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GED study guide: what to study for each subject

There’s no single official GED handbook. GED Testing Service publishes what each subject covers, free test previews and a math formula sheet, and that’s the best place to start. Below is what’s on each test, what you get on test day, and how the free and paid study materials fit together.

Free practice test

Updated October 2026 · Written from official sources, listed at the bottom of this page

What each subject covers

SubjectMain topics
Mathematical ReasoningBasic math, geometry, basic algebra, graphs and functions
Reasoning Through Language ArtsReading for meaning, identifying and creating arguments, grammar and language, plus one essay
ScienceReading for meaning in science, designing and interpreting experiments, using numbers and graphics
Social StudiesReading for meaning, analyzing historical events and arguments, using numbers and graphs

What you get on test day, so you don’t have to memorize it

  • Math: a formula sheet and a calculator reference sheet. You don’t need to memorize formulas.
  • Math part 2, Science and Social Studies: an on-screen TI-30XS calculator. At a test center you may bring your own TI-30XS Multiview.
  • Language Arts: the two short texts you’ll write your essay about. You don’t need outside knowledge.
  • Science and Social Studies: passages, tables and graphs. Most answers come from the material in the question.

Free official materials

GED Testing Service’s free test previews are about a quarter of the length of the real test, in English and Spanish, with an explanation for every answer. There’s one for each subject. Creating a free GED.com account also gets you study materials and the contact details of prep centers near you.

Books and paid practice

If you like studying from a book, the Kaplan GED Test Prep 2026 book is widely used. Its list price is $24.99, and the Plus edition with more practice is $29.99. Any book that covers the current GED test will work. Check that it’s a recent edition.

The official GED Ready practice test ($7.99 a subject on GED.com) is half the length of the real test and tells you if you’re likely to pass. It’s the most useful check before you book.

A simple way to study

  1. Take a free test preview in each subject to see where you stand.
  2. Start with the subject you feel best about. Passing one early builds confidence.
  3. Study the weak spots with free lessons, a class or a book.
  4. Take GED Ready. A score of 145 to 200 means you’re likely to pass.
  5. Book that subject, then move on to the next.

Explore

Everything else, in one place

OverviewGED testQuestions and passing scoreHow many questions are on the GED, and what’s the passing score?Scoring and calculatorHow GED scoring works, and the calculator you can useSchedule the testHow to schedule the GED testCostHow much does the GED test cost?Online testCan you take the GED test online?Age requirementsHow old do you have to be to take the GED?Practice testFree GED practice testWhere to learnWhere to study for the GED test
Sources: GED Testing Service and 4 more. Checked October 2026.

Rules and fees can change, so check the official site before your test.