If you had to leave school before you could obtain your high school diploma, earning the GED (General Educational Development) diploma could be the key that opens the door to higher wages, a better job, a college degree, and increased self-esteem. If that sounds good to you, read on for more information on how you can earn a GED diploma in Mississippi.
Mississippi GED Format
A GED diploma certifies you have achieved a level of education equal to a senior in high school. The test is based on the subjects high school students are required to pass to earn their diplomas. It is divided into five parts and contains questions on reading, writing, science, social studies, and math. The test format is mainly short passages of information and multiple-choice questions about what you have read. There is one essay question on the writing portion of the exam that serves to test your writing skills. For the math test, you are allowed to use a calculator for the first half of the exam but not the second. You will have about 7.5 hours to complete the entire test.
Passing the Mississippi GED Test
Though you can score a maximum of 4,000, the minimum score required to pass the Mississippi GED exam is 2,250. However, some employers and colleges may require you to pass with a higher score. It is still possible to fail the test even if you get the minimum score. Any individual test score that falls below 410 is an automatic fail, but you will be able to retake those portions of the exam. Mississippi allows candidates to take all or individual portions of GED test up to three times per year.
Who is Eligible to Take the Mississippi GED Exam?
The minimum eligibility requirements to take the Mississippi GED are:
- At least 18 years old
- Not enrolled in school
- Must be a Mississippi resident
- Withdrawn from school for at least 90 days or your freshman high school class has already graduated
Sixteen and seventeen year olds can take the test with restrictions. Information about those restrictions can be obtained from your local GED testing center.
Registering for the Test
To register for the Mississippi GED test, you must submit a notarized application to your local testing facility. Bring photo identification that has your date of birth, address, and signature on it. This will be used to validate your identity. The testing fee must be paid at the time of registration. It costs $75 for the full battery of tests and $15 per test for retakes. ( visit www.colin.edu)
GED Preparation Resources
The Mississippi Adult Education (MAE) offers an online prep course that will help you prepare for the Mississippi GED test. This virtual class allows you to study when it’s convenient for you and each lesson begins and ends with a test to help determine how you are progressing. This course takes about 15 to 40 hours to complete. For more information about this course, visit the MAE website.
An alternative to taking an online prep course are onsite classes available at community colleges in the area. GED study guides are also available from local bookstores. You can use these and online resources to prepare for the test.