The General Educational Development (GED) test is a high school equivalency exam that is taken by individuals who did not complete their high school education. In Alberta, the GED test is administered by the Government of Alberta, and it is an essential step for those who want to pursue post-secondary education or improve their career prospects. To help individuals prepare for the GED test in Alberta, this article provides a comprehensive exam prep guide, covering the test format, content, and study materials.
Overview of the GED Test in Alberta
The GED test in Alberta consists of four subject tests: Mathematical Reasoning, Reasoning Through Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies. Each test is designed to assess the test-taker’s knowledge and skills in a specific subject area. The test is computer-based, and the questions are a mix of multiple-choice, short answer, and essay questions. The test-taker has a maximum of 115 minutes to complete each subject test, and the total test time is approximately 7 hours and 30 minutes.
Test Format and Content
The GED test in Alberta is divided into four subject tests, each with its own unique format and content. The Mathematical Reasoning test assesses the test-taker’s ability to solve mathematical problems, including algebra, geometry, and data analysis. The Reasoning Through Language Arts test evaluates the test-taker’s reading comprehension, writing, and grammar skills. The Science test covers a range of topics, including biology, chemistry, physics, and earth science. The Social Studies test assesses the test-taker’s knowledge of history, geography, economics, and government.
The test questions are designed to be challenging, but not impossible to answer. The test-taker is expected to have a strong foundation in the subject matter and be able to apply their knowledge to solve problems and answer questions. The test is scored on a scale of 100 to 200, and the minimum passing score is 145.
Study Materials and Resources
To prepare for the GED test in Alberta, test-takers can use a variety of study materials and resources. The official GED test website provides a range of study materials, including practice tests, study guides, and online courses. Additionally, there are many third-party study materials available, including textbooks, online courses, and tutoring services. Some popular study materials include the GED Test Prep Plus, Kaplan GED Prep, and Magoosh GED Prep.
Test-takers can also prepare for the test by taking practice tests, which can help them identify their strengths and weaknesses and focus their studying on areas where they need improvement. The official GED test website provides a range of practice tests, including a free practice test and a paid practice test with additional features.
Preparing for the Mathematical Reasoning Test
The Mathematical Reasoning test is one of the most challenging subject tests on the GED exam. To prepare for this test, test-takers should focus on reviewing mathematical concepts, including algebra, geometry, and data analysis. They should also practice solving mathematical problems, using a variety of resources, including textbooks, online courses, and practice tests.
Some key concepts to review for the Mathematical Reasoning test include:
- Algebra: equations, functions, and graphs
- Geometry: points, lines, angles, and planes
- Data analysis: charts, graphs, and tables
Test-takers should also practice solving mathematical problems, using a variety of resources, including:
- Textbooks: such as the GED Test Prep Plus
- Online courses: such as Kaplan GED Prep
- Practice tests: such as the official GED practice test
Preparing for the Reasoning Through Language Arts Test
The Reasoning Through Language Arts test is another challenging subject test on the GED exam. To prepare for this test, test-takers should focus on reviewing reading comprehension, writing, and grammar skills. They should also practice answering questions and writing essays, using a variety of resources, including textbooks, online courses, and practice tests.
Some key concepts to review for the Reasoning Through Language Arts test include:
- Reading comprehension: identifying main ideas, supporting details, and making inferences
- Writing: grammar, syntax, and style
- Grammar: parts of speech, sentence structure, and punctuation
Test-takers should also practice answering questions and writing essays, using a variety of resources, including:
- Textbooks: such as the GED Test Prep Plus
- Online courses: such as Kaplan GED Prep
- Practice tests: such as the official GED practice test
Preparing for the Science Test
The Science test is a comprehensive subject test that covers a range of topics, including biology, chemistry, physics, and earth science. To prepare for this test, test-takers should focus on reviewing key concepts and principles in each subject area. They should also practice answering questions and solving problems, using a variety of resources, including textbooks, online courses, and practice tests.
Some key concepts to review for the Science test include:
- Biology: cells, genetics, evolution, and ecology
- Chemistry: atoms, molecules, and chemical reactions
- Physics: motion, energy, and forces
- Earth science: geology, meteorology, and astronomy
Test-takers should also practice answering questions and solving problems, using a variety of resources, including:
- Textbooks: such as the GED Test Prep Plus
- Online courses: such as Kaplan GED Prep
- Practice tests: such as the official GED practice test
Preparing for the Social Studies Test
The Social Studies test is a comprehensive subject test that covers a range of topics, including history, geography, economics, and government. To prepare for this test, test-takers should focus on reviewing key concepts and principles in each subject area. They should also practice answering questions and solving problems, using a variety of resources, including textbooks, online courses, and practice tests.
Some key concepts to review for the Social Studies test include:
- History: world history, Canadian history, and Alberta history
- Geography: physical geography, human geography, and economic geography
- Economics: microeconomics, macroeconomics, and international trade
- Government: Canadian government, Alberta government, and international relations
Test-takers should also practice answering questions and solving problems, using a variety of resources, including:
- Textbooks: such as the GED Test Prep Plus
- Online courses: such as Kaplan GED Prep
- Practice tests: such as the official GED practice test
Test-Taking Strategies
To succeed on the GED test, test-takers need to develop effective test-taking strategies. Some key strategies include:
- Time management: allocating time for each question and section
- Question analysis: reading questions carefully and identifying key concepts
- Answer selection: choosing the best answer from the options provided
- Guessing: making educated guesses when unsure of the answer
Test-takers should also practice using these strategies, using a variety of resources, including:
- Textbooks: such as the GED Test Prep Plus
- Online courses: such as Kaplan GED Prep
- Practice tests: such as the official GED practice test
| Subject Test | Content | Test-Taking Strategies |
|---|---|---|
| Mathematical Reasoning | Algebra, geometry, data analysis | Time management, question analysis, answer selection |
| Reasoning Through Language Arts | Reading comprehension, writing, grammar | Time management, question analysis, answer selection |
| Science | Biology, chemistry, physics, earth science | Time management, question analysis, answer selection |
| Social Studies | History, geography, economics, government | Time management, question analysis, answer selection |
