GED® Math Formula Sheet: What You Get and What You Still Need to Know
The GED® gives you a formula sheet during the math test, but it does not cover everything. See what is on it, what is missing, and how to practice with it.
Good news for anyone dreading GED® math: you do not have to memorize a page of formulas. GED®.com states that you will be given a formula sheet in the test center and on the screen during the test. The catch is that the sheet is shorter than many students expect, and having a formula in front of you is not the same as knowing when and how to use it.
What Is on the GED® Math Formula Sheet
The current official sheet on GED®.com is grouped into five areas. The exact wording and layout can be updated, so download the latest version from GED®.com and keep it beside you while you practice.
| Category | What it includes |
|---|---|
| Area | Square, rectangle, parallelogram, triangle, trapezoid, circle |
| Perimeter and circumference | Square, rectangle, triangle, and circle circumference |
| Surface area and volume | Rectangular prism, right prism, cylinder, pyramid, cone, sphere |
| Data | Mean and median |
| Algebra | Slope, slope-intercept form, point-slope form, standard form of a quadratic, quadratic formula, Pythagorean theorem, simple interest, distance, total cost |
The official test guide describes the sheet as available during the entire math test, covering geometry formulas, algebraic equations, and statistical measures.
What Is Not on the Sheet
This is where students lose points. The sheet does not include a probability formula, a percent change formula, unit conversions, or an exponential growth formula. It also has no permutation or combination formulas, and no standard deviation formula.
That matters because the GED® Mathematical Reasoning test is not limited to what the sheet lists. According to the official assessment guide, about 45 percent of the test covers quantitative problem solving and about 55 percent covers algebraic problem solving. The quantitative side includes ratios, percents, scale factors, data interpretation, and probability. None of those topics can be answered by copying from the sheet.
Three Formulas Students Misuse
The quadratic formula. The sheet gives x = (-b ± √(b² - 4ac)) / 2a for an equation written as ax² + bx + c = 0. The most common error is using the wrong signs for a, b, and c. Take x² - 5x + 6 = 0. Here a = 1, b = -5, and c = 6. The part under the root is (-5)² - 4(1)(6) = 25 - 24 = 1. So x = (5 ± 1) / 2, which gives x = 3 or x = 2.
Simple interest. The sheet gives I = Prt, where I is interest, P is principal, r is the rate, and t is time. The rate must be written as a decimal, and time must match the rate's unit. For 2,000 dollars at 3 percent per year for 4 years, I = 2,000 × 0.03 × 4 = 240 dollars.
Distance. The sheet gives d = rt. If a question gives distance and speed and asks for time, rearrange it to t = d / r. A trip of 150 miles at 50 miles per hour takes 150 / 50 = 3 hours.
Skills the Sheet Will Not Give You
- Percent change. Subtract the old value from the new value, divide by the old value, then multiply by 100. From 40 to 50 is (50 - 40) / 40 = 0.25, or 25 percent.
- Probability. Know that probability is the number of favorable outcomes divided by the number of possible outcomes when outcomes are equally likely.
- Unit conversions. The sheet does not list them, so practice common conversions until they feel routine.
- Estimating and checking. Ask whether an answer is reasonable before you move on.
How to Practice With the Formula Sheet
- Practice with the sheet open. Get used to finding what you need quickly, so the real test does not feel like a search.
- Name the formula before you calculate. Write down which formula applies and why. Many mistakes come from choosing the wrong tool, not from arithmetic.
- Label every variable. Write what each number represents, including units, before substituting.
- Rework missed questions. Solve the problem again without looking at the explanation, then check your steps.
- Practice by hand first. GED®.com provides an on-screen scientific calculator (the TI-30XS MultiView) for most math items, but some questions may not allow it. Confirm the current rules for your test date, and keep your basic arithmetic sharp.
If word problems are where you struggle, our guide to GED® math word problems: a 4-step method shows how to turn a paragraph into an equation. To see how math fits into your overall target, read our post on the GED® passing score.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to memorize formulas for the GED® math test?
No. GED®.com states that a formula sheet is provided in the test center and on screen during the test.
Is the formula sheet the same for every attempt?
The sheet is an official GED® Testing Service document and it can be revised. Check GED®.com for the current version before you test.
Are there formulas the test expects me to know that are not on the sheet?
Yes. Topics such as percent change, probability, and unit conversions are not on the sheet, so you need to learn them.
Can I use a calculator on GED® math?
An on-screen TI-30XS MultiView scientific calculator is provided for most items. Check GED®.com for the current rules, because some questions do not allow it.
How can I practice with the formula sheet?
Keep it open during every practice session on Bridge to Exam. The lessons, worked examples, and practice questions with full explanations are free, and the math calculator and geometry toolkit are available while you study.
Start With the Sheet Today
Download the official formula sheet, then pick one topic you avoid, such as quadratics or percent change. Work three problems using the sheet, check your steps, and repeat tomorrow. Knowing where the sheet ends is worth as many points as knowing what is on it.
Sources: GED® Testing Service Mathematics Formula Sheet, Mathematical Reasoning page, and Assessment Guide for Educators: Mathematical Reasoning at GED®.com. GED® is a registered trademark of the American Council on Education and is used here for identification only.