Bored in the house and you’re in the house bored? Same. Here’s some ideas to help you stay entertained during quarantine…hope you find something you like.

Mind-Numbing Pleasure

If you want a distraction to numb the brain I suggest trying out some Buzzfeed quizzes. They’re a great distraction from whatever you’re doing (it’s why I struggle to get any work done). From guessing your age based on your McDonald’s order to finding out if you’re over your ex; they have everything. They even have some that’ll test your knowledge…might be helpful for the GED test.

Now while it pains me to say this, I also suggest downloading TikTok if you can. With thousands of videos you can get distracted on this app for hours. From animal content to endless dance trends they really do have something for everyone. Even my 40 year-old manager is on the app…yikes.

Meet Myles our next GED student highlight. Growing up in Chicago, Myles had to switch schools more than once. Having to make new friends all over again and go through the process of joining new classes was stressful. His behavior changed and he had trouble concentrating; teachers began to assume he had ADHD. Myles didn’t want to transfer to another school, so he ended up leaving high school.

While studying for the math section, you may have heard of an exponent as something “to the power of.” For example, in the expression 42 the problem is asking you to find 4 to the 2nd power.

Power refers to the number of times you multiply, not what Superman uses to fight off villains.

Meet our next GED student highlight, Lillian. Growing up in Chicago amidst gang violence, Lillian found herself having to repeat her first year of high school twice. After that, she just couldn’t pull through anymore and decided to drop out.

You may have heard these terms in your pre-algebra or geometry classes, but let’s do a quick review.

A perimeter measures the distance or length around a shape. Think of a flat surface, the shape is two-dimensional, meaning it has both a length and width. Here are some real life examples:

Building a fence around your backyard. You’ll need to measure how long and how wide it has to be.

Now while we don’t necessarily condone watching television while studying, if you’re a Zoomer (Gen Z) like me, a little background noise can help.

So even if you’re not paying attention to the show because you’re too busy trying to understand exponents, I’ve compiled a list of all the best shows to have on in the background. They’re funny, short and you really don’t need to pay attention to pick up on the plot.

The Office

Miss actually working in an office or going to work in general? Well look no further. This is an American mockumentary sitcom that depicts the everyday lives of office employees at a paper company. It features a nutty boss, crazy pranks and a ton of laughs…it might be a tad far-fetched from a real life office.

How to watch: Netflix

Updated June 8, 2020

We have a launched an online GED test, for more information, click here.

Being stuck at home can be frustrating, especially when you’re counting on getting your GED soon. We are doing everything we can to make testing available as soon as it is deemed safe to do so.

In the meantime, we’d like to bring your attention to the CARES Act recently passed by the US government to help people cope during this uncertain time. Be sure to check your state governor’s website for more details and how to apply. Here are some highlights:

Increased unemployment benefits

The economic situation caused by widespread closings can feel scary, especially if your job requires you to be on site in order to get paid. You may be eligible for higher payments and/or longer periods of payments. Salaried and hourly employees, as well as self-employed, independent contractors and even gig workers, could be eligible. Learn more in this article: The historic $2 trillion CARES Act will be an economic lifeline for gig workers and freelancers.

One-time payment to boost cash flow

Depending on your income, you may have already received or will soon receive a check or direct deposit of up to $1,200 for an individual who makes up to $75,000 per year. The amount is up to $2,400 for married couples who make up to $150,000 per year in total. Plus $500 more per child to help with expenses. Calculate how much you’ll get from the $1,200 (or more) coronavirus checks in this news article. You can also track when you will receive your payment through the IRS ‘Get My Payment’ tool.

COVID-19 testing and treatment

The cost of testing and even vaccinations, when they become available, will be covered. This means you don’t have to hesitate if you or a family member may be showing potential coronavirus symptoms. You can get tested without worrying about money. Get more details in this news article: What’s inside the Senate’s $2 trillion coronavirus aid package.

We’re proud of you for staying strong and focused. Try the suggestions below to be confident and ready to test when the time comes.

Free study guides

After logging in, you’ll discover free study guides for every subject. It’s a great way to get started or refresh your skills during downtime.

Comprehensive online classes with GED Live

GED Live brings top Kaplan instructors to your screen with interactive lessons and a library of recordings in case you miss a live session.

Stay social at a distance

Keep up with the GED community and connect with other students on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also watch helpful videos on our YouTube channel.

Meet Reggie our next GED student highlight. Leaving high school at age 15 was a tough decision, but Reggie understood that it just wasn’t the right learning environment for him. Crowded classes and endless distractions didn’t mix well with his learning style. He tried hard to fit into the group setting, but knowledge wouldn’t stick unless he studied on his own.

One day, his coach made a life-changing suggestion for Reggie to try the GED® program. He’s a Special Olympics athlete; basketball and track are his favorite sports. He could finally focus on studying and obtain his high school diploma without the distractions and stress of the classroom environment.

Meet Kinzie our first GED student highlight. Kinzie overcame many obstacles on her journey to becoming a GED graduate. When she was 12 years old, she lived in Las Vegas, Nevada with her mother and younger sister. Life took a turn when her mother became an alcoholic.

Throughout this time, Kinzie had to take on the responsibility of caring for her younger sister. She began to take on the role of a parent–ensuring that her sister went to school and completed her homework everyday. Kinzie gave up her childhood so that her sister would never have to give up hers.

Updated 09/15/2020

The GED test is a second chance for people who didn’t receive a formal high school degree to earn their high school credentials. Having a valid GED provides an opportunity to move forward in life like going to college or opening the door to a wider variety of careers.

Do Fake GED Certificates Work?

Unfortunately, there are diploma mills out there that try to take advantage of those who want their GED certificate and only provide fake tests and certificates. Fake certificates hold no value. Therefore, if students use a fake GED credential or high school diploma, they can get kicked out of school or lose their job. It is definitely not worth the risk. A real GED is worth it.

Additionally, sometimes these certificates are purchased intentionally, while other times people purchase them as victims of a scam. That’s why it’s important to know ahead of time how to prevent purchasing a fake GED certificate. Here are five tips to help avoid getting fooled by a faulty GED website.

1. Online GED Tests Are Only Administered on GED.com

GED tests are given to those eligible – you must reside in a participating state and score “green” on the GED Ready practice test. You can find everything you need to know about the official Online Proctored GED®test here. Be aware of other sites that are not affiliated with GED and offer a quick, often fake GED credential.

2. They’re Attached to Non-Accredited Online High Schools

While some school districts are moving toward online schools, there is a difference between an accredited program from a school district that is working with high school age students, and an online high school that is promising it can give you a GED diploma when you complete. Be careful when dealing with online schools and fake programs.

If you want to know if the program you’re looking to join is accredited and can provide you with a GED certificate, a simple search online may provide you with the answer and provide you with reviews. If that doesn’t work, consider getting in touch with a local college or community college. You don’t have a real GED certificate if they don’t accept the certification.

3. They Offer a Test “Based On” the GED Test

A legitimate GED test is never going to be “based on” the GED test. It is not the real deal if there is any wording in the test that distances it from the official GED test.

4. They Try to Sell You Your GED Diploma

You should never be able to buy a GED certificate without taking the test. If you pay to skip the test, then you do not have a legitimate certificate.

Do not be confused by having to pay to take the test. The official GED test is not free to take unless you reside in a state that currently offers free or discounted testing. You can find out what your state charges for the test by visiting the state policy pages. It’s not official if you did not go to a testing center or take it through GED.com.

Earning a Valid GED Certificate

If you’ve discovered your certificate is a fake, then you should get a real GED credential. For example, it’s a lot like having a fake driver’s license. It isn’t the same as having a real one and you can run into trouble for being in possession of it.

Fortunately, it is possible, and worth your while, to earn your GED certificate the right way. Therefore, by taking the time to prepare for the test, you can pass and receive a valid certificate. Once you earn your GED certificate the right way, you will be on your way to a better future without having to look over your shoulder.