Chapter 4

Passing the GED Science Exam

Introduction

• Adequate preparation is required to pass the GED science exam.

• Studying and understanding the prescribed work is very important, but there are other factors
to consider when preparing to write the GED exam.
• It is very important to make sure a healthy diet and a good quantity of sleep are obtained.
• Attempt to keep stress levels to a minimum.
• Ensure you take frequent breaks whilst studying.

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• It is very important to maintain a healthy, calm and stable mind to ensure you get a satisfying
mark on the exam.
• Chapter 4 deals with correct actions to take whilst preparing to write the GED exam.
• Study techniques and answering techniques are also an++ important core aspect when writing
this exam and if understood, will assist in maintaining lower stress levels preceding the exam.

Time Leading to the GED Exam

• The exam can be very tiring because of the required comprehension and interpretation
questions asked.
• Because of this, it is important to monitor and maintain other aspects of one’s life to ensure
optimal performance when writing the exam.
• The following points are good indicators for adequate examination preparation:
1. Quantity of sleep per night – Exhaustion can be a very big contributing factor for poor
examination performance. To avoid exhaustion, it is incredibly important to ensure one gets
6-8 hours of sleep, at least, per night, especially in the few weeks preceding the exam.
Caffeinated drinks can have negative reactions and effects when consumed in high
quantities over a short period (or even over a long period), try and avoid overconsumption
of various caffeinated drinks.
2. Maintain a healthy diet – Avoid foods that contain high amounts of sugar, such as sweets
and candy. A healthy diet and food intake are vital to sustaining high energy levels.
Maintaining a good energy level is important for efficient studying and writing of the exam.
Remember that the exam is quite long and requires different skills, so one will need a good
energy level to perform effectively. A high protein diet is recommended to maintain brain
activity. An empty stomach will also lead to becoming tired very quickly, so ensure that a
good quality breakfast is consumed the morning of the exam, even a few snacks between
breakfast and writing the exam will help maintain a high energy level.

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3. Remember to keep breathing – Keeping a good respiratory rate will assist in avoiding
elevated stress levels. It is important to mentally prepare before writing the exam to get one
in the ‘zone’ and focus on higher concentration whilst monitoring the respiratory rate. Some
students take fewer breaths or hold their breath before and during the exam, which often
results in forgetfulness, anxiety, stress and decreased concentration levels.

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 4. Keep calm and read through and perform the exam from the start to the finish – It is
important to keep ‘exercising’ one’s mental faculties to ensure stamina and concentration.
Remain calm and run through the test entirely from the start of the exam to the end.
Attempt to answer all the questions provided and try not to spend too much time worrying if
you do not know the answer, you can always return to that question later.
5. Do not be late! – It is important to note the exact time that the exam begins. Usually,
students will be seated at least 10-15 minutes before the exam. Make sure to plan
effectively for the morning of the exam so that you are not late on arrival. Rather arrive at
the exam venue or be ready at least an hour before the start of the exam. Leaving enough
time will also ensure that you enter the exam with a relaxed and focused mind without the
additional stress of time constraints or late arrival. External conditions, such as; high traffic
levels or unexpected accidents may affect travel time, so rather be extra cautious and
provide yourself with extra time for travel. Noting the exact date and time of the exam is
crucial for success. Examiners may not allow you to write the exam if you are late,
however; if they do, that time will be taken away from your overall writing time.

How to Fully Utilize the Practice and

Diagnostic Exams
• It is important to fully assess one’s results after writing practice exams and the diagnostic
exam.
• Here are some reasons why:
1. Ensure adequate preparation – The exams will allow the students to practice and perform
their skills sufficiently. The results will indicate which areas need more focus and work than
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 others and allow students to proficiently assess their knowledge, comprehension,
interpretation, understanding of the question and answering skills.
2. Assess your speed – These tests are also good indicators of students’ reading abilities
and speed. The more proficient one is in reading, the faster and more sufficient the
answering portion of the exam will be, leaving adequate time to perform and reread to
ensure as accurate answers are provided as possible.
3. Assess your knowledge – Multiple practice exams, along with the diagnostic exam will
allow students to understand which topics are better understood than others and which of
the 4 sections of science one will need to focus on before writing the actual GED science
exam. It is advised that students perform multiple practice exams in order to fully assess
their knowledge on each of the 4 sections.
4. Assess computer skills – because the GED exam is a computer-based exam, it is
important to know how to use a computer effectively and ensure competent skills when
reading and answering questions on the computer.
5. Know the format of the exam – When one practice answering test questions, it will assist
with understanding and becoming comfortable with the format that the GED science exam
will be presented in. That way, students will be at ease when entering the actual exam
because they are already familiar with the format of the exam.
6. Build self-confidence – the psychological perspective of any exam is of vital importance in
assisting with stress and anxiety levels. Multiple practice exams, and success thereof, will
ease student’s anxiety levels and make them more confident in their abilities to answer the
questions presented in the actual exam more sufficiently.

What to Take With You to the Exam

• It is important to ensure that you take all the necessary utensils with you to the exam.
• Here is a list of some of the important items you will need:
1. The human – this obviously being the student. If you are unable to perform the exam on
the pre-set date, ensure that you communicate with the institute to change the date.
Absence of attendance will result in an immediate failure result.
2. Stationery – Always take a pen and pencil with you. Even if they are not necessary, it is
good to have writing utensils in case you will need to write anything down or use paper to
write out answers before marking your answer on the computer.
3. Identification documents – Ensure that you have adequate identification on you at all
times, this could be an ID smart card or book, passport or student card (depending on the
institution). Identification of students is crucial when writing the exam. Lack of identification
documents could mean students being denied access to writing the GED science exam.

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 4. Proof of registration – This is not always a requirement, depending on the institution,
there may be a register present when writing the exam, otherwise, one will be required to
provide proof of registration if performing the exam at various venues.
5. Adequate clothing items – The exam is quite lengthy, so it is important that one is
comfortable through the entire duration of the exam. It is always a good idea to take a
jacket with, many computer rooms are air-conditioned, and it can get very cold when writing
the exam.
6. Watch and glasses – A watch is extremely helpful to monitor time usage and limit time to
specific questions to ensure completion of the exam. Reading glasses are especially
important. Sometimes computer screens can cause headaches or can induce blurry vision,
so it is important for students to consider or get their eyes tested for reading glasses, and
even more important to remember to bring the reading glasses with on the day of the exam!

• Try and limit the number of items that you take with to the exam.
• It is advised to leave all electronic devices and equipment at home or in the car. It will be
unsafe to leave electronic devices outside the testing station.
• The following are prohibited from being brought into the examination room:
o Scrap paper or notebooks.
o Electronic devices.
o Any valuable items that could possibly get stolen.
• A calculator is not prohibited, so one can bring their own calculator to the exam. It is advised to
bring your own scientific calculator to the GED exam.

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• There will be a computer-generated calculator available on the computer that one performs the
exam, however; computer-generated calculators are more difficult and time-consuming to use
than handheld calculators.

Ensuring Relaxation and Comfort Before

Starting the GED Science Exam
• The computers will most likely be situated in a computer lab or center.
• There will be a number of examiners present at any given time to ensure correct conduct when
writing the exam.
• Everyone will attempt to write the exam on the same date and at the same time.
• It is advised to take one’s seat as soon as possible, look around the room, familiarize oneself
with the surroundings within the center and the position of the other computers. This will
decrease the chances of distraction once the exam has started.
• The exam is conducted over a long period, so it is important to be comfortable in the chair and
positioned well in front of the computer.
• Everyone is a different height, so before the exam begins, you will have to adjust the chair and
computer set up to your own height to ensure optimum comfort. Both the monitor and the
keyboard are completely adjustable. Ensure that all changes to the set up are made before the
exam begins.
• Ensure going to the toilet before sitting the exam. There are 2 aspects to this, firstly to be
comfortable when performing the exam. Secondly, any toilet breaks or visits will take time
away from writing the exam and leave the student with less time to complete the exam, so it is
not advised for students writing the GED science exam.
• The examiner will instruct students on the rules of the exam, determined by the various
institutions, and then will assist with logging into the computers and then into the exam. Make
a mental note of all this important information.

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 Corrective Methods for Performing the GED
Exam
• The following are important factors to consider during the actual proceedings of writing
the exam:
o Effective time management – it is important to make sure that you spend the allocated
time per question in order to complete the entire exam.
o Read the question – possibly read the question a few times to determine the structure and
layout of the question, what specifically the question is asking and how to answer
accurately.
o Deciding how best to answer the questions – questions can be answered based on
different methods. By reading the question through carefully, determine how best to answer
the questions.
o “Guess-timate” – When not knowing which of the multiple-choice answers is the correct
one, make an educated guess or “guess-timate”. One can do this by a process of
elimination, removing the options that seem most unlikely until the best choice is remaining.
o Double-check answers – Make sure that all answers are reread through as many times as
possible to double-check all your answers before submitting the fully completed exam.

Effective Time Management

• It is important to manage one’s time effectively.
• Look at the time allocations per question and ensure you spend the exact time allocated to
those questions to complete the exam.

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• Saying this, it is not worthwhile to rush through the exam, questions could be missed, or
answers completed in a flustered type of manner, which could result in multiple incorrect
answers.
• If there is a question that is more difficult to interpret and understand, then move on to the next
question and come back to that specific question if there is enough time. Then spend more
time on that specific question at the end of the exam.
• There will be a clock showing the amount of time that is left on the actual computer screen.
This clock can also be used to manage one’s time per question.
• Effective time management will ensure that all the questions get answered, and hopefully,
there will still be enough time to go through the exam again, double-checking answers.
• There is no set layout that one has to follow when answering the questions. It is advised to
move through the exam from the beginning to the end, however; another reliable strategy is to
go through the exam and answer the easier questions initially and return later for the harder
questions. There are both advantages and disadvantages to this method.
• The following are some strategies used to manage time effectively when writing exams:
o Calculating time allocations for grouped questions – A good strategy is to group the
questions into an answerable ‘number’, so say 10 per section, then determine how much
time one can allocate for those specific grouped questions. This can be determined by
taking the overall time allotted for the exam and divide by the overall number of questions.
Then take this number (time frame) and multiply it by the number of questions in a group,
say 10, then one will be able to subdivide time slots to groups of questions, helping to
manage time as efficiently as possible.
o Psychological mayhem – It is extremely important to remain relaxed and calm when writing
the exam. Any form of stress or anxiety will create time hiccups instead of allowing for more
time to answer questions.
o Practice time management – By performing multiple practice exams, one can really
practice managing their time efficiently and if not, then keep practicing until mastering time
management as best as possible.
• When the time is finished, the examiner will announce further instructions to finish off the
exam, how to submit and then the logging off procedure.

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Interpreting Each Question Correctly
• It is important to understand the structure of each question and how each question is set out to
be able to answer it effectively.

• Practice exams will help you to understand the layout and structure of various questions. The
more you practice, the more you will be able to understand how to answer the questions
correctly.

• One strategy is to start the exam by lightly and quickly reading the questions and moving
straight to the ones you are certain about, then returning to the other questions after answering
the easier ones first.

• There will be optional buttons of ‘Next’ or ‘Previous’ to allow one to scroll between questions,
allowing one to skim through the various questions, or refer back to different questions to
double-check answers.

• If using the easiest questions first strategy, make a note of which questions will need returning
to ensure that none of the questions are missed. Then go back to the questions noted
(preferably make a list, then tick off the question numbers as they are answered), ensuring all
questions are answered before the time is finished and the exam needs to be submitted.

Interpreting and Answering More Effectively

• Before writing the exam, prepare your mind to the format of the questions and how you will go
about deciphering the questions before answering them.

• What exactly is the question addressing? – it is crucial to determine what is being asked from
the question, what method is best to use when answering this question and interpreting the
type of skills needed for specific questions. Reread the question once answering these sorts of
inquiries in your head, then the answer should become easier to determine.

• Process of elimination – when answering multiple-choice answers, only one answer will be
correct. By processing which of the answers are definitely incorrect, an appropriate guess can
be made as to which of the remaining answers could be the correct answer. This is an advised
strategy for difficult questions. Make sure that all questions are answered!

• Many people make the common mistake of getting overly anxious and over-think all aspects to
do with the question. Remember, the questions are not made to contain hidden content or to
trick the students, so attempt not over-read the question and look for “hidden agendas”.

• Choose the most accurate answer – from the multiple-choice answers, try and determine
which of the answers is the most accurate for the question. Ensure that you have managed to
answer all the questions.

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Guess-timate
• Regarding the multiple-choice questions, there will be 4 options to choose from.

• Marks are only allocated to correct answers and range from 1 to 3 for each of the questions.

• Marks will not be subtracted for incorrect answers, therefore; one should answer all the
questions included in the exam.

• When coming across a question where the answer is not as clear, the best strategy is
performing an educated guess.

• When guessing, the process of elimination is the best way to eliminate any probable incorrect
answers. This will leave 1 or 2 possibly correct answers. So, there will be a 50/50 chance of
guessing the correct answer if there are 2 options left over. Because marks are not deducted
for incorrect answers, it is best to guess an answer that one is unsure about.

• This is known as the ‘Probability theory’, where there is a plausible percentage that the answer
selected will be correct. It is more advisable to answer the questions from learnt knowledge,
which will make the probability theory a good backup solution for unknown answers.

• By eliminating multiple incorrect options, there will be a better probability of selecting the
correct answer. Making this strategy a good back up method for answering questions that are
unclear or are a bit more difficult to answer immediately.

• Here are some steps to consider when employing the process of elimination or
probability theory:

o Reread the question multiple times and ensure that the answer you have chosen makes
sense and that it actually answers the question specifically and not another question that
has been read.

o Double-check answers – it can be difficult if there are two options that seem to be equally
plausible to be correct, however; these two options could also both be incorrect,
unfortunately that is the ‘down-side’ of multiple-choice questions.
o The answers provided are there to check if the student has the knowledge and has properly
read the question before answering.

o Try and identify opposing options in the answers. There can only be 1 correct answer, so if
there are opposing options and one is definitely incorrect, then the other has a higher
probability of being correct.

o Go with your gut, in the sense that, you have prepared for this exam. Try and not confuse
yourself by creating anxiety about which option is correct. The preparation for the exam is
extensive, so trust what you have learnt and chosen the option with the most academic
plausibility to you.
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Double-Checking Answers
• Attempt to leave a few minutes at the end of completing the exam to go back and review all
your answers.

• Double-checking the answers will give some much-needed confidence that all the answers are
as correct as you would wish them to be.

• Extra time will also allow one enough time to go back to difficult questions and review the
answer or choose a different option.

• Maintain a calm mind in the remaining time of the exam, in doing so, one will ensure a
more concentrated mind when reviewing all the answers you have made.

o Save some time when answering questions – by answering questions in a shorter period of
time, several minutes will be left over to review all your answers before submitting the
exam.
o Practice your reading skills before writing the exam to ensure that your reading speed is
fast enough to provide extra time for double-checking all your answers.

o Second-guessing – Sometimes if there is enough time, one will review answers and start
double guessing if the answers are the correct choice. Remember that you have studied
and prepared hard for the exam. Rely on your knowledge and skills and stick with your ‘gut
feeling’ about which is correct.

Concentration Abilities

• It is important to make sure you are mentally prepared to write the GED science exam.
• Mental health and preparedness are a key factor to passing the exam.
• Calmness and relaxation are vital in providing good and reliable answers when writing the
exam.
• Try and remember some of these tips when preparing your mind and concentration
before writing the exam:
o Whilst studying for the exam, it is important to take many breaks and find activities that will
allow your mind to rest properly, such as yoga or meditation. Your brain is absorbing a
large quantity of information, so it is important to allow your brain time to absorb this
information correctly and allow it to properly store the information before writing the exam.
o Know the examination rules before writing the GED exam – For example, ensure that you
know the rules for using the toilet during the duration of the exam. Another example is what
happens if a student finishes the exam early, can they submit and leave or must they sit

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 until the time is up. The specific institution will communicate these rules before the date of
the exam. Ensure that you know all these rules before the date of the GED exam.
o Focus on your own exam – make sure to look at your computer only. By looking at other
people’s computers, and therefore answers, it could create some confusion when
answering your own exam. Do not let other people’s answers influence your own answers.
The more important aspect is that when looking at other people’s computers, it seems as if
you are cheating and this could have major consequences. Most of the time, the questions
will be set out differently on various computers, so everyone will most likely be working on
different questions at one time.
o Stress, anxiety, and panic consumes a large amount of energy – Relaxation and calmness
is key to conserving much-needed energy for the exam. Attempt not to spend excess
energy on futile aspects like stress and panic. Keep breathing and look at the questions
from a knowledgeable standpoint to answer correctly.
• Practice, practice, practice – write as many practice exams as possible to familiarize yourself
with the format of the exam to ensure a decrease in stress levels. Leave all other aspects of
life outside the door and concentrate solely on the questions, and a single question at a time.
• Remember your job at this moment is to write and pass the GED science exam.

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