Testing and Preparation
THE GED TEST
The General Education Development test was developed by the American Council on Education for adults who did not graduate from high school. When you pass the GED test you will receive a certificate from the State of California that is the equivalent of a high school diploma.
AGE REQUIREMENTS
The minimum age in CA to qualify for the test is 18 yrs old with the following exceptions: 17 yr olds who are within 60 days of their 18th birthday or within 60 days of when their class would have graduated from high school had they remained in school and followed the usual course of study toward graduation, or 17 yr olds who can prove they have been out of school for at least 60 days (not counting summer) and have, on official letterhead, a written request from either a) the military b) an employer or c) a post secondary institution stating they would accept them if they had the GED.
WHAT DOES IT CONSIST OF?
The test consists of 5 sections including Writing Skills, Social Studies, Science, Reading Skills, and Mathematics. The questions in each of these sections require you to use general knowledge and thinking skills. Few questions ask about facts, details, or definitions. An important feature of the GED Test is an essay that documents your ability to write and communicate effectively. The rest of the GED is multiple choice with five possible answers given for each question. The questions range in difficulty from easy to hard and cover a wide range of subjects.
The contents of the test are in the table below:
|
Writing Skills
30% sentence structure
30% usage
25% mechanics
15% Organization |
50 multiple choice and one essay |
2 hours |
|
Social Studies
40% history
20% economics
25% civics / government
15% geography |
50 questions |
1 hr 10 min |
|
Science
45% life science
35% physical science
20% earth / space science |
50 questions |
1 hr 20 min |
|
Language Arts / Reading Skills
75% literary texts (poetry, drama, prose, fiction)
25% non-fiction texts |
45 questions |
1 hr 5 min |
SCORES AND TEST RESULTS
Results on each of the 5 sections are given as standard scores ranging from 200 to 800. Higher scores result from correctly answering more test questions. Passing scores must meet two requirements: 1) each must be at least 410 and 2) the total of all 5 sections must be a minimum of 2250 . It takes approximately 7 days after completing the test to receive results online. If you pass the test, approximately 2 weeks later official results will be sent to your home by the State Board of Education, along with your certificate showing that you have passed.
RETESTING
If you fail a section, you can retake each section up to 2 times in a calendar year at a cost of $15.00/section.
IDENTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
You will need a valid CA-DMV Driver's License or CA-DMV Photo Identification Card before you are allowed to begin the test. (Other acceptable forms include U.S. Government issued Military ID, Tribal Gov't. ID, Passport, or Green Card.)
WHEN, WHERE AND HOW?
You must register in advance for your GED Exam at the Adult Basic Education office located in the Central Annex, Room 6 on the east side of the Palm Desert Campus. For more information call, (760) 776-7318. The test is usually given in the Central Annex on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of the month (no testing in August & January) from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., excluding holidays and semester breaks. It takes 3 to 5 days to complete the entire test. Writing skills is given on Tuesdays; Social Studies and Science on Wednesdays; Math and Reading on Thursdays.
COST
The fee for the test is $115.00 payable at time of registration in advance of testing dates at the Adult Basic Education office in Central Annex, Room 6.
PREPARATION
Although it is not required that you study first, if you so desire you may either purchase a GED preparation book in any bookstore or take a class to prepare yourself for the test.
PREP CLASS SCHEDULES
Palm Desert
- 8:00am - 2:50pm, Monday thru Friday
- 5:00pm - 7:50pm, Monday thru Thursday
Indio
- 6:00pm – 8:50pm Monday thru Thursday
TO REGISTER FOR GED PREP CLASSES
If you wish to take preparation classes in Palm Desert, call the Adult Basic Education office at 776-7318 to schedule an appointment with the Program Specialist, Gina Cunningham.
For classes in Indio contact: Norma Cabrera (M-Th 4:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m) at Eastern Valley Center, 44-199 Monroe Street, Indio, California
NOTE: English as a Second Language students are required to complete the level five classes or test out of ESLN Level 5 before taking the GED preparation courses. The actual GED test may be taken at any level, however we recommend that individuals test out of ESLN Level 5 before attempting to take the GED exam.
GED PREP CLASSES AND TEST IN SPANISH
Coachella Valley Adult School and Palm Springs Adult School gives the GED preparation and the GED test in Spanish. You may contact them for further information.
