Did you know that people with a high school diploma make more money in their lifetimes than people who don’t? If you are tired of settling for minimum wage jobs with no opportunities for advancement, then you should give some serious thought to earning your GED (General Educational Development) certificate. A Texas GED diploma can help you get into a great post-secondary school or qualify for a better paying job. Here is information about the Texas GED program.
Texas GED Test Format
The GED program is administered by the Texas Education Agency. They use the standard GED form produced by the American Council on Education. The test is formatted into five sections with each part based on a specific subject taught in high school: reading, writing, science, social studies, and math.
The writing portion of the test is split into two parts. The first part consists of 50 multiple-choice questions and the second part is an essay question. The essay question doesn’t require any specialized knowledge to answer because the purpose is to test your writing skills.
The math portion of the test is also a two-part exam. A calculator will be provided to you for the first 25 questions, but will be taken away when you start the second part. Bring plenty of scratch paper with you to use during the test.
The test takes about 7.5 hours to complete, but is usually administered over several days. Reasonable accommodations will be made for people with disabilities.
Passing the Texas GED Exam
Each test is can earn a maximum score of 200 to 800. To pass the exam, you must earn a minimum average score of 450 (2250 cumulatively). Any test falling below 410 will need to taken again. Additionally, you will need to take part or the entire test over if you do not achieve the minimum collective score.
In Texas, you can take the GED exam up to 3 times per year. If you fail all or part of the exam, you must wait 6 months before you can retest. This waiting period may be waived if you obtain a Retest Letter from a private GED tutor or program instructor who is Texas certified.
Who is Eligible to Take the Texas GED?
You must meet the following requirements to take the Texas GED exam:
- Have a government (national or foreign) issued photo ID;
- Be 18 years of age
- Be a resident of Texas
- Not enrolled in an accredited high school or a high school graduate
Teens who are 17 years old can sit for the GED test if they have permission from a parent or guardian. Only 16 year olds under court order, in the care of a state agency, or in a Job Corps training program can sit for the test.
Texas GED Registration Information
To register for the exam, submit an application and supplementary paperwork to a Texas GED center. You will need to present government-issued identification showing your name, birth date, photo, and signature. Your social security card and proof of residency may also be required. The fee for taking the Texas GED varies between testing centers, but is no more than $100 for all five tests. (visit www.tea.state.tx.us)
How Do I Prepare for the Texas GED?
To prepare for the GED exam, you can:
- Take a GED prep course at a community college or adult learning center
- Take an online or distance learning GED prep class
- Obtain GED study guides from the library or your local bookstore and study on your own
The best option for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences. Self-motivated people with limited time may do better with independent study options. If you need the structure of a classroom environment, then taking a GED prep course is probably the best option for you.