General Educational Development

The General Educational Development (GED) tests are a group of four subject tests which, when passed, provide certification that the test taker has United States or Canadian high school-level academic skills. It is an alternative to the US high school diploma, as is HiSET. The GED Testing Service website currently does not refer to the test as anything but "GED".[1]

Logo of the GED Testing Service, the only authorized provider of the GED test

The American Council on Education (ACE), in Washington, D.C. (U.S.), which owns the GED trademark, coined the initialism to identify "tests of general equivalency development" that measure proficiency in science, mathematics, social studies, reading, and writing. Passing the GED test gives those who do not complete high school, or who do not meet requirements for high school diploma, the opportunity to earn their high school equivalency credential, also called a high school equivalency development or general equivalency diploma. It is called the GED in the majority of the United States,[2][3] Canada, or internationally.[4] In 2014, some states in the United States switched from GED to the HiSET and TASC.[5]

The GED Testing Service is a joint venture of the American Council on Education. Pearson is the sole developer for the GED test. The test is taken on a computer and in person. States and jurisdictions award a Certificate of High School Equivalency or similarly titled credential to persons who meet the passing score requirements.[6]

In addition to English, the GED tests are available in Spanish and in French in Canada, large print, audio, and braille.[7] Tests and test preparation are also offered to persons incarcerated and on military bases in addition to more traditional settings. Individuals living outside the United States, Canada, or U.S. territories may be eligible to take the GED tests through Pearson Vue testing centers.[8] Utah's Adult High School Completion program has been used as an alternative for individuals who opt to earn a diploma.

History
GED diploma with instructions, Pennsylvania, 1972

In November 1942, the United States Armed Forces Institute asked the American Council on Education (ACE) to develop a battery of tests to measure high school-level academic skills.[9] These tests gave military personnel and veterans who had enrolled in the military before completing high school a way to demonstrate their knowledge. Passing these tests gave returning soldiers and sailors the academic credentials they needed to get civilian jobs and gain access to post-secondary education or training.

ACE revised the GED tests for a third time in 1988.[9] The most noticeable change to the series was the addition of a writing sample, or essay. The new tests placed more emphasis on socially relevant topics and problem-solving skills. Surveys of test-takers found that more students (65%) reported taking the test with the intention of continuing their education beyond high school, rather than to get better employment (30%).[9]

A fourth revision was made in 2002 to make the test comply with more recent standards for high-school education.[9]

A fifth revision was released on January 2, 2014,[10] to be delivered on Pearson VUE, a proprietary computer-based testing platform. The new test applies to the United States and internationally, but not to Canada, which continues to use the 2002 version. It retained four content areas but with different content—language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies—that "measure a foundational core of knowledge and skills that are essential for career and college readiness."[10]

Test administration

There are more than 3,200 Official GED Testing Centers in the United States and increasingly in Canada, as well as around the world. Testing centers are most often in adult-education centers, community colleges, and public schools. Students in metropolitan areas may be able to choose from several testing locations.

Official GED Testing Centers are controlled environments. All testing sessions take place either in person or online according to very specific rules, and security measures are enforced. Breaks may be permitted between tests, depending on how many tests are being administered in a session. There may be restrictions on what test-takers may bring into the testing room.[11][12]

There are approximately three to six GED test forms in circulation at any time. This measure helps catch test-takers who may be cheating. As with any standardized test, the various test forms are calibrated to the same level of difficulty.

Eligibility

Regulations governing eligibility to take the GED vary by state. According to GED Testing Service policy, students at least 16 years old and not enrolled in high school are eligible for the program.[13][14] However, many states require the candidate to be 17 years of age and a resident of the state. Some states which allow students under 17 years of age to take the test require a letter of parental consent and a letter of consent from the student's school district. In South Africa and Namibia, students at least 17 years old are eligible for the program.

Cost

The cost of the GED test for test-takers varies depending on the state. As of 2014, costs can be as low as $45 as is the case in Maryland, or free, as in New York, but the typical fees are $120 for all four tests, or $30 for each of the four subject tests. Testing online has an additional fee, typically $6 per test.[15][16] The cost of each test outside of the US is $80 each.

Students with disabilities

Disabled persons who want to take the GED test may be entitled to receive reasonable testing accommodations.[17] If a qualified professional has documented the disability, the candidate should get the appropriate form from the Testing Center:

The candidate returns the completed form to the GED testing center. Each request is considered individually. If accommodations are approved, the local GED testing examiner will conduct the testing with the approved accommodations, which are provided at no extra charge. Accommodations may include, but are not limited to:

  • Audio cassette tests
  • Braille or large-print tests
  • Vision-enhancing technologies
  • Use of video equipment
  • Use of a talking calculator or abacus
  • Use of a sign language interpreter
  • Use of a scribe (a person who writes down the test-taker's answers)
  • Extended testing time

Passing the GED testing battery

Possible scores on an individual test within the GED battery range from a minimum of 100 to a maximum of 200.[18] A score of 200 on an individual test puts the student in the top 1% of graduating high school seniors. ACE issues recommendations for what constitutes a minimum passing score for any given sub-test (currently 145) and for the test as a whole (currently 580—i.e., an average of 145 per test across all four sub-tests). Although most GED-issuing jurisdictions (for the most part, Boards of Education of U.S. states) adopt these minimum standards as their own, a jurisdiction may establish higher standards for issuance of the certificate if it chooses. Many jurisdictions award honors-level equivalency diplomas to students meeting certain criteria higher than those for a standard diploma in a given jurisdiction.[19] Some districts hold graduation ceremonies for GED tests passers and/or award scholarships to the highest scorers.

Colleges admit that grades based upon high school may require a minimum score on the GED test for admittance based upon the test. For example, Arizona State University requires an average sub-test score of 500 in addition to the certificate.[20]

If a student passes one or more, but not all four tests within the battery, he or she only needs to retake the test(s) not passed. Most places limit the number of times students may take each individual test within a year. A student may encounter a waiting period before being allowed to retake a failed test. Tests must be completed by the expiration date, which is generally every two years on the last day of the year.

The GED test is available in many countries around the world. Since 2015, the GED test has become popular in African countries including South Africa and Namibia.

Many government institutions and universities regard the GED test credential as the same as a high school diploma with respect to program eligibility and as a prerequisite for admissions. The U.S. military, however, has explicitly higher requirements in admissions for GED test takers to compensate for their lack of a traditional high school diploma.[21] The test is administered to a representative sample of graduating high-school seniors each year, about 30% of whom fail the test. That only 70% of these students pass the test may show that it is harder than commonly believed.[22]

Effects on employability

The GED certification itself (i.e., without further post-secondary education or training) does not create the same labor market opportunities available to traditional high school graduates.[23] While people who have earned the GED test credential tend to earn more than dropouts and less than high school graduates, economist James Heckman has found that this is primarily due to existing differences in the characteristics and backgrounds of GED test graduates. When controlling for other influences, he finds no evidence that, for the average taker, the GED test credential improves an individual's economic opportunities above those for other dropouts.[23]

Some say overall, there is a certain level of stigma for GED certification holders that affects employability or pursuit of higher education.[24][25]

Calls for abolition

There are calls for the GED to be abolished. Those who support abolishing the GED say the program reduces high school graduation rates,[26] is outmoded, and a financial burden for low-income participants.[27]

See also
  • HiSET
  • TASC
  • CHSPE, a similar California standardized test aimed at high school students
  • HSED, a credential issued in Wisconsin that utilizes two additional testing batteries
  • Adult high school

References
  1. "GED®: Get Your GED - Classes, Online Practice Test, Study Guides, More". GED.
  2. "Iowa is the Fifth State to Choose ETS's HiSET". Archived from the original on 2014-03-11. Retrieved 2019-02-04.
  3. "Information about ESOL and Basic Education for Adults in New York City". Information about ESOL and Basic Education for Adults in New York City.
  4. "GED®: Get Your GED - Classes, Online Practice Test, Study Guides, More". GED.
  5. "What is TASC and HiSET". GED Board. Archived from the original on February 27, 2015.
  6. "What is the GED® Test". Archived from the original on 2013-03-28. Retrieved 2019-02-04.
  7. "Special Test Editions" Archived 2013-03-28 at the Wayback Machine, Retrieved February 19, 2013.
  8. "International GED® Testing", Retrieved February 19, 2013.
  9. "History of the GED® test". GED Testing Service. GED Testing Service LLC. 2015. Archived from the original on 2013-02-09. Retrieved February 19, 2013.
  10. "The new assessment is a stepping-stone to a brighter future". GED Testing Service. GED Testing Service LLC. Archived from the original on October 23, 2013. Retrieved October 22, 2013.
  11. "Can I take the test online?", [yes the test can be taken online], Retrieved April 10, 2018.
  12. "Introducing the Official Online GED Test". June 8, 2020. Retrieved September 7, 2021.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  13. "MyGED FAQs". GED Testing Service. Archived from the original on 2016-04-28. Retrieved 21 April 2016.
  14. "High School Equivalency (GED-HiSET-TASC)". MyCareerTools. Archived from the original on 2016-09-15. Retrieved 21 April 2016.
  15. "2014 Maryland". GED Testing Service. GED Testing Service LLC. 2015. Retrieved August 7, 2016. Due to a State subsidy, the GED® test in Maryland is $11.25 per module and $45.00 for the entire battery of four tests
  16. "Programs and Services: FAQs". GED Testing Service. GED Testing Service LLC. 2015. Retrieved August 7, 2016. The cost of the 2014 GED® test will remain at $120 per test battery administration….
  17. "Accommodations - GED".
  18. "GED®: Get Your GED - Classes, Online Practice Test, Study Guides, More". GED.
  19. "What Is an Honors GED?". Everyday Life - Global Post. Retrieved 2016-03-19.
  20. "Testing Services - Mesa Community College". mesacc.edu.
  21. "Joining the Army". Archived from the original on April 13, 2004. Retrieved September 15, 2009.
  22. Martz, Geoff. "Cracking the GED: 2002 Edition" (2001). pg 7. New York: Princeton Review Publishing, L.L.C. ISBN 0-375-76193-4
  23. Cameron, Stephen V and James J. Heckman (1993). "The Nonequivalence of High School Equivalents" (PDF). Journal of Labor Economics. 11 (1): 1–47. doi:10.1086/298316. S2CID 154901876.
  24. Chandler, Michael Alison (31 January 2015). "Should GED lead to a diploma? District considers changing policy to help outcomes". The Washington Post. Retrieved 16 January 2018. ...Advocates say that offering the students a diploma, as Maryland and 12 other states do, would wipe clean a stigma that makes it harder for GED graduates to get a job or pursue higher education.
  25. Chen, Michelle (5 May 2014). "The GED Is Getting Tougher for Students Who Need it Most". The Nation. Retrieved 16 January 2018. The GED carries a stigma of mediocrity and may put people at a disadvantage when competing for jobs against full-fledged high school graduates.
  26. Heckman, James J.; LaFontaine, Paul A.; Rodriguez, Pedro L. (2008). "Taking The Easy Way Out: How The GED Testing Program Induces Students To Drop Out". Journal of Labor Economics. 30 (3): 495–520. CiteSeerX 10.1.1.378.8881. doi:10.1086/664924. PMC 3950965. PMID 24634564.
  27. Schlueter, John (10 June 2015). "To Get More College-Ready Students, Drop the GED". The Chronicle of Higher Education. Retrieved 16 January 2018.

Further reading
  • Shankar Vedantam (13 May 2019). "What's Not On The Test: The Overlooked Factors That Determine Success" (Audio Podcast with Transcript). NPR.
  • GED Technical Manual, 2nd Edition. (1998). Washington, DC: GED Testing Service of the American Council on Education.
  • Northcutt, Ellen et al. Steck-Vaughn Complete GED Preparation (2002). Austin: Steck-Vaughn Company. ISBN 0-7398-2837-1
  • Rockowitz, Murray et al. Barron's How to Prepare for the GED High School Equivalency Exam (2004). New York: Barron's Educational Series, Inc. ISBN 0-7641-2603-2
  • Mitchell, Robert. McGraw-Hill's GED: Science (2003). New York: The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. ISBN 0-07-140704-9
  • Larry Elowitz et al. GED Success: 2003 (2003). Lawrenceville, New Jersey: Peterson's. ISBN 0-7689-0906-6
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