The GED test includes approximately 160 to 175 total items across four subject areas, though the exact number of questions are on a GED test can vary slightly by test form and inclusion of unscored pilot items. The questions are on a GED test in multiple formats,not just traditional multiple choice,and each subject has a specific structure:
- Reasoning Through Language Arts: ~46 questions + 1 essay (150 minutes)
- Mathematical Reasoning: ~45–49 questions (115 minutes)
- Science: ~34–40 questions (90 minutes)
- Social Studies: ~34–40 questions (70 minutes)
Note that the questions include a mix of types: multiple choice, multiple select, drag-and-drop, fill-in-the-blank, hot spot, short answer (in Science and Social Studies), and an extended-response essay. The essay in Language Arts is scored separately but counts toward your overall section result.
Why the Count Varies
The number of questions isn’t fixed because the GED Testing Service occasionally includes unscored field-test items to evaluate new questions for future exams. These do not affect your score but may add 1–3 extra items per subject.
Additionally, because the GED uses scaled scoring (100–200), your final score depends on question difficulty and performance,not raw question count. Some items (like the essay or multi-part tasks) carry more weight than others.
For preparation, focus on mastering skills and question formats, not memorizing exact numbers. The official GED Ready practice test mirrors the real exam’s structure and timing.
You must pass each subject individually (score ≥145), regardless of total question volume.
Success comes from understanding how the questions are on a GED test assess reasoning,not from counting them.