Go to GED Test - Language Arts, Writing.
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Source: Compiled from information from The American Council on Education, the official GED Testing Service, in an easy-to-use format.
What You Need to Know About Reading
The reading test is designed to measure your ability to understand and interpret selected texts that you would find in an academic setting or at work. You will be asked to understand, apply, analyze, and synthesize the information you read. Prose selections will be 200-400 words and poetry between 8 and 25 lines.
Seventy-five percent (75%) of the reading test is on literary works of fiction from the following genres:
- Poetry
- Drama
- Prose fiction before 1920
- Prose fiction between 1920 and 1960
- Prose fiction after 1960
The other 25% of the readings are taken from non-fiction sources and include two selections of:
- Non-fiction prose
- Critical review of visual and performing arts
- Workplace documents such as mission statements, employee rules, and business letters
Question Format
There are 40 multiple-choice questions in this section. A purpose question appears in bold before each reading selection. This is not the question you will answer, but is designed to help you focus on the issue you will be asked about.
The reading selection appears after the purpose question, and 4 to 8 questions follow. You are to choose the best answer to each question.
Time Allowed on Test
65 minutes (1 hour, 5 minutes)
Resources for Learning and Practicing
- Sample Test Questions from the American Council on Education
- McGraw-Hill Online Learning Center Practice Reading Test
- Reading Test Practice from GED Prep Info
