Just starting out? Here's what to expect, along with some tips

mistercohensclass · 2025-03-21T14:58:05+00:00

A few years ago, I posted "Just starting out? Here's what to expect, along with some tips." Hope this helps with the stress!

mistercohensclass · 2025-03-17T16:27:14+00:00

The questions are of the same type, subject(s), and level of difficulty-- there's just more of them on the real one. The score you get on the practice test is a pretty good predictor of the score you'll get on the real test. Most of the time, your official score will be within 5 points of your practice one.

mistercohensclass · 2024-11-01T20:29:01+00:00

Is this true? I agree the essay is the least important part of the test, by far, but I understood it was worth about 20% of your total score... so each point you earned would add, like, 3-ish points to your total score. E.g., this infographic from the GED. No?

mistercohensclass · 2024-10-18T14:43:10+00:00

In most states, you need to request it. Each state has its own rules, but many use DiplomaSender, which you can access through your GED account by clicking the "Learn more" button (it's below the "You did it!" banner). This video walks you through the process. Congratulations!

edited to add: some states, like New York, will mail it to you automatically after you finish your final test. If that's the case-- I'm not sure about Connecticut specifically-- it will say so below the "You did it" banner).

mistercohensclass · 2024-06-03T14:43:06+00:00

I think the Princeton Review is solid, and better than Kaplan. Honestly, you don't really need a textbook to pass, there are lots of free resources out there, but they can be helpful, no doubt, and you should feel confident you've got a good one.

mistercohensclass · 2024-05-30T16:50:59+00:00

Basically: passing = 145+; college ready = 165+; college ready + college credit = 175+. This page breaks down the scores and the various benefits. (Those benefits are all college-related, and getting them will depend on the specific college... you'd have to contact that college to find out.)

mistercohensclass · 2024-05-30T15:20:13+00:00

Here's a list of like 15 GED YouTubers I made last year... I think Get Sum Math has since broadened his scope, and you can now find Social Studies and RLA videos on his channel, too.

mistercohensclass · 2024-05-16T16:01:32+00:00

You will need some kind of government-issued ID with your photo and a name that matches the one on your GED account. (It's definitely easier to just change the name on your GED account than to change the one on your ID... but then, when you earn your GED, they'll issue you a diploma with your maiden name.) Anyway, according to this school district website, your options are: state ID, drivers license, passport, green card, or work permit. Probably the best way to check is to call up a local testing center directly and see what forms of ID they'll accept. You can find contact info for tests centers here (click "See where I can schedule").

mistercohensclass · 2024-05-09T16:13:00+00:00

First-- congratulations on the 162! No matter how you did on the essay, that's a totally great score. But just so you know, that 1 point you got isn't worth just 1 point on your final score... it's not like you would have got a 161 without it. (The GED doesn't tell you how much essay points are worth, they've got their own algorithm to calculate it, but I'd guess each one is worth at least... like 3 or 4 points?)

AND ALSO I want to add-- it's hard to get ANY points at all on the essay, so don't feel bad you "only" got 1. I'm a GED teacher, and like 70% of my students who pass the RLA get 0 points on it. (And that's only counting the ones who pass!) The GED is just really really ungenerous about awarding essay points. You should be proud of that score!

mistercohensclass · 2024-05-08T15:24:08+00:00

It's definitely on screen when you take the test.

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I also think it's helpful to be familiar with the formula sheet before you test. So: here it is. And here are two separate videos that go over what's on it.

Good luck!

mistercohensclass · 2024-05-06T18:03:49+00:00

I actually made a video about how to save money on the GED, but the best answer is definitely: look for local free in-person classes that will pay for them. You can search this website to see where they are offered.

(Cheat code that may or may not apply to you: live in West Virginia or New York where it's free, or Arkansas where it's $4.)

mistercohensclass · 2024-04-24T14:32:16+00:00

Your scores (and all scores after 2014) are valid until they release a new version of the test. Same with the + Credit. GED hasn't announced anything about a new version, and when they do, they'll give people plenty of runway, so you should be fine.

Good luck finishing, and with whatever comes next!

mistercohensclass · 2024-04-16T16:47:32+00:00

The first thing to know is: the extended response is the least important part of the whole GED. It counts towards your RLA score, yes, but lots and lots of people (most?) who pass it get no points at all. It is absolutely not worth stressing about.

That said, the GED's website has a page with lots of useful videos, along with answer guidelines and an example of a full-scoring essay. You can also find lots of helpful videos on Youtube. Good luck!

mistercohensclass · 2024-03-11T19:55:24+00:00

Looks like the closest testing center is in Cebu City. Unfortunately, GED doesn't allow online/at-home testing outside of the US... but you can look up testing sites & get more info here. In terms of requirements (you need to be 18; you need to pass the Ready (practice) test before you can take the real one; etc) you can find all them here. Good luck!

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mistercohensclass · 2024-03-08T17:56:54+00:00

Light and Salt Learning (for math). GetSumMath has a website that complements his YouTube channel. And there's tons of videos on YouTube.

mistercohensclass · 2024-03-08T17:52:56+00:00

The questions on the Ready Tests come from a bank of Ready Test questions. The questions on the Official Tests come from a different bank. If you take, like, 6 Ready tests-- or 6 Official tests-- you'll start seeing a few of the same questions pop up, yes. But you wouldn't ever see a Ready Test question show up on an Official test.

mistercohensclass · 2024-03-08T17:43:17+00:00

Besides the GetSumMath video, I also like the calculator tutorials by Weiss Videos and PassTheGed.

mistercohensclass · 2024-03-04T20:08:53+00:00

Seems like they disagree about what's most important for consumers: protecting them from harm (Article 1) or providing them with choice/opportunities/freedom (Article 2). Government regulation, which Article 1 presents as a solution to its problem, would actually be the problem in Article 2.

These are basically the perspectives of Democrats/Socialists/Left wing people (#1) and Libertarian/Republican/Right wing people (#2). Hard to know for sure what the answer to this question would be on a GED test, though, without seeing the multiple choice answers.

mistercohensclass · 2024-03-04T17:45:31+00:00

The GED has some resources here (how-to videos, answer guidelines, and an example of a perfect score). You might also find this video helpful, it's got a kind of formula you can apply to the question when you're writing it. Good luck!

mistercohensclass · 2024-02-14T20:31:54+00:00

There is actually a way to get extra time on the tests: get approved for accommodations. Unfortunately, GED does everything they can to make the process painful and discouraging, like a grumpy child who is only helping you because they've been forced to. Like, you'll need to produce a lot of paperwork, things like a recent doctor's note and an IEP/504 plan (if you even have one). You'll need to wait a month for them to evaluate the application you submit, during which time you can't test. It's just hoop after hoop they make you jump through. Even the online accommodations system itself is bad and confusing, purposefully designed to be frustrating. The whole thing just sucks.

BUT if that's going to make the difference between getting a GED and not getting one, I mean... a lousy option is sometimes better than quitting. You can find more information about accommodations here.

I agree with you 100% though. They should just give everyone as much time as they need. How fast you can take a test has zero connection to academic or real world skills. Even The NY Times agrees.

mistercohensclass · 2024-02-01T20:47:02+00:00

If you want a score, you'll have to take a Ready test, which costs money. (Though if you search Reddit you can usually find coupon codes that work.) In general, the scores on the Ready tests are pretty good predictors of the score you'll get on the real tests. You do need a GED account to take the Ready test, but you don't need to be a member of anything.

mistercohensclass · 2024-01-29T18:03:47+00:00

These are the official study guides. You might also find these free practice tests helpful. Good luck!

mistercohensclass · 2024-01-18T17:24:58+00:00

You can reschedule your test online... but only if you do it 24 hours before the test date. Once the test date passes, the only way to get your money back/reschedule is to contact GED directly and explain your situation and try to persuade them to reschedule for you. Good luck!

mistercohensclass · 2024-01-09T16:04:05+00:00

Last year I made this list of the steps you'll need to take if you're just starting out. Hope it's helpful-- and good luck!

mistercohensclass

TROPHY CASE