Assessed Skills
The GED science test assesses three skills:
- Reading for Meaning in Science
- Designing and Interpreting Science Experiments
- Using Numbers and Graphics in Science
We’ll look at each of these skills and then give you a chance to practice each before moving on to the test’s content areas.
Reading for Meaning in Science
One of the most important skills tested on the GED Science section is the ability to read for meaning—that is, to carefully analyze scientific information and use it to make logical conclusions. This doesn’t mean you need to memorize scientific facts. Instead, you need to know how to interpret data, text, and visuals like charts and graphs.
What This Skill Covers
When you answer questions that test this skill, you may be asked to:
- Choose evidence that supports a scientific conclusion
- Determine why information may differ among sources
- Identify patterns or trends in data
- Draw logical inferences from presented information
These questions may be based on tables, graphs, short scientific texts, or diagrams. You’ll often need to read carefully, spot key information, and compare it to the question or answer choices.
How to Approach These Questions
Let’s break down a simple example involving a table or chart. Here’s a helpful 3-step approach:
Step 1: Read the question first.
Always begin by reading the question before examining the table or chart. This tells you exactly what to look for—whether it’s a trend, a comparison, or a specific value.
Step 2: Analyze the chart, table, or graph.
Look at the titles, column headings, units, and labels. These tell you what kind of data is being shown, how it’s organized, and what the values represent. Don’t skip this step—it helps you avoid misreading the numbers.
Step 3: Use the process of elimination.
Compare each answer choice to the information in the chart or passage. If a statement doesn’t match what’s shown, eliminate it. For basic questions, the answer is usually something that is clearly supported by the data—no guesswork needed.
Beyond the Basics
Sometimes, after the first simple question, a follow-up question will ask you to make a prediction or analyze a trend in the data. These questions require more thought and may not have answers directly stated in the chart or passage. Instead, you’ll need to infer what’s most likely based on the evidence provided.
For example, you might be asked:
“Based on the trend shown in the table, what will most likely happen if the experiment continues for another week?”
To answer, look for patterns and use logic to extend the trend.
Tip
Always keep in mind that you’re being asked to think like a scientist. That means evaluating evidence, spotting inconsistencies, and choosing conclusions that are supported by the information—not by your opinions or outside knowledge.
Designing and Interpreting Science Experiments
Designing and Interpreting Science Experiments
On the GED Science test, you won’t need to memorize every lab technique, but you will need to understand how scientific experiments are designed, interpreted, and evaluated. These questions test your ability to think like a scientist by analyzing experimental design, identifying variables, and evaluating conclusions.
What This Skill Covers
You may be asked to:
- Create or evaluate a science experiment
- Identify the independent and dependent variables
- Refine or analyze a hypothesis
- Spot strengths and weaknesses in a study
- Identify possible errors or sources of bias
These skills are all about how science is done, not just what science knows.
Key Terms You Must Know
Before answering these types of questions, make sure you understand these essential concepts:
Hypothesis
A hypothesis is an educated guess or proposed explanation based on observation or research. A good hypothesis must be testable—it can be proven correct or incorrect through experimentation.
- Example: After reading that stores are selling out of Plant Food X, a scientist hypothesizes that Plant Food X helps tomato plants grow better than other plant foods.
Independent Variable
This is the factor the researcher changes in the experiment. It’s what is being tested.
- Example: The scientist gives one tomato plant Plant Food X, another Plant Food Y, and a third Plant Food Z. The type of plant food is the independent variable.
Control Group
A control group is used for comparison. It doesn’t receive the experimental treatment, so you can tell whether any changes came from the variable being tested.
- Example: A fourth tomato plant receives no plant food—this is the control.
Dependent Variable
This is the result being measured. It changes depending on the independent variable.
- Example: The scientist measures how juicy and plump the tomatoes are after growing. Tomato quality is the dependent variable.
How to Approach Experiment-Based Questions
When you’re asked to design or evaluate an experiment, follow these steps:
Step 1: Identify the hypothesis
What is the experiment trying to prove or test? Can the statement be measured or tested in a fair and structured way?
Step 2: Spot the variables
Determine what the independent variable is (what’s changed) and what the dependent variable is (what’s measured). Also, look for a control group, if one is present.
Step 3: Evaluate the experiment’s design
Ask yourself:
- Does the experiment test only one variable at a time?
- Is the sample size large enough?
- Are there other factors that might affect the results?
- Are the results interpreted logically?
Step 4: Watch for flaws or bias
Sometimes questions ask you to point out errors in the experiment. Be alert for:
- Missing control groups
- Confusing variables
- Too few test subjects
- Unclear or biased conclusions
Tip
Don’t let unfamiliar scientific topics throw you off. You don’t need to know plant biology or physics to answer these questions. Just focus on the structure of the experiment and whether it follows good scientific practice.
Using Numbers and Graphics in Science
In science, numbers and visuals do more than just decorate a page—they tell a story. On the GED Science test, you’ll often be asked to interpret data, use simple math, and read charts, graphs, and tables to make sense of scientific information.
What This Skill Covers
When working on these questions, you may be asked to:
- Use scientific formulas (Note: these will be provided on the test)
- Apply basic statistics (mean, median, mode) to describe data
- Interpret visuals like tables, line graphs, bar charts, and pie charts
- Make comparisons, find trends, or calculate missing values
These tasks aren’t about memorizing science facts—they’re about reading data carefully and making logical conclusions based on numbers.
Key Terms to Know
You won’t be expected to solve advanced math problems, but you will need to know a few core concepts related to analyzing data.
Mean (Average)
To find the mean of a set of numbers, add all the numbers together and divide by how many numbers there are.
- Example:
Set: (1, 2, 3, 6, 7)
Add: 1 + 2 + 3 + 6 + 7 = 19
Divide: 19 ÷ 5 = 3.8
So, the mean is 3.8.
Median (Middle Value)
The median is the number in the middle when the numbers are in order.
- Example:
Set: (1, 2, 3, 6, 7)
The middle number is 3.
Mode (Most Frequent)
The mode is the number that appears most often in a set.
- Example:
Set: (1, 2, 2, 3, 6, 7)
Since 2 appears twice and all other numbers appear once, the mode is 2.
How to Tackle These Questions
Step 1: Read the question carefully.
Understand what you’re being asked to do. Are you finding a value, identifying a trend, or interpreting a graphic?
Step 2: Examine the data or graphic.
Take time to read labels, scales, units, and titles. These details tell you exactly what’s being measured and how the data is organized.
Step 3: Do the math (if needed).
Use the provided calculator for any arithmetic. If you need to apply a formula, plug in the numbers carefully. The GED will give you the formula—you just have to use it correctly.
Step 4: Eliminate wrong answers.
Often, only one answer makes sense based on the numbers or graphic. If a choice doesn’t match the data, rule it out.
Tip
Graphs and statistics are meant to help you, not trick you. Slow down, look at what’s actually being shown, and double-check your reasoning. You’re not being tested on advanced math but on whether you can understand and apply information the way a scientist would.