In today’s global marketplace, education is more important than ever when it comes to competing effectively for jobs and other opportunities. Adults who did not have the chance to complete high school can earn the GED (General Educational Development) diploma which will provide access to the same opportunities that a high school diploma would. Read this short guide to the Minnesota GED to learn how you can earn this education credential.
Minnesota GED Test Format
The Minnesota GED test is based on the education all high school students receive. There are five major sections that contain questions on the following subjects: science, math, social studies, reading, and writing. The test is timed and you will have approximately 7 hours to complete the exam. There are 240 multiple-choice questions and 1 essay question.
The majority of the test requires to you read short passages and then answer questions about what you have read. You will need to write an essay as part of the writing exam that will test your writing skills. The math test is broken into two parts also. You will be given a calculator to do the first math exam, but the calculator will be taken away when you start the second. The GED exam is challenging with only 30 percent of candidates passing on the first try.
What it Takes to Pass the Minnesota GED
The five major tests are worth up to 800 points apiece. To earn your GED diploma, your collective score must be 2,250 or above. This averages out to 450 per test. Any test that earns below 410 will receive a failing grade and you will need to take it over again. You must take all five tests at least once before you will be allowed to retest any portion.
The State of Minnesota allows candidates to take the GED test up to three times per year. If you don’t get the score you need after three tries, you must wait until January of the following year before you can make another attempt.
Minnesota GED Eligibility Requirements
To take the Minnesota GED exam, you must be a Minnesota resident at least 19 years of age. Underage candidates at least 16 years old may take the test if they have an age waiver. You cannot be currently enrolled in a K-12 school and must have been officially withdrawn from school for at least 12 consecutive months. Alternatively, you can sit for the test if you have applied to college or the U.S. Armed services and these institutions provide you with a written request for your GED test scores.
Registering for the Minnesota GED
Testing for the Minnesota GED can only be done at an official testing facility. To register for the test, you must first submit an application. Bring valid government-issued identification, a social security card, and proof of residency as well as other documentation related to your eligibility to sit for the exam. The maximum charge for the GED test is $120 for all five exams and up to $25 to retest individual parts. (visit www.education.state.mn.us)
Minnesota GED Test Preparation
Minnesota residents who want to improve their chances of successfully passing the GED exam can find help in a number of places. Several Adult Basic Education programs offer free GED prep classes. The major benefit to using this resource is the class will administer the official GED practice test to determine the candidate’s educational needs. You can also study on your own by purchasing GED study guides or getting them from the library. Unofficial Minnesota GED practice tests can be found online.