Jim Mackey

Understanding the GED Exam

To earn your GED, you'll need to commit some time and effort to learning the material well enough to pass the tests. But, it's an investment that can pay dividends for the rest of your life.

In 1942, there was a dramatic need for education amongst soldiers in the Armed Forces. At the time, millions of young people were enlisting to fight in World War II. However, they were doing so before they had earned their high school diplomas. That problem prompted the military to ask the American Council on Education to create a series of tests that could be used by those who had enlisted to show they had the necessary academic skills to get jobs outside the military. The tests became known as the General Educational Development program or GED.

What Is The Purpose Of The GED?

When people began to enlist in the Armed Forces in the 1940's, the military recognized a growing problem amongst soldiers' eligibility for civilian jobs. Without a high school diploma, soldiers returning home were often denied jobs. The GED was created to measure and demonstrate these soldiers' grasp of subjects taught in high school. Today, millions of adults who lack a high school diploma earn their GED to prepare them for the workplace and help them compete for jobs.

How Do You Pass The GED?

The GED tests a person's understanding of five fundamental subjects: math, social studies, reading, writing and science. Each test is graded individually with a score from 200 to 800. In order to pass any of the five tests, a person must score at least 410. However, to actually earn their GED, an average score of 450 across all five tests is required. If a person fails to pass one or more of the five tests, they need only to retake the tests they failed to earn their GED.

What Is The Best Way To Study For The Test?

One of the best ways to study for the GED is to take classes specially designed to prepare students for the test. You can often find these classes at a community college or high school in your area. That said, many people find it difficult to attend these classes. Often, they have jobs or families that create a scheduling conflict. If you have this issue, your best alternative is to purchase a GED preparation book at your local bookstore and study when you have time available. These books are updated regularly to keep up with any changes made to the GED tests.

Benefits Of Getting Your GED

There are several benefits to earning your GED. First, getting a job is easier as many employers want to see that prospective employees have the fundamental academic skills equivalent of a high school diploma. You'll also find it easier to get promotions at your job because your employer knows that you're able to learn and apply new skills. Studies have shown that the average person with a GED can make hundreds of thousands of dollars more over their lifetime than a person without a GED or high school diploma.

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