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What is the Best Way to Study for the GED®?

Christina Edwards
Christina Edwards

A General Education Development, or GED®, certificate is often considered to be equivalent to a diploma, and it is usually a requirement if someone who doesn't have a diploma wants to attend college. To obtain this certificate, a person must get a passing score on each General Education Development test. To study for the GED®, an individual can sign up for a GED® class or hire a private tutor. Study guides and practice tests can also come in quite handy when a person is trying to study for the GED®.

GED® classes are one of the most popular ways to study for the GED®. An individual can usually enroll in these classes by contacting his local high school or community college. Many of these classes are inexpensive or even free.

Finding a quiet place to study can promote information retention.
Finding a quiet place to study can promote information retention.

Online GED® classes are another option when trying to study for the GED®. These usually cover the main test subjects, including mathematics, science, social studies, reading, and writing. Most online classes allow a student to go at his own pace. Many of these classes also help a student pinpoint and focus on his weak areas.

Private tutors are another option when trying to study for the GED®. Tutors can usually help a student improve in certain problem areas. The only drawback to personal tutors is the expense, unless a friend is willing to tutor for free.

Private tutors can help a student improve in certain problem area.
Private tutors can help a student improve in certain problem area.

There are also several different GED® study guides available. Whether they choose to study for the GED® in a class or on their own, many students purchase or borrow one of these guides. Some of these books can be very expensive, however, and many students opt to purchase them used or borrow them from a library.

Many study guides also contain GED® practice tests. After taking these tests, students are able to see the areas that they need to study more. For example, if a student answered 90 percent of the math questions correctly, but only 35 percent of the science questions correctly, he could figure out that he needs to spend more time studying science. Many times, free practice tests can also be found online.

Creating a comfortable study space at home is also very helpful for many students when they are studying for the GED®. Ideally, this area should be quiet and free from any distractions. Every student has different study habits. Some need absolute quiet, while others may prefer music playing in the background. Whatever a person's preferences, a study space should be what works well for him.

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    • Finding a quiet place to study can promote information retention.
      By: japolia
      Finding a quiet place to study can promote information retention.
    • Private tutors can help a student improve in certain problem area.
      By: Monkey Business
      Private tutors can help a student improve in certain problem area.