The GED Math test: what is on it and how to prepare
The GED Math test (Mathematical Reasoning) takes 115 minutes. It covers basic math, geometry, basic algebra, and graphs and functions. The first questions allow no calculator. After that, you can use an on-screen TI-30XS MultiView calculator, and a formula sheet is provided. You need 145 to pass, and steady practice on a few weak skills goes a long way.
What is on the GED Math test?
Time: 115 minutes. GED.com says this includes 2 minutes of instructions and final review and a 3-minute break between parts, which is when you get your calculator at a test center.
Official topic areas on GED.com: Basic Math, Geometry, Basic Algebra, and Graphs and Functions.
Question types: multiple choice (four answer choices) plus drag and drop, fill-in-the-blank, select an area and drop-down.
GED Testing Service's 2016 educator guide splits Math into four reporting categories: problem solving with rational numbers (25%), problem solving in measurement (20%), expressions and equations (30%), and graphs and functions (25%). The guide is from 2016, so use the split as a rough map.
GED Testing Service does not publish an official number of questions, and some questions are worth more than one point. Plan your pacing by time, not by a question count.
Do you get a calculator on the GED Math test?
TI-30XS MultiView is a trademark of Texas Instruments. Texas Instruments is not affiliated with GEDPilot and does not endorse it.
Part 1 has a limited number of questions with no calculator. You must submit those answers before you move on, so you cannot go back to them later.
Part 2 has the on-screen TI-30XS MultiView scientific calculator. GED.com also gives you a calculator reference sheet that shows key steps.
At a test center you may bring your own handheld TI-30XS MultiView. It stays in secure storage during part 1 and you get it back for part 2.
Online, you cannot use a handheld calculator or scratch paper. You use the on-screen calculator, scratch pad and whiteboard instead.
What formulas are given on the GED Math test?
GED.com says you do not have to memorize formulas: you get a formula sheet at the test center and on screen. The current sheet is the 2026-02 revised version (https://www.ged.com/content/dam/websites/ged/resources/Math-Formula-Sheet-2026-02-v1-revised.pdf).
Area: Square: A = s²; Rectangle: A = lw; Parallelogram: A = bh; Triangle: A = ½bh; Trapezoid: A = ½h(b₁ + b₂); Circle: A = πr²
Perimeter and circumference: Square: P = 4s; Rectangle: P = 2l + 2w; Triangle: P = s₁ + s₂ + s₃; Circle: C = 2πr or C = πd, with π ≈ 3.14
Surface area (SA) and volume (V): Rectangular prism: SA = 2lw + 2lh + 2wh; V = lwh; Right prism: SA = ph + 2B; V = Bh; Cylinder: SA = 2πrh + 2πr²; V = πr²h; Pyramid: SA = ½ps + B; V = ⅓Bh; Cone: SA = πrs + πr²; V = ⅓πr²h; Sphere: SA = 4πr²; V = (4/3)πr³; Here p is the perimeter of the base and B is the area of the base.
Data: Mean: the total of the values divided by the number of values; Median: the middle value of an ordered list, or the mean of the two middle values when the list has an even number of values
Algebra: Slope: m = (y₂ − y₁)/(x₂ − x₁); Slope-intercept form: y = mx + b; Point-slope form: y − y₁ = m(x − x₁); Standard form of a quadratic: y = ax² + bx + c; Quadratic formula: x = (−b ± √(b² − 4ac)) / 2a; Pythagorean theorem: a² + b² = c²; Simple interest: I = Prt (interest = principal × rate × time); Distance: d = rt; Total cost = (number of units) × (price per unit)
What is not on the GED formula sheet?
Mode (the most common value) and range (largest minus smallest)
Probability: favorable outcomes divided by all possible outcomes
Percents and percent change: (new − original) ÷ original × 100%
Unit conversions, such as 12 inches in a foot or 60 minutes in an hour
Exponent rules, such as x² · x³ = x⁵
The coordinate distance formula. The sheet's "distance formula" is d = rt (distance = rate × time). For the distance between two points, use the Pythagorean theorem.
The sheet lists a formula but not when to use it. Practice picking the right one from a word problem.
In I = Prt, the time t is in years. 18 months is 1.5 years.
The sheet gives π as about 3.14. If a question says to use 3.14 or the π key, do what it says. Round only at the end.
The 2026-02 revised sheet is one page. It dropped the older version's explanation paragraph, but the formula list matched when GEDPilot compared them.
Which math topics do test takers report seeing most?
Paraphrased from public forum posts GEDPilot reviewed in October 2026. Test forms vary, so this is not a promise of specific questions.
Slope and equations of lines
Area and perimeter of shapes made of smaller shapes
Probability
Quadratic equations and factoring
Square roots
Interest and rates
Worked example 1: Signed numbers and order of operations
Find the value of −3 + 4(2 − 5)² ÷ 6 without a calculator. This is the kind of question you could see in part 1.
Step 1: Start inside the parentheses: 2 − 5 = −3. Now you have −3 + 4(−3)² ÷ 6.
Step 2: Do the exponent next. (−3)² means (−3) × (−3) = 9, because two negatives multiply to a positive. Now you have −3 + 4 × 9 ÷ 6.
Step 3: Multiply and divide from left to right: 4 × 9 = 36, then 36 ÷ 6 = 6. Now you have −3 + 6.
Step 4: Add last. The signs are different, so subtract the sizes (6 − 3 = 3) and keep the sign of the bigger one. 6 is positive, so the answer is 3.
Answer: 3
Check: The squared part is positive and bigger than 3, so the total should be a small positive number. 3 fits.
Common trap: Mixing up (−3)² and −3². (−3)² = 9, but −3² means −(3 × 3) = −9. The parentheses change the answer.
Worked example 2: Percent change
Monthly rent goes up from $1,250 to $1,350. What is the percent increase?
Step 1: Find the change: new − original = 1,350 − 1,250 = 100 dollars.
Step 2: Divide the change by the original amount: 100 ÷ 1,250 = 0.08.
Step 3: Turn the decimal into a percent by multiplying by 100: 0.08 × 100 = 8%.
Answer: An 8% increase
Check: 10% of $1,250 is $125. The rise of $100 is a little less than $125, so a little less than 10% makes sense.
Common trap: Dividing by the new amount: 100 ÷ 1,350 ≈ 7.4%. Percent change always uses the starting amount. This formula is not on the formula sheet, so learn it.
Worked example 3: Solve a linear equation
Solve 5x − 7 = 2x + 11.
Step 1: Get the x terms on one side. Subtract 2x from both sides: 3x − 7 = 11.
Step 2: Undo the subtraction. Add 7 to both sides: 3x = 18.
Step 3: Undo the multiplication. Divide both sides by 3: x = 6.
Step 4: Check by putting 6 back in. Left side: 5(6) − 7 = 23. Right side: 2(6) + 11 = 23. Both sides match.
Answer: x = 6
Check: Substitution is the fastest check on test day. On a multiple-choice question, you can also try each answer choice in the equation.
Common trap: Changing only one side. Whatever you do to one side of an equation, do the same thing to the other side.
Worked example 4: Slope from two points
A line passes through (−2, 5) and (4, −7). Find its slope and write its equation in y = mx + b form.
Step 1: Label the points: (x₁, y₁) = (−2, 5) and (x₂, y₂) = (4, −7).
Step 2: Use the slope formula from the formula sheet: m = (y₂ − y₁)/(x₂ − x₁) = (−7 − 5)/(4 − (−2)).
Step 3: Simplify the top and bottom: −7 − 5 = −12, and 4 − (−2) = 4 + 2 = 6. So m = −12/6 = −2.
Step 4: Find b. Put m = −2 and the point (−2, 5) into y = mx + b: 5 = −2(−2) + b, so 5 = 4 + b, and b = 1.
Step 5: Write the equation: y = −2x + 1.
Answer: The slope is −2 and the equation is y = −2x + 1.
Check: Test the other point: −2(4) + 1 = −7, which matches (4, −7). The line falls from left to right, so a negative slope makes sense.
Common trap: Subtracting in a different order on the top and bottom. (−7 − 5)/(−2 − 4) gives +2, the wrong sign. Keep the same order in both.
Worked example 5: Area of a composite figure
A patio is a 14-foot by 8-foot rectangle with a half circle on one 8-foot end. Find the total area. Use 3.14 for π and round to the nearest square foot.
Step 1: Split the shape into pieces you know: one rectangle and one half circle.
Step 3: Half circle: the diameter is 8 feet, so the radius is 4 feet. A full circle is πr² = 3.14 × 4² = 3.14 × 16 = 50.24 square feet. Half of that is 25.12 square feet.
Check: The half circle fits inside a 4-by-8 rectangle, which is 32 square feet. 25.12 is less than 32, so that piece is reasonable.
Common trap: Using the diameter as the radius. That gives 3.14 × 8² ÷ 2 = 100.48 square feet for the half circle, which is far too big.
Worked example 6: Mean, median and simple probability
A worker's hours for five weeks were 32, 40, 25, 38 and 40. Find the mean and the median. Then: a drawer holds 3 black, 5 blue and 4 gray socks. If you pull one out without looking, what is the probability that it is gray?
Step 1: Mean: add the values. 32 + 40 + 25 + 38 + 40 = 175. Divide by the number of values: 175 ÷ 5 = 35 hours.
Step 2: Median: put the values in order first: 25, 32, 38, 40, 40. The middle value is 38 hours.
Step 3: Probability: count the outcomes you want and all possible outcomes. There are 4 gray socks out of 3 + 5 + 4 = 12 socks.
Step 4: Write the fraction and simplify: 4/12 = 1/3, or about 33%.
Answer: Mean 35 hours, median 38 hours; the probability of gray is 1/3.
Check: The low week (25 hours) pulls the mean down, so the mean (35) sits below the median (38). That makes sense.
Common trap: Taking the middle number before ordering the list. The middle of the list as written is 25, which is wrong. Also, mode, range and probability are not on the formula sheet.
How do you prepare for the no-calculator questions?
GED Testing Service says the first several Math questions test eight number-sense and computation skills without a calculator. Its recommendations, in plain words:
Know the first 12 perfect squares (1, 4, 9 … 144) and the first 6 perfect cubes (1, 8, 27 … 216).
Know that (−3)² = 9 but −3² = −9, while (−3)³ and −3³ both equal −27.
Order negative numbers with care: −0.7 is less than −0.2.
Find the distance between two points on a number line by subtracting and taking the absolute value. From −4 to 3 is |3 − (−4)| = 7.
Add, subtract, multiply and divide fractions, mixed numbers, decimals and negative numbers by hand, in the right order of operations.
Use factors and multiples, such as the greatest common factor and the least common multiple.
Use exponent rules, including powers with a number in front, such as 3(2⁴) = 48.
Spot expressions that are undefined: a zero in the denominator, or the square root of a negative number.
Write each step on your note board or the on-screen whiteboard. Do not hold a negative sign in your head.
Estimate first, then check that your answer is close to the estimate.
Answer every question before you submit part 1, because you cannot come back. A blank answer earns nothing, and there is no penalty for a wrong answer.
If you will test online, practice scratch work on a screen. Many people find the on-screen whiteboard slower than paper.
Free GED Math practice questions
All sample questions, worked examples and data on this page are original GEDPilot practice material, not real GED test questions.
Question 1 (No calculator: powers and roots). No calculator. What is the value of 2³ × 3² − √49? A. 65 B. 79 C. 47 D. 29 Answer: A. 2³ = 2 × 2 × 2 = 8 and 3² = 9, so 8 × 9 = 72. √49 = 7 because 7 × 7 = 49. Then 72 − 7 = 65. Choice B adds the 7 instead of subtracting it. Choice C treats 2³ as 2 × 3 = 6.
Question 2 (Percents: simple interest). Dana borrows $2,400 at 6% simple interest per year for 18 months. How much interest will she pay? (The formula sheet gives I = Prt, with t in years.) A. $144 B. $216 C. $2,592 D. $2,616 Answer: B. 18 months is 1.5 years, and 6% is 0.06. I = 2,400 × 0.06 × 1.5 = 216. Choice A is only one year of interest. Choice C uses 18 as the number of years. Choice D is the total she pays back, not the interest.
Question 3 (Algebra: write and solve an equation). A plumber charges a $65 service fee plus $48 for each hour of work. A bill came to $257. How many hours did the plumber work? A. 3 B. 4 C. 5.35 D. 6.7 Answer: B. Write the equation 65 + 48h = 257. Subtract 65 from both sides: 48h = 192. Divide by 48: h = 4. Check: 65 + 48 × 4 = 65 + 192 = 257. Choice C divides 257 by 48 and forgets the fee.
Question 4 (Algebra: factor a quadratic). Which values of x solve x² − x − 12 = 0? A. x = 4 or x = −3 B. x = −4 or x = 3 C. x = 4 or x = 3 D. x = 12 or x = −1 Answer: A. Find two numbers that multiply to −12 and add to −1: −4 and 3. So x² − x − 12 = (x − 4)(x + 3). Set each factor to zero: x = 4 or x = −3. Check: 4² − 4 − 12 = 0 and (−3)² − (−3) − 12 = 9 + 3 − 12 = 0.
Question 5 (Graphs: equation of a line). A line passes through the points (0, −3) and (2, 5). Which equation describes the line? A. y = 4x − 3 B. y = −4x − 3 C. y = 4x + 3 D. y = ¼x − 3 Answer: A. Slope = (5 − (−3)) ÷ (2 − 0) = 8 ÷ 2 = 4. The point (0, −3) is on the y-axis, so b = −3. The equation is y = 4x − 3. Check the other point: 4(2) − 3 = 5. Choice D flips the slope fraction.
Question 6 (Geometry: Pythagorean theorem). A 13-foot ladder leans against a wall. The bottom of the ladder is 5 feet from the wall. How high up the wall does the ladder reach? A. 8 feet B. 12 feet C. 13.9 feet D. 18 feet Answer: B. The ladder is the longest side (c = 13). Use a² + b² = c²: 5² + h² = 13², so 25 + h² = 169 and h² = 144. h = 12 feet. Choice C adds 25 instead of subtracting it. Choices A and D just subtract or add the two lengths.
Question 7 (Data: work backward from a mean). The mean of five quiz scores is 82. Four of the scores are 78, 85, 90 and 74. What is the fifth score? A. 81.75 B. 82 C. 83 D. 87 Answer: C. A mean of 82 for five scores means the total is 82 × 5 = 410. The four known scores add to 78 + 85 + 90 + 74 = 327. The fifth score is 410 − 327 = 83. Choice A is the mean of the four known scores.
Question 8 (Probability: two independent events). A spinner has 8 equal sections: 3 red, 4 blue and 1 yellow. You spin it twice. What is the probability that it lands on red both times? A. 9/64 B. 3/8 C. 6/8 D. 9/16 Answer: A. One spin lands on red with probability 3/8. The spins do not affect each other, so multiply: 3/8 × 3/8 = 9/64. Choice B is the chance for one spin. Choice C adds the two chances instead of multiplying.
What are the most common GED Math mistakes?
Word problems: Use the same five steps every time. Say what the question asks in your own words. List what you know, with units. Pick the formula or relationship. Estimate. Then solve and check that the answer fits the question.
Fractions: Adding or subtracting needs a common denominator: 5/6 − 1/4 = 10/12 − 3/12 = 7/12. To divide, multiply by the flipped second fraction: 3/4 ÷ 1/8 = 3/4 × 8 = 6. Change mixed numbers to improper fractions before you multiply.
Negative numbers: Subtracting a negative is adding: 6 − (−4) = 10. Check exponents with signs: (−3)² = 9 but −3² = −9. On a number line, −9 is less than −2.
Percents: Percent change divides by the original amount. A rise from 30% to 36% is 6 percentage points, which is a 20% increase.
Units and rounding: Change months to years in I = Prt, and feet to inches when the question asks for inches. Round only at the end.
Calculator entry: Use parentheses around a whole top or bottom. For the mean of 32, 40 and 25, type (32 + 40 + 25) ÷ 3, not 32 + 40 + 25 ÷ 3.
Is GED Math hard to pass?
Math is the GED subject many adults worry about most. In public forum posts GEDPilot reviewed in October 2026, test takers often said they saved Math for last, that it took them the longest, and that a near miss of a few points was followed by a pass on a focused retake. Those are reports from individuals, not official statistics.
The test checks everyday math: signed numbers, fractions, percents, basic algebra, area and volume with a formula sheet, and reading data. You need a 145 on the 100 to 200 scale. Your Math score stands on its own, because scores are not averaged across subjects.
You can schedule Math by itself, on its own day. At a test center, if you do not pass, you can retake it twice with no waiting period. After a third attempt, you wait 60 days. Online, you get one retake before a 60-day wait.
What is the easiest way to pass the GED Math test?
1. Take the free GEDPilot diagnostic to see which math skills need you most. Treat it as a map, not a grade. (Start the free diagnostic: /tests)
2. Rebuild the basics first if you need to: signed numbers, fractions, decimals and percents. Starting here is normal after years away from school. (Try free sample lesson GP-M01: /library/GP-M01)
3. Learn the formula sheet by using it, and learn the few formulas that are not on it. (Formula sheet lab: /ged-labs/formula-sheet)
4. Practice the calculator for part 2, and practice the no-calculator skills by hand for part 1. (Calculator lab: /ged-labs/calculator-practice)
5. Do short mixed practice sets several times a week. Research on study methods rates practice testing and spaced practice as two of the most useful techniques. (Build a study plan: /ged-study-plan)
6. Keep an error log. For every miss, write down the step that went wrong: reading, setup, arithmetic or calculator entry.
7. Take the official GED Ready Math practice test. Book the real test when you score green: Likely to Pass (145 to 200). To test online, you need that green score within the last 60 days. (What GED scores mean: /ged-scores)
How long is the GED Math test? The GED Math test is 115 minutes. GED.com says that time includes 2 minutes of instructions and final review and a 3-minute break between the two parts. At a test center, the break is when you get your calculator for part 2.
Can you use a calculator on the GED Math test? Yes, on part 2. The first questions (part 1) do not allow a calculator. Part 2 has the on-screen TI-30XS MultiView calculator and a calculator reference sheet. At a test center you may bring your own handheld TI-30XS MultiView. Online, only the on-screen calculator is allowed.
What formulas are given on the GED Math test? The formula sheet gives area, perimeter, circumference, surface area and volume formulas, the mean and median, slope and line equations, the quadratic formula, the Pythagorean theorem, simple interest, d = rt and total cost. It does not give mode, range, probability, percent change, unit conversions or exponent rules.
How many questions are on the GED Math test? GED Testing Service does not publish an official number of questions, and some questions are worth more than one point. Your score comes from points earned. Plan your pacing by the 115-minute time limit.
Is GED Math hard to pass? Many adults find Math the hardest GED subject, mostly because of gaps from years away from school. The test covers everyday math, and a formula sheet and calculator help on most questions. You need 145. Fixing a few weak skills with steady practice is usually more useful than trying to study everything.
What is the easiest way to pass the GED Math test? There is no shortcut, but there is an efficient order: take a diagnostic, rebuild fractions, negatives and percents, practice with the formula sheet and calculator, do short mixed practice sets, and book the test after a green GED Ready score.
Is there a free GED Math practice test? Yes. This page has eight free practice questions with explanations, and GEDPilot offers a free diagnostic. GED.com also has free official preview tests that are 25% of the real test length. The official GED Ready practice test is sold on GED.com.
What happens if I fail the GED Math test? At a test center you can retake a subject twice with no waiting period. After a third attempt, you wait 60 days before the next one. Online, you get one retake before a 60-day wait. Your state may add its own rules, so check GED.com.
Sources
Facts checked 2026-10-26. Confirm current rules on GED.com before you book.
Independent preparation materials. Not affiliated with or endorsed by ACE or GED Testing Service. GED is a registered trademark owned by ACE. Practice results do not predict an official GED score, and GEDPilot does not guarantee a passing score.