The GED Testing Service notes that students may be asked to read texts about which they will be asked questions to test their comprehension, application and evaluation skills. For example, the 25 questions in the social studies segment of the GED exam ask you to analyze such topics as U.S. and world history, geography, government, civics and economics. Students should be able to analyze main ideas, important facts and infer meaning from contextual clues in a text.
Using process of elimination to eliminate the incorrect answers increases the chances of choosing the best answer. The test wants students to focus on selecting the best possible answer instead of a single correct answer. Process of elimination gets rid of wrong answers to leave the best one. In order to effectively employ this strategy, students should read all available responses before eliminating and selecting them. Students can use this skill on all multiple choice questions of the exam.
Many of the 50 multiple choice questions in the science section are based on maps, graphs, diagrams and charts. This portion of the test covers life sciences, physical science -- physics and chemistry -- and earth and space sciences. Students need to employ both problem solving and reasoning skills to pass this section. The math portion of the GED is 90 minutes long and primarily in multiple choice format. Students should be able to read and interpret data to pass these sections.
In the reading section, students read fiction and nonfiction passages. They communicate their understanding of the reading by responding to multiple choice questions. The questions test students' comprehension, application, analysis and synthesis of information. An important critical thinking strategy for this section is to select only the answers that are true for that particular text, rather than answers that are generally true. Critical thinking involves thinking beyond explicitly provided information to come to a conclusion based on evidence.
The writing portion of the GED consists of 50 multiple choice questions and a timed essay. For the essay, students are provided 45 minutes to plan, write and review. The essay prompt asks students to state an opinion or explain their views on a particular topic, such as describing the characteristics of a good parent. For the essay, students should be able express their opinions clearly, and provide support and specific evidence in writing. Therefore, students should clearly plan their essay with an outline before they write. The outline determines the main ideas of the essay and organizes them logically before they are developed.