GED Information




	GED INFORMATION The GED (General Educational Development) examination is a series of five tests which is nationally recognized as a high school equivalency. A student who passes the GED receives a high school equivalency certificate from the Vermont Department of Education. How can I find out more about the GED? You may contact Central Vermont Adult Basic Education, Inc. (CVABE), the program which provides adult education and literacy services throughout Washington, Lamoille and Orange Counties. Over the years, thousands of CVABE students have completed and passes all sections of the GED Examination and have been certified as secondary-school equivalent by the Vermont Department of Education. CVABE offers the following: As many as eight GED testing dates a month for individuals seeking the high school equivalency credential Free GED practice tests to help determine readiness for taking the Official GED Examination Confidential one-on-one tutorials or small class instruction to prepare for passing the GED. CVABE teachers and volunteers help students develop the skills and strategies needed to successfully pass each section of the GED. GED Testing Facts Anyone 16 years of age or older, not currently enrolled in school, and without a high school diploma may take the GED tests. Young adults 16 or 17 years of age must have parental or guardian permission to take the GED tests. A photo identification card (such as a driver’s licence) is required to take the GED tests. You must register in advance for all testing sessions that you wish to attend by calling the Barre, Morrisville, Bradford or Randolph CVABE offices (phone numbers in the Locations section). To ensure quality service to everyone, walk-ins are not admitted to testing sessions. Each of the five GED tests costs $12.00 (a total of $60.00 for the total examination). Payment is required at the time a test is given, unless other arrangements have been made in advance (for billing to a third party, for instance). Payment must be by cash or check. Students are given approximately seven hours to complete all the GED tests. The tests may be taken in any order, but the test-taker is generally advised not to take all the tests at once. The CVABE testing schedule allows a student to complete the entire examination (all five tests) in four testing sessions, plus an initial session at CVABE for completing the required paperwork and becoming familar with the operation of the scientific calculator used on half of the math test. The Writing Test covers sentence structure, usage , and mechanics. The test also includes an essay on a provided topic. The Social Studies Test contains reading and questions drawn from United States history, economics, geography, civics/government, and work history. Students are asked to use basic principles, explain meanings, draw conclusions, and identify causes and effects. Some of the questions may test the student’s ability to find information contained in graphs, charts, and maps. The Science Test covers life sciences, earth and space, chemistry, and physics. The student is tested on basic principles and ideas. Some of the questions may test the student’s ability to find information contained in graphs, charts, and maps. The Reading Test requires students to read passages from sources such as newspapers, magazines, prose literature, poetry, nonfiction, and drama. The test measures the student’s ability to comprehend, apply, and analyze literary sections. The Mathematics Test involves arithmetic, algebra, geometry, and statistics. Questions may ask the student to interpret charts, graphs, tables, or diagrams. The use of calculators, slide rules, or other mechanical aids is not permitted on half the test, the use of a scientific calculator (which is supplied) is needed on the other half. To gass the GED examination, one must score a minimum of 2,250 points; this requires an average score of at least 450 on each test. The minimum passing score for an individual test is 410, (out of a possible total of 800). If the score obtained is lower than 410, the test must be retaken. A test can be retaken up to three times in one year. A $12.00 fee is charged for each test repeated. For people with disabilities, the GED tests are available in Braille, in large print version, and on audio-cassettes. Accommodations for disabilities must be requested well in advance of the desired testing date, since approval by the Vermont Department of Education is required. Upon successful completion of the five GED tests, the student will receive a high school equivalency certificate from the Vermont Department of Education. What are the benefits of the GED? The GED certificate gives adults the opportunity to continue their education. Vermont state colleges have open admission for high school graduates, and accept the GED as equivalent to the high school diploma. More than 90% of colleges and universities in the United States accept GED graduates who meet their other qualifications for admission. The GED certificate may help you obtain a job. 96% of employers accept the GED certificate as equivalent to a high school diploma. GED graduates say that they have feelings of increased self-esteem and self-confidence. It is never too late to get your GED. Please contact the CVABE Learning Center nearest you for more information.