100+ Free GED Science Practice Questions
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The table below shows four organisms and their characteristics. Which organism is most likely a decomposer? | Organism | Has chloroplasts | Eats other organisms | Breaks down dead matter | |---|---|---|---| | Oak tree | Yes | No | No | | Rabbit | No | Yes | No | | Mushroom | No | No | Yes | | Hawk | No | Yes | No |
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Key Facts: GED Science Exam
145
Passing Score (100–200 scale)
GED Testing Service
90 minutes
Time Limit (no break)
GED Testing Service
34–40
Approximate Number of Questions
GED Testing Service
40% / 40% / 20%
Life Science / Physical Science / Earth & Space Science split
GED Assessment Guide for Educators — Science
2018
Year Short-Answer Items Were Removed
GED Testing Service
$36
Standard Per-Subject Fee (most states; varies)
GED Testing Service, ged.com
The GED Science test is one of four GED subject tests required to earn a High School Equivalency credential recognized in all 50 U.S. states. The exam lasts 90 minutes and includes approximately 34–40 questions in technology-enhanced formats. Content is divided into three areas: Life Science (~40%), Physical Science (~40%), and Earth and Space Science (~20%). Two science practices — Reasoning Through Science and Using Numbers and Graphics in Science — are assessed throughout all questions. The passing score is 145 on a 100–200 scale, and the fee is approximately $36 per subject test in most states, though many states offer free or subsidized testing. (Source: GED Testing Service, ged.com)
Sample GED Science Practice Questions
Try these sample questions to test your GED Science exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.
1Which organelle is responsible for producing energy in the form of ATP through cellular respiration?
2A student observes a slide under a microscope and notices cells with a cell wall, a large central vacuole, and chloroplasts. These cells are most likely from which type of organism?
3During photosynthesis, plants convert light energy into chemical energy stored in glucose. Which gas do plants release as a byproduct of this process?
4A Punnett square cross between two parents who are both heterozygous (Tt) for plant height, where T (tall) is dominant over t (short), shows which ratio of tall to short offspring?
5Which of the following best describes the role of DNA in a cell?
6According to natural selection, which individuals in a population are most likely to survive and reproduce?
7The graph below shows the population of rabbits and foxes over time in a meadow ecosystem. When fox populations increase, rabbit populations decrease. This is an example of which ecological relationship?
8A scientist studying genetics finds that a certain trait appears in every generation of a family, affects males and females equally, and is passed from affected parents to approximately half of their children. This pattern is most consistent with which type of inheritance?
9In a food chain: Grass → Grasshopper → Frog → Snake → Hawk. Which organism is the primary producer?
10Which human body system is primarily responsible for filtering waste products from the blood and excreting them as urine?
About the GED Science Exam
The GED Science test is a 90-minute computer-based exam covering approximately 34–40 questions across Life Science (40%), Physical Science (40%), and Earth and Space Science (20%). Questions use multiple-choice and technology-enhanced formats; short-answer items were eliminated in 2018. The exam emphasizes reading and interpreting scientific passages and data, not just memorized facts. A score of 145 or higher (on a 100–200 scale) is required to pass.
Questions
100 scored questions
Time Limit
90 minutes
Passing Score
145 (on a 100–200 scale)
Exam Fee
$36 per subject in most states (varies; some states offer free testing — verify at ged.com) (GED Testing Service (Pearson/GED joint venture))
GED Science Exam Content Outline
Life Science
Cell biology (organelles, mitosis, photosynthesis, cellular respiration), genetics and heredity (Punnett squares, DNA, inheritance patterns, mutations), evolution and natural selection (adaptation, fossil record, molecular evidence), ecosystems and ecology (food webs, energy flow, population dynamics, biomes, symbiosis), and human body systems (circulatory, digestive, nervous, endocrine, immune, excretory, skeletal systems).
Physical Science
Chemistry: atomic structure, periodic table, chemical reactions (balancing, conservation of mass, endothermic/exothermic, reaction rates), acids and bases (pH, neutralization), states of matter, and phase changes. Physics: Newton's laws of motion, forces, net force, acceleration, kinetic and potential energy, conservation of energy, electricity (circuits, conductors, insulators), waves (sound and light, electromagnetic spectrum), and thermodynamics.
Earth and Space Science
Earth's internal structure (crust, mantle, core), plate tectonics (boundary types, earthquakes, volcanoes), rock cycle, geologic time (superposition, radiometric dating), water cycle, atmosphere layers, weather vs. climate, greenhouse effect and climate change, ocean currents, the solar system (planet order, seasons, tides), and stellar evolution (nuclear fusion).
How to Pass the GED Science Exam
What You Need to Know
- Passing score: 145 (on a 100–200 scale)
- Exam length: 100 questions
- Time limit: 90 minutes
- Exam fee: $36 per subject in most states (varies; some states offer free testing — verify at ged.com)
Keys to Passing
- Complete 500+ practice questions
- Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
- Focus on highest-weighted sections
- Use our AI tutor for tough concepts
GED Science Study Tips from Top Performers
Frequently Asked Questions
How many questions are on the GED Science test?
The GED Science test contains approximately 34–40 questions, completed in 90 minutes with no break. Question types include multiple choice, drag-and-drop, fill-in-the-blank, hot spot (click an area), and drop-down — all technology-enhanced formats designed for computer-based testing.
What is the passing score for the GED Science test?
You need a score of 145 or higher on the 100–200 point scale to pass the GED Science test. Scores of 165–174 indicate GED College Ready status, and 175+ indicates GED College Ready + Credit status, potentially earning college credit hours at participating institutions.
Were short-answer questions removed from the GED Science test?
Yes. Short-answer items were removed from the GED Science test in 2018. The current exam uses only technology-enhanced question formats: multiple choice, drag-and-drop, fill-in-the-blank, hot spot, and drop-down questions.
What topics are covered on the GED Science test?
The GED Science test covers three content areas: Life Science (approximately 40%) including cells, genetics, evolution, ecosystems, and human body systems; Physical Science (approximately 40%) including chemistry, physics, motion, energy, and electricity; and Earth and Space Science (approximately 20%) including geology, plate tectonics, weather, climate, and astronomy.
Can I use a calculator on the GED Science test?
Yes. A TI-30XS Multiview calculator is available as an on-screen tool during the GED Science test. Test takers at in-person testing centers may also bring their own TI-30XS calculator. A calculator reference sheet is also provided.
How much does the GED Science test cost?
The standard fee for the GED Science subject test is approximately $36 in most states, though pricing varies significantly by location. Several states, including New York, Illinois, West Virginia, and Connecticut, offer free GED testing. Check ged.com/about-test/price-and-rules.html for your state's current pricing.