GED Testing Information

Test Times and Procedures

In order to begin the G.E.D. tests, all test takers are required to participate in a pre-registration session. These pre-registration sessions will start promptly at 7:30PM and will last until approximately 8:45PM two Wednesday evenings each month. Please call (650) 940-1333 to verify the date and location. At this session, first-time test takers will complete a required G.E.D. survey and will be introduced to the calculator that may be used during Part I of the Mathematics sub-test. G.E.D. candidates who previously completed the survey, here or at another testing site, do not have to attend this session.

Test slots are assigned on a first come, first serve basis. On each testing date at 5:30PM a sign-up sheet is placed on the counter in the MVLA Adult School Main Office. All test takers must sign in. All test takers must report to the front office by 6:00PM ready to test. On Monday and Wednesday the Social Studies, Science, and Literature tests are given. On Tuesday evening only the Mathematics test is given. On Thursday evening, only the Writing Skills test is given.

Test Description

There are five sections to the GED test. You must achieve a minimum score of 410 on each test, with an overall average of 450.

I Writing Skills (50 multiple choice questions):

Part 1
30% Sentence Structure
15% Organization
30% Usage
25% Mechanics

Part 2
Writing Essay

The total amount of time allowed for both parts of the writing test is 2 hours.
Test day: Thursday only

II Social Studies (50 multiple choice questions):

15% World History
25% U.S. History
25% Civics and Government
20% Economics
15% Geography

The total amount of time allowed for this test is 1 hour, 10 minutes.
Test day: Monday and Wednesday

III Science (50 multiple choice questions):

20% Earth and Space Science
45% Life Science
35% Physical Science (Physics and Chemistry)

The total amount of time allowed for this test is 1 hour, 20 minutes.
Test days: Monday and Wednesday

IV Interpreting Literature & the Arts (40 multiple choice questions):

75% Literary Text
   45% Fiction
   15% Poetry
   15% Drama
25% Nonfiction

The time allowed for this test is 1 hour, 5 minutes.
Test days: Monday and Wednesday

V Mathematics (50 multiple choice questions):

Part 1: Calculator
Part 2: No Calculator

20-30% Data Analysis, Statistics and Probability
20-30% Algebra, Functions and Patterns
20-30% Number Operations and Number Sense
20-30% Measurement and Geometry

The total amount of time allowed for both parts of the Mathematics test is 1 hour, 30 minutes.
Test days: Tuesday only

NOTE: You are limited to taking one test at each testing session.