Information on a GED in Texas
GED stands for General Equivalency Diploma. A GED is an alternate certificate that allows someone who did not finish high school to achieve standard education requirements before going on to continuing education programs such as college or trade school. It is accepted by most colleges and universities in lieu of a regular high school diploma as well as by most employers where a high school diploma is required. Texas has specific requirements for obtaining a GED.
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Eligibility
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Any Texas resident who is 18 years old or older and who is not a high school graduate is eligible to take the GED exam. In some cases, minors aged 16 and 17 are also eligible to take the GED with a parent's permission. Additionally, prospective recipients cannot currently be attending school and must be withdrawn from school for at least six months prior to taking the exam.
Registration and Fees
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Those wishing to take the GED exam must register by the deadline set forth by the local testing center. A testing fee is required to take the exam and is generally about $100. This fee is nonrefundable, whether you pass or fail. In the event that you fail the GED exam, a reduced retesting fee will be assessed. Retesting fees are normally around $20. A valid state-issued form of identification is required at the time of registration, as is proof of Texas residency.
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Exam Preparation
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Classroom instruction time is not a requirement for testing for the GED. You can take the test at any time that it is offered in your area. However, most people feel that they need to "brush up" or review some of the material they may have forgotten. Most cities offering the GED test offer preparation courses covering material that may be required for the exam. Additionally, most libraries have GED practice materials available free of charge for those who would like to study on their own.
Test Subjects and Scores
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The GED exam in Texas covers five subjects: Language arts in writing, language arts in reading, mathematics (which is broken into two parts), science and social studies. Calculators are allowed for one portion of the mathematics exam. Testers are given seven and a half hours to complete the test. Scores can reach a maximum of 800 on each subject section. The minimum required on each section is 410, and the total minimum required for all subject sections is 2050 out of a possible 4000.
Certificate
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Most testing sites hold ceremonies periodically in which GED testers who passed the exam are awarded their certificates in a manner similar to a high school graduation. Most of these ceremonies are small, intimate affairs that recognize the testers' accomplishments. Alternately, testers can simply receive their certificate via postal mail.
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References
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