The Michigan GED (General Educational Development) diploma is an excellent way to take the next step in your professional or educational career. The GED diploma is treated exactly the same way as a high school diploma by employers and colleges, which will help you take advantage of the many opportunities in life to improve your circumstances. To learn how to earn this beneficial credential, continue reading this guide to the Michigan GED program.
Michigan GED Format
The Michigan GED test follows the standard format created by the American Council on Education. There are five parts based on the mandatory topics studied by high school students. These topics include reading, writing, math, science, and social studies. The test contains 240 multiple choices questions that is broken down as follows:
- Language arts: reading – 40 questions
- Language arts: writing – 50 questions, 1 essay question
- Science – 50 questions
- Social studies – 50 questions
- Math – 50 questions
You will have approximately 7 hours to complete the test, but you may take it over several days. GED testing centers will make reasonable accommodations for people with physical and learning disabilities.
How to Pass the Michigan GED Test
To receive a GED certificate, you must pass the exam with a cumulative score of 2,250 or more. The maximum score you can earn on the test is 4,000. While you need to get an average of 450 on each test, no one test can score below 410 or it will receive a failing grade.
You can retake any portion of the test you did not pass. The specific guidelines for retesting vary between testing centers. However, you may be required to wait 6 months or take a GED prep course before you will be allowed to take all or part of the exam again.
Michigan GED Exam Eligibility Requirements
All candidates must be at least 18 years old to sit for the Michigan GED exam. Sixteen and seventeen year olds may take the test if they have been out of school for at least one year. This requirement may be waived at the discretion of the superintendent and the GED chief examiner based on the teen’s personal circumstances. Permission from a parent or guardian is also required.
Candidates must also be a resident of the school district where the GED credential is being sought or have previously been enrolled in a school in that area.
Registering for the Michigan GED
A state application to take the test is not required. You must go to the individual testing center in your area to obtain information about the exam and to schedule an appointment ( visit www.michigan.gov). You may be required to show photo identification showing proof of age and residency. However, these GED eligibility requirements may change, so it is best to contact the official test site for current information. The fee for the exam and retesting also varies.
Preparing for the Michigan GED
You have many GED preparation options available to you. Community colleges and adult learning centers typically offer GED prep courses that assist applicants with reviewing the information on the test. If you are not able to take a formal class, you can study independently using GED study guides available for purchase from a bookstore or for free from the library. There are numerous online resources that specialize in helping people prepare to take the GED exam. A search on the Internet can uncover many of these websites.