Help me help my friend earn his GED
December 16, 2011 7:53 PM Subscribe
A friend of mine has decided it's time to get his GED. What study guide(s) can you recommend for me to send him as a help and motivator toward this goal?
He's about 50 years old, really not super bright, and seems to be motivated to actually do this finally. But I've seen him make plans to do things and crap out when the going gets even mildly tough over and over in the 10 years I've known him.
I'd love to give him a study guide or two or even three to help him pass the test. Many of the books appear to be highly recommended, but I'd love to have some MeFite help if anyone has any experience with any guides directly.
One of the books I found on Amazon is apparently 1100 pages long and includes a CD-ROM. I think that would intimidate him completely and scare him away from even trying. But what about others?
He's about 50 years old, really not super bright, and seems to be motivated to actually do this finally. But I've seen him make plans to do things and crap out when the going gets even mildly tough over and over in the 10 years I've known him.
I'd love to give him a study guide or two or even three to help him pass the test. Many of the books appear to be highly recommended, but I'd love to have some MeFite help if anyone has any experience with any guides directly.
One of the books I found on Amazon is apparently 1100 pages long and includes a CD-ROM. I think that would intimidate him completely and scare him away from even trying. But what about others?
Best answer: I would definitely recommend the GED test prep books from McGraw-Hill / Contemporary.
Buying the books according to subject area (vs. a mammoth book that covers every test), is definitely a good strategy when it comes to test prep. Depending on your state, your friend may be able to take subject area tests (my fingers are crossed for you!). If this is the case, encourage your friend to spend time studying individually for each test.
I generally find it useful to think of the GED like this: the GED is really just three reading tests, a math test and a writing assessment. Even though two of the tests cover social studies, science - it's ultimately about reading comprehension.
If you feel comfortable with writing a standard five paragraph essay, you can work with your friend to prepare for the writing portion of the test. He should also be ready to answer questions about basic grammar and syntax.
See if there are any adult learning centers in your area. Many ALCs will allow GED candidates to take official practice tests in order to prepare for the actual test. Testing under timed conditions with an official practice test will give your friend a good idea of the things he needs to focus on.
Best of luck to your friend . . . it may take some time, but he can do it!
posted by WaspEnterprises at 10:49 PM on December 16, 2011
Buying the books according to subject area (vs. a mammoth book that covers every test), is definitely a good strategy when it comes to test prep. Depending on your state, your friend may be able to take subject area tests (my fingers are crossed for you!). If this is the case, encourage your friend to spend time studying individually for each test.
I generally find it useful to think of the GED like this: the GED is really just three reading tests, a math test and a writing assessment. Even though two of the tests cover social studies, science - it's ultimately about reading comprehension.
If you feel comfortable with writing a standard five paragraph essay, you can work with your friend to prepare for the writing portion of the test. He should also be ready to answer questions about basic grammar and syntax.
See if there are any adult learning centers in your area. Many ALCs will allow GED candidates to take official practice tests in order to prepare for the actual test. Testing under timed conditions with an official practice test will give your friend a good idea of the things he needs to focus on.
Best of luck to your friend . . . it may take some time, but he can do it!
posted by WaspEnterprises at 10:49 PM on December 16, 2011
Best answer: I don't have it anymore, but WaspEnterprises' suggestion makes me inclined to think I had a McGraw-Hill book once upon a time. I liked it.
posted by Heretical at 4:14 AM on December 17, 2011
posted by Heretical at 4:14 AM on December 17, 2011
Where I live, our local community college has a free GED tutoring program that's staffed by volunteers who work one-on-one with students. Maybe you could check with the local community college or United Way to see if they have a program? Tutoring does seem to be more effective than sending someone off on their own with a book.
posted by Sweetie Darling at 5:43 AM on December 17, 2011
posted by Sweetie Darling at 5:43 AM on December 17, 2011
Response by poster: Tutoring does seem to be more effective than sending someone off on their own with a book.
Well, he lives in AZ, I live in WA.
But even taking out the distance factor, my history with this man is such that I've been burned more than a dozen times with his schemes of dreams about wanting to accomplish X or Y, me investing a huge amount of time and effort in helping put together the beginning steps for him, and then him crapping out on the idea once it becomes something requiring more effort from him than the end goal being handed to him on a silver platter.
I'm wanting to send him a book or two to give him a little boost with this (I believe worthwhile) endeavor. I don't want to commit myself to anything more than that. That's why I'm looking for books which would be helpful, not intimidating. Any further moves he makes toward this goal are going to have to be internally generated by him. My hope is that if he receives a couple of study guides which don't completely scare him off of the idea of doing this, he'll be inspired to take more steps within his local sphere and make it happen himself.
posted by hippybear at 7:51 AM on December 17, 2011
Well, he lives in AZ, I live in WA.
But even taking out the distance factor, my history with this man is such that I've been burned more than a dozen times with his schemes of dreams about wanting to accomplish X or Y, me investing a huge amount of time and effort in helping put together the beginning steps for him, and then him crapping out on the idea once it becomes something requiring more effort from him than the end goal being handed to him on a silver platter.
I'm wanting to send him a book or two to give him a little boost with this (I believe worthwhile) endeavor. I don't want to commit myself to anything more than that. That's why I'm looking for books which would be helpful, not intimidating. Any further moves he makes toward this goal are going to have to be internally generated by him. My hope is that if he receives a couple of study guides which don't completely scare him off of the idea of doing this, he'll be inspired to take more steps within his local sphere and make it happen himself.
posted by hippybear at 7:51 AM on December 17, 2011
Best answer: I second the Complete GED Prep book by Steck Vaughn. Also check out www.Practice4GED.com.
posted by ms_rasclark at 8:12 AM on December 17, 2011
posted by ms_rasclark at 8:12 AM on December 17, 2011
The best thing he can do, since distance is a factor, is go to his local community resource center and check out their Adult Education program. They can point him in the right direction as to where to find study guides both online and off. Here is AZ's information
posted by patheral at 9:45 AM on December 17, 2011
posted by patheral at 9:45 AM on December 17, 2011
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Linnee at 8:11 PM on December 16, 2011