GED Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the GED?
- What are the basic GED testing requirements?
- What 5 subject areas does the GED cover?
- What is the GED Testing Schedule?
- What do the GED Scores Mean?
- What happens after I pass the GED?
- What Accommodations for disabilities are offered?
What is the GED?
The test of General Educational Development (GED) is the State of Alaska's high school equivalency diploma and is an option for adults who have not previously graduated from high school. Adult Learning Programs is the designated GED testing center for Interior Alaska.
The internationally recognized GED test measures core academic skills and knowledge in five content areas normally taught during four years of high school. When a candidate passes the GED test battery, the resulting GED diploma certifies that he or she has attained the same level of knowledge and skills associated with high school completion.
What are the basic GED testing requirements?
GED testing is available on a regularly scheduled basis. Candidates who want to take the GED test must meet the following requirements:
- Be at least 16 years old
- Not be enrolled in school
- Complete the GED process, which includes registration, orientation, the TABE assessment, and the Official Practice Tests
- Show a picture I.D. with birth date and current address at test time
- Show proof of social security number
- Students under 18 years old must submit an official withdrawal from the last Alaskan school attended AND written permission from a parent or legal guardian (or show proof of emancipation) prior to testing
- Please contact Adult Learning Programs of Alaska for more details on these requirements.
What 5 subject areas does the GED cover?
The GED test consists of five sections:
| Language Arts: Writing | 50 questions, 1 Essay | 2 hours |
| Language Arts: Reading | 40 questions | 1 hour & 5 minutes |
| Science | 50 questions | 1 hour & 20 minutes |
| Social Studies | 50 questions | 1 hour & 10 minutes |
| Math, Part I (Calculator Allowed) Math, Part II (Calculator Not Allowed) |
25 questions each part | 1 hour & 30 minutes total for both sections |
What is the GED Testing Schedule?
GED candidates must complete all steps of the GED process and be approved for testing before taking the GED test. Please see:
About the testing sessions:
GED testing candidates need to sign up for a specific GED test session by 5:00 pm the day before that session is scheduled.
On the day of testing, GED candidates need to arrive 15 - 30 minutes early to ensure that all registration paperwork is complete. Those arriving late will not be allowed to enter the testing room.
The GED test consists of five sections: Writing, Math, Reading, Science, and Social Studies. Only certain sections of the test will be given on a specific testing day. To complete the GED test, a candidate will have to attend at least two separate testing sessions.
Identification and other forms required at the time of testing:
GED candidates must present two forms of identification prior to the testing session:
A current driver's license or state ID (which includes name, address, date of birth, signature, and photograph) AND A Social Security card or other proof of the candidates' Social Security Number.
Other valid identification forms may be substituted if approved and presented before the day of testing.
Please note: Prior to beginning the GED process, students under 18 years old must submit an official withdrawal form from the last Alaskan school attended and written permission from a parent or legal guardian (or show proof of emancipation).
Testing costs: There is a $25 fee (cash or money order) for taking the GED test. This is due at the initial time of testing. If a candidate later needs to retake a specific section of the test, an additional $5 retesting fee will be charged for each section retaken.
For more information about GED testing, contact Adult Learning Programs' GED Chief Examiner.
What do the GED Scores Mean?
The GED test is standardized using a national sample of graduating high school seniors. This sampling establishes the performance standard required for candidates to earn a GED Diploma. The passing scores required of candidates are set so that they are comparable to the performance of these graduating seniors.
Results of each of the five GED section tests are given as "Standard Scores" ranging from 200 to 800 and "Percentile Ranks" ranging from 1 to 99.
Standard Scores on all five GED section tests range from 200 to 800. A score of 500 represents the average performance of graduating high school seniors. The minimum standard score required to earn a GED diploma is set so that approximately 40 percent of graduating high school seniors would not pass the GED test.
Percentile ranks on the five GED section tests are used to compare an individual's scores to those of a nationally representative sample of graduating high school seniors. A percentile rank is the percentage of graduating high school seniors who earned a certain standard score. For example, an examinee whose standard score has a percentile rank of 30 has done as well as or better than 30 percent of graduating high school seniors.
PASSING SCORES: Examinees must earn a total battery score of 2250 minimum points to pass. This means that the Standard Scores from each of the five section tests must add up to 2250 points. In addition, no single test score may be below 410 points.
Any Standard Score below 410 points is a failing score, and that section test must be re-taken in order to pass the GED test.
What happens after I pass the GED?
For examinees who have passed the GED test, a diploma will be mailed to the address provided on the Demographics form for GED testing. Diplomas are issued by the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development and will be mailed approximately one - two weeks after the candidate has been notified of his/her passing status.
Adult Learning Programs of Alaska sponsors a yearly graduation ceremony in the Spring for all GED graduates. For information on GED Graduation or other special GED events call 452-6434, ext. 228.
What Accommodations for disabilities are offered?
Accommodations Process
Upon approval, accommodations can be made for adults with a documented disability who are not able to take the GED Test under standard conditions. Accommodations are available for people with (but not limited to) the following:
- Physical disabilities (such as blindness, low vision, deafness, impaired hearing, or mobility impairments)
- Learning disabilities (such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, receptive aphasia, or written language disorder)
- Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder
- Psychological disabilities (such as bipolar disorder or Tourette's syndrome)
- Chronic health issues
Editions
Nonstandard Editions and accommodations, which require prior approval from the GED Administrator and/or GEDTS, may include:
- Audiocassette edition
- Braille edition
- Large-print edition (no documentation needed)
Accommodations
- Extended Time
- Private Room
- Frequent Breaks
- Interpreter
- Scribe
- Calculator
How to get assistance with accommodations: If you have a disability that can be documented by a qualified professional, ask Adult Learning Programs' GED Examiner for one of the following forms or download them using the links provided below.
The GED Examiner will tell you what you need to do to complete the form. Return the completed form with documentation of your disability to the examiner. Each request is considered on an individual basis. If the accommodations are approved, the GED Examiner will arrange with you to conduct the testing with the approved accommodations. There will be no additional cost for accommodations.
If you think you have a disability, but you do not have documentation, first contact Alaska's Vocational Rehabilitation Office at 451-6261. The office is located at 751 Old Richardson Highway Suite 102 in Fairbanks. The National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC), at 1-800-346-2742, also may be able to help.