The GED test continues to evolve to better prepare learners for college, career, and beyond. The GED credential has come a long way since it was first developed in 1942. It is now a complete test program designed to create pathways and connect learners to opportunities beyond their high school equivalency credential.

Background & Current Test Program

1942: The GED test program was launched in 1942 and was administered only to military personnel so returning World War II veterans could more easily pursue their educational, vocational, and personal goals.

2014: The current test program was launched in 2014 and is the fifth test series since the creation of the GED credential.

90: The GED test program is administered in over 90 countries, including Thailand and South Africa.

3,200: There are over 3,200 official GED testing centers in the U.S. and worldwide.

70,000: Over 70,000 adult educators in the U.S. provide preparation support to learners.

Graduates and Postsecondary Outcomes

20 million: More than 20 million people have earned their GED credentials since the test launch.

80%: The current test program boasts an 80% pass rate.

50%: 1 out of 2 GED students enter college within four years.

100%: Virtually all colleges and employers accept the GED credential.

150,000: Annually, 150,000 GED graduates earn their credentials in the U.S.

Check out our latest infographic highlighting the GED test program here.

News and updates for October 2022:

• 25% off GED Live online classes now through Oct 14: Learners can sign up for GED Live and save on live instructor-led courses. No promo code is necessary; the discount will automatically apply when products are added to the shopping cart through their GED.com accounts.
• GED Direct Management Tool: As an educator, you can purchase GED Ready practice tests, In-Person GED tests, and Online Proctored GED tests through the GED Direct eCommerce feature within GED Manager. Learn more here: https://ged.com/educators_admins/teaching/ged-direct/

News and updates for October 2022:

• 25% off GED Live online classes now through Oct 14: Learners can sign up for GED Live and save on live instructor-led courses. No promo code is necessary; the discount will automatically apply when products are added to the shopping cart through their GED.com accounts.
• GED Direct Management Tool: As an educator, you can purchase GED Ready practice tests, In-Person GED tests, and Online Proctored GED tests through the GED Direct eCommerce feature within GED Manager. Learn more here: https://ged.com/educators_admins/teaching/ged-direct/

News and updates for October 2022:

• 25% off GED Live online classes now through Oct 14: Learners can sign up for GED Live and save on live instructor-led courses. No promo code is necessary; the discount will automatically apply when products are added to the shopping cart through their GED.com accounts.
• GED Direct Management Tool: As an educator, you can purchase GED Ready practice tests, In-Person GED tests, and Online Proctored GED tests through the GED Direct eCommerce feature within GED Manager. Learn more here: https://ged.com/educators_admins/teaching/ged-direct/

GED Testing Service worked with several states in a pilot project focused on reengaging learners and encouraging them to pass their final GED test subject and earn their credentials.

Background/Why We Did the Pilot

We found that since the 2014 GED test program launched:

• 141,899 individuals have passed 3 of the 4 required GED tests and never finished the final test

• 81% of these students need to complete Math
• 11% of these students need to complete RLA
• 5% of these students need to complete Social Studies
• 3% of these students need to complete Science
• 31% of these students have selected a GED Prep Center

A small working group of 11 state GED Administrators was formed to focus on best practices for “3 of 4” campaigns. As a result, nine participating states conducted targeted campaigns within the past year.

Implementation

In a recent GED Annual Conference presentation, Kansas, Georgia, Virginia, and Oregon shared how they implemented the campaigns, related outcomes and data, lessons learned, and plans for future outreach.

All 11 states identified their target test takers (learners one test subject from earning a credential) and created state-wide campaigns with high visibility, many including a logo and marketing toolkit. Several states also worked closely with local adult education programs to coordinate email outreach campaigns and additional personal outreach by phone, texts, and mail.

Connections to adult education programs were made for contacted learners, with encouragement to enroll in preparation classes. Eligible learners would have the additional opportunity to take advantage of promotions offering free or discounted practice and official testing (in states where offered).

Outcomes and Data

• Alaska contacted 326 students and 20 (6.13%) have credentialed.
• Arizona emailed 3,038 students, and 38 have credentialed since April.
• Georgia emailed 6,000 students, and 995 have come in to take at least one test, and 410 have credentialed.
• Kansas did outreach to 938 students, and 165 (17.6%) have credentialed.

• Kentucky had a targeted list of 320 students and 15 (4.6%) credentialed. 2,900 people were on their larger list and 63 (2.2%) credentialed.
• Oregon emailed 3,800 students. 375 chose to opt into their campaign, and 49 have credentialed. An additional 98 credentialed based on email outreach.
• South Dakota emailed 532 students, and 31 (5.8%) have passed and earned a credential.
• Texas emailed 11,214 students, and 470 have credentialed in the 3 months since starting the campaign.
• Virginia did outreach to 3,396 candidates, and 318 have credentialed since February.

How You Can Get Involved

Educators and adult education programs that want to create similar “3 of 4” campaigns in their state can do the following:

Option 1: Reach out to your state GED Administrator, request that they run a “3 of 4” passers report from GED Analytics. They can run a specific “3 of 4” passers report for your program for as far back as 2017. Option 2: For GED Manager users, you can run reports from the Student Test Activity Page in GED Manager. This data will be a little broader and might require a little more work, but it can generate a target list.

You can view the full presentation with details about the campaigns in Kansas, Georgia, Virginia, and Oregon here: https://ged.com/wp-content/uploads/3-of-4-session-GED-conference-.pdf

The GED Option program provides an alternative way to earn a high school credential for students still enrolled in high school.

This program is beneficial for students at risk of dropping out of school or are so far behind in credits that their ability to graduate on time with their class is jeopardized. GED Option allows these students to stay in school and acquire the high-school-level knowledge and skills to pass the GED test, while earning a high school credential during the same graduation year as their peers.

Additional benefits include receiving an individualized learning plan and the program being administered locally to best meet student needs.

Minimum GED Option requirements include:

• Students meet eligibility criteria (e.g., be a minimum of 16 years of age and enrolled in school) to participate
• Students should receive ongoing academic and career advising
• All instruction is to be at a High School level
• Program must include a GED Option Coordinator
• Students earn either a regular High School Credential (preferred and recommended) or an Equivalency Credential
• Students participate in a High School Graduation or ceremony

You can learn more about the GED Option program, implementation, if it’s available in your state, and how to adopt the program in your state here: https://ged.com/educators_admins/ged-option/

Our upcoming webinar will share how learners can earn a personalized debt-free college education.

Tuesday, October 25th at 3:30 pm ET, attendees will have the opportunity to meet an advisor and college coach and learn about the Accelerated Pathways Program’s personalized approach to college success with debt-free options.

Join us during the webinar to listen, learn, and most importantly, have a robust Q and A discussion about the connections you and your GED candidates can make to a debt-free college education.

Pearson’s Accelerated Pathways have helped more than 24,000 students access more than 2,000 colleges and universities. Part of their process includes comparing university options and helping students gain entrance from digital learning to matriculation to a college of their choice.

Once the learner earns the maximum number of general education credits from Accelerated Pathways, they can transfer to their selected college to complete their degree. All credit earned through Accelerated Pathways is regionally accredited and guaranteed to transfer to the learner’s selected college. Accelerated Pathways will even help the learner prepare an official transcript(s).

A demo of an Options report will be provided, and a GED student story will be shared.

During the presentation, we’ll be joined by Liza Canchola, Accelerated Pathways, Director of Client Revenue & Operations, and Elizabeth Koliba, Accelerated Pathways, Academic Counselor.

You can register for the webinar here: https://pearson.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0lfuirrTwjGNemODawDzltPsVYetpgo0Lf