GED Exam at a Glance

Facts verified Oct 19, 2026 against GED Testing Service LLC. Dates that have passed are removed automatically.

Test Format at a Glance

The GED Mathematical Reasoning test is a 115-minute computer-based exam (about 46 questions) worth 100–200 points, with 145 needed to pass. It runs in two parts: a short no-calculator Part 1, a 3-minute break, then Part 2 with the on-screen TI-30XS MultiView calculator (or your own TI-30XS at a test center). You get a formula sheet and calculator reference sheet, and the question types are multiple choice, drag-and-drop, fill-in-the-blank, select-an-area and drop-down. The fee is set by your state (for example $36 per subject in Ohio, $38 in Florida, $41 in California), and in many states you can test online from home with a proctor if you first score "green" on the $7.99 official GED Ready practice test within 60 days. Practice with the free GED practice test on PracticeTestGeeks (1,050+ questions with answer explanations).

Free GED Study Tools

Interactive GED resources on PracticeTestGeeks, free to start:

• GED Science — 20 questions with instant scoring and answer explanations
• GED flashcards — review key terms and concepts card by card
• GED study guide — topic-by-topic overview of what the exam covers

What Is on the GED Math Test?

The GED Mathematical Reasoning test is divided into two content areas that appear throughout the exam rather than in separate sections:

• Basic Math (45%): Number operations, fractions, decimals, percentages, ratios, proportions, and basic geometry including area, perimeter, and volume.
• Algebraic Thinking (55%): Linear equations, inequalities, quadratic equations, patterns, functions, and interpreting data from graphs and tables.

You do not need to have taken algebra recently to pass — but you do need to be comfortable setting up and solving equations. Many questions present a real-world scenario (a budget, a construction project, a distance problem) and ask you to write and solve an equation. Take a ged math practice test to see exactly how these scenario questions are phrased before your exam day.

The exam also includes geometry questions covering the Pythagorean theorem, slope of a line, and basic coordinate geometry. A formula sheet is provided on screen and in the test center — GED Testing Service confirms you do not need to memorize formulas, but you do need to know how to apply them correctly under time pressure.

Test Format and Timing

The GED Math test is 115 minutes long (this includes 2 minutes of instructions and final review) and is split into two parts taken in the same sitting, with a 3-minute break between them so you can retrieve your calculator at a test center:

Part 1 (the first few questions, roughly 5): No calculator allowed. Questions test mental arithmetic, number sense, and basic operations. This section is short but catches many test-takers off guard if they have relied entirely on a calculator during practice. Review your multiplication tables and basic fraction arithmetic before test day.

Part 2 (the remaining questions, the large majority of the ~46-item test): The TI-30XS MultiView calculator is available on-screen. Questions span all content areas — algebra, data analysis, and geometry. At a test center you may also bring and use your own physical TI-30XS; on the online-proctored test only the on-screen calculator is permitted.

Questions are presented in a mix of formats. Multiple-choice questions have four answer options. Fill-in-the-blank questions require you to type a numeric answer into a box — no rounding is accepted unless the question specifies it. Drag-and-drop questions ask you to arrange steps or match values, and GED Testing Service also uses select-an-area (hot spot) and drop-down items. For a realistic simulation of these formats, use the ged practice test free tools alongside the Math test to build cross-subject endurance.

Calculator Rules

Understanding the GED calculator rules prevents nasty surprises on test day:

• The TI-30XS MultiView is the only approved calculator. It handles fractions, exponents, roots, and basic statistical functions — all of which appear on the exam.
• Part 1 has no calculator. You cannot access the on-screen calculator for the first five questions. The system locks it out.
• At a test center you can bring your own physical TI-30XS for Part 2 (that is what the 3-minute break between parts is for). On the online-proctored test a physical calculator is not allowed — you use the on-screen calculator, plus an on-screen whiteboard for scratch work.
• Using the calculator for every calculation slows you down on simple questions. Practice mentally estimating answers first, then verify with the calculator.

Spend time with a TI-30XS before your exam — specifically practise entering fractions using the n/d key and converting between fractions and decimals. Many candidates lose marks on straightforward questions because they are unfamiliar with the calculator's output format. Check our ged study guide for a TI-30XS walkthrough section.

Score Required to Pass

GED Math scores range from 100 to 200. The minimum passing score is 145. There are two additional scoring bands worth knowing about:

• 145–164 — GED Passing Score: You have earned the GED for this subject. No college credit is awarded, but the credential is valid for employment and further education applications.
• 165–174 — GED College Ready: Indicates college-level readiness. Some colleges use this score to waive developmental math requirements, allowing you to enrol directly in college-level maths courses.
• 175–200 — GED College Ready + Credit: GED Testing Service states this level could qualify for up to 10 college credit hours at participating institutions. Check with your target college to confirm credit transfer policies.

If you score below 145, you can retake the test. At a test center you get two retakes you can schedule right away; if you have not passed after three attempts, you must wait 60 days before each further attempt. On the online-proctored exam you get one immediate retake, then a 60-day wait after two online attempts. GED Testing Service waives its $20 fee on your first two retakes of a purchased subject (for 365 days), though state or test-center fees may still apply, and discounted retakes are not offered on the online exam. Preparing with a free ged practice test before each attempt reduces the risk of retakes significantly. Also check the ged by state page for your state's specific testing fees.

Sample GED Practice Questions

Try these questions from our free GED practice tests. The correct answer and an explanation follow each question.

1. What percentage of a number is 44?

   • A. 55
   • B. 50
   • C. 58
   • D. 56

   Answer: A. 55

   Using x to represent the unknown integer, convert the question into an equation: 44 = 0.8x Divide both sides by the decimal: 44/0.8 = x x = 55

2. Which sentence contains a dangling modifier?

   • A. Running late, Maria missed the bus.
   • B. The professor explained the theory clearly.
   • C. Having finished the exam, the test booklets were collected by the proctor.
   • D. After eating dinner, we went for a walk.

   Answer: C. Having finished the exam, the test booklets were collected by the proctor.

   In answer C, the phrase 'Having finished the exam' implies a person finished the exam, but the subject of the main clause is 'the test booklets' — booklets cannot finish an exam. The modifier is left dangling with no logical subject. The other sentences correctly match the modifying phrase to the right subject.

3. Which type of seismic wave cannot travel through liquid layers of Earth and is therefore blocked by the outer core?

   • A. P-waves (primary waves)
   • B. S-waves (secondary waves)
   • C. Surface waves
   • D. Love waves

   Answer: B. S-waves (secondary waves)

   S-waves are shear waves that require a solid medium; they cannot travel through Earth's liquid outer core, creating a seismic shadow zone.

4. Which type of rock is formed from cooled magma or lava?

   • A. Igneous
   • B. Sedimentary
   • C. Metamorphic
   • D. Crystalline

   Answer: A. Igneous

   Igneous rocks form when magma (underground) or lava (surface) cools and solidifies. Examples include granite (intrusive) and basalt (extrusive).

Take the full GED practice test

For a fuller set of questions on this topic, see our printable ged practice test pdf resource.

For a fuller set of questions on this topic, see our ged test pro resource.

For a fuller set of questions on this topic, see our ged practice test pdf free resource.