Many adults who did not complete a high school program of instruction have continued to learn through a variety of experiences encountered in everyday life. The purpose of the GED Testing Program is to provide an opportunity for these individuals to have the learning acquired from such educational experiences evaluated and recognized. The GED Tests make it possible for qualified individuals to earn a high school credential, thus providing opportunities for hundreds of thousands of adults to: pursue a higher education, obtain jobs or job promotions, and/or achieve personal goals.

The General Education Development test, or GED, are an internationally-recognized series of tests involving Language Arts (Reading and Writing), Science, Social Studies, and Mathematics. They have been designed to measure major academic skills and knowledge in core content areas that are learned during four years of high school. When an adult passes the 7 ½ hour GED Tests battery, the resulting GED credential certifies that he or she has attained subject matter knowledge and skills associated with high school completion.

GED FEES

The fee is $100 for the GED exam. Candidates who provide written documentation on institutional letterhead of having received instruction at a local adult school or community college and taken (and passed) official GED practice tests will be charged $90. Re-test fees are $20.00 per test. Candidates who cancel within 72 hours of the test can receive a refund and one opportunity to reschedule. The GED may be taken up to three times in a year.

IDENTIFICATION AND PRE-REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS

GED candidates must present current photo identification issued by the government. The following are acceptable forms of identification: a DMV driver’s license, a DMV identification card, a tribal identification card, a military identification card, or a passport. Candidates must include a clear copy of their identification at the time they pre-register, and they must bring the original on each test date. Since space is limited at all test sessions, candidates must pre-register and pay the fee at least one week before the scheduled exam. Candidates should mail their completed application form, copy of identification, and check or money order to College of the Redwoods’ Academic Support Center at the address above.

AGE REQUIREMENTS

The minimum age for testing is 18, as determined by the California Department of Education. The following circumstances are the only exceptions:

Candidates may take the test 60 days (or fewer) from their 18th birthday or within 60 days of when they would have graduated from high school had they remained in school and followed the usual course of study (you must provide verification from your high school, written on school stationery).

Candidates who are 17 years old but do not meet the requirements above may take the test only if:

They have been out of school for 60 days or more (must be verified in writing on school stationery)
The test is required by the military, a prospective employer, or a post-secondary institution (request must be in writing and on official stationery).

Candidates who are 17 and are incarcerated in a CA state or county correctional facility only if:

They do not have a realistic chance of completing the requirements for a high school diploma.
They have adequate academic skills to successfully complete the GED test battery.
They understand the options available regarding a high school diploma or the high school proficiency certificate and the requirements, expectations, benefits, and limitations of each option.
They have sufficient commitment time left to complete the entire GED test battery; however, if they’re released before the test is completed, they may complete testing at an authorized testing center.

Persons who pass the GED test at age 17 will not receive the equivalency certificate until their 18th birthday. Instead, a letter of intent is issued which states that the certificate is being held pending their 18th birthday.

TESTING ACCOMMODATIONS

Prospective examinees which have a documented disability that could keep them from taking the GED Tests in the way they are usually given may apply to the State of California for special testing accommodations. Please contact College of the Redwoods to obtain the required application form. This process typically takes two months to complete.

Accommodations are available for people with (but not limited to) the following: physical disabilities (such as blindness, low vision, deafness, impaired hearing, or mobility impairments); learning disabilities (such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, receptive aphasia, or written language disorder); attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder; psychological disabilities (such as bipolar disorder or Tourette’s syndrome); and chronic health issues.

Accommodations may include: audiocassette edition; Braille edition; large-print edition (no documentation required); vision-enhancing technologies; use of video equipment for candidates who are deaf or hard-of-hearing in composing the Language Arts, Writing essay; use of a calculator or abacus; certified sign-language interpreter; used of a scribe; extended time; supervised extra breaks; use of a private room; one-on-one testing, as well as other reasonable accommodations as warranted, based on individual needs.

PREPARATION AND PRE-TESTING

Research from the GED Testing Services indicates that GED candidates have a better chance of passing the exam if they are well-prepared for it. Some individuals prepare intensively by taking classes or studying GED preparation books or other materials. Other candidates are comfortable with simply brushing up on a few of the subject areas where they need to practice. Candidates can get help studying for the GED and may be able to take official practice tests at the following agencies:

Eureka Adult School (441-2461)
Employment Training Department, Skills Lab (441-4623)
Northern Humboldt Adult School (839-6460 or 825-2441)
Fortuna Adult School (725-4482)

GED preparation texts and other materials (Kaplan’s, Barron’s, ARCO, among others) are often available at local bookstores. The Official GED Practice Tests can be obtained by calling Steck-Vaughn Company at 1-800-531-5015. Official GED Practice Tests are comparable in content, level of difficulty, and format to the GED Tests. The official GED Testing Service web-site at www.gedtest.orgmay have more information.

GED EXAM

The following five subject tests cover academic knowledge and skills in core areas required in GED testing:

TEST	ITEMS	TIME LIMIT
Day 1
Language Arts, Writing, Part I	50 questions	75 minutes
Language Arts, Writing, Part II	Essay	45 minutes
Mathematics, Part I	25 questions with optional use of a calculator	45 minutes
Mathematics, Part II	25 questions without the use of a calculator	45 minutes
Day 2
Science	50 questions	80 minutes
Social Studies	50 questions	70 minutes
Language Arts, Reading	40 questions	60 minutes

GENERAL HINTS: PREPARING FOR THE TESTS

√ Know (in advance) how to get to College of the Redwoods on time the day of the test.

√ Eat a good meal and get a good night’s sleep before test day.

√ Plan to arrive at the testing center about 20 minutes early to allow for any last-minute changes or delays.

√ Make sure that you have the following items with you on the day of the test:

Photo identification (driver’s license or other type of government-issued ID card)

Receipt of payment (if you haven’t yet turned it in)

√ During the test, you will not be able to keep the following items at your seat: purses, backpacks, or tote bags; pagers or cell phones; portable music players; hand-held electronic games; calculator watches; food or beverage items; textbooks (including dictionaries); notebooks or supplies; jackets, coats, or hats; and any other non-essential items.

√ Find out how many and which tests you are scheduled to take. Ask the time that your testing session will end. Make sure you have transportation available.

TAKING THE TESTS

√ Read all directions and questions carefully and completely to ensure that you understand exactly what you are expected to do to answer each question. In addition, listen very carefully to the directions that the GED Examiner gives you.

√ Pick the single best answer. All multiple-choice questions have five answer choices. There are no “trick” questions. Eliminate the answer choices that you know are wrong and choose the best remaining answer.

√ Follow the test directions for filling in the answer sheet. Mark only one answer space for each question; multiple answers will be scored as incorrect.

√ Answer every question. If you get stuck on a question, move on. Complete the rest of the test and then come back to the questions you skipped. Even if you are unsure, mark an answer choice for every question because you will not be penalized for wrong answers.

√ Always be sure of the time limit and time remaining for the particular test you are taking. Each of the GED Tests has a different time limit. When the test begins, notice when the GED Examiner writes down the time that you must be finished and then carefully allocate the minutes as you work through the questions.

√ If you erase, make sure that you have erased your first answer completely.