GED Exam - Considerations for Choosing a Program

A General Educational Development or GED Exam provides individuals who are at least sixteen years of age the opportunity to earn a certificate that is considered the equivalent of a high school diploma. There are five areas of focus for these exams that include writing, social studies, science, math and reading. They are scheduled to take approximately seven hours to complete. Although it could conceivably be completed in a single day, most testing centers administer the test over a three-day period. Morning or evening hours are often the options for test times. There are official test centers in every state, as well as in Canada.

For members of the military, or families located overseas, there are more than 100 international testing centers. The majority of the GED exam is multiple-choice and each section takes one to two hours to complete. The writing section is a combination of multiple-choice and essays. For most people, taking the test once is nerve wracking enough. Going back and taking it a second time will be more stressful. This is an intense, time-consuming exam and it is important to properly prepare. There are many types of study guides and material available, from books and CD’s to interactive programs available online.

The program you choose to help you prepare for the GED exam should be focused on the five areas addressed and be formatted in a way that is easy for you to understand. Some of the online programs are self-study. This means that once you have enrolled, the materials are made available to you and can be completed at your own speed. There are online practice tests available to give you an idea of how you would score if you were taking the actual test. Most people choose to take these at least once. If the score is below passing or borderline, more studying and preparation may be required.

Although a passing score may be 410 in some states, others require it to be somewhat higher. The American Council on Education site or your state’s Department of Education site can provide the information about scores and testing locations in your area. Although the practice tests can be taken online, the actual GED exam must be administered in person. Your scores are sent via postal service within a month after the test is taken. If an online program promises you a fast, easy degree and certificate exam that can be completed online, read the fine print. You will not be earning an authentic, certified GED diploma.