Carl's GED Guide

Why I made this site
As a GED recipient, I had a special interest in making a site devoted to online learning resources. The internet is full of sites that promise great results for a little cash. Not all of us can afford to spend money on our educations, however, and must make do with what is free. Truly, most of the free resources are just as good as the paid options. What I'll attempt to do here is create a comprehensive list of sites on the internet that can help adults who are actively seeking their GED. In short, I'll attempt to sift through the vast library of sites available to find the best resources on the net for the Math, Reading, Social Studies, Writing, and Science portions of the GED test. This will include sites with general learning tools, and of course free GED practice tests.

About the GED Test and How it Works
No, while a clever idea, the GED is not a Good Enough Diploma, it's a General Educational Development certification. This certification comes from the American Council on Education. The GED is accepted nationally in America as a certificate stating you have achieved a level of education similar to that of a High School graduate.

You can't get one if you already have a High School Diploma, and you can't get a Diploma once you have a GED, but for most intents and purposes they are the same. The main difference to me is that it seems High School graduates would have an easier time making it into bigger Universities. Kids, don't take this to mean you should drop out, however, as you never know if the GED might be more difficult for you than just finishing High School!

The GED Test consists of the following:

  • Language Arts: Writing: This test consists of two parts and features both a multiple choice section and essay that, scored independently, combine to create your score. You'll need to have decent skills with punctuation and rewording sentences to improve them. The essay can be a challenge because of the random topic, but keep in mind that what you write doesn't have to be true!
  • Social Studies: This test will cover a bit of world history, charts, graphs, and maps. Most of the time strong reading comprehension will get you through, but a knowledge of charts and graphs and how to interpret the data within them is important.
  • Math: consists of two parts, with a total of fifty questions. In one half you get to use a calculator (provided), in the other it's forbidden. There can be several fill-in questions on this test but the problems usually aren't very difficult if you've covered your bases. This is probably the subject that causes people the most problems.
  • Science: Tests some basic knowledge of Science, nothing too difficult. Most of the questions can be answered by analyzing the context. It's more about the application of science, than anyting.
  • Language Arts: Reading: This test will challenge your reading comprehension. It will provide many passages to read, with questions pertaining to the text, such as identifying the main idea.

  • Scoring: To pass the GED test you require a 410 in any given subject out of 800 possible points. You'll also need an overall average of 450. As long as you can meet those requirements, your GED will be every bit as powerful as that of someone who scored 800s in every subject.

    Why get your GED?
    Quite simply, why not? Most states offer free prep for the test. Some states (like Ohio) allow you to get your ged free of charge. Earning your GED can be a very positive experience. Students who finish the GED exam are likely to have more options for employment, have more self-respect, and fewer regrets about past decisions. Many students who dropped out didn't take school seriously as teens. Some even had family health issues, or even deaths in the family that forced them to quit school. I was the uncaring teen. I said to myself that I'd finish my high school education by earning my GED after I dropped out. I didn't have a compelling excuse to quit, I just did it. I'm not alone out there, however. I've met dozens of people who didn't have a solid reason, but made up for the mistake of dropping out by returning to school to get their GED.

    While GED recipients make less than High School graduates on average, they have much better prospects than those who never attempt to finish the GED. If you get your GED and move on to college, you can likely overcome any disadvantage you once had. If you have a Bachelor's Degree, who's going to care if you dropped out? You've proven yourself by making it through College! If you're uninterested in college, you'll still need a GED to make it into trade schools.

    Why now?
    If you've previously started a test and only failed a subject or two, now is the time to get in there and finish the GED. Why? Here's a quote from the official ACE (American Council on Education) website:

    The specifications for the GED Tests are assessed at regular intervals to certify that content reflects current curricular and academic standards for high school graduates across the United States and Canada. As expectations and standards change for high school students, GED Testing Service aligns the Tests with these same expectations and standards. The new 2012 Series GED Tests will reflect current curricular and academic standards for high school graduates.

    All GED examinees should be advised that scores earned on the current 2002 series or previous tests will not be able to be combined with those earned on the new 2012 Series GED Tests. By December 31, 2011, examinees must have taken and earned minimum scores on all five content area tests [Language Arts, Reading; Language Arts, Writing; Social Studies; Science; and Mathematics] and earned the minimum total score on the 2002 series, or they will need to take the entire 2012 Series test battery.
    This means if you've passed any subject, in 2012 you will lose your high scores and be forced to take the entire battery again. This also implies to me that the GED test will be more difficult beginning in 2012!

    Where to start: Does your state give out free GEDs?
    The best resource for taking the GED test is to go to your local adult basic education center. Most communities have some form of testing and instruction center that can aid them in preparing for the GED test. This is your best option because going to a testing center, taking the official GED pre-tests, and completing their program will give you the necessary knowledge to pass the test. The teachers at these centers are usually very kind, and find it fulfilling to help adults improve their lives. Education centers often have resources such as computers, worksheets, adult-focused workbooks, and classrooms with teachers. Students who primarily speak a non-english language can even find help! The staff will also be able to help people with certain disabilities.

  • To find a GED Testing center near you, Enter your Zip code into the Official American Council on Education Website.

    Programs differ in different areas. The search there also doesn't list several sites in my community, which deliver testers to the main testing center where I live. You can likely expect similar. Look for a program that's fairly close so that you will be more likely to come to class! You should ask the site what hours of class they offer, and if you can earn the ged free from them or the state. Many programs will have night classes that can accomodate working people. I know it's hard to make it to school when you're already working hard all day, but if you try, and persevere, it will be over before you know it.

    What to Avoid - only pay for a ged from your state, and be wary of "free" fake geds on the internet
    Some elect to pay for the test without ever visiting an adult basic education program, which specializes in helping students get their GED. This can be a bad idea for several reasons. Unless you're a genius or you just recently dropped out, and were doing well in your classes, you're probably rusty in one or more subjects that are on the test. If you fail the GED test, you will have to go through a waiting period before you can attempt it again. This wait can be very long, even up to six months. Imagine how disappointed you'd be if you dropped $50 on a test, failed it, and were told you couldn't try again for 6 months.

    I have even seen people asking, "Where can I buy a fake GED?" Honestly! Talk about a terrible idea. Imagine landing a job with a fake GED and getting a house, car or anything else that you have to pay for over the long term. A short time down the road someone might actually decide to look into your education, and before you know it you're unemployed and the repo man is there to take your car. Earn your GED like all the other honest folks out there, and you'll never have to worry. A fake GED will never even get you into a community college because often these require transcripts of the GED to be mailed directly from the state office.

    Closing Statements
    If you were sitting on the fence waiting for the time, I hope I've convinced you it's now. Look up your local GED program and start working! Take the tests they offer you to check your education level, because the results can be a powerful tool in discovering what you need to be studying. When you know, come back and look to the individual subject pages here to find good sites to use while you're away from the classroom!