The Social Studies test is multiple choice. You must answer 50 questions correctly in one hour and ten minutes. These questions cover topics in World History, United States History or Canadian History, Economics, Government and Civics, and Geography.
Develop a plan of attack to prepare for the exam. You cannot pass by cramming. Most people need to study one or two hours a day for least two to three months. It can easily take up to six months to become familiar with the subjects on the Social Studies test. Many test takers benefit from attending GED preparation classes. Libraries, community centers and public school systems are likely to have free GED preparation classes.
This test requires good reading comprehension skills, along with interpretation skills for maps, charts and graphs. The Social Studies test also requires the ability to apply ideas, evaluate logic and draw inferences from information in reading passages. The official GED test website has excellent resources to help you prepare for the test. Download practice test materials from their site and from online sites that they recommend. You may need to purchase a Social Studies test preparation book. This book has good exercises that will help you understand the test subjects. You may also need to visit your local library to browse through basic social studies texts.
To pass the Social Studies test you need a minimum score of 410 points. The maximum possible score is 800. All of your correct answers are added up and converted to the GED exam's scoring system. A passing score requires that you correctly answer 60 to 65 percent of the test questions.
You cannot take any study materials into the exam site. You will be able to use scrap paper provided by the exam administrator. Wear a watch and mark down your starting time for reference. Check the time after every ten questions to see if you are falling behind schedule. The best strategy for timed tests, like the GED, is to answer every question that you are sure about first. Skip over questions that have long reading passages or complicated charts and graphs. Return to these after completing easier questions. Incorrect answers will not lower your score. You can increase your score by guessing the answers to some of the questions that you skipped. Try to eliminate the most illogical choices and then choose the best one from the answers that remain.