Preparing for Your GED: Essential Math Skills for Success at Any Age
Embarking on the journey to earn your General Education Development (GED) credential can be both exciting and challenging, especially if you’re starting from a foundation that feels incomplete. If you’re a young adult or someone who hasn’t had formal math education beyond early grades, understanding what topics to focus on can make your study process more targeted and manageable.
Understanding Your Current Foundations
Many individuals find themselves in similar situations—having little to no formal math instruction beyond elementary school. If you’re comfortable with basic arithmetic such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division, you’re already making great progress. These skills form the cornerstone for more advanced topics necessary for the GED.
Key Math Topics to Prepare For the GED
To ensure you’re well-prepared, here is a comprehensive list of math concepts you should aim to master:
- Fractions and Decimals
- Simplifying fractions
- Converting between fractions and decimals
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Adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing fractions and decimals
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Percentages
- Calculating percentages of numbers
- Finding percentage increase/decrease
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Solving real-world percentage problems
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Ratios and Proportions
- Understanding ratios
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Setting up and solving proportion problems
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Basic Algebra
- Simplifying algebraic expressions
- Solving for unknowns in one-variable equations
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Working with simple linear equations
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Number Properties
- Prime numbers, factors, multiples
- Even and odd numbers
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Order of operations (PEMDAS)
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Geometry Basics
- Properties of basic shapes (triangles, rectangles, circles)
- Perimeter, area, and volume calculations
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Understanding angles and their relationships
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Data Interpretation
- Reading and interpreting graphs and charts
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Basic statistics (mean, median, mode)
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Word Problems and Application
- Applying math concepts to real-world scenarios
- Breaking down multi-step problems
Getting Started
If you’re unsure where to begin, consider starting with refresher resources focused on elementary arithmetic, then gradually progressing to more complex topics like fractions and algebra. Many free online platforms, tutorials, and practice tests are designed specifically for adult learners preparing for the GED.
Additional Tips
- Practice consistently to build confidence
- Use practice exams to identify weak areas