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Overview of GED® 2014

INTRODUCTION

As GED® Testing Service has announced, the GED® test will undergo many changes, most notably in content, format and cost, and a new test will be implemented beginning in January 2014. This will result in the sun-setting of the GED® 2002 test as of December 2013. This document is intended to provide the reader with an overview of these changes. However, due to the fluid nature of information, the reader is advised to refer to GED Testing Service’s website for the most up-to-date developments (www.gedtestingservice.com).

This overview includes two sections: (1) an overview of each sub-test to be included in GED® 2014 and (2) supplemental information regarding the test and additional resources.

CENTER FOR LITERACY (CFL)

CFL is one of the nation’s largest, and Pennsylvania’s first, nonprofit community-based literacy provider, and will continue to be the beacon of hope that connects those in need with the literacy services that transform lives.

AUTHORS

Maribel Ojeda is a Community Teacher and Assistant Program Manager of Community Programs at Center for Literacy. Maribel remains current on GED® 2014 developments and has used this information to support program staff in the City of Philadelphia over the last year.

Stephanie Korber is the Director of Education at Center for Literacy. With over 11 years of experience in adult education, Stephanie is responsible for developing, monitoring and evaluating all education programs at CFL. She has spent the past year working with multiple stakeholders to discuss planning for GED® 2014 and for offering professional development related to this change.

Maribel Ojeda Last Updated January 2013 1

Section OneOverview of 4 Sub-Tests: GED ® 2014

I. REASONING THROUGH LANGUAGE ARTSThe Reasoning through Language Arts content exam is a total of 165 minutes including a 10 minute break. The extended response portion of the exam is 45 minutes. It is divided into Informational Text (75%) and Literature (25%).

Types of Questions and possible uses of those question types

All Multiple Choice questions will have 4 answer choices.

Fill in the Blank questions in the Reasoning through Language Arts exam will require the tester to fill in appropriate short phrases or vocabulary words. Choices will not be given.

Drag and Drop items will require the tester to chose an item from a given list or group of items and drag it to an appropriate location in a graphic. Examples of those graphics include Venn Diagrams and Timelines.

The skills that will be represented in Drag and Drop questions are: Classification skills Sequencing skills Chronology skills Cause and Effect relationship skills.

Drop Downs items will ask the tester to choose a word or short phrase from a list. The list will be accessible by clicking an arrow. Drop Downs will be used for editing tasks and other questions.

Two Short Answer questions will address reading assessment targets and not language arts or writing targets.

One Extended Response will also be required. The tester will have 45 minutes to complete the “essay”. The tester will be required to analyze one or more source texts (the source will not exceed 650 words). The Extended Response will be scored on 3 dimensions, each having a 4 point scale. The 3 dimensions are:

Analysis of argument and gathering of textual evidence Development and organization Fluency with English conventions


II. MATHEMATICAL REASONINGThe Mathematical Reasoning content exam is 75 minutes. It is divided into Quantitative Problem Solving (45%) and Algebraic Problem Solving (55%).

The Mathematical Reasoning exam will include an electronic calculator. No handheld calculators will be allowed at testing sites. The Texas Instrument calculator model number is TI 30XS. Many retailers have this model available (The handheld model is available for $15.44 at Walmart). Also available is TI-Smartview TM Emulator Software, for Windows and Mac, through Instructional Product Dealers. (See education.ti.com for more details.)

The GED® 2014 testing software will provide a calculator reference sheet for use by the tester during portions of the exam.



Many questions will reference Stimulus Material. Stimulus Material may include:

Text Graphs Tables Graphic representations of numerical, geometric, statistical or algebraic

concepts

Drop Downs items will ask the tester to choose a content appropriate vocabulary word or short phrase from a list. The list will be accessible by clicking an arrow. Drop Downs will be used for content vocabulary and/or numerical values.

Fill in the Blank questions will require the tester to fill in appropriate short phrases or vocabulary words. Choices will not be given. The tester will enter numbers or equations using keyboard symbols and/or a character selector.

There are also technology enhanced items.

Hot Spots are graphic images the tester will manipulate. Examples of Hot Spot activities include:

Plotting on coordinate graphs Placing numbers on number lines Filling in data on a dot plot Test taker can also create mathematical models in Hot Spot items

Drag and Drop items will require the tester to chose an item from a given list or group of items and drag it to an appropriate location in a graphic. Examples of Drag and Drop include creating an expression, equation or inequality by dragging


http://education.ti.com/en/us/home

numbers, operators, and variables into blank boxes. The skills that will be represented in Drag and Drop questions are:

Classifying Sorting Ordering steps in a sequential process


III. SCIENCEThe Science content exam is 75 minutes. It is divided into Life Science (40%), Physical Science (40%), and Earth and Space (20%). Themes include:

Human health and living systems Energy and related systems



Two Short Answer questions will address science assessment targets and not language arts or writing targets. They will require the tester to do one or more of the following:

Summarize a stimulus text or graphic Describe a model Create or communicate a hypothesis or conclusion which should be

derived from evidence

Drop Downs items will ask the tester to choose a content appropriate vocabulary word or short phrase from a list. The list will be accessible by clicking an arrow. Drop Downs will be used for content vocabulary and/or numerical values.

Fill in the Blank questions will require the tester to fill in appropriate short phrases, content vocabulary or a specific calculation. Choices will not be given.

Drag and Drop items will require the tester to chose an item from a given list or group of items and drag it to an appropriate location in a graphic. Examples include:

Assembling data Comparing or classifying Labeling charts and graphs Filling in Venn diagrams with data from stimulus Ordering steps in an experiment Place data points from a given context into a chart, table or graphical

model

Hot Spots are graphic images the tester will manipulate. Examples of Hot Spot manipulations include:

Showing relationship between data Supporting or refuting hypotheses by selecting data


IV. SOCIAL STUDIESThe Social Studies content exam is 90 minutes including a 25 minute extended response. It is divided into themes:The Great American Conversation

Bill of Rights and other founding documents Contemporary primary and secondary source documents (American

Civics)



One Extended Response will also be required. A 25 minute extended response eliciting an analytical response to one or more source texts will be on the Social Studies content exam.

Drop Downs items will ask the tester to choose a content appropriate vocabulary word or short phrase from a list. The list will be accessible by clicking an arrow. Drop Downs will be used for content vocabulary, identifying logical conclusions or making generalizations.

Fill in the Blank questions will require the tester to fill in appropriate short phrases or content vocabulary. Choices will not be given.

Drag and Drop items will require the tester to chose an item from a given list or group of items and drag it to an appropriate location in a graphic. Some examples of tested skills include:

Compare and Contrast Skills Classification Skills Ordering Skills Labeling maps, charts, etc.

Hot Spots are graphic images the tester will manipulate. Examples of Hot Spot manipulations include geographic concepts and working with maps.


Section 2Supplemental Information

WEBB’S Depth of Knowledge (www.gedtestingservice.com)80% of the test will assess test-takers at depth of knowledge (DOK) levels 2 and 3 and 20% of test will assess test-takers at DOK level 1. Webb’s levels are:

1. Recall2. Basic Application of Skill3. Strategic Thinking4. (Extended Thinking)

Webb’s Depth of Knowledge is based on the complexity of cognitive processes that each activity requires on the part of the learner. Complexity refers to the number of steps needed to solve or complete the activity, not necessarily with great difficulty. The majority of the questions on the new exams are multi-step problems. The DOK level is not determined by the verb but by the context in which the verb is used and the depth of thinking required. Webb’s Depth of Knowledge is a scale of cognitive demand.

Suggested Strategies for instructors: Use questions that require students to explain their answers. Have students apply reading, writing, and mathematical skills using

challenging content from all subject areas. Use open-ended formats. Use and develop questions for class discussions and tests that are of the

same cognitive rigor as the tests.

Questions may be designed using multiple levels:

Standard DOK Assessed DOK Needed

Analyze texts in order to identify, understand, infer or synthesize information

DOK3 DOK1 (read)DOK2 (understand)DOK3 (apply)

Apply knowledge of sentence structure in composing or editing

DOK2 DOK1 (know parts)DOK2 (write sentence/ edit sentence)

Predict trends based on graphical representation

DOK3 DOK1 (determine how many)DOK2 (compare)DOK3 (make decisions)

Simplify and evaluate numerical and algebraic expressions

DOK1 DOK1 (solve)


Assessment Guide for Educators In November of 2012, GED® Testing Service released an updated version of this document. It includes:

More specifics on math assessment targets More specifics on calculator Reworded Science practices Science indicators remapped to the revised practices to ensure

consistency Enhanced 2014 science content topics Introduction to explain content knowledge expectations Enhanced 2014 social studies content topics Intro to explain content knowledge expectations Connections between GED® and National Content Standards documents Clear overview of differences between 2002 and 2014 versions A guide on scoring - Holistic vs. Analytical (for extended responses) Revision of extended response rubric for RLA and SS

Critical Skills Assessed (General) Knowledge of content vocabulary Summarization skills Math reasoning and thinking skills Self-editing (in writing) Data interpretation Identifying relationships and specific organization methods Comparing and contrasting skills Analysis of arguments and using evidence from source text Organization, structure, elaborating on details (writing) Clear focused set of conventions and usage skills (writing) Technology- cut, copy, paste, redo, undo; working with tabs and split

screens Critical thinking skills and application in all content areas Content competency


Skills by Subtest

Reasoning Through Language Arts Skill Topics1. Determine central ideas or themes of texts and analyze their development;

summarize the key supporting details and ideas2. Analyze how individuals, events and ideas develop and interact over a

course of a text3. Interpret words or phrases that appear frequently in texts from a wide

variety of disciplines including determining connotative and figurative meanings from context and analyzing how specific word choices shape meaning or tone.

4. Analyze the structure of texts, including how specific sentences or paragraphs relate to each other and the whole

5. Determine an author's purpose or point of view in a text and explain how it is conveyed and shapes the content and style of a text.

6. Delineate and evaluate the argument and specific claims in a text, including the validity or the reasoning as well as the relevance and sufficiency of the evidence.

7. Analyze how two or more texts address similar topics

Writing Skill Topics1. Determine the details of what is explicitly stated and make logical

inferences or valid claims that square with textual evidence.2. Produce an extended analytical response in which the writer introduces

the idea(s) or claim(s) clearly; creates an organization that logically sequences information; develop the idea(s) or claim(s) thoroughly with well-chosen examples, facts, or details from the text; and maintains a coherent focus.

3. Write clearly and demonstrate sufficient command of standard English conventions.

4. Edit to correct errors involving frequently confused words and homonyms including contractions.

5. Edit to correct errors in straightforward subject-verb agreement.6. Edit to correct errors in pronoun usage, including pronoun-antecedent

agreement, unclear pronoun references and pronoun case.7. Edit to eliminate non-standard or informal usage.8. Edit to eliminate dangling or misplaced modifiers or illogical word order.9. Edit to ensure parallelism and proper subordination and coordination10.Edit to correct errors in subject-verb or pronoun antecedent agreement in

more complication situations (e.g. / with compound subjects, interceding phrases or collective nouns).

11.Edit to eliminate wordiness or awkward sentence construction.12.Edit to ensure effective use of transitional words, conjunctive adverbs, and

other words and phrases that support logic and clarity.


Mathematical Reasoning Skill Topics1. Number Sense and Computation2. One-step and multi-step word problems3. Rate, Ratio, and Percent word problems4. Quantitative problems in geometric measurement5. Quantitative problems in statistical measurement6. Transforming Expressions7. Solving Equations8. Lines in the coordinate plane9. Function concepts

Science and Social Studies use essentially the same assessment targets as Reasoning Through Language Arts but require in-depth content knowledge in the following topics:

Science Topics1. Life Science 40%2. Physical Science 40%3. Earth/ Space Science 20%

Social Studies Topics1. Civics and Government 50%2. Economics 15%3. Geography and the World 15% 4. US History 20%

Resources:

www.gedtestingservice.com


http://www.gedtestingservice.com/

GED® Test Differences At-a-Glance (www.gedtestingservice.com)2002 2014

Item types: multiple-choice, essay, and grid format questions.

Item types: hot spot, drag-and-drop, short answer, extended response, fill-in-the-blank, multiple choice.

Assessment is informed by Bloom’s Taxonomy.

Assessment is informed by Webb’s Depth of Knowledge model and the Common Core State Standards.

Test can be administered using paper and pencil. Test is computer based only.$75 $120Multiple choice items have five answer options. Multiple choice items have four answer options.Test-takers are allowed to use scratch paper.

Test-takers will be given a small dry-erase board with Expo markers.

A Spanish language version of the test is currently available.

An operational release of the Spanish version is scheduled for 2014.Two performance standards

High-school equivalency Career & college readiness

Four content areas:(1) Literacy (2) Mathematics (3) Science (4) Social Studies

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