The Gateway Credential
An academic exploration of the GED tests, their historical context, administrative intricacies, and societal implications for adult learners.
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Overview
A High School Equivalency
The General Educational Development (GED) tests represent a suite of four academic subject examinations administered in the United States and its territories. These assessments are designed to certify an individual's academic knowledge as equivalent to that typically acquired through a high school diploma. It serves as a vital alternative for individuals who did not complete traditional high school or meet its graduation requirements, offering them the opportunity to earn a Certificate of High School Equivalency or a similarly titled credential.
Institutional Framework
The GED program was initiated in 1942 by the American Council on Education (ACE), which continues to hold the trademark for "GED." The GED Testing Service operates as a joint venture with ACE, while Pearson serves as the sole developer of the GED test content. The tests measure proficiency across key academic domains: science, mathematics, social studies, reading, and writing, reflecting a comprehensive assessment of secondary-level education.
Global Reach & Alternatives
While widely recognized as the "GED" in most of the United States and internationally, some states have adopted alternative high school equivalency examinations, such as the HiSET and the Test Assessing Secondary Completion (TASC), the latter of which was discontinued in December 2021. The GED tests are available in English and Spanish in several states (e.g., California, Colorado, Illinois, New Jersey, New York, Florida, Nevada, Texas) and are also offered to incarcerated individuals, those on military bases, and internationally through Pearson VUE testing centers. Notably, Utah offers an Adult High School Completion program as an alternative pathway to a diploma.
History
Wartime Origins
The genesis of the GED tests dates back to November 1942, when the United States Armed Forces Institute commissioned the American Council on Education (ACE) to devise a standardized battery of tests. The primary objective was to assess high school-level academic competencies among military personnel and veterans. This initiative provided a crucial pathway for returning soldiers and sailors to acquire the necessary academic credentials for civilian employment and access to post-secondary education or training, acknowledging their service and non-traditional educational paths.
Evolution Through Revisions
The GED tests have undergone several significant revisions to maintain relevance with evolving educational standards:
- 1988 Revision: Introduced a writing sample (essay) and placed greater emphasis on socially relevant topics and problem-solving skills. This revision coincided with a shift in test-taker motivations, with 65% reporting intentions for higher education, compared to 30% seeking improved employment.
- 2002 Revision: Updated the test content to align with more contemporary high school education standards.
- 2014 Revision (Fifth): Marked a transition to a proprietary computer-based testing platform (Pearson VUE). This version retained four core content areasโlanguage arts, mathematics, science, and social studiesโbut redesigned the content to measure foundational knowledge and skills essential for "career and college readiness." This revision applied to the United States and internationally, though Canada continued to use the 2002 version until its recent discontinuation.
Canada's Transition
A notable development in the GED's history occurred on May 3, 2024, when the General Education Development (GED) high school equivalency program was officially discontinued in Canada. It has since been replaced by the new Canadian Adult Education Credential (CAEC), signifying a shift in national adult education policy and provision.
Administration
Testing Centers
The GED tests are administered through an extensive network of over 6,000 official GED Testing Centers across the United States and its territories, with several hundred additional centers located in other countries. These centers are typically situated within established adult-education facilities, community colleges, and public schools, providing accessible locations for test-takers. In metropolitan areas, individuals often have the flexibility to choose from multiple testing sites.
Controlled Environment
Official GED Testing Centers operate as controlled environments, ensuring the integrity and security of the examination process. All testing sessions, whether in-person or online, adhere to stringent rules and security protocols. While breaks may be permitted between individual tests within a session, specific restrictions are often in place regarding items test-takers may bring into the examination room. To mitigate cheating, approximately three to six different GED test forms are in circulation at any given time, all meticulously calibrated to maintain a consistent level of difficulty, characteristic of standardized assessments.
Online Testing Nuances
Since January 2020, the GED test has also been available for online administration, offering increased flexibility. However, it is crucial for prospective test-takers to be aware that certain states, including Florida, Hawaii, Iowa, New York, Maine, Massachusetts, West Virginia, and Wyoming, do not officially recognize the GED credential earned through online testing. This jurisdictional variation underscores the importance of verifying local policies prior to selecting an online testing modality.
Eligibility
General Requirements
According to the overarching policy of the GED Testing Service, individuals are generally eligible to participate in the program if they are at least 16 years of age and are not currently enrolled in a traditional high school program. This foundational criterion aims to provide an educational pathway for those who have disengaged from or completed their formal secondary schooling outside of the conventional system.
State-Specific Variations
While the GED Testing Service sets general guidelines, the specific regulations governing eligibility can vary significantly by state or jurisdiction. Many states, for instance, mandate that candidates be at least 17 years old and demonstrate residency within that state. For students under the age of 17, some states may impose additional requirements, such as necessitating a letter of parental consent and a letter of consent from the student's local school district, ensuring appropriate oversight for younger test-takers.
International Context
Beyond the United States, the GED program extends its reach to various international locations. For example, in South Africa and Namibia, students who have reached at least 17 years of age are deemed eligible to take the GED tests, reflecting a broader application of this equivalency credential in different educational landscapes.
Cost
United States Fees
The financial outlay for taking the GED test in the United States is subject to state-level variations. As of 2014, costs ranged from approximately $45 in Maryland to being entirely free in New York. However, the typical fee structure generally involves a charge of $120 for the complete battery of four tests, or $30 for each individual subject test when taken separately. These fees contribute to the administration and development of the examination.
Online and Global Pricing
For individuals opting for the online GED test, an additional fee is typically applied, often around $6 per test. For test-takers situated outside of the United States, the cost per individual test is generally set at $80. These pricing models reflect the logistical and administrative considerations associated with delivering the examination across diverse platforms and international borders.
Canadian Fee Structure (Historical)
Prior to its discontinuation in May 2024, the GED testing in Canada also exhibited a varied cost structure across its provinces and territories. Testing was provided free of charge in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and the Northwest Territories. In other regions, prices ranged from $6 per test in Newfoundland and Labrador to $40 per test in Alberta, illustrating a spectrum of provincial funding and policy decisions regarding adult education assessments.
Support
Accommodations for Disabilities
Individuals with documented disabilities who wish to take the GED test are entitled to receive reasonable testing accommodations. This policy ensures equitable access to the examination process. To initiate a request for accommodations, candidates must obtain the appropriate form from a GED Testing Center and provide documentation from a qualified professional detailing their disability.
Specific Request Forms
The GED Testing Service provides specialized forms tailored to different categories of disabilities, streamlining the accommodation request process:
- Physical/Chronic Health Disability: For conditions such as blindness, low vision, hearing impairment, and mobility impairment.
- Learning/Cognitive Disability: For conditions like dyslexia, dyscalculia, receptive aphasia, and written-language disorder.
- Emotional/Mental Health Disorder: For conditions including bipolar disorder, Tourette's syndrome, and schizophrenia.
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder: For inattentive, hyperactive-impulse, or combined types.
Approved Accommodations
Each request for accommodations is evaluated on an individual basis. If approved, the local GED testing examiner facilitates the testing session with the specified accommodations, provided at no additional charge to the candidate. These accommodations are designed to minimize barriers and may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Scores
Scoring & Standards
Each of the four tests within the GED battery is scored on a scale ranging from a minimum of 100 to a maximum of 200. Achieving a score of 200 on an individual test places a student within the top 1% of graduating high school seniors, indicating exceptional proficiency. The American Council on Education (ACE) provides recommendations for minimum passing scores: currently, 145 for any given sub-test, and a total score of 580 for the entire battery (an average of 145 per test). While most GED-issuing jurisdictions adopt these standards, some may establish higher criteria for the issuance of the Certificate of High School Equivalency, and many offer honors-level diplomas for superior performance.
Pass Rates & College Admissions
The overall pass rate for all GED test-takers approaches 60%. For context, a representative sample of graduating high school seniors taking the GED test each year reveals that approximately 30% would fail it. While many government institutions and universities generally regard the GED credential as equivalent to a high school diploma for program eligibility and admissions, some institutions may impose specific minimum score requirements. For instance, Arizona State University reportedly requires an average sub-test score of 500 in addition to the certificate, a figure that appears to contradict the stated 100-200 individual test score range, suggesting a potential difference in scoring interpretation or scale for college admissions purposes.
Retakes & Validity
Should a student pass one or more, but not all four, tests within the battery, they are only required to retake the specific tests they did not pass. Most jurisdictions implement limits on the number of times an individual test can be retaken within a year and may impose waiting periods between attempts. It is also important to note that tests must be completed by an expiration date, which is typically set for every two years on the last day of the year. Furthermore, the U.S. military maintains higher admission requirements for GED test-takers compared to those with traditional high school diplomas, reflecting a nuanced approach to credential evaluation.
Impact
Employability Outcomes
Research indicates that obtaining a GED certification alone, without subsequent post-secondary education or specialized training, does not confer the same level of employment advantage as a traditional high school diploma. Individuals who earn the GED credential tend to achieve higher earnings than high school dropouts but generally earn less than those who graduate from high school. This suggests that while the GED provides a foundational credential, it often serves as a stepping stone rather than a terminal qualification for significant economic advancement.
Economic Opportunities Analysis
A seminal 1993 study by economist James Heckman explored the economic impact of the GED credential. His findings suggested that the observed differences in economic outcomes between GED graduates, high school dropouts, and high school graduates are primarily attributable to pre-existing differences in the characteristics and backgrounds of the GED test-takers. When controlling for these other influential factors, Heckman found no conclusive evidence that, for the average individual, the GED test credential inherently improves economic opportunities beyond those available to other high school dropouts. This highlights the complex interplay of individual attributes and educational credentials in shaping career trajectories.
Debate
Calls for Abolition
The GED program has faced calls for its abolition from various critics. Proponents of abolition argue that the program inadvertently contributes to a reduction in traditional high school graduation rates, as some students may opt for the GED as an "easier way out." Furthermore, concerns have been raised that the GED, in its current form, may be outmoded and that the associated testing fees can impose a significant financial burden on low-income participants, potentially creating barriers rather than pathways to educational attainment.
Canadian Replacement
Reflecting a broader re-evaluation of high school equivalency programs, Canada officially discontinued the General Education Development (GED) program on May 3, 2024. This decision led to its replacement with the new Canadian Adult Education Credential (CAEC). This transition underscores a national effort to modernize adult education credentials and potentially address some of the criticisms leveled against the traditional GED model, aiming for a more relevant and accessible pathway for adult learners in Canada.
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References
References
- "International GEDรยฎ Testing", Retrieved February 19, 2013.
- "Can I take the test online?", [yes the test can be taken online], Retrieved April 10, 2018.
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Disclaimer
Important Notice
This page was generated by an Artificial Intelligence and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. The content is based on a snapshot of publicly available data from Wikipedia and may not be entirely accurate, complete, or up-to-date.
This is not professional educational or career advice. The information provided on this website is not a substitute for professional guidance from educational counselors, career advisors, or official GED Testing Service resources. Always refer to official documentation and consult with qualified professionals for specific educational planning, career decisions, or questions regarding GED eligibility and requirements. Never disregard professional advice because of something you have read on this website.
The creators of this page are not responsible for any errors or omissions, or for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.