GED Math Tip: Understand Your Math Skills

GED Math Tip #2: Understand Your Math Skills

Now that you know a little about the GED math test, it is time to focus on YOU. How do you feel about math? When you think about having to solve a fraction, decimal, or percent problem.... do you have a feeling of intense frustration or helplessness? Do you feel confident or terrified?
Part of your frustration may come from not knowing what your math skills are. Learningtrends has a free pre-ged math assessment to help you determine what you know and also what you don't. Taking this assessment will NOT determine all that you need to study, but it will be a start. Click here to take now.

Math Anxiety: A feeling of intense frustration or helplessness about one's ability to do math. It is an emotional reaction to math based on past unpleasant math experiences. To help overcome math anxiety, you must have good learning experiences in math.

If you feel anxious about math, you may want to consider learning (or reviewing) it in what I call "slivers". Learn a little at a time with continuous review. Start with what you already know and build on that knowledge.

Find a good math book that starts with whole numbers and number sense.

Determine if you know your basic addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division facts. Click here to access learning Quia math facts activities.

If you find that you need review in basic math facts, check out Learningtrends free math flashcards to help.

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GED "Blues"

Are you as tired as I am with Winter? It is that time of year when we think of flowers, sun, and patio parties. Not here in the upper mid-west. Winter is never ending!

As a GED teacher, I see the GED 'blues" or depression setting in on some of the students I work with. They are not always showing up, and when they do.... they are not necessary ready to WORK.

Just keep encouraging your students! Let them know that winter is just about over and that it is normal to get the winter blues.

Perhaps take a field trip, or have a "I can't wait until Summer" party.

Now is not the time to slow down.... but to keep pressing forward.

Remind them to keep their eye on the prize!

GED Math Help

School is back in session and it is becoming more and more clear to me that the majority of GED students have trouble with the Math portion. It is critical that you understand the basics of whole numbers, fractions, decimals, percents, basic algebra, and basic geometry. It is also important that you understand the formulas that go along with those areas.

Don't get frustrated with the GED Math test! My suggestion is to study math a little at a time. Do this with a good GED math book. It may also help to get a tutor or study mate to help you.

GED Math Anxiety

If your students are similar to mine, you probably have one or two who have taken the GED math test more than once. I am currently waiting for the score of a student who has taken the math test four times over a period of 3 years. This student needs to score at least a 490 to get the required points for his GED. On the other 4 the average was 440. Part of the challenge is that the student works full time, has a second job, and also has a family. The family is very supportive, but after a long day at work it is obvious that he is tired. This student will admit that math is the last thing he wants to do and doesn't understand it. Between his third and fourth test he met with me five times. In my opinion.... not near enough time. I would have liked to work with him twice a week for at least 2 months. But he did not have the time and like many of my students, just wanted to try it one more time. Well, on Monday I will be back to work and will most likely have his score. Hang tight!

GED 2011

I recently attended the Wisconsin GED and Adult Literacy Conference. I learned that a new series of GED tests are scheduled to come out i n 2011. Not a lot of information yet, but stay tuned. As I learn more, I will be posting in this blog.

GED Math

For a student who simply wants to "pass"the GED, it is tempting to spend little time on the math portion. For some students, those who have a fairly good foundation in math concepts, that is ok. But for those students who don't have a good foundation, this can be disastrous. Those students typically want to "bounce" around from topic to topic.

When tutoring my GED math students, I use an analogy of a mason building a brick house. Each brick represents a math concept. You must first lay a solid foundation of basic whole number understanding. If you skip or skim over a concept, it will weaken your house. Start with a solid foundation and then lay each brick of knowledge thoughtfully and in the right order.

Students don't always know what that order is. They either need a tutor, or a good GED math book.

GED Math Help

GED: General Education Diploma

The acronym GED stands for General Education Diploma. There are 5 tests, called a Battery, that make up the GED tests. They are Language Arts, Reading; Language Arts, Writing; Science; Social Studies; and Mathematics.

These five tests measure the knowledge found in those areas. The GED tests are timed tests that can vary from 65 minutes to 2 hours.

Depending on where you are located, you may need to take the entire battery of GED tests in one or two sittings. Other places will allow you to test one test at a time.

It is important that you contact your local official GED Testing Center to find out the specific GED requirements for your location.

GED Testing

When you are taking the GED practice and official tests, you should answer the questions that you know right away and leave the rest. Don't spend alot of time on those you don't know, go back to them later.

If you find your self out of time, but still have unanswered questions, do NOT leave any of the answers blank. Quickly fill in an answer, any answer. At least you will have a chance of picking the right one.

GED Practice Test

If you can, take one official GED test at a time. You will be less tired and will receive a better score than if you try to take as many tests as possible in one session. If you decide to double up on GED tests, only double up on the Language Arts, Reading and one other. I do realize that in some states, you MUST take all the tests in one sitting.... but ask before you sign up. One test at a time is my suggestion.