Language Arts Reading Test

Basic Facts

• The reading test has 40 multiple-choice items based on seven text passages.
• Five of the passages are drawn from literature:
  • Fiction before 1920
  • Fiction 1920-1960
  • Fiction after 1960
  • Poetry
  • Drama
• Two of the passages are nonfiction texts:
  • Nonfiction prose — memoir, biography, critical reviews
  • Workplace or community documents
• Thinking Skills
  • Comprehension 20%
  • Application 15%
  • Analysis 30%
  • Synthesis 35%
• The test is 65 minutes long.

The GED Language Arts Reading Test focuses on both fiction and nonfiction texts. The reading test reflects an appreciation for the diversity of GED candidates. Diverse ages, multicultural and ethnic backgrounds, gender, socioeconomic groups, and regional differences are considered when reading passages are selected.

The reading passages are drawn from both literary and nonfiction writings. Students must use higher-order thinking skills in order to successfully respond to the questions: comprehension, application, analysis, and synthesis. In some questions, students will be asked to demonstrate that they understand literary uses of language and literary themes.