If you left high school without graduating, the GED Tests provide
a way for you to earn your GED high school diploma. Getting
your GED diploma can make a big difference in your ability to
get and keep a job or to qualify for further education.
What is the GED?
The GED (General Educational Development) testing program
offers you an opportunity to earn a GED high school diploma.
The GED Tests ask questions about subjects covered in high
school.
The GED Tests (2002 series) measure knowledge in five different
areas: language arts, writing; social studies; science; language
arts, reading; and mathematics.
Who is eligible to take the GED Tests?
If you left high school without graduating and your high
school class has graduated, you are probably eligible to take
the GED Tests.
If you are at least 19.
Persons 19 years of age and older must:
- Submit a completed application
- Not have graduated from high school or already earned the
NYS High School Equivalency Diploma.
- Be a resident of New York State for at least one month prior
to the day of testing.
- Wait two months before retest ing and take a different form
of the test each time.
If you are 17 or 18.
Persons 17 and 18 years of age must meet all of the above conditions
and, in addition, must meet one of the following requirements:
- Be enrolled in an approved Alternative High School Equivalency
Preparation Program or
- Not have attended a regular, full-time high school for one
full year or more and have written verification from the school
last attended showing the last date of attendance, dismissal,
or discharge. This documentation must be submitted with the
GED Exam Application or
- Be a member of a class that has already graduated and have
written verification of that fact or
- Be accepted into the U.S. mili tary OR -Be accepted into
college or
- Be a resident in a hospital or treatment facility or detention
facility or
- Be a member of the Job Corps
How do I apply to take the test?
Go to the NY State Education Department listings of New York
test centers (http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/workforce/ged/testingschedules.html)
and follow the instructions there for mailing in your application.
In New York City, you can also go to a public library to
pick up an application, or you can call the Literacy Referral
Hotline at 212.803.3333 to request an application.
If you wish to locate the names and locations of all adult
education centers and specific instructional programs within
a specific radius of where you live, visit America’s
Literacy Directory at http://www.literacydirectory.org/
Simply enter your ZIP code to receive a customized listing
of nearby programs and locations. The U.S. government also
operates a toll-free information number through NIFL at (800)
828-8133.
When is the test given? GED examinations are given at various
times throughout the city.
Go to the NY State Education Department for the test schedule.
(http://www.emsc.nysed.gov/workforce/ged/testingschedules.html)
What should I bring to the test?
On the days of the test, you must bring:
Your Admission Notice if you applied by mail.
Two proofs of identity.
- One must be a picture identification with your signature:
driver’s license, passport, military identification,
or a non-driver’s ID card issued
through any NYS Department of Motor Vehicles Office.
- The second proof can be a library card, credit card, birth
certificate, social security card, etc.
If you are not able to present positive proof of your identity,
you will not be admitted to take the tests.
Two No. 2 pencils. A ballpoint pen.
Do not bring calculators, arithmetic tables, rulers, cell
phones, pagers, “Walkman,” or computers of any
kind. The calculator you must use on one section of the math
test will be provided to you at the test center.
Where can I get help in preparing to take the test?
Call the LAC’s Literacy Referral Hotline: from New
York City, 212.803.3333 from NY State outside NYC, 888.683.
READ (toll-free)
The Hotline staff will give you information about a program
in your neighborhood with classes to help you prepare to take
the exam. Or you can go to the LAC’s online Adult Education
Locator (http://aelweb.lacnyc.org/)
to search for a program in your neighborhood.
Can I use the Internet to prepare for the GED Tests?
There’s really no substitute for a class in person
with a teacher who can help you with your particular needs.
Also, most online GED preparation courses charge a fee. If
you need just a little brush-up in only one or two areas of
the test, you might benefit from Free GED Resources (http://www.citelearning.com/GED/index.html)
or PBS Literacy Links (http://litlink.ket.org/).
What’s Next?
From GED to a College Graduate If your reason for taking
the GED Tests is to go on to college or postsecondary training,
you aren’t alone. Passing the GED Tests, with an average
score of 500, for instance, puts you in the upper half (top
50 percent) in terms of class rank and lets colleges know
that you have the skills and knowledge equivalent to applicants
from traditional high schools. You may still be required to
take additional tests, such as the ACT or the SAT, to qualify
for admittance. In addition, the college or university of
your choice may ask you to undergo further counseling and
testing as part of the admissions process. You should contact
the school’s admissions office to find out what requirements
they have.
