The General Educational Development® (GED®) Test is divided into two parts: one assesses your ability to write a two-page essay on a given topic, and the other assesses your ability to answer multiple-choice questions on grammar topics. The essay accounts for 40% of the GED® Writing Test score, while the multiple-choice section accounts for the remaining 60%. The essay section usually asks you a question about a personal experience and assesses your ability to express and organize ideas, whereas the multiple-choice section asks you to find errors and correct them in a sentence or passage. GED® classes, practice tests, study books, and Internet resources can all help you prepare for and pass the GED® Writing Test in both parts.
GED® classes are available at many community colleges and high schools to help you prepare. You will learn how to structure an essay for the GED® Writing Test and will have the opportunity to practice writing about topics provided by your instructor. Furthermore, the course should cover the multiple-choice portion of the exam, as well as refresh your memory on grammar concepts and proper sentence construction. You will also have the benefit of being able to ask the instructor to clarify any concepts that are causing you difficulty, as well as receiving feedback that will help you prepare for the real exam. Additionally, some colleges and organizations offer GED® classes online, allowing you to study and submit your work from the comfort of your own home.
GED® study books are a good alternative if live classes aren’t an option. Many bookstores sell books that go over the GED® Writing Test in great detail and include practice exercises. Some also include essay topics and diagrams to help you write a structured essay, as well as a rubric to help you grade your work. If you buy a book that includes a computer disk, you can use your computer to do exercises with a time limit similar to the real test. Many of these books include detailed explanations for each practice problem as well as an index that directs you to the section where you can learn more about a subject.
Practice tests can also be used to determine your readiness for the GED® Writing Exam. Practice exams are included in some GED® study books, but many are also available for free on the Internet. These tests have questions that are similar to those on the real exam and allow you to estimate your possible score. The most significant advantage of practice tests is that they allow you to see which parts of the GED® Writing Test cause you the most difficulty, allowing you to focus your efforts on those areas.