It is a known fact that people with college degrees earn more money in their lifetime than those who didn’t go to college. Before you can enter college, however, you must have a high school diploma. If you weren’t able to graduate high school, you can still gain entry into a good post-secondary school using a high school diploma equivalent called the General Educational Development (GED) degree. Here is information on how to get that certification in Connecticut.
What is the CT GED?
The GED certificate verifies that the person has achieved knowledge and training equal to a high school senior. Although you have probably learned a lot simply by living life, employers and post-secondary schools want to see a piece of paper that certifies you have achieved the minimum level of education required to enter the college or do the job.
To earn a GED certificate, you must pass an exam that touches on five subjects taught in high school: language arts reading, language arts writing, mathematics, science, and social studies. The test takes approximately 7.5 hours to complete and consists mostly of multiple-choice questions. However, you are required to write an essay for the language arts writing portion of the test.
Scoring the Connecticut GED
To pass the GED exam, you must score an average of 450 points per test for a total of 2,250 points out of 4,000. Anything less than 410 points will be given a failing grade and you will need to take that part of the test over to pass the exam. Some people claim that the GED exam is easy. However, only 42% of graduating seniors passed the Connecticut GED in 2002.
If you need to retake parts of or the entire GED test, you must wait four months between attempts. You can retake the test up to three times in one year.
What are the Eligibility Requirements?
To be eligible to take the Connecticut GED, you must meet the following criteria:
- Minimum age of 17 and have been out of school for at least six months
- Connecticut resident
- Not currently enrolled in high school or an equivalent program
- Not a high school graduate or have an equivalent diploma
If you have a diploma from a school that is not accredited, were homeschooled, or obtained an education outside of the country, you are eligible to take the GED test as long as you meet the other requirements.
How do I Register for the GED, and What is the Cost?
The GED exam cannot be taken online; it is only available at official testing facilities. To register for the exam, you must present proper identification, proof of residence, and pay the testing fee. A Connecticut driver’s license, state ID, or learner’s permit can be used to establish identity and residency. If you don’t have any of those things, you can present another valid photo ID in combination with a document like a utility bill that establishes your residency. More information about approved documents can be found on the Connecticut State Department of Education website here: http://www.sde.ct.gov/
Testers who are 17 and 18 years of age must submit documentation that verifies they have been out of school for at least 6 months. In addition to that, 17 year old must submit a withdrawal document signed by their parent or guardian.
The fee is $13 for the Connecticut GED exam and retakes. Veterans and testers under the age of 21 can take this test for free.
How to Prepare for the GED
You have a number of resources at your disposal that can help you prepare for the Connecticut GED exam. You can take a preparatory course at an adult learning center or community college. Another option is to study independently using study guides you can purchase at bookstores or get from the library. There are also several websites that offer online prep courses and practice tests to help you study for the exam.
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