Social Studies Test

Basic Facts

• The Social Studies Test has 50 multiple-choice items.
• The items are based on text, graphics, or a combination of the two.
  • 60 percent of the items refer either to graphics or to a reading passage accompanied by graphics.
  • 40 percent are based on text alone.
• Social Studies content areas include:
  • U.S. History 25%
  • World History 15%
  • Government and Civics 25%
  • Economics 20%
  • Geography 15%
• Thinking Skills include:
  • Comprehension 20%
  • Application 20%
  • Analysis 40%
  • Evaluation 20%
• The test is 70 minutes long.

In the GED Social Studies Test, candidates must show that they can understand and apply social studies information and concepts in national and global contexts. There will be questions based on practical documents, such as consumer or voting information, and on key historic documents, such as the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.