Flashcards Test Taking Skills

Cross out answers you know are wrong to increase your chances.
Example: remove impossible or unrelated choices.
⚠ Common Mistake: Trying to find the right answer before removing wrong ones.
⏱ In 10 seconds: Which option is clearly wrong?

If you run out of time, guess — no penalty for wrong answers.
Example: choose the most reasonable remaining option.
⚠ Common Mistake: Leaving answers blank.
⏱ In 10 seconds: Did you eliminate at least one choice?

Reading the question first helps you focus while reading the text.
Example: “What is the author’s main claim?” → look for it.
⚠ Common Mistake: Reading the whole passage with no purpose.
⏱ In 10 seconds: What is the question asking?

Circle key words to stay focused and find answers faster.
Example: dates, names, phrases repeated.
⚠ Common Mistake: Highlighting too much text.
⏱ In 10 seconds: What keyword stands out?

Move steadily. Don’t spend too long on a single question.
Example: thirty seconds for easy questions, one minute for harder ones.
⚠ Common Mistake: Getting stuck and losing minutes.
⏱ In 10 seconds: Are you spending too long on this?

Your first instinct is often right when the question is clear.
Example: switching answers without reason.
⚠ Common Mistake: Adding information not in the passage.
⏱ In 10 seconds: What does the question ONLY ask?

Base answers on the passage, graph, or table — not your memory.
Example: answering directly from the chart.
⚠ Common Mistake: Guessing from personal experience.
⏱ In 10 seconds: What in the text supports this?

Choices with words like “always,” “never,” “only” are usually incorrect.
Example: “The author ALWAYS…”
⚠ Common Mistake: Choosing emotional or extreme choices.
⏱ In 10 seconds: Is this answer too extreme?

Choose the answer that MOST directly and completely answers the question.
Example: two answers correct → pick the one that fits better.
⚠ Common Mistake: Picking the first “true” answer.
⏱ In 10 seconds: Which answer fits best?

Distractors look right but don’t answer the question.
Example: a true fact unrelated to the question.
⚠ Common Mistake: Choosing an answer just because it’s familiar.
⏱ In 10 seconds: Does this choice answer the question?

Removing wrong answers increases your odds and clarity.
Example: strike out unrelated options first.
⚠ Common Mistake: Eliminating answers too quickly.
⏱ In 10 seconds: Which options are impossible?

Many questions ask about conclusions, summaries, or author purpose — often found at the end.
Example: “What does the author conclude?”
⚠ Common Mistake: Skipping the final lines.
⏱ In 10 seconds: What is the final message?

Words like “because,” “however,” “therefore” guide meaning.
Example: “However” → contrast.
⚠ Common Mistake: Missing transitions that change the meaning.
⏱ In 10 seconds: What signal word appears?

The title tells what the graph measures — essential for correct answers.
Example: “U.S. Unemployment 2000–2020.”
⚠ Common Mistake: Interpreting data without context.
⏱ In 10 seconds: What is this graph about?

The axes show categories, time, percentages, or numbers you must interpret.
Example: y-axis in percent, not raw numbers.
⚠ Common Mistake: Ignoring units (e.g., thousands vs millions).
⏱ In 10 seconds: What are the axes measuring?

Predicting the answer before reading choices keeps you focused.
Example: think: “Author agrees” → then check options.
⚠ Common Mistake: Letting answer choices confuse you.
⏱ In 10 seconds: What do YOU think the answer is?

There is no penalty for guessing on the GED. Never leave blank answers.
Example: guess when time is almost over.
⚠ Common Mistake: Leaving questions empty.
⏱ In 10 seconds: Did you answer everything?

Rewriting the question helps you understand exactly what is being asked.
Example: “Which statement best describes the theme?” → “What’s the message?”
⚠ Common Mistake: Overthinking long wording.
⏱ In 10 seconds: Can you restate the question simply?

The GED rarely has perfect answers — choose the best fit, not the “perfect” one.
Example: two answers partly right → choose the one most correct.
⚠ Common Mistake: Rejecting good answers because they’re not perfect.
⏱ In 10 seconds: Which answer fits MOST?

A few slow breaths can reset stress and help you focus.
Example: inhale four seconds → exhale four seconds.
⚠ Common Mistake: Rushing answers during panic.
⏱ In 10 seconds: Take one slow breath. Ready?