GED Math Test Calculator-Prohibited Items: Laws of Exponents

Created Feb. 7, 2024 by Mary Mullen

Introduction.  Calculator use is prohibited on the first several questions on the GED math test.  Because these test items occur at the beginning of the test, students may become immediately discouraged by the test if they are not able to answer these questions.  GED Testing Service provides recommendations to test-takers for their calculator-prohibited test items; the following objective addresses one of their 8 recommendations.

Objective.   Apply rules of exponents (8.EE.1) without use of a calculator

Key Words.  Calculator-prohibited; GED math test; exponents; adult education

Tasks.

1.       View three videos on exponents:  Power Times a Power, Power Divided by a Power, and Power Raised to a Power.

2.       Solve a Dinosaur Dig puzzle for practice using laws of exponents 

3.       Master your skills with more practice.  Start with “easy” until you’ve gotten at least 2 correct.  Then move onto “medium” until you’ve gotten at least 3 correct.  Then, you’re ready to practice “random”. 

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