Program Information
Critical Things You Need to Know about the GED
Read time: 5 minutes
For adults who were unable to complete high school through the traditional route, the General Education Development, also known as the GED, is an option offered in the US. It’s considered to be the equivalent of a high school diploma and satisfies the requirement for a high school diploma at many colleges, universities and companies who are hiring.
If you’re an adult who studied ahead or had to drop out because of life issues, you might be considering getting a GED in lieu of a high school diploma. However, before you make the decision, you should be aware of these four things.
1. Passing the GED Might Be Harder Than You Think
It’s not easier to get a GED than your high school diploma. It has become harder for people to pass the GED test, especially after it was redesigned in 2014. To pass the GED, you need to know the same information that you would have learned in high school and most of the time, people are doing it without help.
The time it takes can vary depending on where you live, how much preparation you need before taking the exam, and how consistent you are at studying for the exam. For most, it can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months.
“Students who drop out of high school and get a GED are half as likely to graduate with a Bachelor’s degree as compared with students who earn a high school diploma.”
— Mark Kantrowitz —
2. Passing Doesn’t Necessarily Mean You Are College-Ready.
A passing score on the GED test is 145, but 165 is considered by most colleges to be a “college-ready” score. If you get less than a 145, it is likely that you will need to take remedial courses before you will be ready to take college-level courses. The more remedial classes you take in college, the longer and more expensive it will be. Statistically, only about 1 in 10 GED holders go on to earn a college degree.
It takes a lot of motivation and discipline to study for and get your GED. It is also a good idea to take the GED practice test. Once you know what level you are at, you will need to create a study plan. Then you need to study regularly, just like you would in high school. Once you are ready, you will need to pay for and make arrangements to take the GED test in-person or online. The GED is an option but not an easy way out of high school.
3. It Will Cost You
The GED exam can cost up to $160. It depends on your state, but most charge around the same. GED.com offers a “graduate package” that includes resources and materials to help you study and pass the test. This package costs about $200 but assumes that you will be self-motivated enough to read through all the materials, develop your study plan, take the time to regularly read and study the materials, and then take the test when ready.
For those that need help, GED.com offers GED+™, which they market as “Everything you need to earn your GED”. This is a premium service that costs over $100 per subject. If you decide to subscribe to the GED+™service, it will cost $476 to get this support for all four subjects, in addition to the cost of the exam.
4. You Might Be Too Young
There are many states that have a GED program. However, if you’re under 18, you might not be allowed to take the GED test. This is important to know because if you’re 15-16 and decide you want to drop out of the school to take the GED, this approach may not be possible. Some states that do provide a GED option to 16 and 17 year olds have additional requirements that they must meet.
We hope this information provides you with some additional considerations when deciding to go the GED route. The truth is, if at all possible, we recommend that you stay in school. We know that life happens and people or circumstances might prevent you from being successful in school, but it is more challenging to finish later on.
Ready to Get Started?
Find out how Smart Schools can help you accomplish your goal with free tutoring, academic advising, and flexible learning options. You can achieve your dreams and build a brighter future with the proper support.
Sources
GED vs HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA | Should I drop out of high school in 2020?
GED Passing Rates Rise, But Fewer Students Take Exam After Redesign