If you don’t have a traditional high school diploma, you can still earn an equivalent credential by getting your GED. But what is a GED? What does it stand for? Basically, a GED is a credential that can substitute for a high school diploma. Since most employers (and all colleges) will require you to have graduated from high school, it’s usually a good idea to get a GED if you didn’t complete high school. Doing so helps to ensure that you’ll have access to more opportunities later in life.
In this article, I’ll go through the meaning of GED, the advantages this credential can give you, and how to get it.
What Is a GED? How Is It Different From a High School Diploma?
GED is an acronym that stands for General Educational Development. It’s a test that measures whether students possess the academic skills equivalent to those of graduating high school seniors. People who dropped out of high school initially, but are concerned about their prospects without a diploma, often take the GED Test. The four content areas that comprise the test correspond to the four most prominent core subjects in high school:
- Reasoning Through Language Arts (English)
- Mathematical Reasoning
- Social Studies
- Science
If you pass the test, you will earn a GED certificate. It is technically considered just as valid as a regular high school diploma.
Will You Be Able to Get Into College With a GED?
According to the College Board, 95 percent of U.S. colleges and universities will accept GED graduates who meet their other qualifications for admission. Keep in mind, though, that many colleges require students to submit results from the SAT or ACT in addition to the GED. Community colleges and technical school readily accept the it for admissions. You should also know that college financial aid is just as readily available for students who have earned their GED as it is for traditional high school graduates, depending on your needs.
How Can You Earn Your GED?
You must be at least 16 years old to take the GED Test, and you must not be enrolled in high school. You must pass all four subject tests in the GED battery of tests, which means scoring at least a 145 on each test. A score of 165 on each test is the benchmark for college and career readiness, and you will receive an honors distinction if you reach this score. The four tests take seven and a half hours total and are administered by computer. You don’t have to take them all on the same day, but there are some variations, depending on the test location. Most questions are multiple choice, although there is also a mix of fill-in-the-blank, drag and drop, and select-an-area questions, as well as an essay question on the Reasoning Through Language Arts section.
If you don’t pass a test the first time around, you can retake it as early as the next day. You can sign up for the test through your online account after you register. You have to pay to sign up for the tests, each subject cost $75, for a total of $300 for the four subjects.
How Can You Prepare for the GED Test?
For students in West Africa, Hi-Mark Academy, an authorized representative of GED in the region offers an innovative courseware and tutoring program that helps prepare students for the test. It is a very effective program with high rate of success. The program takes students through a diagnostic pretest, then receive instructions in their weak areas, then take a practice test prior to the actual test. You can call (+1 301 283 1430 or +234 806 685 7856), or register online at https://himarkacademy.com/
According to the information from official GED, most people manage to pass the test and earn their GED certificate or diploma within three months, the Hi-Mark Academy preparatory programs is designed to help you earn your GED in two months. So it doesn’t have to be a super long process!
Should You Get Your GED?
You still may be wondering whether it’s really worth it to get your GED as compared to other options. In comparison to no diploma at all, it’s a good idea to get it. Earning your GED offers a new world of opportunities to you, especially admission to college.