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SUBJECT DESCRIPTIONS
GED tests are developed by committees of educators in each subject area under the direction of the GED Testing Service Staff.
Writing Skills
Test questions are intended to measure a person's ability to use standard written English clearly and effectively. The candidate must identify errors in spelling, capitalization, punctuation, diction and style, and usage; must recognize preferred ways of writing sentences; and analyze the organization and logic of sentences within a passage.
Organization - 15%
Sentence Structure - 30%
Usage - 30%
Mechanics - 25%
Social Studies
Test contains materials drawn from United States and world history, global issues, economics, geography, political science, and the behavioral sciences.. Questions require the candidate to demonstrate an understanding of basic principles and concepts in each area by understanding the meaning and intent of information (written and graphic), applying information and ideas, distinguishing fact from opinion, drawing conclusions, identifying cause and effect relationships, and making judgments about information and methods.
US History - 25%
Geography - 15%
Economics - 20%
Civics & Government - 25%
World History - 15%
Science
Test questions are drawn from the areas of life sciences, earth and space science, and physical science. Reading passages and individual questions test a candidateís understanding of basic principles and ideas. As in Social Studies, most question require using the information presented in the reading passages or question to analyze and solve problems, explain results or interpret given information.
Life Sciences - 45%
Earth & Space Sciences - 20%
Physical Sciences - 35%
Reading
Test questions are based on excerpts taken from newspapers, magazines, literature, poetry and drama. The questions require a candidate to demonstrate an understanding of what is read, interpret the meaning of the passage, and draw conclusions implied but not directly stated by the author.
Literary Text - 75%
Nonfiction Prose - 25%
Mathematics
Test questions cover arithmetic, algebra and geometry. Most questions involve some computation and most use a real-life situation for the problem or ask the candidate to interpret information presented in graphics, charts, tables or diagrams.
Number Sense & Operations - 20-30%
Measurement & Geometry - 20-30%
Data, Statistics & Probability - 20-30%
Algebra Functions & Patterns -20-30%
HOW TESTS ARE SCORED
Each GED test is scored on a scale ranging from 200 to 800. To receive a GED diploma in the United States, a candidate must earn an average score across the five tests of at least 450, with no individual score below 410.
These score requirements ensure that GED candidates are able to read, compute, interpret information and express themselves in writing at the same level of 60% of graduating high school seniors.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
To be eligible for testing, candidate must be 18 years of age or older. Proper identification (photo ID) is required.
Candidates who are 16 or 17 years old are eligible only if they provide a letter from their last school of attendance attesting that they have officially withdrawn from school. This letter must be signed by the school principal or assistant principal only.
Adjudicated youth are eligible on order of the court - even if they are still enrolled in school.
Re-Tests Policy
Retests must be taken in accordance with State GED retests policy only after the completion of all tests. A candidate must retest first on any test on which he or she achieved a score below 410.
Individuals must successfully complete all tests within one year from the date of registration of the first test. After one year, all incomplete or failed scores and fees become invalid. Candidates must then begin the process again.
Special Needs Accommodations
Individuals with documented physical, emotion or special learning disabilities may request special accommodations for GED testing.
Registration payment for the GED tests may be made after final determination has been made regarding a request for accommodation on the GED tests.
REQUIREMENTS FOR A DIPLOMA
To receive a diploma, candidates must achieve a standard score of not less than 410 on each of the five tests, and an average standard score of 450 on all five tests. The total standard score must meet or exceed 2,250.
The application must be a resident of Massachusetts; last attended secondary school in Massachusetts; or proof of continued residence in Massachusetts while on active duty in the US Armed Forces.
Job Corps trainees or participants in similar programs assigned to Centers located in Massachusetts will be issued the equivalency diploma if they are claiming residency in Massachusetts. Otherwise, the transcript of their test scores will be sent to the home state for issuance of the equivalency diploma.
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