The essay on the GED—officially called the Extended Response—is part of the Reasoning Through Language Arts (RLA) test and accounts for approximately 20% of your total RLA score. While the exact weighting is not publicly disclosed by the GED Testing Service, data and official guidance confirm that the essay on the GED carries significant influence, especially since it assesses critical writing and analytical skills that multiple-choice questions cannot capture.
You have 45 minutes to read a source text and write a well-structured argument analyzing the author’s claims and use of evidence. The essay is scored on a scale of 0 to 6 across three traits:
- Argument and use of evidence
- Ideas and organization
- Clarity and command of standard English
This score is then converted and combined with your multiple-choice results to produce your final RLA scaled score (100–200). Because the essay on the GED evaluates higher-order thinking, a strong performance can boost your overall RLA score—even if your multiple-choice accuracy is moderate. Conversely, skipping or writing a weak essay makes it very difficult to reach the passing score of 145.
Maximizing Your Essay Impact
To ensure the essay on the GED works in your favor:
- Practice outlining and writing timed responses using official GED prompts.
- Focus on clear thesis statements, specific textual evidence, and logical flow.
- Avoid grammar errors that hinder readability, but don’t prioritize perfection over substance.
The GED Testing Service provides free sample prompts and scoring rubrics on GED.com—use them to build confidence.
Remember: you cannot pass the RLA section without attempting the essay. It is required, not optional.
Since the essay on the GED heavily influences your RLA outcome, treat it as a core component—not an afterthought.
A strong essay doesn’t just count—it often makes the difference between pass and retake.