If one of your personal goals is to finish your high school education, then the Pennsylvania GED (General Educational Development) program can assist you with that. A GED certificate is a high school diploma equivalent. With it, you can qualify for higher paying jobs or enter a college degree program. If you are ready to start fulfilling your personal goals, here is more information about the Pennsylvania GED program.
Pennsylvania GED Test Format
The Pennsylvania GED test is fairly straightforward. You will have 7.5 hours to answer 240 questions on five subjects: language arts: reading, language arts: writing, science, social studies, and math. There is also one essay question on the language arts: writing section of the test. While the question is about a general topic, you are expected to write a well-developed essay that showcases your writing skills. For the math test, the testing center will provide you with a calculator to use on the first half of the exam.
All Pennsylvania GED testing centers will provide reasonable accommodations to those with disabilities. The test is available in several formats for the visually impaired (Braille, audio, large print) and two other languages besides English (Spanish, French). Some accommodations require prior approval.
Passing the PA GED Test
Passing the Pennsylvania GED test requires a minimum score of 2250 and all scores on the individual tests must be greater than 410. You will need to retake all or part of the exam if you score below 2250 or you earn less than 410 on one or more subtests. There is currently no waiting period to retest, but you cannot take the GED exam more than three times per year. More information about retesting can be obtained from the Chief Examiner at an official GED testing facility.
Who is Eligible to Take the Pennsylvania GED Test?
To sit for the Pennsylvania GED exam, you must be 18 or older, a resident of the state, not enrolled in an accredited public or private secondary school, and don’t possess a high school diploma or equivalent. People under 18 years old but at least 16 can also sit for the test, but must provide a letter from an employer, college, a branch of the Armed Services, or a state institution requesting your GED scores.
How do I Register for the Test?
There are over 150 testing sites in Pennsylvania. To sit for the GED exam, you must submit an application at a facility along with photo identification, any paperwork relevant to your eligibility, and the testing fee. It costs $50 to $100 to take the full battery of tests and up to $20 per test for retakes. A list of test sites can be found at the Pennsylvania Department of Education website. (visit www.portal.state.pa.us)
How Do I Prepare for the Test?
It is in your best interests to take GED prep classes before sitting for the exam. These classes provide an in-depth review of the information that will be on the test. The main benefit to taking a class is the ability to ask questions and get instant feedback from instructors and other students. However, you must go through the material at the same pace as everyone else. Many adult education centers in Pennsylvania offer these classes for free. They are also available at community colleges and online.
If a prep course doesn’t fit into your schedule or you want to have more control over your education, you can buy GED study guides and review the material independently. This way, you can study when you have time and focus on the topics where your knowledge or skills are the weakest. GED workbooks and practice tests can be purchased from a bookstore or obtained for free from the library.