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CWEST GED Study Guide

Introduction

Future GED Test-Takers: welcome to the Community Writing and Education Station (CWEST) study guide for the GED Language Arts, Writing test. This CWEST resource provides information about the two parts of the GED Language Arts, Writing test. Here you will find a test breakdown and scoring information. You will also find a review of the subject areas you will be tested on, test-taking tips, sample questions and sample essay topics. Lastly, we provide suggestions for further reading and studying. Happy studying.

Instructors and Administrators: Download the CWEST GED material flier here and post it around your center to help raise awareness of these online resources.

Introduction to the Test

The GED Language Arts, Writing test is split into two parts. In the first part of the test, you will have 75 minutes to answer 50 multiple choice questions. In the second part, you will have 45 minutes to write an essay on a topic of general interest. The scores from the first and second parts of the test are combined so that the Language Arts, Writing test is reported as one score.

Breakdown of GED Language Arts, Writing Test

As with each area of the GED, the GED Language Arts, Writing test measures how your knowledge and academic skill compares with traditional high school graduates. This means that passing the GED Language Arts, Writing portion of the test demonstrates that your writing skills are comparable to those of today’s traditional high school graduates.

Using This Site

To surf this site and use its GED, ESL, and job search resources, select links in the navigation bar on the left. Or you may select links from the outline of materials below.

Studying the materials offered here will help prepare you for the GED Language Arts, Writing test by becoming familiar with how this part of the GED works. Using this site will also help familiarize you with the knowledge and academic skills you need to successfully take the test. You may use this resource online, or you may print out these materials by selecting the Full Resource for Printing icon at the bottom of resource pages and then printing from your Internet browser. Below is a breakdown of this site's sections:

Part 1: Language Arts, Writing Test (Multiple Choice)

Introduction (you are on this page now)
Lessons

• Lesson 1: Organization
• Lesson 2: Sentence Structure
• Lesson 3: Usage
• Lesson 4: Mechanics

Further Resources

Part 2: Language Arts, Writing Test (Essay)

Introduction
Scoring Guide
Lessons

• Lesson 1: Response to the Prompt, GED essay writing game
  
• Lesson 2: Organization
  
• Lesson 3: Development and Details
• Lesson 4: Conventions of Edited American English
• Lesson 5: Word Choice

Quick Tips for Success
Further Resources

Language Arts, Writing Practice Test

We have also provided links to other OWL resources that may help you understand and practice the concepts reviewed in the CWEST GED section. Please keep in mind that links to other resources on the OWL, while related to subjects covered here, are not designed specifically for the GED. In general, OWL resources are designed to help high school and college level students improve writing for coursework and to help professional writers on the job.

Disclaimer: The practice test provided on the CWEST is not an official GED test. It is patterned after the GED Language Arts, Writing test in length, format, and question types. The practice test contains questions that are similar to questions you will encounter on the GED, as well as a sample essay topic that is similar to GED essay topics. Taking this practice test will help you prepare for the GED Language Arts, Writing test, but please be aware that it is not from an actual GED test.