GED Language Arts and the essay: a complete guide

What is tested

• Reading for meaning: main idea, details, inference, tone and the meaning of words in context.
• Identifying and creating arguments: claims, evidence, reasoning and weak arguments.
• Grammar and language: sentence structure, punctuation, agreement and clear wording, tested by editing a passage through dropdown choices.

Most of the reading passages are non-fiction: articles, letters, workplace documents and speeches. About a quarter is fiction.

The essay (extended response)

You are given two short passages that take opposite positions on a topic. Your task is not to give your own opinion. It is to decide which passage argues its case better and to show why, using evidence from both passages.

The essay is marked on three things:

• Analysis of arguments and use of evidence: do you explain why one argument is stronger, quoting or referring to specific evidence?
• Development of ideas and structure: is it organised, with an introduction, body paragraphs and a conclusion?
• Clarity and command of English: is it clear and mostly correct?

A 45-minute plan

1. 5 minutes: read both passages and note each one's claim and its two or three main pieces of evidence.
2. 5 minutes: choose the better-supported passage and plan four or five paragraphs.
3. 30 minutes: write. State your position in the first paragraph; give one reason per body paragraph with evidence from the text; explain why the other passage is weaker; end with a short conclusion.
4. 5 minutes: reread and fix obvious errors.

Aim for four to six paragraphs. Length alone earns nothing; evidence and explanation do.

How to prepare

• Read something non-fiction in English every day, even for ten minutes.
• Learn the handful of grammar rules that come up most: sentence fragments, run-on sentences, subject-verb agreement, commas and apostrophes.
• Write at least four full practice essays under time.

Our Language Arts course has a full module on the extended response. You can try a free sample lesson first.

Common questions

How long should the GED essay be?

There is no required length. Four to six well-developed paragraphs is a good target in the 45 minutes allowed.

Do I give my own opinion in the GED essay?

No. You explain which of the two passages is better supported, using evidence from the passages.

How long is the GED Language Arts test?

150 minutes, including a 10-minute break and 45 minutes for the essay.

Sources

• GED Testing Service: test subjects

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