GED Test Study Guide: Four Subjects and 10-Week Plan
Prepare for the GED test as four separate subject exams connected by one weekly study system. Mathematical Reasoning, Reasoning Through Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies have different timing and task demands, and GED Testing Service allows them to be scheduled separately. Begin with a subject-level baseline, prioritize the exams below 145, and delay scheduling each subject until official practice supports a passing margin.
Last reviewed: August 29, 2026
GED Test at a glance
Subjects: Mathematical Reasoning, Reasoning Through Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies
Math: 115 minutes with calculator restrictions on the first part and an on-screen TI-30XS for the remainder
Language Arts: 150 minutes, including an extended-response essay
Science and Social Studies: 90 minutes for Science and 70 minutes for Social Studies
Passing standard: A score of at least 145 on each of the four subject tests
What the GED Test actually tests
The GED is reasoning-heavy. Math tests basic math, algebra, geometry, graphs, and functions. Language Arts asks you to read closely, analyze arguments, edit written English, and write an evidence-based response. Science and Social Studies emphasize interpreting passages, experiments, historical claims, tables, and graphics more than recalling an encyclopedia of facts.
• Math: translate the prompt, choose the formula or relationship, and use the calculator only after setup.
• Language Arts: connect claims to text evidence and organize the extended response around an explicit comparison.
• Science: identify variables, controls, trends, and conclusions supported by experimental information.
• Social Studies: evaluate sources, arguments, chronology, maps, tables, and quantitative evidence.
A diagnostic-first GED Test strategy
Do not divide time equally by habit. A candidate close to passing Science but far below the Math standard needs a different calendar from someone whose only gap is the Language Arts essay. Use diagnostics and official readiness evidence to set the order.
1. Set a subject sequence. Rank all four subjects by readiness, prerequisite knowledge, and scheduling constraints. Focus on one major subject while maintaining another.
2. Separate knowledge and reasoning. Mark whether a miss came from missing content, misreading evidence, poor setup, calculator use, or time pressure.
3. Practice the official tools. Use the formula sheet, calculator, technology-enhanced question types, and essay workflow you will see on test day.
4. Schedule with a margin. A single borderline result is not stable evidence. Look for repeatable practice performance above the minimum required score.
10-week GED Test study plan
Weeks 1–2: four-subject baseline. Sample every subject, choose a testing order, and rebuild the weakest foundational math, reading, or writing skill.
Weeks 3–5: primary subject push. Spend most sessions on the lowest-scoring subject while maintaining a second subject with short evidence and data sets.
Weeks 6–8: timed subject exams. Complete realistic subject sections, practice the essay and calculator workflow, and retest recurring errors.
Weeks 9–10: readiness and scheduling. Use official readiness tools, schedule only subjects with a safety margin, and continue targeted work on the remaining exams.
How to know you are ready
GED readiness should be decided subject by subject because passing three tests does not compensate for a score below 145 on the fourth.
• Official practice indicates a passing margin in the next subject you intend to schedule.
• You can finish within the subject time limit without a large cluster of unanswered items.
• Calculator, formula-sheet, data, and extended-response tasks no longer feel unfamiliar.
• Your error log shows fewer repeated foundational mistakes across recent sets.
Official sources and update policy
Exam formats, dates, scoring policies, delivery options, and jurisdiction rules can change. Recheck the official owner before registering or making an application decision.
GED Testing Service: Test Subjects: https://www.ged.com/about-test/test-subjects.html
GED Testing Service: Score Levels: https://www.ged.com/about-test/scores.html
GED Test frequently asked questions
Can I take GED subjects separately?
Yes. GED Testing Service states that the four subject tests can be spaced out rather than taken all at once.
What score passes the GED test?
You need at least 145 on each of the four subject tests to earn the credential.
How long are the GED subject tests?
Official times are 115 minutes for Math, 150 for Language Arts, 90 for Science, and 70 for Social Studies.
Is the GED test only multiple choice?
No. Official pages list multiple choice plus technology-enhanced formats; Language Arts also includes an extended response.
Build your next study step
Use this guide to choose a diagnostic and your next seven days of work. For current King of the Curve products and free study resources, visit:
https://kingofthecurve.org/products
https://kingofthecurve.org/resources
King of the Curve is an independent test-prep publisher and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the exam owners linked above.
