The GED Reading Test (part of Reasoning Through Language Arts) assesses comprehension of literary (75%) and informational (25%) texts up to 450–900 words, with 45 multiple-choice, fill-in, drag-and-drop, and drop-down questions in 150 minutes (including a 45-minute essay). Pass requires 145+ on a 100–200 scale. Focus on evidence-based reading, not memorization.
Questions target main ideas, details, inferences, vocabulary in context, character/plot analysis, author purpose/tone, text structure, and relationships (e.g., cause-effect, compare-contrast). Literary excerpts include fiction, poetry, drama; informational covers workplace/community texts like articles or manuals. No outside knowledge needed answers derive from passages.
Steps to Prepare and Pass:
- Master Question Types: Practice identifying central ideas (summarize in one sentence), supporting details (scan for keywords), and inferences (read between lines for unstated meanings). For vocab, use surrounding sentences to define words.
- Active Reading Technique: Read passage once quickly for gist, then reread with annotations: underline topic sentences, circle transitions (e.g., however, therefore), note shifts in tone. Time: 2–3 minutes per passage.
- Evidence-Based Answering: Every multiple-choice has 4 options; eliminate 2 wrong ones first. Refer back to line numbers cited in questions. For drag-and-drop, match evidence directly to claims.
- Build Stamina: Take 3–5 full timed practice tests from official GED site or HiSET equivalents. Review wrongs: note if error was misreading question, ignoring evidence, or rushing.
- Essay Tie-In: Reading score includes Extended Response; outline argument with 2–3 text citations in 45 minutes.
Use official GED Ready practice (ged.com) for realistic scoring. Aim for 80%+ on practices. Study 1–2 hours daily for 4–6 weeks, focusing on weak areas via error logs. On test day, pace at 3 minutes per question; flag and return to tough ones.