Overview of the GED Extended Response—Video 1 of How to Pass the GED Extended Response

Hey, GED test-takers. I'm Alice.

I passed the "GED Reasoning Through Language Arts" test,

and I'd like to help you pass too.

I studied with the "Writing for the GED Test"

series from New Readers Press.

Practicing with these books boosted my confidence

and helped me to write a great extended response.

In this video, I'll share some tips

from "Writing for the GED Test" that will help you

maximize your score on the extended response.

I'll show you what you will see on the extended response

portion of the test, how to move around a computer screen,

and what tools you can use during the test.

What is the extended response?

It's the writing portion

of the "GED Reasoning Through Language Arts" test

or R-L-A test.

Here's what the extended response looks like.

This is the prompt.

The prompt tells you the topic you will be asked to write about.

It explains what you need to do in your written response.

And on the bottom right, this is where you type your response.

Don't worry about running out of space.

As you type your response, the text will scroll

to make room for more.

On the left, you'll see two text passages.

Click the tabs at the top to read every page.

Each passage gives an author's position on a similar topic.

Make sure to read both passages.

While you type, you can use the cut, copy and paste buttons

to move sentences around within your response.

You can also use the Undo and Redo buttons.

You cannot use these buttons to copy text

from the reading passages.

You will have some access to some tools,

both on screen and at your testing station,

while you work on your response.

The first tool is an on-screen highlighter.

You can use the highlighter to mark

important information in the reading passages.

When you take the GED test, you

will be given three note boards and a dry-erase pen.

You can use these to write notes during the test.

Remember that you won't be able to take a pen

or a pencil, and scratch-paper into the testing center.

You will need to use the note boards to make

any notes during the test.

When you arrive at the testing center, you will receive a copy

of the extended-response answer guidelines.

You can also click on this button at the top right of the screen

to refer to the guidelines during the test.

The guidelines gives you some tips

for maximizing your score on the extended response.

For example, you should write four to seven paragraphs

and about 300 to 500 words.

The other videos in this series will cover

many of the points included in the guidelines.

When the extended response begins,

a clock will appear on the screen

showing that you have 45 minutes.

The clock will count down as you work.

If the clock is distracting, you can hide it

and check it occasionally to make sure you're on track.

The clock will reappear when there are three minutes left,

so you'll know that time is running out.

To use your time wisely, plan to spend the first 15 minutes

reading and analyzing the passages,

then spend the next 25 minutes writing your response.

Save about five minutes at the end

to check and revise your writing.

I'll talk more about these three steps in the upcoming videos.

Here's a tip to improve your score.

Read the guidelines before test day and refer to them

while you practice and prepare for the test.

You will save time if you're already familiar with the guidelines

before you take the test, but you can also refer to them

on test day by clicking the button.

You can read or print a copy of the guidelines

by clicking the link in the description.

The rest of the videos in the series

will help you meet the expectations described in the guidelines.

Now you know what the extended response looks like.

In video two, I'll talk about how to get started on your response.