GED practice test 2026: free, all four subjects, scored subject by subject
This free GED-style practice test gives you 50 original questions across all four GED subjects, Math, Reasoning Through Language Arts, Science and Social Studies, each on its own clock at the real test's pace. When you finish you see your percent right in every subject and which one is closest to ready, because the real GED is passed one subject at a time: 145 in each. No sign-up.
- 50
- questions, all four subjects
- 112 min
- on four clocks
- 4
- subject scores, not one
- 145
- to pass each real subject
Last checked
50
questions
112 min
time limit
Free
instant score
4 timed parts, each on its own clock: Mathematical Reasoning, 14 questions in 35 minutes, then Reasoning Through Language Arts, 12 questions in 24 minutes, then Science, 12 questions in 29 minutes, then Social Studies, 12 questions in 24 minutes. A part's clock starts when you begin it, and you cannot go back to an earlier part.
By the LifeScore Editorial Team · Updated · How we check facts · How this is scored
What is on this GED-style practice test?
50 original multiple-choice questions in the four GED subjects, in four timed parts: Mathematical Reasoning 14 in 35 minutes, Reasoning Through Language Arts 12 in 24 minutes, Science 12 in 29 minutes, Social Studies 12 in 24 minutes.
Each part runs at about the same pace as the real subject: roughly two and a half minutes a math question, and two minutes a question elsewhere. The mix inside each part follows GED Testing Service's published weights, so Math is just over half algebra, Science is mostly life and physical science, and half of Social Studies is civics and government.
Because the real GED is passed subject by subject, your result is too. You see your percent right in each subject, which is closest to ready and which needs the most work, rather than one blended score that hides a weak subject.
| Subjects | All four, in the order above, each on its own clock |
|---|---|
| Length | 50 questions in 112 minutes: Math 14 in 35, Language Arts 12 in 24, Science 12 in 29, Social Studies 12 in 24 |
| Pace | The real per-question pace of each subject (about 2.5 minutes a math question) |
| Score | Percent right for each subject and a practice band. Never a predicted GED score |
| Not included | The Language Arts essay, drag-and-drop and fill-in items, and the on-screen calculator (use your own) |
Can I practise one GED subject at a time?
Yes. Each subject has its own page with a free 12-question drill at that subject's pace, plus what it asks, worked examples, the formulas or rules to know, traps and a seven-day plan.
about 46 questions, 115 min
Quantitative problem solving (numbers, geometry, data) (about 45%); Algebraic problem solving (expressions, equations, functions) (about 55%)
Free drill: 12 questions in 30:00
GED language arts practice test
about 46, plus one essay questions, 150 min
Reading: 75% informational texts, 25% literature (most questions); Language: grammar, usage and editing (the rest); Extended response (an essay analysing two arguments) (45 minutes)
Free drill: 12 questions in 24:00
about 34 to 40 questions, 90 min
Life science (about 40%); Physical science (about 40%); Earth and space science (about 20%)
Free drill: 12 questions in 29:00
GED social studies practice test
about 35 questions, 70 min
Civics and government (about 50%); U.S. history (about 20%); Economics (about 15%); Geography and the world (about 15%)
Free drill: 12 questions in 24:00
Take the full test first to see which subject is weakest, then drill that one. Most people find Math takes the longest to bring up, so start it early even if you book it last.
How does the real GED compare?
The real GED has the same four subjects but runs 425 minutes in all, booked as four separate tests, scored 100 to 200 each, with 145 needed in every one. It also has an essay and some drag-and-drop and fill-in questions.
| Subjects | Four, each a separate test you book and pass on its own: Math, Reasoning Through Language Arts, Science and Social StudiesPublished by the ownerGED Testing Service, "Test subjects" |
|---|---|
| Time | 425 minutes in all: Math 115, Language Arts 150 (with a 10-minute break), Science 90, Social Studies 70Published by the ownerGED Testing Service, "Test subjects" |
| Scores | 100 to 200 for each subjectPublished by the ownerGED Testing Service, "How is the GED test scored?" |
| To pass | 145 in every subject. Scores are not averaged, so each subject has to reach 145 by itselfPublished by the ownerGED Testing Service, "How is the GED test scored?" |
| Higher levels | GED College Ready 165 to 174; GED College Ready + Credit 175 to 200Published by the ownerGED Testing Service, "Score scale" |
| Calculator | An on-screen TI-30XS on Math (after the first few questions), Science and Social StudiesPublished by the ownerGED Testing Service, "TI-30XS calculator reference guide" (PDF) |
| Where | At a test center or online with a live proctor, depending on your statePublished by the ownerGED Testing Service, "About the GED test" |
| Retakes | At a test center, two retakes of a subject with no wait, then 60 days after the third attempt; online, one retake before the 60-day wait. Some states differPublished by the ownerGED Testing Service, "Test retakes" |
| Cost | Set by each state, roughly US$36 to US$46 a subject online in the states we checked; a few states subsidise or waive itPublished by the ownerGED Testing Service, "Ohio policies" |
What do GED-style questions look like?
Short word problems in math, sentence edits and passages in language arts, and source-based questions in science and social studies, where the answer is in the table, text or quotation in front of you. Try the five below.
GED-style question 1 · Unit rate
A 20-ounce box of cereal costs $4.40 and a 64-ounce box costs $15.36. Which is the better buy, and what does it cost per ounce?
- AThe 20-ounce box, at $0.22 an ounce
- BThe 20-ounce box, at $0.07 an ounce
- CThey cost the same per ounce
- DThe 64-ounce box, at $0.24 an ounce
Worked answer
A: The 20-ounce box, at $0.22 an ounce. Divide price by ounces: $4.40 ÷ 20 = $0.22 and $15.36 ÷ 64 = $0.24. The lower unit price is the better buy.
GED-style question 2 · Sentence structure
Which version of the sentence is written correctly?
- AThe power went out. So that we lit candles.
- BThe power went out, we lit candles.
- CThe power went out we lit candles.
- DThe power went out, so we lit candles.
Show the answer
D: The power went out, so we lit candles.. Two complete sentences can be joined with a comma plus a conjunction such as "so". A comma alone makes a comma splice, and no punctuation makes a run-on.
GED-style question 3 · Cells
Mitosis produces two daughter cells. How do their chromosomes compare with the parent cell's?
- AEach has half as many chromosomes as the parent
- BEach has twice as many chromosomes as the parent
- CEach has the same number of chromosomes as the parent
- DOne has all the chromosomes and the other has none
Worked answer
C: Each has the same number of chromosomes as the parent. Mitosis copies the chromosomes and splits them evenly, so each daughter cell is a genetic copy with the same number. Meiosis is the division that halves the number to make sex cells.
GED-style question 4 · Founding documents
The Preamble begins "We the People of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union..." What is the main purpose of the Preamble?
- ATo list the rights of individual citizens
- BTo describe how the president is elected
- CTo declare independence from Great Britain
- DTo state the goals of the Constitution and that its authority comes from the people
Show the answer
D: To state the goals of the Constitution and that its authority comes from the people. The Preamble sets out why the Constitution was written (union, justice, domestic tranquility, defense, welfare, liberty). It grants no powers and lists no specific rights.
GED-style question 5 · Reading a table
The table shows the population of four counties in two census years. By what percent did the population of Ash County change from 2010 to 2020?
County 2010 2020 Dale County 40,000 42,000 Ash County 60,000 75,000 Birch County 120,000 129,600 Cedar County 25,000 27,500 - AAn increase of 50%
- BAn increase of 15%
- CA decrease of 25%
- DAn increase of 25%
Show the answer
D: An increase of 25%. Change ÷ starting population × 100: (75,000 − 60,000) ÷ 60,000 × 100 = 25%.
These come from our public sample set, so none is in a practice test you pay for. For a full reading passage and 13 more, each worked, see GED practice questions with answers.
After the free GED test
One test shows your weakest subject. 8 full GED-style tests and 16 subject drills show when each one is ready.
The GED Pass Pack gives you 8 full mocks on the real clock, 16 drills of 12 questions for the sections that cost you points, and a predictor that turns your mocks into the odds of reaching your target. One payment, no subscription, and your free score stays free.
Prep courses for these tests usually cost $19 to $129. The GED Pass Pack is US$39 (£29), once.
- 8
- timed mocks
- 16
- topic drills
- 1
- score predictor
How do I read my GED practice result?
Look at each subject on its own. 65% or more in a subject is our sign it is worth checking with GED Ready and booking; under 45% means drill that subject first. These are LifeScore practice bands, not GED scores.
| Percent right in a subject | Band | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Below 45% | Building | Start with the subject drills; most points come back fast |
| 45% to 64% | Developing | Close in places: drill the weakest subject before booking |
| 65% to 79% | On track | Check that subject with GED Ready, then book it |
| 80% or more | Strong | A comfortable margin; aim for GED College Ready (165+) |
| Not Likely to Pass (100 to 133) | More study before booking that subjectPublished by the ownerGED Testing Service, "GED Ready, the official practice test" |
|---|---|
| Too Close to Call (134 to 144) | Close: a little more work on the skills the report listsPublished by the ownerGED Testing Service, "GED Ready, the official practice test" |
| Likely to Pass (145 to 200) | Ready to book that subjectPublished by the ownerGED Testing Service, "GED Ready, the official practice test" |
GED Testing Service does not publish how raw answers turn into the 100 to 200 scale, so no unofficial test can honestly predict your GED score. What a practice test can do is show you which subject is furthest from ready, which is the decision that matters before you pay. See the GED passing score for what 145, 165 and 175 mean.
What should I do after this practice test?
Book the subject you scored highest in, once GED Ready agrees, and drill the lowest one daily until it reaches 65% on our tests.
How to pass the GED sets out which subject to book first and a six-week plan. The GED test guide covers cost, retakes and booking.
Retaking this free test mostly measures memory. The GED Pass Pack adds 7 more full tests, 16 subject drills of 12 questions and an explanation for every question you miss.
Frequently asked questions
Is this the real GED test?
Is this GED practice test free?
How many questions are on the real GED?
Does this practice test predict my GED score?
What score should I aim for on a practice test?
Can I practise one subject at a time?
Can I take the GED online?
Know which subject is ready before you pay for it
8 full tests across all four subjects and 16 subject drills, in one payment with no subscription.
The GED Pass Pack gives you 8 full mocks on the real clock, 16 drills of 12 questions for the sections that cost you points, and a predictor that turns your mocks into the odds of reaching your target. One payment, no subscription, and your free score stays free.
Prep courses for these tests usually cost $19 to $129. The GED Pass Pack is US$39 (£29), once.
- 8
- timed mocks
- 16
- topic drills
- 1
- score predictor
Sources
- GED Testing Service, "Test subjects"
- GED Testing Service, "How is the GED test scored?"
- GED Testing Service, "Score scale"
- GED Testing Service, "GED Ready, the official practice test"
- GED Testing Service, "TI-30XS calculator reference guide" (PDF)
- GED Testing Service, "Test retakes"
- GED Testing Service, "Ohio policies"