The essay section of the GED test consists of one essay question that asks your opinion on a certain topic. McGraw-Hill Higher Education reports you will have 45 minutes to write the essay. In addition to the answer booklet, you will have a sheet of paper you can write a rough draft on and organize your ideas. You must submit the extra sheet of paper with your answer booklet at the end of the test.
Those reviewing the essay section of your GED test will give you a score based on how well you focus your main points, the organization of the essay, the development of your ideas, grammar usage, spelling, sentence structure and word choice.
McGraw-Hill Higher Education advises test takers to read the essay topic carefully and to follow the directions. CliffNotes.com states the directions within an essay topic provide key words that may provide guidance on how to write it. Key words may include the following: identify, explain, personal observations, personal knowledge, personal experience or support.
Five-paragraph essays are the typical format used in this section of the GED test, and you must know how to write one effectively to receive a good score. According to McGraw-Hill Higher Education, the essay should contain an introduction, three supporting paragraphs and the conclusion. The introductory paragraph states your main idea and three brief points that support your idea. Each of the three support paragraphs provides information that backs up your main idea. The concluding paragraph then restates your main idea and the three points made in the support paragraphs and ends with a general statement that relates to the main idea.
When you finish writing, you have not yet completed the essay. The last step in the GED essay is reviewing your work carefully using the amount of time that remains. Proofreading your essay will allow you to fix spelling mistakes, make sure your grammar is correct and ensure your writing is clear and legible.