Brief Introduction to the Science Test
The GED Science test measures your scientific knowledge, your ability to understand and interpret science-related texts and information and you problem-solving skills in science-related situations. The 90-minute test is taken on computer and offered in English and Spanish.
Science Test Specifics
The GED Science test covers the following three content areas:
- Life sciences - approximately 40 percent of the test questions focus on life sciences and include topics such as evolution, the human body and health, heredity and ecosystems.
- Physical science - questions related to physical science make up 40 percent of the test and topics include energy conservation and transformation, biochemistry and work, forces and motion.
- Earth and space science - make up the remaining 20 percent of the test. Questions cover the structure of the cosmos and the Earth's system, components and interaction with living things.
Th GED Science Test has a variety of multiple-choice, fill-in-the-blank, hot-spot and drag-and-drop questions. There are also two short-answer questions which require short essays. Some questions may ask you to calculate averages or to use statistics and probability. You can use a calculator for the science test.
Scoring
You need to score 150 to pass the GED science test. If you earn 170-200 points on the test you will earn an Honors score. If you score below 150, you can generally retake the test two times with no waiting period. If you need a third retest, you will have to wait 60 days before testing again.
Science Test Tips
The GED website, (GED.com) offers a short, free science practice test that will give you a feel for the types of questions on the actual test. The website also offers an official practice science test that is about 45-minutes and will let you know if you are likely to pass, or if you need more study and preparation. The official Science practice test, GED Ready, cost $6.
The GED website also offers free tutorials on the computer-based questions and the onscreen calculator that you can use during the test.
When you take the test, read all the questions carefully. You may select an answer that is correct, but may not be the answer the question is asking you for.
Answer all the questions on the test. You receive credit for correct answers but you are not penalized for incorrect answers. If you are having trouble with a question, eliminate all the wrong choices and then make an educated guess among the remaining options.
When you arrive at the short-answer questions in the Science GED test, remember that scores for those questions are based on how complete and clear your answers are. Scores are also determined by how well you use the information and evidence provided in a reading passage to support your ideas.
