematics Test is divided into two equally weighted parts.
Each part consists of 25 questions and allows the candidate 45 minutes
of test-taking time. On Part I of the test, the candidate may use the
Casio fx-260 calculator to compute answers. A calculator is provided for
each candidate at the official GED Testing Center. Because estimation
and mental math are critical skills, use of the calculator is not
permitted on Part II of the test. A math formulas page is provided as a
reference for the candidate during the test. Some questions on the GED
Mathematics Test require candidates to record their answers on standard
or coordinate grids.
The GED Mathematics Test assesses an understanding of mathematical
concepts and the application of those concepts to various situations.
The test:
- Measures problem-solving, analytical, and reasoning skills.
- Determines whether a candidate can interpret information from both
word problems and graphic formats, including charts, tables, graphs, and
diagrams.
- Presents problems in real-life contexts.
Content
The GED Mathematics Test covers four major areas, each constituting
approximately 20 percent to 30 percent of the questions. The passing
score in mathematics requires that candidates are able to correctly
answer questions that require higher-order thinking skills in all
content areas. The content areas are:
Content Area
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Candidates must be able to:
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| Number operations and number
sense. |
20–30
percent |
- Represent and use numbers in a variety of equivalent forms (integer,
fraction, decimal, percent, exponential, and scientific) in real-world
and mathematical problem situations.
- Represent, analyze, and apply whole numbers, decimals, fractions,
percentages, ratios, proportions, exponents, roots, and scientific
notation in a variety of situations.
- Recognize equivalencies and order relations for whole numbers,
fractions, decimals, integers, and rational numbers.
- Select the appropriate operations to solve problems (for example,
When should I divide?).
- Relate basic arithmetic operations to one another.
- Calculate with mental math, pencil and paper, and a scientific
calculator using whole numbers, fractions, decimals, and integers.
- Use estimation to solve problems and assess the reasonableness of an
answer.
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| Measurement and
geometry. |
20–30
percent |
- Model and solve problems using the concepts of perpendicularity,
parallelism, congruence, and similarity of geometric figures.
- Use spatial visualization skills to describe and analyze geometric
figures and translations/rotations of geometric figures.
- Use the Pythagorean theorem to model and solve problems.
- Find, use, and interpret the slope of a line, the y-intercept of a
line, and the intersection of two lines.
- Use coordinates to design and describe geometric figures.
- Identify and select appropriate units of metric and customary
measures.
- Convert and estimate units of metric and customary measure (all
conversions within systems).
- Solve and estimate solutions to problems involving length,
perimeter, area, surface area, volume, angle measurement, capacity,
weight, and mass.
- Use uniform rates (e.g., miles per hour, bushels per acre) in
problem situations.
- Read and interpret scales, meters, and gauges.
- Predict the impact of changes in linear dimension on the perimeter,
area, and volume of figures.
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| Data analysis, statistics, and
probability. |
20–30 percent |
- Construct, interpret, and draw inferences from tables, charts, and
graphs.
- Make inferences and convincing arguments that are based on data
analysis.
- Evaluate arguments that are based on data analysis, including
distinguishing between correlation and causation.
- Represent data graphically in ways that make sense and are
appropriate to the context.
- Apply measures of central tendency (mean, median, mode) and analyze
the effect of changes in data on these measures.
- Use an informal line of best fit to predict from data.
- Apply and recognize sampling and bias in statistical claims.
- Make predictions that are based on experimental or theoretical
probabilities, including listing possible outcomes.
- Compare and contrast different sets of data on the basis of measures
of central tendency and dispersion.
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| Algebra, functions, and patterns. |
20–30 percent |
- Analyze and represent situations involving variable quantities with
tables, graphs, verbal descriptions, and equations.
- Recognize that a variety of problem situations may be modeled by the
same function or type of function (e.g., y = mx + b, y = ax2,
y = ax, y = 1/x).
- Convert between different representations, such as tables, graphs,
verbal descriptions, and equations.
- Create and use algebraic expressions and equations to model
situations and solve problems.
- Evaluate formulas.
- Solve equations, including first degree, quadratic, power, and
systems of linear equations.
- Recognize and use direct and indirect variation.
- Analyze tables and graphs to identify and generalize patterns and
relationships.
- Analyze and use functional relationships to explain how a change in
one quantity results in change in the other quantity, including linear,
quadratic, and exponential functions.
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Context
The context of questions on the GED Mathematics Test incorporates tasks
with which the candidate has had considerable experience. Context
situations are natural, rather than contrived, and deal with the world
of work, the consumer, technology, family experiences and situations,
and so forth.
Alternative Format Questions
While 80 percent of the mathematics questions are multiple choice, the
other 20 percent require candidates to construct an answer. Rather than
select from five choices, the candidates must record answers on either
standard or coordinate plane grids. Both Parts I and II of the GED
Mathematics Test have multiple-choice, standard grid, and coordinate
plane grid questions. For more information about alternative format
questions, download the coordinate plane grid info sheet (716KB; PDF) or the
standard grid info sheet (606KB; PDF).
Question sets constitute approximately 25 percent of the questions on
the GED Mathematics Test. The other 75 percent are single questions.
Visual text formats are used in approximately 50 percent of the
questions.
Cognitive Levels
The GED Mathematics Test assesses different ways of applying math skills
through the use of three different question types. Cognitive skills are
tested through the use of questions at the following levels:
- Procedural.
- Conceptual.
- Application/modeling/problem solving.
Procedural Questions
Procedural questions (20 percent) require a candidate to select and
apply the appropriate process for solving a problem. Procedural
questions test the ability to:
- Select and apply the correct operation or procedure to solve a
problem.
- Verify and justify the correctness of a procedure using concrete
models or symbolic methods.
- Modify procedures to deal with factors inherent in problem
settings.
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- Use numerical algorithms.
- Read and interpret graphs, charts, and tables.
- Execute geometric constructions.
- Round, estimate, and order numbers as needed in a given
situation.
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Conceptual Questions
Approximately 30 percent of the questions on the GED Mathematics Test
assess conceptual understanding. To answer these questions, candidates
must demonstrate their knowledge of how basic math concepts and
principles work. In some conceptual problems, candidates will be
required to identify how to solve a problem, but they will not be
required to actually compute the answer. Candidates who have a clear
understanding of math concepts and principles know how, when, and why
to use a particular mathematical concept. These questions assess the
ability to:
- Recognize and label basic mathematical concepts.
- Generate examples and counter-examples of concepts.
- Interrelate models, diagrams, and representatives of math
concepts.
- Identify and apply concepts and principles of mathematics.
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- Know and apply facts and definitions.
- Compare, contrast, and integrate related concepts and
principles.
- Recognize, interpret, and apply signs, symbols, and mathematical
terms.
- Interpret assumptions and relationships.
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Application/Modeling/Problem Solving
Application/modeling/problem-solving questions (50 percent) assess the
ability to apply mathematical principles and problem-solving strategies.
These questions assess the candidate’s ability to:
- Recognize and identify the type of problem that is represented.
- Decide whether or not there is sufficient information provided to
solve a problem.
- Select only the information that is necessary to solve a given
problem.
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- Apply the appropriate problem-solving strategy to compute an
answer.
- Adapt strategies or procedures to solve a problem.
- Determine whether an answer is reasonable and correct.
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Please direct questions about this page to:
ged@ace.nche.edu
This page last updated on 11/19/2008
| General Educational Development (GED) Tests, GED, Math |
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