All About the GED: Massachusetts
Long respected for its dedication to education, Massachusetts won't let high school dropouts drown in a competitive job market! The GED Exam, a high school diploma equivalent, allows dedicated candidates to improve their futures through a battery of tests! Interested? Read this article to learn more about the MA GED!
As home of the first public high school and the first state ever to pass legislation making school mandatory, Massachusetts has historically taken a leadership role in the education arena and, along with the other states, offers a GED program for the advancement of those unable to complete high school. The General Educational Development (GED) is equivalent to a high school diploma and earned by passing a battery of tests. Generally accepted by colleges and employers as being equal to a traditional diploma, the GED can be your ticket to brighter career prospects or a higher education Here are the facts!
What is the GED?
The Massachusetts GED, like the GED tests offered in other states, is given in five parts reflecting the same subjects traditionally offered in high schools, Reading, Writing, Math, Science and Social Studies. Over a span of about seven hours, students must complete two essays and a plethora of multiple-choice questions. Each section is scored on a 200 to 800 point scale, with each score reflecting a percentile ranking from one to 99. In order to pass, you must earn at least a 410 on each section, with an overall average of at least 450. You may retake the exam (all or part, as needed) up to three times per year if you do not pass the first time. Your higher score always stands, so if you retake the exam and perform poorly, that score will be thrown out.
Am I eligible?
According to the MA DOE, you are eligible to take the tests if you have not graduated from nor are currently enrolled in a high school program. You need to be a Massachusetts resident, and your last secondary school attendance must also have been in Massachusetts. If you are a Job Corps trainee (or participant in a similar program) and have been assigned to a center in Massachusetts, you are eligible to earn a Massachusetts equivalency diploma if you claim Massachusetts residence, or you can choose to have Massachusetts GED test results sent to your home state and have a certificate issued by that state. You can register at the age of 18 with no qualifications. Those who are 16 or 17 years of age must have an 'official letter of withdrawal' on file from the last school attended.
How do I sign up?
You must sign up for the GED by filling out an official application, available through your local testing center. The MA DOE provides a full list of centers on its official website, www.doe.mass.edu. You must have an acceptable means of identification. The cost for your initial battery of tests is $65, and $15 per section for retakes. A $25 fee applies if you fail to show up for a scheduled test.
How do I prepare for the exam?
The GED is not for the faint of heart. Keep in mind that you have seven hours to prove you know as much as those with three to four years of traditional classroom instruction! You must outperform at least 40 percent of graduating seniors, so you've got to be sharp. Preparation is key! Consider classes, home-study workbooks and Internet courses. You may call the Massachusetts Adult Literacy Hotline (1-800-447-8844) to receive information about GED preparation and adult education programs near you.
For more GED information, visit the MA DOE, the American Council of Education, www.acenet.org, www.gedtest.com or Peterson's, www.petersons.com.
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