GED Test Tip: Finding Time to Study
One of the biggest challenges for GED students is finding time
to study, or developing a daily study routine, especially if the
student is managing their own self-guided program to get ready
for the GED test.
For adult students who attend GED classes regularly, studying is
often easier. Classes help create a routine, and involve
learning and applying the material candidates need to know to
earn the General Education Development credential. Or, students
in class find it easier to get into a study routine because
they're preparing for classes or completing homework
assignments. But sometimes, even GED students who attend classes
need help developing study habits and a study routine. Often
students who haven't succeeded in classrooms find class learning
boring or tedious.
The best study routine involves daily study, especially if the
knowledge learned is new. Using new knowledge every day is the
key to owning it; and this learning method is completely
different from memorization. Whether students are in a
classroom, using an online GED program or managing their own GED
preparation, daily study works.
So how do busy adults with lots of job and family obligations
find time to study? Here are some 10-minute study tips that have
proven successful for PassGED students:
1. Study a problem or read a book, newspaper or magazine first
thing in the morning, even if you only have 10 minutes. You can
use a problem from a GED practice test or a short section from
your GED test prep materials. Or, you might choose a short
passage such as a newspaper article, editorial or a magazine
insight piece. Don't worry about finishing the problem or
passage; just concentrating on something for 10 minutes is the
2. During the day, spend 10 minutes thinking about what you read
or studied in the morning. If it's something you read, think
about the words and the feelings those words create. Consider
how the passage or words apply to something else, or another
situation. If it's a math problem, try writing it down and
working on it in different ways. Don't worry if you can't
remember the problem or words exactly. The key is to use the new
knowledge; just get into the mind of the problem or the words
for 10 minutes.
3. Late in the day, spend 5 minutes really thinking about what
you read or studied again, and you'll suddenly see and
understand the knowledge more clearly. Make sure you spend a
minute or two thinking about why it's clear -- this is key!
4. At the end of the day, spend 5 minutes reviewing or reworking
the problem, and determine what you learned from the study
activity. Then tell yourself how smart you are, how much you
accomplished and give yourself a reward.
At day's end, you've managed to study for 30 minutes, despite a
busy schedule and life's demands. But more important, the time
spent isn't just about studying -- it's about learning. Students
learn since using knowledge means owning knowledge. And that's
what it takes to pass the GED test. For additional GED study
tips and free resources on the GED test, official testing sites,
financial aid and student support, visit http://www.passGED.com.
The website also provides links to agencies and nonprofits that
serve GED students, instructors and workforce development
programs. Testing site information is available at