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Hi /u/L0rkan -

You might know more than you think. Until you take the GED ready practice tests ($6/each, online) or TABE test at your local Adult Education center, you won't really know for sure.

I do an overview of the GED exam in one of my videos https://youtu.be/RqBmvgnaJQg?t=121 That's the specific section with the GED, but I also describe the other HSE exams.

Also there are GED practice tests and questions at, ged.com. They actually have a number of free resources, after you register for a free account - but make sure that is the test for your state.

>Is the GED the HSE in my state?

First things first, make sure GED is the authorized HSE (High School Equivalency) examination in your state.

Look on this chart for updated information:

https://www.careeronestop.org/FindTraining/Types/State-HSE-Options.aspx

I have an overview of the different HSE equivalency exams I did here in video form in that same video.

The GED is no longer a state designated HSE in 10 states (excludes Federal Correctional, certain exceptions):

• Indiana
  
• Iowa
  
• Louisiana
  
• Maine
  
• Missouri
  
• Montana
  
• New Hampshire
  
• New York
  
• Tennessee
  
• West Virginia
  
  >are there textbooks that i should get?
  
  Kaplan is popular around here, there are several different ones. The McGraw-Hill is quite good as well. Get one of them. Passing the GED is about practicing.
  
  Kaplan and McGraw-Hill Book purchase links:
  
  Kaplan
  
  https://www.amazon.com/GED-Test-Prep-Plus-2019/dp/1506239439
  
  McGraw-Hill
  
  https://www.amazon.com/McGraw-Hill-Education-Preparation-Test-Third/dp/1260118282
  
  The test itself -
  
  With Math - Algebra, Basic Math, and Graphing on the co-ordinate grid and slope are often sticking points for students
  
  I have a GED math review course that goes over that and plenty of other stuff on youtube with videos 5-10 minutes in length if you want to check that out. It's free
  
  https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhKeRZHhWR9veH4hmUy4bPTHp8Dqg-RT0
  
  Here's the playlist for the entirety of my GED language arts review course.
  
  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CM3j7BJ3DQA&list=PLhKeRZHhWR9sGgcVquYpXtmJcZO7ugsSr
  
  I have some readings in the exercises I think you'll like, including a wonderful selection from Sherlock Holmes (and I even linked a free audiobook if you'd like to listen as you read along), Dickens, a corrupt Tammany Hall politician (a favorite of mine), among others, so you can practice your skills while reading some interesting materials. The GED readings may not be particularly interesting, but at least mine aren't dull.
  
  The review course has a number of short (5-10 minute) videos so you can skip around and focus on what you need reviewing, plus longer In-depth (often 15m + reading), Guided Practice (10-25m) and Reinforcement Exercises to help guide you through improving your skills and preparing you for the kinds of questions and passages on the GED exam. It also has real essay preparation with an actual essay prompt to practice on. The course is free. The total length is about 4 1/2 hours of content.
  
  With some studying and effort, you can do this :)

I think it would be worth thinking about what the purpose of getting the GED would be for. If it is for just the sake of having it, then just passing is good enough. If it is for getting into a Uni or other secondary educational purposes, you might want to aim higher (usually 175+ scores.) Having said that, if it's just for the sake of having it - I would not drop your job, especially if you are working your way up the pay grade. I would only take some classes if you're really struggling on passing. I agree with what mshecket said that it would be wise to take the practice tests online.

To be more specific, I would do the GED Ready tests on the actual GED website. They cost money to take but are worth it because they will tell you what to focus on AND if you're likely to pass.

Studying at your own pace on your own is usually the route most people take. I've heard people use https://www.khanacademy.org/ (I have not used it myself personally) and also https://www.amazon.com/GED-Test-Prep-Plus-2019/dp/1506239439/ Kaplan book. Only once you've taken a look at where you stand would I then consider classes.

Good luck! :)

Hey, I feel you. I have really bad (and professionally diagnosed) PTSD and anxiety with severe panic attacks from a terrible childhood. Your spelling is sharp for sure, you're already a lot of the way there! I just took the Language Arts, Social Studies and Science on Monday and I never studied for them. I literally booked the test online, went in 2 days later and got College Ready scores on all 3. It's mainly just reading comprehension and the essay is easy once you learn the parameters.


The best book I can recommend is the huge Kaplan GED book. You can get it on Amazon for under $20. It has pretty much all you need from the ground up. Combine this with Khan Academy, Youtube, Saylor Academy, Purple Math, The Math Dude, and other free online resources and you'll be ready in no time flat. In addition, there are some great paid resources as well such as The Great Courses Plus and Study.Com.

https://www.amazon.com/Test-Premier-2017-Practice-Tests/dp/1506209289/ref=pd_sbs_14_t_1/152-9856364-0788443?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=GTPD5K0MRDDNK33KHAQ3


Check out this post:
https://www.reddit.com/r/GED/comments/5peezi/unsure_of_where_to_start_with_the_math_section/


The most important thing is (and I struggle with this!) to remind yourself that it's going to take some time. Try to accept that early on and just go with the flow from there. Read up on the "Pomodoro Technique". It sounds funny but holy hell it works and works well!

I'm studying for the Math test currently. It was the only one I didn't take yet and that's because I haven't been in a math class for 22 years!


Good luck!

The GED ready will not score the essay portion. I think a solid intro, 3 paragraphs of different arguments, and a conclusion is fine. You could brush up on vocabulary through the academic word list, but that is tedious. Truthfully you become a better reader by reading a lot. Maybe try a Reading focused study book: https://www.amazon.com/Steck-Vaughn-GED-Preparation-Workbook-Reasoning/dp/0544274318/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1B8MUCQ8DD9X5&keywords=steck+vaughn+reasoning+through+language+arts&qid=1571774839&sprefix=steck+vaughn+reaso%2Caps%2C140&sr=8-1

It seems so. It's up to each province what test to use, but the 2014 GED used in the US is very US-centric, as opposed to the 2002 test that was developed by both countries. Here is the info on test prep for Ontario: http://www.ilc.org/ged/prep_main.php and for NL: http://www.ed.gov.nl.ca/edu/ged/ Both describe the 2002 test, and the books they link to are from 2002/2003. Even better news is that some of the books developed for that test are super cheap used- I know the school I worked at threw out a bunch of them when the new test came out. https://www.amazon.com/McGraw-HIlls-GED-Complete-Reliable-Program/dp/0071381791

Vocabulary: While vocabulary is not tested directly on the GED, I have noticed that it can be a key sticking point for some students, particularly for non-native English speakers. It can also hold some people back on the Social Studies and Science sections. But if you have a basic high school-level vocabulary, you're going to be in good shape.

Typing: The only part you need typing for is the essay, on which (if you want to get points) you need to be able to produce between 300 and 500 words in 45 minutes. If you spent the whole time just typing, you'd only need to type like 10 words per minute, which is really slow. But if you spend 30 minutes planning, proofreading, and so on and only 15 minutes writing, then you need to hit roughly 30 words per minute. Typing is an important skill for college and your career, so I'd recommend investing some time into it. You could use a site like TypingClub to get started.

Arithmetic: There are only five non-calculator questions on the test, so it's more important to have solid calculator skills than paper-and-pencil arithmetic skills. The non-calculator questions include roots and exponents, non-perfect squares, number line problems, and questions about knowing that when you divide by zero, it's undefined.

Prep guides: We have used the Kaplan GED book for some time and have been happy with it. There are a lot of other books out there, but I haven't had much experience with them.

It's not small at all. Anything that you learn is a big step towards your future success. Percents and fractions are a pain, but good job keeping at it! Personally, I had to buy a math book that helped me a lot with percents, fractions, and decimals when I was going for my GED.

Here is the book

Contemporary's Building Basic Skills in Mathematics.

https://www.amazon.com/Building-Basic-Skills-Mathematics-Howett/dp/0809258773


You can find it cheaper on Thriftbooks and eBay.

Study up! There books out there to help. I bought the Kaplan GED 2016 book this past week and it's been helping me with math. It has all the subjects from math to language arts, but you can find books from Kaplan that focus on single subjects.

I got this https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1628454962/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 and the GED for dummies books for my brother. They seem to have plenty of practice material in them.

Guess I'll get the Kaplan book, because it seems like it gets recommended a lot.

I know this is a dumb question, but just want to be sure... Is this the right Kaplan GED book or am I looking at the wrong one?

https://www.amazon.com/GED-Test-Prep-2018-Strategies/dp/1506223621/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1543620510&sr=8-2&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=kaplan+ged+book+2018&dpPl=1&dpID=51qYrUuoDyL&ref=plSrch