GED Social Studies

What’s on the GED: Social Studies Test

The GED® Social Studies Test evaluates your ability to understand, interpret, and apply information. You will have 70 minutes to answer 35 questions that are based on reading passages and interpreting graphics such as charts, graphs, diagrams, editorial cartoons, photographs, and maps. You will need a minimum score of 145 to pass the Social Studies Test, which is one of the four tests you will need to pass in order to earn a high school equivalency diploma.

GED Social Studies Content Areas

The exam is broken down into multiple reporting categories:

Test Structure

Computer-Based Social Studies GED Test Question Formats

You will work with five question formats on the Social Studies Test. Many of the questions will be in the familiar multiple-choice format, but you will need to be acquainted with the other formats as well.

Math Problems on the GED Social Studies Test

Many social studies investigations use mathematics. For that reason, there will be math questions on the GED® Social Studies Test.

Although you do not have to use a calculator, you may use either a handheld or an on-screen version of the TI-30XS MultiView™ calculator on the Social Studies Test. Some problems will say: You MAY use your calculator. When you see that language, the calculator icon appears at the top of the screen. If you cannot remember how to use the calculator, you can open the online Calculator Reference Sheet.

You can click the links to open, move, and close both the online Texas Instruments TI-30XS MultiView™ calculator and the Calculator Reference Sheet. You will want to move them on the computer screen so that they don’t block the problem. Also remember that you will have an off-line wipe-off board that you can use as scratch paper.