WEBVTT 00:00:00.136 --> 00:00:02.699 Hey, GED test-takers, I'm Alice. 00:00:02.700 --> 00:00:05.579 I passed the "GED Reasoning Through Language Arts" test, 00:00:05.580 --> 00:00:07.439 and I'd like to help you pass too. 00:00:07.440 --> 00:00:10.010 I studied with the "Writing for the GED Test" series 00:00:10.011 --> 00:00:11.819 from New Readers Press. 00:00:11.820 --> 00:00:14.309 Practicing with these books boosted my confidence 00:00:14.310 --> 00:00:17.009 and helped me to write a great extended response. 00:00:17.010 --> 00:00:18.989 In this video, I'll share some tips 00:00:18.990 --> 00:00:21.119 from "Writing for the GED Test" that will help you 00:00:21.120 --> 00:00:23.549 maximize your score on the extended response. 00:00:23.550 --> 00:00:26.012 I'll show you what you will see on the extended-response portion 00:00:26.013 --> 00:00:28.829 of the test, how to move around a computer screen, 00:00:28.830 --> 00:00:32.158 and what tools you can use during the test. 00:00:32.159 --> 00:00:34.109 What is the extended response? 00:00:34.110 --> 00:00:36.249 It's the writing portion of the "GED Reasoning 00:00:36.250 --> 00:00:39.509 Through Language Arts" test or RLA test. 00:00:39.510 --> 00:00:42.869 Here's what the extended response looks like. 00:00:42.870 --> 00:00:44.459 This is the prompt. 00:00:44.460 --> 00:00:47.489 The prompt tells you the topic you will be asked to write about. 00:00:47.490 --> 00:00:51.299 It explains what you need to do in your written response. 00:00:51.300 --> 00:00:55.049 And on the bottom right, this is where you type your response. 00:00:55.050 --> 00:00:57.149 Don't worry about running out of space. 00:00:57.150 --> 00:00:59.189 As you type your response, the text will scroll 00:00:59.190 --> 00:01:01.559 to make room for more. 00:01:01.560 --> 00:01:03.899 On the left, you'll see two text passages. 00:01:03.900 --> 00:01:06.359 Click the tabs at the top to read every page. 00:01:06.360 --> 00:01:09.929 Each passage gives an author's position on a similar topic. 00:01:09.930 --> 00:01:13.139 Make sure to read both passages. 00:01:13.140 --> 00:01:16.379 While you type, you can use the cut, copy, and paste buttons 00:01:16.380 --> 00:01:18.929 to move sentences around within your response. 00:01:18.930 --> 00:01:21.689 You can also use the Undo and Redo buttons. 00:01:21.690 --> 00:01:23.849 You cannot use these buttons to copy text 00:01:23.850 --> 00:01:25.289 from the reading passages. 00:01:25.290 --> 00:01:27.209 You will have some access to some tools, 00:01:27.210 --> 00:01:29.459 both on screen and at your testing station, 00:01:29.460 --> 00:01:31.349 while you work on your response. 00:01:31.350 --> 00:01:33.779 The first tool is an on-screen highlighter. 00:01:33.780 --> 00:01:36.085 You can use the highlighter to mark important information 00:01:36.086 --> 00:01:37.949 in the reading passages. 00:01:37.950 --> 00:01:39.614 When you take the GED test, 00:01:39.615 --> 00:01:42.959 you will be given three note boards and a dry-erase pen. 00:01:42.960 --> 00:01:45.449 You can use these to write notes during the test. 00:01:45.450 --> 00:01:47.369 Remember that you won't be able to take a pen 00:01:47.370 --> 00:01:50.579 or a pencil and scratch-paper into the testing center. 00:01:50.580 --> 00:01:51.930 You will need to use the note boards 00:01:51.931 --> 00:01:54.569 to make any notes during the test. 00:01:54.570 --> 00:01:57.629 When you arrive at the testing center, you will receive a copy 00:01:57.630 --> 00:02:00.179 of the extended-response answer guidelines. 00:02:00.180 --> 00:02:02.789 You can also click on this button at the top right of the screen 00:02:02.790 --> 00:02:05.819 to refer to the guidelines during the test. 00:02:05.820 --> 00:02:07.139 The guidelines give you some tips 00:02:07.140 --> 00:02:09.959 for maximizing your score on the extended response. 00:02:09.960 --> 00:02:12.959 For example, you should write four to seven paragraphs 00:02:12.960 --> 00:02:15.269 and about 300 to 500 words. 00:02:15.270 --> 00:02:16.604 The other videos in this series 00:02:16.605 --> 00:02:19.889 will cover many of the points included in the guidelines. 00:02:19.890 --> 00:02:21.629 When the extended response begins, 00:02:21.630 --> 00:02:23.009 a clock will appear on the screen, 00:02:23.010 --> 00:02:25.289 showing that you have 45 minutes. 00:02:25.290 --> 00:02:27.479 The clock will count down as you work. 00:02:27.480 --> 00:02:29.669 If the clock is distracting, you can hide it 00:02:29.670 --> 00:02:32.669 and check it occasionally to make sure you're on track. 00:02:32.670 --> 00:02:35.129 The clock will reappear when there are three minutes left, 00:02:35.130 --> 00:02:37.379 so you'll know that time is running out. 00:02:37.380 --> 00:02:40.409 To use your time wisely, plan to spend the first 15 minutes 00:02:40.410 --> 00:02:42.389 reading and analyzing the passages, 00:02:42.390 --> 00:02:45.389 then spend the next 25 minutes writing your response. 00:02:45.390 --> 00:02:47.099 Save about five minutes at the end 00:02:47.100 --> 00:02:50.159 to check and revise your writing. 00:02:50.160 --> 00:02:53.489 I'll talk more about these three steps in the upcoming videos. 00:02:53.490 --> 00:02:56.039 Here's a tip to improve your score. 00:02:56.040 --> 00:02:58.619 Read the guidelines before test day and refer to them 00:02:58.620 --> 00:03:01.079 while you practice and prepare for the test. 00:03:01.080 --> 00:03:02.872 You will save time if you're already familiar 00:03:02.873 --> 00:03:04.891 with the guidelines before you take the test, 00:03:04.892 --> 00:03:09.479 but you can also refer to them on test day by clicking the button. 00:03:09.480 --> 00:03:11.519 You can read or print a copy of the guidelines 00:03:11.520 --> 00:03:13.679 by clicking the link in the description. 00:03:13.680 --> 00:03:15.329 The rest of the videos in the series 00:03:15.330 --> 00:03:19.409 will help you meet the expectations described in the guidelines. 00:03:19.410 --> 00:03:21.749 Now you know what the extended response looks like. 00:03:21.750 --> 00:03:26.315 In video two, I'll talk about how to get started on your response.