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Take a look at the "Changes” Chart.  When you read through the changes, you will see that primarily we have three major changes.
 

1. The new test will have more graphics and photographs.  This means that teachers will need to focus on increasing students’ visual processing skills.  What does that mean?  Teachers will need to incorporate more graphics, including maps, charts, tables, political cartoons, advertisements and photographs.  Everyday we use our visual processing skills such as when we open the newspaper and read the classifieds or when we look at weather maps and charts.  Teachers need to ensure that students understand how to use these everyday items on the test, but more importantly in their own lives.

 
2. The second major change is a greater emphasis on actual content, especially when working with U.S. and world history.  For years, GED teachers have focused on teaching reading in the content area.  Now they will need to shift to the actual curriculum content of history, civics and government.  That's not all!  Teachers will need copies of the U.S. Constitution, Declaration of Independence and other major U.S. documents in their classrooms.  Students can’t answer questions about these documents if they have had little or no exposure to them.

 
3. Finally, there will be a need for practical documents in the classroom.  Teachers should have items such as a local voters’ guide, tax forms, etc. to use in working with students.  Notice that once again the GED 2002 is shifting toward more practical, real-life material.