Common Mistakes on the GED (General Educational Development) Exam

Note: The GED is not one test but a battery of four subjects (Math, Science, Social Studies, RLA). The biggest shift in recent years is the move to a fully computer-based test, which creates a new set of pitfalls.

A. Mathematical Reasoning: The "Calculator Dependency" Trap

The GED allows a calculator (TI-30XS) for most of the math section, but not all of it.

• Mistake 1: Not Knowing the On-Screen Calculator

  • Scenario: A student is comfortable with their phone calculator or a basic four-function model. On test day, they waste precious minutes trying to figure out how to use the official TI-30XS on-screen version (or the physical one provided).

  • Fix: Download the official GED calculator simulator or buy a cheap TI-30XS beforehand. Practice entering fractions, exponents, and square roots until it's muscle memory.

• Mistake 2: Forgetting the "No Calculator" Section

  • Scenario: Part One of the Math test prohibits calculators. A student used to using a calculator for basic addition makes a simple arithmetic error (e.g., 15 + 7 = 23) on an easy question.

  • Fix: Slow down for the first 5 questions. Use scratch paper and do the addition/subtraction manually to avoid silly mistakes.

B. Reasoning Through Language Arts (RLA): The "Extended Response" Myth

The essay (Extended Response) section intimidates students, but they often lose points on the multiple-choice reading section instead.

• Mistake 3: Writing a "Fancy" Essay That Doesn't Answer the Prompt

  • Scenario: The prompt asks whether automation is good or bad for the workforce. The student writes a beautiful, well-structured essay about the history of the Industrial Revolution but forgets to cite specific evidence from the two provided passages.

  • Fix: The GED essay graders are looking for two things: (1) Did you use evidence from the text? (2) Is your grammar passable? You don't need to be Shakespeare. You need to quote the passages.

• Mistake 4: Picking the "Vibes" Answer in Reading Comp

  • Scenario: A reading passage discusses a sad event. The question asks for the author's tone. The student picks "Depressing" because that's how they feel. The correct answer is likely "Melancholy" or "Somber," but the test has one answer that is slightly more precise or academic.

  • Fix: Eliminate answers that are too emotional or informal. The GED looks for the best word in a formal context.

C. Science: The "Vocabulary Panic"

• Mistake 5: Assuming You Need Prior Knowledge

  • Scenario: A question mentions "mitochondria." The student thinks, "I failed biology; I'm doomed."

  • Fix: The GED Science test is mostly reading comprehension and data interpretation. The answer to the question about mitochondria is usually found in the passage or the chart right next to the question. You rarely need to recall the function from memory.