GED Social Studies Strategies

1. What’s on the GED Social Studies Test?

The GED Social Studies test lasts 70 minutes and contains around 35 questions. It assesses your ability to read, interpret, and reason through social studies materials like historical documents, political speeches, charts, graphs, and infographics.

Main Content Areas:

• Civics and Government (50%): U.S. Constitution, rights and responsibilities, branches of government, political systems
• U.S. History (20%): Founding documents, Civil War, civil rights, major historical developments
• Economics (15%): Supply and demand, markets, personal finance, labor and trade
• Geography and World History (15%): Maps, globalization, population shifts, international institutions

2. Reading and Interpreting Passages

Most Social Studies questions are based on texts, such as excerpts from the Declaration of Independence, court decisions, or policy explanations. You’ll be asked to analyze the argument, identify bias, or evaluate claims.

Strategies:

• Skim the text to get the main idea
• Highlight keywords (dates, events, policies)
• Underline supporting evidence when reading arguments
• Understand author’s tone and perspective

3. Using Charts, Maps, and Graphs

Many questions involve interpreting visual information. These may include bar graphs, pie charts, timelines, maps, or political cartoons. Pay attention to labels, scales, and sources.

Tips for Analyzing Data:

• Always read titles and legends first
• Look for trends or outliers in data
• Compare different parts of the graph/map
• Use process of elimination to eliminate unrelated answer choices

4. Civics and Government Topics to Review

Focus on understanding how the U.S. government is structured and functions:

• Separation of powers and checks and balances
• How laws are made
• Bill of Rights and key amendments
• Federal vs. state authority
• Voting rights and the election process

Example:

“Which branch of government has the power to declare war?” → Answer: Legislative (Congress)

5. U.S. History Key Areas

You’re expected to understand how major events shaped American society. Focus your review on:

• Colonial America and the founding documents
• The Revolutionary War and the Constitution
• The Civil War and Reconstruction
• Industrialization and immigration
• 20th-century movements: women's suffrage, civil rights

Don’t memorize dates—understand cause and effect.

6. Economics Essentials

Basic economic principles are included on the GED Social Studies test. Study the following:

• Supply and demand
• Economic systems (capitalism, socialism)
• Opportunity cost
• Taxes, inflation, interest rates
• Budgeting and credit basics

Example Question:

“If demand increases and supply remains constant, what happens to price?” → Answer: It goes up

7. World Geography and History Topics

• Understanding maps and spatial relationships
• Environmental issues and climate impact
• Global trade and cultural diffusion
• Major world conflicts and institutions like the UN

Pay special attention to charts showing population movement or resource distribution.

8. Question Types and Tips

You’ll encounter a variety of question formats:

• Multiple Choice: Choose the best answer
• Drag-and-Drop: Place events in chronological order
• Drop-Down: Complete a sentence using a menu
• Short Answer: Very rare but may appear in experimental sections

General Tips:

• Read all choices before selecting an answer
• Use evidence from the passage or image
• Guess strategically if unsure—never leave blank
• Watch for qualifiers like “most likely,” “best explains,” or “according to the passage”

9. Study Techniques

• Review official GED practice questions for Social Studies
• Watch videos that explain government processes and historical events
• Practice analyzing political cartoons and speeches
• Make flashcards for constitutional principles and economic terms

Use free online resources, podcasts, and visual tools like timelines or comparison charts.

10. Final Advice

The GED Social Studies test rewards strong reading and reasoning. Focus on comprehension, not memorization. Practice interpreting arguments and analyzing visual sources. With a solid understanding of civics, history, and economics, you’ll be well-equipped to succeed on test day.