Science Test
The GED Science Test emphasizes the physical sciences (physics and
chemistry) and expands the area of Earth science to include space
science. Test questions measure the candidate’s skill in
understanding and interpreting concepts of life, Earth, and space
sciences; physics; and chemistry, and applying them to visual and
written text from academic and workplace contexts. The questions reflect
the many roles of individuals (for example, worker, family member,
consumer, and citizen).
The GED Science Test measures the major and lasting expected outcomes
of a sound, well-rounded high school science education. These outcomes
include the acquisition of a broad knowledge base and the ability to use
a range of reasoning skills. Test questions focus on the comprehensive,
integrated skills typical of what the candidate must know, understand,
and be able to perform in order to be scientifically literate.
Content
The GED Science Test questions are based on three of eight broad
content standards for grades 9–12 outlined by the National Science
Education Standards (NSES). The content areas targeted by the test
questions are:
Content Area
|
Topics that may be covered
|
| Physical science |
35 percent |
- Structure of atoms.
- Structure and properties of matter.
- Chemical reactions.
- Motions and forces.
- Conservation of energy and increase in disorder.
- Interactions of energy and matter.
|
|
|
| Life science |
45 percent |
- The cell.
- Molecular basis of heredity.
- Biological evolution.
- Interdependence of organisms.
- Matter, energy, and organization in living systems.
- Behavior of organisms.
|
|
|
| Earth and Space
Science |
20 percent
|
- Energy in the Earth system.
- Geochemical cycles.
- Origin and evolution of the Earth system.
- Origin and evolution of the universe.
|
|
|
Context
The GED Science Test supports the NSES content standards described
above as well as five other NSES content standards.
Unifying Concepts and Processes outlines standards that need
to be developed over a candidate’s entire education and that
transcend disciplinary boundaries. This category establishes guidelines
for a candidate’s understanding of the following fundamental
concepts:
- Systems, order, and organization.
- Evidence, models, and explanations.
- Change, constancy, and measurement.
- Evolution and equilibrium.
- Form and function.
Science as Inquiry advances the candidate toward higher-level
content knowledge and cognitive skills by helping him or her to develop
questioning and reasoning abilities. Specific processes associated with
scientific inquiry include:
- Asking questions.
- Planning and conducting investigations.
- Using appropriate tools and techniques to gather data.
- Thinking critically and logically about relationships between
evidence and explanations.
- Constructing and analyzing alternative explanations.
- Communicating scientific arguments.
The remaining content standard categories continue to build on the
candidate’s knowledge of and inquiry about physical science, life
science, and Earth and space science. All three require the student to
develop skills in applying scientific knowledge.
Science and Technology focuses on developing a
candidate’s ability to design technology and understand links
between science and technology. Specific focuses might include a
candidate’s decision-making abilities in identifying and stating a
problem; and designing, implementing, and evaluating a solution.
Science in Social and Personal Perspectives addresses the
scientific foundation a candidate needs to evaluate and make decisions
about personal and social issues that may be encountered. Such issues
might include:
- Personal and community health.
- Population growth.
- Natural resources.
- Environmental quality.
- Natural and human-induced hazards.
- Science and technology in local, national, and global
challenges.
History and Nature of Science addresses a candidate’s
understanding of and ability to apply history to science in order to
clarify:
- Different aspects of scientific inquiry.
- The human aspects of science.
- The role that science has played in the development of various
cultures.
The GED Science Test also emphasizes areas such as health and the
environment, genetics, cells, and atoms.
Format
The GED Science Test includes questions based on:
- Text passages.
- Visual text (e.g., graphs, tables, charts, diagrams).
Up to 60 percent of the questions are presented with visual text.
Candidates must demonstrate that they can interpret and analyze
different types of visual text.
Written text ranges in length from text included in a single question
to an article followed by a question pertaining to the information
presented. Articles are written at a reading level that does not
interfere with the assessment of the candidate’s knowledge and
application of science principles.
Approximately 25 percent of the questions are grouped into sets that
share material; for example, two to five questions based on a text
passage, or a set of questions based on visual text. Passages and visual
text represent realistic situations.
Please direct questions about this page to:
ged@ace.nche.edu
This page last updated on 11/19/2008
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