– What is Ged? –
You might wonder, what is a Ged? If you’re thinking of taking it, you probably have a lot of questions regarding the process. Is it important to employers and colleges which one you have? Is there a difference between a GED and a high school diploma? We have all the information you require.
What is Ged?
The GED consists of two parts: the test and the credential. The GED exam includes exams in four areas: math, reasoning through language arts, science, and social studies.
If these topics sound familiar, it’s because it exposed high school students to them on a daily basis in the classroom. In fact, if you’ve completed your junior year of high school, you should be fairly confident in your ability to study for and pass the GED exam.
You will receive your GED credential once you have passed all four exams on the GED test. Even if you did not graduate from a traditional high school, this credential serves as a diploma demonstrating that you have a 12-grade level knowledge base.
What Does Ged Stand for?
The GED was originally an acronym for the Tests of General Educational Development, but since 2011 we have just used the term.
The test is a series of four subject tests that a person can take to demonstrate their academic knowledge from high school.
Because getting its diploma from your state is equivalent to obtaining a high school diploma in the United States, some students choose to take this certification exam if they were unable to complete a traditional high school program.
Benefits of the Program
The GED program is a great substitute for a traditional high school diploma.
Almost all colleges in the United States, as well as many universities outside of the United States, accept GED diploma holders as applicants.
Employers widely accept the GED diploma as an alternative to a high school diploma.
When compared to those who do not have a GED or a high school diploma, the GED program provides a path to more employment opportunities and higher pay.
GED Testing
The GED exam is divided into four sections: math, science, social studies, and language arts.
Each exam assesses a student’s knowledge of topics covered in a typical high school classroom, ranging from history and government to biology and algebra.
Exams are administered on a computer in a GED testing centre. The exams include multiple-choice, short answer, and fill-in-the-blank answer formats.
What’s on the Test?
The test includes four main areas:
‣ Mathematical reasoning (115 minutes to take)
‣ Social studies (70 minutes to take)
‣ Science (90 minutes to take)
‣ Reasoning through language arts (150 minutes to take, includes a 45-minute essay writing portion)
Each test is taken independently and can be scheduled together or separately.
So, what exactly does passing the test entail? The exam isn’t graded like a regular exam. Instead, high school students must take the test every few years. A test taker passes if they perform better than 60% of the high school students who have taken the test.
What is a High School Diploma?
A high school diploma is a traditional diploma awarded after completing all of the requirements of a high school program.
While individual requirements vary by state, students will need to earn credits by taking general education courses such as English, science, and math.
Students must attend school full-time for four years in order to pass their classes and receive their diplomas.
The completion of a high school diploma requires:
‣ High school courses must be taken on a regular basis.
‣ Exams completed successfully
‣ Some students may complete their high school diploma requirements faster than others, but the average route to a diploma takes four years.
Ged vs Diploma
Many people are curious about the differences between a GED and a high school diploma. A high school diploma (or its equivalency credential) is widely regarded as the minimum educational level required for most jobs and admission to postsecondary colleges and/or professional schools.
A high school diploma is typically obtained while attending a public or private school, or while being homeschooled.
The coursework required to earn a high school diploma typically takes four years to complete.
Candidates who want to earn their GED, on the other hand, can prepare in a matter of months. Candidates who are older than the standard high school age can also take the test.
A high school diploma or GED, once obtained, becomes a representation of one’s educational achievements – at least up to that point in time.
As a result, a high school diploma or GED serves as a stepping stone, opening the door to one’s personal and professional future.
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Many people want to know how this test differs from a high school diploma. To compare the two, consider these facts:
‣ The credential is held by over 20 million people.
‣ Every year, over 500,000 people pass the exams.
‣ More than 60% of the test-takers want to continue their education after completing their programs.
‣ The credential is accepted by 98 per cent of colleges and employers.
‣ Their graduates earn about $9,000 more per year than those who do not have a GED or a high school diploma.
‣ Most of their graduates spend far less time studying for their GED than they would have in high school.
‣ The GED credential is currently recognized in 40 states.
GED Test Specifics
In addition to preparing for the test, it is beneficial to have a thorough understanding of the test itself if one wishes to improve their test-taking performance.
Except for an essay in the Social Studies and Reading sections, the questions on the test are multiple choice. In the Science section, there are written answers.
Some states impose time constraints on how quickly all four tests must be completed.
The scores are available approximately 24 hours after the exam.
If a test-taker fails on their first attempt, they are given two retests with no retest restrictions. A two-month waiting period is required if the third attempt does not pass.
Note: The GED Testing Service waives retest fees; however, retest fees vary by state.
Passing the test qualifies the test-taker for federal student aid.
GED Exam Fees
The company that manages the GED testing process, GED Testing Services, charges a fee of $30 per test subject.
The GED Testing Services’ fee includes –
‣ A Personalized GED Score Report
‣ The Test Administration
‣ The Transcripts & Diploma
‣ Free Retakes–up to two per subject exam
‣ Expedited Scoring
GED Scores
Each of the four test subjects is graded on a scale of 100 to 200 points. To obtain your test, you must achieve a score of at least 145 on each of your subject tests.
The testing service also assigns scoring levels for each of the subjects as follows:
‣ A 200 Score–A Perfect Score
‣ A 175–200–College Ready, plus potential for up to ten college credits earned!
‣ A 165+ Score–College Ready
‣ A 145+ Score–Passing Score
Exam Requirements
Each states’ GED exam requirements reference the following factors –
‣ Age–confirm age requirements for the relevant state
‣ Residency–some states require that the test-taker live in the state they wish to take the test
‣ Photo Identification–i.e., a passport or a driver’s license
‣ Preparation Course Completion–confirm the state’s requirements regarding prep courses
‣ Must Not Be Enrolled in High School–some states require students to be out of high school for a pre-determined amount of time.
How to Choose between a GED and a High School Diploma
You can choose whether a GED or high school diploma is right for you with the following steps:
‣ Consider where you are academic.
‣ Take your schedule and other responsibilities into account.
‣ Think of your career goals.
‣ Do your research.
1. Consider where you are Academically
It can be beneficial to reflect on your academic progress up to this point. If you dropped out of high school many years ago, you may not be able to return, making it the better option.
However, if you have already finished a couple of years of high school and are only a few months away from graduation, it may make sense to finish your diploma.
Its preparation can take several months. Depending on where you are in high school, you may be able to finish in the same amount of time.
2. Take your Schedule and other Responsibilities into Account
A high school diploma requires four years of full-time classes with consistent attendance. This schedule is not suitable for everyone.
External factors such as a full-time job, family obligations, or financial concerns can make meeting the requirements for a high school diploma difficult.
Earning a GED requires preparation and study, but students are not required to take multiple classes. Your availability and ability to meet these requirements can help you decide which program is best for you.
3. Think of your Career goals
When deciding whether to get a GED or a high school diploma, it’s also a good idea to think about your career goals.
Some colleges consider this program to be the equivalent of a high school diploma, while others may require an actual diploma.
Consider your career goals as well as the associated academic requirements to help you make a decision.
A high school diploma also provides the opportunity to learn important life skills. Students in high school can learn problem-solving, teamwork, organization, and project management skills.
Each of these skills will transfer to a college program or career, making a person a more competitive candidate.
You can gain similar skills and experiences by volunteering while completing the program.
4. Do your Research
It’s critical to understand the requirements for either a high school diploma or a GED.
Conduct research to gain a better understanding of what is required for each type of degree.
If you want to pursue a specific career or university, reaching out to an admissions office can help you better understand what is required when applying.
You can also look into the minimum education requirements for any career paths you are interested in pursuing.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Can I take the GED Test Online?
I can only take the official online proctored test through GED Testing Service at GED.com.
If you’re getting ready to take the test, the internet has a wealth of resources to help you prepare.
2. How Can you go to a Community College with just a GED?
The majority of community colleges, technical colleges, and junior colleges use “open enrollment” policies, meaning you’re not required to hold a high school or GED diploma to sign up for their courses.
They will require you to be at least 18 of age and you’ll have to fill out an application form.
3. How do GED Classes Work?
To prepare you to take the Exam, classes will typically approach the test from multiple subjects.
Once an overview of the test format is explained, the classes will move on to covering the material that each section of the test contains. You’ll study math, reading, writing, and social studies topics.
4. Which Part of the GED should I take first?
Students will typically focus first on reading as that is the basis of all the things that are on the four tests.
Then again, students that are naturally more inclined toward mathematics often want to start with that subject.
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StudentsandScholarship Team.
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