Many of us have done things in our youth that we regret when we got older. If not getting your high school diploma is one of them, you don’t have to commiserate over that mistake any more. The New Mexico GED (General Educational Development) diploma is the high school diploma equivalent that can help you earn more money, land a great job, and boost your self esteem. Here are a few frequently asked questions about the New Mexico GED.
New Mexico GED Test Format
The New Mexico GED exam will test your knowledge and skills in five areas: math, reading, social studies, science, and writing. The five-part exam is made up of 240 multiple-choice questions and one essay question. You will have approximately 7 hours and 35 minutes to complete the exam.
Reasonable accommodations are made for people with physical, learning, and psychological disabilities. The test may also be available in French and Spanish as well as large print, Braille, and audio.
New Mexico GED Exam Scoring
You must earn a minimum cumulative score of 2250 to pass the New Mexico GED test. However, New Mexico bases the scores according to how high school seniors did on the GED test. If the majority of high school students earned a 2300 on the exam, then that will be the minimum score you would need to pass. The New Mexico Public Education Department periodically checks the performance of high school students, which means the minimum GED score is subject to change.
Each test is scored individually. If you receive a score of 409 or below on one of the tests, then you must retake that portion of the exam to pass. You may take all or part of the GED exam up to three times in one year.
Eligibility Information
Only residents of New Mexico may take the GED exam. A resident is defined as having an unexpired New Mexico driver’s license for at least 30 days. You must also be 18. Candidates under 18 but at least 16 may take the test as long as they submit an Underage Permission form signed by a parent or guardian. There may be other special conditions. It is best to contact your local GED testing center for more information.
People currently enrolled in an accredited K-12 school or who have already earned a high school diploma or equivalent are not eligible to take the New Mexico GED exam.
Registering to Take the New Mexico GED Test
You can register for the GED exam at a testing center nearest you. A list of testing centers in New Mexico can be found on the New Mexico Department of Education website ( www.ped.state.nm.us). You must bring all required paperwork and two forms of identification. The first ID can be a driver’s license, passport, state ID, military ID, or other government ID that has your picture, date of birth, address, and signature on it. Acceptable forms of ID for the second ID are your social security card, a credit card, or other cards that have your signature on it.
Exam fees must be paid at the time of registration. The full battery of tests costs between $25 and $100 depending on the testing center. Retakes are $7 to 20 per test.
Preparing to Test
A good way to prepare for the GED exam is to take a preparatory course. These courses focus on helping you improve your writing, math, and reading skills so you will do well on the exam. A college or adult education center usually offers these types of courses. You can also find programs online that you can take from the comfort of your home.
Another option is independent study. This can be accomplished by purchasing GED study guides or getting them from the library and reviewing the material in your own time. You can test your knowledge by finding and taking practice tests online.