General Education Development (GED)

According to the California Department of Education:

Taking the General Educational Development (GED) examination provides persons who did not complete high school with an opportunity to earn a high school equivalency certificate. The GED certificate is accepted at community colleges and for employment purposes.

To take the GED a person must be eighteen years old or, under certain circumstances, a seventeen-year-old may qualify. The GED tests measure a students knowledge in five content areas including: language arts, reading; language arts, writing; mathematics; science; and social studies. The tests are given in English, Spanish, and French throughout the United States and in Canada. A High School Equivalency Certificate is issued. For more information on the GED, contact your local adult school, community college, or visit the GED Web site at: http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/gd

MAIN POINTS

·        The GED Test is restricted to persons age 18 or older and may not be administered to any student who is enrolled in a regular traditional high school or alternative school setting.

·        The State of California offers a "High School Equivalency Certificate" upon successful completion of the GED tests.

·        The GED tests are also used by some employers, community colleges, vocational schools, and apprenticeship programs, as evidence that an individual has learned enough to compete successfully with people who have graduated from high school.

·        Rancho-Santiago Community College offers a GED review course through their Continuing Education Program, with preparation materials, books, and sample tests.