Project.docx

Improving Your GED Scores

[​I should say something here‐ basically summarize what is below. Also, can I use these
words directly from the websites?]
Yes you can!
Have you ever thought about what you need to succeed at taking tests?
It should come as no surprise that to do well on any test, your preparation should include
learning what the test covers and studying areas you don't know.
What is covered on the writing portion of THE GED® RLA TEST
The writing component integrates reading and writing into meaningful tasks that require
candidates to support their written analysis with evidence drawn from a given source text(s) of
appropriate complexity provided in the test. Also, given the growing demand and use of
technology in all levels of postsecondary education and careers, the GED® test is administered
by computer. Therefore, as in the reading component of the RLA Test, the following two
high­level standards, which correspond with Career and College Ready Standards 9 and 6
respectively, broadly govern all aspects of the writing tasks.
1 Draw relevant and sufficient evidence from a literary or information text to support
analysis and reflection.
2 Use technology to produce writing, demonstrating sufficient command of keyboarding
skills.
Candidate responses are scored by a computer using a multi­trait rubric that focuses on three
elements:
• Trait 1: Analysis of Arguments and Use of Evidence
• Trait 2: Development of Ideas and Structure
• Trait 3: Clarity and Command of Standard English
Source GED website http://www.gedtestingservice.com/testers/rlalink
Language Conventions and Usage on the GED​ ®​ RLA TEST
The language component of the GED​ ®​ RLA Test measures a candidate’s ability to demonstrate
command of a foundational set of conventions of standard English that have been identified as
most important for career and college readiness by higher education instructors of
post­secondary entry­level, credit­bearing composition courses. This core set of skills includes
essential components of grammar, usage, capitalization and punctuation.
The GED​ ®​ RLA Test includes editing items in an authentic context in which highlighted words
or phrases appear in dropdown menus offering alternatives, which include a clear best choice
alongside common errors or misconceptions.
Source GED website http://www.gedtestingservice.com/testers/rlalink

Reasoning Through Language Arts (RLA) is one of the four GED subjects for which there is
a ​free online or downloadable practice test​available through the GED Testing Service.
Each free practice test is one­quarter of a full­length test. A detailed score regarding your
readiness to pass the GED does not accompany this test.
GED Ready
While the free RLA practice test above is worth taking, it is not called one of the “official”
practice tests of the GED Testing Service.
The official practice tests are known as ​GED Ready​and cover all subjects of the GED.
The GED Ready practice tests are computerized and cost $6.00 per subject. Each test is one­half
of a full­length test.
To gain access to the GED Ready practice tests, a student can:
• Log in to the Study section of ​MyGED​and click “Take GED Ready” to purchase OR
• Visit ​GED Marketplace​OR
• Visit an adult education center, which can be located via MyGED.
You should sign up with MyGED and take all of the GED Ready practice tests. It will be well
worth the effort. Each GED Ready practice test gives you a detailed score regarding your
readiness to pass the GED.
Source: https://howtopasstheged.com/2014/02/11/rla‐practice‐test‐ged‐testing‐service/
[I should say something here: Work through these modules at your own pace and on your
own time. If you are a student at a college that uses eTutoring, click the link at the end of
each module to log in with your information and get help from a real person.]
Unit 1 (Traits 2 & 3): Run‐ons and comma splices
1. Here is a video to explain briefly what run‐ons and comma splices are.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQfJdhyeQfU
2. Check out this site for a great explanation of run‐ons and how to fix them.
http://www.myenglishteacher.net/runonsentences.html​There is a quiz at the end
of the lesson to test if you’ve got it!
3. Now is a good time to reflect on whether or not you have learned what you set out
to learn in this module. How did you do on the quiz? Taking a moment to reflect on
what you have learned: ​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XIsznZR4hzY
4. If you need a different explanation, look at this short lesson that explains this in
another way. ​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0diPEXXf5Q
5. And if you want more practice activities, look here.
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/quizzes/runons_quiz.htm
6. Get help from a real person if you are a student at an institution that supports
eTutoring. ​https://www.etutoring.org/login.cfm?institutionid=295&returnPage=

Unit 2 (Traits 2 & 3): Fragments
1. Here is a video to briefly explain what a fragment is.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r‐Wcr4Wgf7U
2. Check out this site for a great explanation of fragments and how to fix them.
http://www.myenglishteacher.net/sentencefragments.html​There is an exercise at
the end of the lesson to test if you’ve got it!
3. If you need a different explanation, look at this short lesson that explains this in
another way. ​https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAuCJIzrwn4
4. And if you want more practice activities, look here.
https://owl.english.purdue.edu/exercises/5/18/38/
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/quizzes/fragment_fixing.htm
http://grammar.ccc.commnet.edu/grammar/cgi‐shl/quiz.pl/fragments_add1.htm
5. Get help from a real person if you are a student at an institution that supports
eTutoring. ​https://www.etutoring.org/login.cfm?institutionid=295&returnPage=
Unit 3 (Traits 2 & 3): Construction shift [​I should say something here]
1. Many of the questions on the GED RLA exam deal with grammar by asking you to
change the structure of a sentence while keeping the meaning the same. This takes some
practice for most people. You have to remember to rewrite the whole sentence in your
head before choosing the best answer. Click on the link below to try some of these
“construction shift” type questions. You get an immediate response to your answer choice
with explanations and links to more practice!
http://ux.brookdalecc.edu/fac/writing/095/practice/ConstructShiftQues.html
2. Practicing construction shift will help you to be able to summarize, paraphrase, and
write support from the articles you read in your own words. Here is a free six‐lesson
e‐course to help you learn to paraphrase effectively:
http://www.eslwriting.org/learn‐paraphrase‐writing/
3. Get help from a real person if you are a student at an institution that supports eTutoring.
https://www.etutoring.org/login.cfm?institutionid=295&returnPage=
Unit 4 (Traits 1, 2, & 3): Extended Response Format and Structure ​[Now you are ready to
start writing! I should say something here‐ the info that is in #s 2 & 3 below]

1. Here are two videos that explain the basics of the RLA Extended Response:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBcVJ‐2PhUQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SvUE0POFp2o
2. On the RLA test, you will have 45 minutes to complete the reading, analysis, and
writing for the extended response item. The scoring engine (you are being scored by
a computer) knows this is first‐draft writing, so although it expects you to know
how to write, it does not expect perfection. Also, there is NO right or wrong answer.
You can choose either the pro or con position as long as you support it with
evidence from the text.
3. Remember this: Even though what you read will be different in each version of the
test, ​the wording of the prompt and the task outlined in the prompt will
remain the same​. Here is the ​RLA PROMPT:​In your response, analyze both
positions presented to determine which one is best supported. Use relevant and
specific evidence from the article to support your response.
4. This website offers extensive practice on the extended responses from both the RLA
and Social Studies portions of the GED exam. You will find sample texts, prompts,
and answers, as well as thorough explanations of the steps you need to take to write
outstanding responses: ​https://howtopasstheged.com/extended‐response/
5. Get help from a real person if you are a student at an institution that supports
eTutoring. ​https://www.etutoring.org/login.cfm?institutionid=295&returnPage=
Unit 5: Keyboarding Skills
[I should say something here]
1. This website offers free typing lessons, practice, and games. You do not even
have to register. Your progress is saved on your computer as a cookie. Lessons
should be taken in sequence because they build on each other.
http://powertyping.com/
2. Here is another great website to learn typing for free.
https://www.typingclub.com/