© Leslie Shelton, Project Read
Development assistance Holly Fulghum and Joan Sheldon-Conan
PREPARING FOR THE G.E.D. 3.0
The G.E.D. (General Educational Development Test) is often a goal of learners who did not finish high school. Although the G.E.D. reading level ranges from the 8th-to 12th- grade level, tutors and learners can work on G.E.D. materials, concepts and test-taking strategies at any time. What follows is a set of G.E.D. starter ideas.
First, tutors and learners should know that the G.E.D. contains five tests which can be taken separately and in any order at any time. In fact, many people spread their G.E.D. preparation and testing over several years. The subject areas are Writing Skills, Social Studies, Science, Literature, and Math. The tests generally present reading passages (for math--word problems) followed by five answer choices. The only exception to this structure is the second part of the Writing Skills test, which requires a written 200-word essay.
Now let's look more closely at the content areas of the G.E.D.
The Writing Skills test contains grammar, capitalization, punctuation, and sentence structure.
Social Studies, for instance, involves United States history, economics, political science, geography, and behavioral science. Each area has its own vocabulary and concepts.
The Science test draws from articles featuring biology, chemistry, physics, and earth science.
The Literature test includes selections from fiction and non-fiction, poetry, drama, and literary commentary.
The Mathematics section gives problems with whole numbers, fractions, decimals, ratios, proportions, basic algebra, and geometry.
So, how can we use this basic information to work with our literacy students in an integrative manner? The following cards provide some ideas for approaching the G.E.D. in general, and an overview of the content to study. A variety of texts have been written to help learners prepare for the tests. Adult schools often offer preparation classes as well. Check your local libraries and schools for resources.
GENERAL SUGGESTIONS FOR THE G.E.D. 3.10
The following are suggestions for developing skills for the G.E.D. Remember, the tests can be taken separately at different times.
- Watch the news on televison.
- Listen to the radio for current events and news.
- Use newspapers developed for literacy programs such as News for You, as well as regular newspapers like USA Today and the local paper.
- Look for political news, science reports, book or film reviews.
- Read and make charts, graphs, and diagrams.
- Write every day--write lists, words you want to remember, reviews of books or movies you've seen, and conversations you've had with friends.
- Make your own chart or graph daily. Use phone calls, the weather, weight gain or loss, the cost of groceries over a number of days or weeks.
- List specific vocabulary words for each of the subject areas.
- Find pictures and maps for geography lessons.
- Cut out and study political cartoons.
- Find songs with political or social content.
- Write down lyrics and discuss.
G.E.D.--WRITING SKILLS 3.21
The G.E.D. Writing Skills test has two parts. The first is a multiple choice test which checks knowledge of grammar and usage. In part two, the test taker is asked to write a 200-word essay on a surprise topic.
Suggestions
- Learners who are overwhelmed by so much writing can make a mind map or a list for initial ideas. Suppose the topic was "Do we live in the best or the worst of times?" The learner could simply fold paper:
Best
- Technology
- Communication
- Medical breakthroughs
- Transportation
- Leisure time
Worst
- Homelessness
- Drugs
- Pollution
- Drought
- AIDS
- Write sentences using topics generated in lists.
- Tutor reads the learner's writing aloud so the learner can listen and clarify.
- Learner reads his/her writing aloud so tutor can question.
- Refer to writing cards in this kit.
Make lists, then write sentences using initial ideas. Learner and tutor talk about categories and which ideas fit where. They might go on to select two or three main ideas and add some support for those ideas. What are examples of new technology and how do these improve life? More detailed work on essay writing appears in G.E.D. preparation books; but topic discussion, list making, mind mapping, and sentence writing can be started early in a tutoring program.
WRITING SKILLS TEST
Part I
- Sentence Structure
- Usage
- Mechanics
Part II
- Write a 200-word essay on an assigned topic
G.E.D. FOR MAINLY VISUAL LEARNERS 3.31
- Read and discuss comics with political or social points of view (e.g., "Doonesbury," "Cathy," or "For Better or For Worse").
- Use charts, graphs, maps, and diagrams when possible. Collect them from printed matter or make your own.
- Visualize the action in short stories, poems, or historical events while reading or listening to tapes.
- Draw math problems. Take a look at the relationship between person (graphic) and shadow (graphic), and building (graphic) and shadow (graphic) for ratio and proportion problems. See the perimeter of the table (graphic)
- Use pictures, movies, videos and plays to start discussing ideas before reading.
- Use the mind map technique to develop ideas for writing essays or reviewing concepts.
- Use color charts, graphs, and maps to highlight certain points. Use highlighting pens for vocabulary and definitions.
G.E.D. FOR MAINLY AUDITORY LEARNERS 3.32
- Find books on tape at the library (or elsewhere) on related subject areas, or more general tapes, like Civil War songs or science stories.
- Listen to radio news or listen and watch TV news. Note stories relating to social studies, science, or commentary on the arts.
- Discuss any or all of the above as part of tutoring.
- Use music with a message to start discussing topics. Education, slavery, abuse, freedom, history, and women are all addressed in song.
- Play classical music while reviewing facts and concepts.
G.E.D. FOR MAINLY KINESTHETIC LEARNERS 3.33
- Use appropriate computer programs when available. (There are computerized G.E.D. study programs as well as educational programs at lower reading levels for science, social studies, and literature.)
- Take notes when listening to tapes or radio news, or when watching TV or videos. Use symbols or mind maps.
- Use a ruler, compass, and protractor when doing math. Practice with a calculator but be aware that it is not allowed in the official G.E.D. test.
- Write every day--everything from lists to letters, scripts to sonnets, feelings to philosophy.
- Walk around your block, noting its make-up and condition. What does this have to do with the G.E.D.?
- The gardens, birds, and insects relate to science, as does your body and its workings. Photosynthesis is at work, involving plant life, water and the sun.
- Where do the people on your block come from? Are some from different countries or states? Find places on the map.
- Figure out the approximate area of your living room by pacing out and counting feet. Then use a tape measure and compare the results.
- Measure the volume of water in a glass or washing machine, using the formula V = r2 x height.
By Content Area