Based on my experiences, these tips help students succeed on the GED test.

Writing–Grammar
Ahead of time

• Study rules for grammar mechanics: commas, capitalization, spelling and apostrophes.
• When you're reading the newspaper or a magazine, make a note of how punctuation, parallel structure, and subject-verb agreement work in real life.

Writing–Essay
In addition to all the usual rubric requirements, let the details really bring your writing alive! Make an effort to engage your readers. Pull them into your writing with a human connection. This is the only part of your test that's not graded by a machine, so reach out to the human on the other end!

Social Studies and Science

• You don't have to know every word in the passage to understand the material. Many questions can be answered through understanding the general idea of what is being said.
• The correct answer choice will always have something to do with what you read. Do not be distracted by choices that do too much interpreting or answer choices that introduce entirely new language from what is in the passage.
• Avoid answer choices that are in the extremes (i.e., something would "never work," or "always work," graphs that are "not practical...").
• When looking at a graph or table, be sure to read the title. It will help you to interpret the information.

Math

• Don't let the math questions intimidate you. The information you need to solve them is there, you just need to start somewhere with the numbers. Try each one.
• Read carefully! Many people get questions wrong on practice tests because they did not read the problem closely enough.
• Pay attention to language (e.g., "how many more than," "total," "to the nearest inch"). These words are on the test to help you!
• Keep your scrap paper organized and write big. If you decide to skip a problem, you'll want to be able to find your original thoughts on it.
• Be familiar with the calculator. Know the square root and fraction keys!

Reading

• Read the titles of the passages. The test-makers wrote these to help you understand the theme of the reading.
• Glance at the questions first so you have some idea of what to keep an eye out for as you read.
• If you read the passage slowly and carefully the first time, you will waste less time looking for answers.
• Use your imagination. While you're reading, try to visualize the scene or images in your mind. This will help you to remember details and interactions between characters.

Taking Care of You for the Test

• Get a good night's sleep the night before, and eat before you go. You can bring a drink in to the testing room with you.
• Relax and pace yourself. Keep an eye on the clock, but don't obsess over it.
• Mark each answer choice even if you have to guess. You will be automatically marked wrong if you leave it blank, so take a guess.
• Wear comfortable clothes and shoes.
• Before you start, take a deep breath and stretch. Then summon your confidence. Remind yourself that you're ready, you're strong, and can do it!

Sandy Little teaches 16-to-21-year-olds from Roxbury and Dorchester at ESAC (Ensuring Stability through Action in the Community). She plans to enter a PhD program next year. She can be reached at: s.j.little@att.net.