My Honest Review: Taking a Free Online GED Practice Test (and What I Learned)

I'm preparing for the GED and I wanted to see if free resources could actually get me ready, so I took the Mometrix free GED practice test online. I'd heard good things about it, but I was skeptical — can a free test really prepare you for the real thing?

The Setup

I found the Mometrix free GED practice test on their website. No sign-up required, no paywall. I took it under real conditions: 7 hours and 15 minutes, timed, no breaks except the scheduled ones, no notes.

What I Liked

The test felt realistic. The question types matched what I'd heard about the actual GED — multiple choice, fill-in-the-blank, drag-and-drop, short answer. The difficulty felt appropriate, not too easy and not impossibly hard.

The immediate feedback was useful. After I finished each section, I could see which questions I got wrong and why. For math especially, seeing the worked solution helped me understand where my reasoning went wrong.

What Was Missing

One practice test isn't enough to prepare for the actual GED. You need multiple tests to identify patterns in what you struggle with. The Mometrix free test is a good starting point, but you'll need more resources.

My Score and What It Meant

I scored 680 out of 800 (passing is 580 per section, so I was above passing). This told me I have a solid foundation but need to focus on specific weak areas — I struggled with geometry and data interpretation.

Is It Worth Your Time?

Absolutely. If you're considering taking the GED, take this free practice test first. It'll show you what the actual test looks like and where your weak areas are. Then use that information to decide whether you need paid prep courses or if free resources like Khan Academy and library GED classes will work for you.

Understanding Your GED Practice Test Score

The GED is scored on a scale of 100–200 per subject. Here's what the scores mean:

Passing requires a score of 145 or above on each of the four subjects. The "College Ready" designation (165+) can qualify you for college credit at some institutions.

What to Do After Your Practice Test

If you scored below 145 on any subject: Focus your study time on that subject. Use Khan Academy for content review and take another practice test in 2–3 weeks.

If you scored 145–164: You're passing but have room to improve. Identify your weak areas within the subject and focus there.

If you scored 165+: You're in good shape. Continue practicing to maintain your score and focus on any remaining weak areas.

The Four GED Subjects: What to Expect

Mathematical Reasoning (115 minutes): Covers basic math, geometry, basic algebra, and graphs/functions. A calculator is allowed for most of the test.

Reasoning Through Language Arts (150 minutes): Covers reading comprehension, grammar, and writing. Includes a 45-minute extended response (essay).

Science (90 minutes): Covers life science, physical science, and earth/space science. Focuses on interpreting data and understanding scientific concepts.

Social Studies (70 minutes): Covers civics, US history, economics, and geography.

What the GED Test Actually Measures

Before taking any practice test, it helps to understand what the GED is actually testing. It's not primarily a test of memorized facts — it's a test of reasoning and applied skills.

The Mathematical Reasoning section tests your ability to solve problems, not just perform calculations. The Reasoning Through Language Arts section tests your ability to read complex texts and construct arguments, not just identify grammar rules. The Science and Social Studies sections test your ability to interpret data, graphs, and primary sources, not just recall information.

This matters for how you study. Memorizing facts is less useful than practicing the reasoning skills the test requires. A student who can read a graph and draw conclusions from it will outperform a student who has memorized science facts but hasn't practiced data interpretation.

How to Use a Practice Test Effectively

Taking a practice test is only useful if you review it thoroughly afterward. Most students check their score, feel good or bad about it, and move on. This wastes most of the value of the practice test.

The review process should take at least as long as the test itself. For every wrong answer:

1. Identify why you got it wrong — was it a knowledge gap, a misread question, a careless error, or a reasoning mistake?
2. If it was a knowledge gap, study that specific concept before your next practice session.
3. If it was a reasoning mistake, look at the correct answer's explanation and identify the reasoning pattern you missed.
4. If it was a careless error, note the type of error (misread the question, calculation mistake, etc.) so you can watch for it.

Categorizing your errors is more useful than just noting the score. A score of 70% tells you nothing actionable. Knowing that 80% of your wrong answers were in data interpretation tells you exactly where to focus.

Timing Strategy for Each Section

Time management is one of the most commonly cited challenges on the GED. Here's a practical approach for each section:

Mathematical Reasoning (115 minutes, ~46 questions): Aim for about 2.5 minutes per question. Flag questions you're unsure about and return to them. Don't spend more than 4 minutes on any single question.

RLA (150 minutes): Budget 45 minutes for the extended response essay and 105 minutes for the multiple choice. Write the essay first while you're fresh.

Science and Social Studies: Read the stimulus material (graphs, passages, documents) carefully before looking at the questions. Most wrong answers come from misreading the stimulus, not from lack of knowledge.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How many times can I take the GED?

You can retake each subject up to three times without waiting. After three attempts, you must wait 60 days before retaking. There's no limit on total attempts.

Q: How long does it take to prepare for the GED?

This varies enormously depending on your starting level. Some people prepare in a few weeks; others take months. A good estimate: if you scored 145–164 on a practice test, you might need 1–2 months of focused study. If you scored below 145, plan for 3–6 months.

Q: Is the GED harder than high school?

The GED tests high school-level knowledge, so it's comparable to high school in difficulty. The math section is often the hardest for people who haven't studied math recently. The writing section requires a well-organized essay.

Q: Can I take the GED online?

Yes, since 2020 the GED can be taken online with remote proctoring. You need a computer with a webcam, a stable internet connection, and a quiet private space. Check GED.com for current online testing availability in your area.