Loading your exam home
The GED math subject test: basic math, geometry, basic algebra, graphs and functions
Set by GED Testing Service
Free to start · 30 lessons · 3 mock exams · about 40 h of study
You’ll sign in or create a free account first.
The GED Mathematical Reasoning test is the math subject exam within the GED Test programme, the main high school equivalency credential used across the United States. Adult learners usually take it to qualify for college entry, training, military pathways, or jobs that ask for a high school–level credential. Eligibility rules vary by state, but candidates are typically at least 16 or 18.
This exam measures practical high school math: basic arithmetic, algebra, geometry, graphs, and functions, with an emphasis on applying mathematics to real situations. Scores run from 100 to 200. A score of 145 is passing, 165+ signals College Ready, and 175+ can earn College Ready + Credit status, with up to 10 credit hours available across GED subjects where institutions accept them.
Courselo prepares you for top marks by covering every tested topic with clear lessons, then reinforcing them with adaptive practice matched to your strengths and gaps. You will also get full mock exams in the correct on-screen style, a predicted score, and a study plan that tells you what to do next so your preparation stays focused and exam-faithful.
Format
1 h 52 min in total · 3 sections
First timed part of the GED Mathematical Reasoning test.
Question types
Scoring
100–200 · pass 145
Top marks target
Syllabus
2 units · 30 topics · about 40 h of lessons and core practice
≈ 4%1 h 15 min
This topic covers operations with rational numbers, including positive and negative integers, fractions, and decimals. On the GED Math test, it is assessed through direct computation and short contextual problems that require correct use of signs and order of operations.
Your course
AI-generated · reviewedParts of this course are generated from the official specification the first time they’re needed, then checked and kept.
Lessons
30
One for every syllabus topic, generated from the official specification and checked
Practice questions
Adaptive
Generated for each topic as you practise, checked before you see them, each with an explanation
Mock exams
3
Questions
You are provided with a formula sheet and a calculator reference sheet, so you do not need to memorize every geometry formula. However, high scorers still know the most common relationships well enough to use them quickly:
The real skill is usually choosing the right formula and applying it correctly, not recalling a long list from memory.
Very important. Part 1 has only 5 questions, so each mistake matters more than many learners expect. It is also the section where number sense shows most clearly.
Strong habits for Part 1:
Set a target and a test date. You’ll take a diagnostic, see a predicted score with its range, and get a plan for every week until the exam.
No calculator use is allowed in this part.
Mandatory break between timed parts.
Question types
You cannot work on test questions during this break.
Second timed part of the GED Mathematical Reasoning test.
Question types
An on-screen TI-30XS calculator is provided; at a test center, you may use your own approved TI-30XS calculator.
Delivery. The GED Math test is delivered as a single computer-based subject test with two timed parts. It is available at GED test centers and, where permitted, through the official online proctored option.
The test is taken on computer in two timed parts. After the initial 2-minute instructions screen, you begin Part 1, where no calculator is allowed. When Part 1 ends, the test gives a 3-minute break before Part 2 begins. In Part 2, you may use the built-in TI-30XS calculator; at a test center, you may also use your own approved TI-30XS model.
You answer a mix of selected-response and technology-enhanced items, including multiple choice, drag-and-drop, fill-in-the-blank, select-an-area, and drop-down questions. There is no penalty for wrong answers, so every question should be attempted. Within a part, you can typically move among questions, review flagged items, and change answers before time expires; once a part has ended, you cannot return to it.
Aim for the College Ready + Credit band.
175
Strong pass target
College Ready benchmark.
165
Safe pass target
A small cushion above the passing score.
150
The test reports one scaled score from 100 to 200.
GED Testing Service does not publish a fixed raw-to-scaled conversion table for current live forms. In practice, your reported score comes from the number of marks earned across the operational questions, then converted to the 100–200 scale through a form-specific equating process so that different versions stay comparable in difficulty.
Because of that, the curve above is an exam-faithful planning model, not an official table. It is designed to reflect the published performance thresholds:
Use it for study targets only:
| Band | From |
|---|---|
| College Ready + CreditStrong performance. Meets the College Ready benchmark and may qualify for college credit, subject to receiving institution policies. | 175+ |
| College ReadyPassing performance at the higher college-readiness level. | 165+ |
| PassPassing performance for GED Mathematical Reasoning. | 145+ |
| Below passingDid not reach the passing standard on this subject test. | 100+ |
≈ 5%1 h 30 min
This topic covers converting among fractions, decimals, and percents and solving real-world percent problems. On the exam, these skills are tested in consumer, measurement, and data contexts such as discounts, markups, tax, tips, and percent change.
≈ 5%1 h 45 min
This topic covers ratios, rates, unit rates, proportions, and scale relationships. On the GED Math test, it appears in contexts such as pricing, speed, mixtures, recipes, maps, drawings, and similar real-world comparisons.
≈ 3%1 h 15 min
This topic covers evaluating expressions with whole-number exponents, powers of 10, square roots, and the order of operations. On the exam, it is tested in both pure computation and simple scientific or measurement contexts.
≈ 2%1 h
This topic covers estimating with whole numbers and decimals, rounding using place value, and interpreting absolute value. On the GED Math test, it is used to check reasonableness, approximate results, and describe distance from zero in numerical contexts.
≈ 3%1 h 30 min
This topic covers multi-step arithmetic problem solving with quantities, units, and formulas. On the exam, students must choose relevant information, carry out several operations in sequence, and interpret the result in context.
≈ 5%1 h 30 min
This topic covers finding perimeter, area, and circumference from diagrams and real-world situations. On the GED Math test, it includes labeled figures, composite situations, and contextual questions using standard geometric formulas.
≈ 4%1 h 30 min
This topic covers surface area and volume of common three-dimensional figures using the provided formula sheet. On the exam, students are expected to identify the correct formula, substitute values accurately, and interpret answers with appropriate units.
≈ 4%1 h 30 min
This topic covers basic angle relationships, properties of triangles, and the Pythagorean theorem. On the GED Math test, it is assessed through diagrams, missing-angle problems, triangle classification, and right-triangle distance or length problems.
≈ 2%1 h
This topic covers plotting and reading points in the coordinate plane and interpreting geometric information from coordinates. On the exam, it appears in graph-based questions involving location, distance in simple cases, and geometric meaning of plotted points.
≈ 3%1 h 15 min
This topic covers reading and interpreting tables, bar graphs, line graphs, circle graphs, histograms, box plots, and other common data displays. On the GED Math test, students extract values, compare categories, describe trends, and make straightforward conclusions from presented data.
≈ 3%1 h 15 min
This topic covers summary statistics used to describe data sets, especially mean, median, range, and weighted averages. On the GED Math test, it is assessed through short calculations and interpretation of what these measures say about a set of data.
≈ 2%1 h
This topic covers simple probability and predictions based on data or experimental results. On the GED Math test, students compute probabilities of simple events and use observed frequencies or proportions to make reasonable predictions.
About 17 h 15 min of study, lessons and core practice
≈ 3%1 h
This topic covers converting words, phrases, and contextual descriptions into algebraic expressions, equations, and simple inequalities. On GED Math, it is tested through short word statements, applied contexts, and situations where you must represent an unknown quantity correctly before solving or interpreting.
≈ 3%1 h
This topic covers finding the value of algebraic expressions and formulas after substituting given numbers for variables. On the exam, questions often use formulas from geometry, measurement, or applied situations and require correct order of operations and attention to units.
≈ 4%1 h 30 min
This topic covers rewriting expressions in equivalent simpler forms by combining like terms, using the distributive property, and applying rules for integer exponents. GED questions test symbolic fluency directly and within contexts where a simplified expression must be recognized or produced.
≈ 5%1 h 45 min
This topic covers solving linear equations in one variable, including equations requiring multiple steps and variables on both sides. On GED Math, you may solve symbolic equations, model a context with an equation and solve, or identify a solution from choices.
≈ 3%1 h 15 min
This topic covers solving one-variable linear inequalities and showing the solution set on a number line. GED items test both symbolic procedures and understanding of what the solution set means, including reversing the inequality sign when multiplying or dividing by a negative number.
≈ 2%1 h
This topic covers solving a formula for a specified variable and rewriting literal equations in equivalent forms. On the exam, this appears as isolating one variable in common formulas or choosing the correctly rearranged version of an equation.
≈ 2%1 h
This topic covers the basic idea of a function as a rule that assigns each input exactly one output, together with input-output tables and the roles of independent and dependent variables. GED questions focus on reading, completing, and interpreting simple function representations rather than advanced notation.
≈ 4%1 h 30 min
This topic covers recognizing and representing linear relationships across words, tables, graphs, equations, scatter plots, and simple arithmetic sequences. On GED Math, you may move between representations, identify whether a relationship is linear, and connect a constant rate of change to the representation shown.
≈ 4%1 h 30 min
This topic covers slope as a constant rate of change for linear relationships and its meaning in graphs, tables, ordered pairs, equations, and contexts. GED questions test computing slope, identifying whether it is positive, negative, zero, or undefined, and interpreting units in applied situations.
≈ 3%1 h 15 min
This topic covers identifying the $x$-intercept and $y$-intercept of a linear graph or equation and explaining what they mean in context. On GED Math, items often ask for the intercepts from a graph, table, or equation and then require interpretation of initial value or where a quantity reaches zero.
≈ 5%1 h 45 min
This topic covers creating linear equations from words, tables, points, graphs, and contextual information. GED questions commonly require writing an equation in slope-intercept form or another equivalent linear form after determining slope and an initial value or using two points.
≈ 5%1 h 30 min
This topic covers finding the solution to a pair of linear equations by graphing or algebraic methods and interpreting the intersection point. On GED Math, systems are tested through direct symbolic solving, graph-based questions, and applied contexts involving two linear relationships.
≈ 4%1 h 15 min
This topic covers comparing two or more linear functions or models presented in different forms and deciding which is greater, faster, cheaper, or better under stated conditions. GED questions test comparison of slope, intercept, predictions, and fit or reasonableness of a linear model.
≈ 2%1 h 15 min
This topic covers recognizing quadratic expressions and factoring simple quadratics, especially monic trinomials and common-factor forms. On GED Math, questions typically ask you to rewrite a quadratic expression as a product or identify an equivalent factored form.
≈ 2%1 h 30 min
This topic covers solving quadratic equations using factoring, square roots, or graph-based reasoning and interpreting the solutions as zeros or $x$-intercepts. GED items stay with accessible quadratics and focus on real-number solutions that can be connected to a graph or context.
≈ 2%1 h 30 min
This topic covers graphing and interpreting quadratic functions, especially parabolas shown by equations, tables, or graphs. GED questions focus on visible key features such as opening direction, vertex as a maximum or minimum, symmetry, and intercepts when they are evident.
≈ 2%1 h
This topic covers efficient use of the on-screen TI-30XS scientific calculator in Part 2 and correct use of the provided formula sheet and calculator reference sheet. On GED Math, this supports accuracy and speed rather than introducing extra content; items may require deciding when calculator use is helpful and entering expressions correctly.
About 22 h 30 min of study, lessons and core practice
1 diagnostic · 2 full-length, timed and scored like the real test
Strategy guides
7
Pacing, section strategy and test-day guides
Free to start
Every lesson and guide is free, with 40 practice questions a day and the diagnostic. Pro removes the limits.
Compare plansLearn the TI-30XS layout. The on-screen calculator is usable, but speed improves when you already know where fraction, exponent, parentheses, negative, and memory-related keys are.
At a test center, an approved physical TI-30XS may be available under official rules. Whether physical or on-screen, the same calculator logic applies.
Useful practice topics:
A sensible practice target is a scaled-score estimate around 150 or higher before booking a high-stakes attempt. That gives some margin above the passing standard of 145.
If you are targeting the higher bands:
Because live forms are equated, do not rely on a single raw-percent rule. Use repeated mock performance, especially under time pressure, as the better indicator.
The most common score losses are not advanced-math issues. They are usually:
A good review routine is: