THE GED® TEST Pathway to a Maryland High School Diploma for Students Receiving Home Instruction Department of Labor, Licensing & Regulation Adult Education Office March 2019 Molly Dugan GED Administrator

GED®=High School Equivalency The GED® test is one of two* high school equivalency options available to a Maryland resident 18 and older (or 16 years of age if enrolled in Home Instruction) who does not have a high school diploma and is officially withdrawn from school or enrolled in a Home Instruction program. Passing the GED® tests demonstrate proficiency on four tests, Reasoning through Language Arts, Mathematical Reasoning, Science and Social Studies *The National External Diploma Program

Results (Youth) Age Pass Rate 16 87% 17 82% 18 81% 19 84% 20 78% 16 87% 17 82% 18 81% 19 84% 20 78% 21 76% 22 73% 23 81% 24 76%

Age Exception Home School candidates must be 16 years of age or older Home School students must submit Home School Verification Form signed by the public or private school in which enrolled. It must have a visible school seal/stamp. Home School Verification form is found at www.gogedgo.org Approvals can only occur after registration has started

GED Test Preparation for Home Schooled Students (regulation) Adult Education Programs (DLLR funded, federal funded grantee programs) will NOT accept any student under the age of 18 and if 18, they must be officially withdrawn from school. Study resources are available at www.ged.com Click on “Get Study Materials” to purchase books. A list of publishers is found at www.gedtestingservice.com/publishers/

Testing in Spanish The GED® tests are available in both Spanish and English; however, Maryland requires that the Reasoning Through Language Arts subject module must be taken in ENGLISH. The GED® registration page is now available in Spanish The GED® tests are only available in English and Spanish

Test Content Reasoning Through Language Arts: 150 minutes (including a 10 minute break) Mathematical Reasoning: 115 minutes Science: 90 minutes Social Studies: 70 minutes Test items are multiple choice, short response (Science), extended response (RLA), fill-in-the-blank.

Creating an account Visit www. GED.com to create the account needed to complete registration and scheduling Open an email account (free) Use the exact name and DOB from MVA identification; it will be verified at the testing center. The exact name used at registration will appear on the diploma when earned REMEMBER THE EMAIL ACCOUNT USED! This is how account information and scores are retrieved Avoid multiple accounts

Acceptable forms of ID to present at the testing center Acceptable forms of ID are: Maryland Motor Vehicle Administration (MVA) issued current (not expired) Maryland driver’s license or driver’s permit Current MVA issued ID Active Duty military card or dependent’s card EXCEPTION: Candidates who cannot attain Maryland ID may request an ID waiver request by completing a GED® Waiver Request Form at www.gogedgo.org

Requesting an ID Waiver if MVA issued ID is unattainable Find the Waiver Request Form www.gogedgo.org Youth must complete and mail form and valid documentation (not expired) to the GED® office: Maryland Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation, GED® Office, Room 121, 1100 N. Eutaw Street, Baltimore, MD 21201 Exceptions to Maryland ID requirements cannot be granted in any other way Once all documentation has been received, it takes about two weeks to be approved

Scheduling a GED® test Operational Tests must be taken at one of the 27 public GED®/Pearson Vue approved computer labs Schedule no more than two per day Testers can test in any approved site in Maryland GED Ready (official practice test) may be taken at any location, home, library, etc. Payment for testing each module is required at the time of scheduling and is payable only by credit, debit, gift card or voucher (if applicable, usually from an instructional program)

Current Cost/Subsidy/retesting Candidates pay $11.25 per module (or $45.00 for the entire battery of four tests) The state subsidy for each subject is $18.75 per module (one time only). Testers may retest two times per subject within a calendar year, a total of three attempts per module per calendar year. The cost per retest is $10.00.

Parents and Guardians Support GED Instruction at GED.com GED LIVE™-- Online interactive study offered by Kaplan Fee. Purchase one or more modules as needed GED FLASH™-- Access flash cards electronically from any device. Any or all modules. Offered by Aztec. Fee. Purchase one or more modules GED READY®– Official Practice Test Fee. Purchase any or all modules as final preparation from publisher of choice

Preparation: Free Practice Test Free practice test is available online from any computer at any location. Practice tests are about 1/4 length of operational tests and offer 12-16 questions in each content area. This test provides correct answers and explanation Visit: www.gedtestingservice.com/ educators/freepracticetest

Final Review: GED Ready™ GED Ready™: Official Practice Test (1/2 length of operational tests) at www.GED.com Visit the Study section, click Take GED Ready™ to purchase. Cost is $6.00 per subject for individuals, $24.00 for the battery of four. Some instructional programs offer this test free or at a reduced cost to their students. Tests offer specific feedback on what to study

Accommodations Testers with documented disability may be eligible to receive accommodations for GED® testing. Obtain copies of school records (IEP, 504, other forms) Print and complete accommodations request form found at GED.com. Attach documentation for the disability Submit forms and supporting documents electronically. Email accommodations@GEDtestingservice.com. Decisions can take 3-4 weeks. Those with approved accommodations manage scheduling directly through Pearson VUE

Testing Center Regulations Be aware of test center regulations: NO electronic devices (except the allowable calculator TI-30XS) including cell phones, PDA’s, headsets, cameras are permitted in the testing room. Where possible, do not bring wallets, purses, hats, keys, backpacks, scarves, large jewelry, coats. They are NOT permitted in the testing room. There is limited locked storage space at each center for storage of small items.

Issuing Diplomas Maryland issues a Maryland High School Diploma to passers Maryland uses GEDCredentialing Services Testers will receive an email with instructions from GED. Testers may download an e-transcript and e-diploma immediately after passing the final test Testers may also order a free paper Maryland High School Diploma upon passing Duplicate diplomas are available for a fee

Resources 1. Maryland GED information - www.gogedgo.org 2. Registration/scheduling - GED.com 3. Questions, support GED Testing Service® - GED.com 4. Free Practice Test - https://ged.com/en/study/test_previews/ 5. GED Ready™ - GED.com Study section GED Administrator: molly.dugan@maryland.gov