Now through March 15, GED+ vouchers can be purchased with a 10% discount using the promo code: GEDPLUSEDU

Our GED+ product is an all-inclusive, flexible program that helps learners earn their GED credential. Educators can use this program to supplement instruction, helping learners that need additional assistance with one or more GED test subjects. GED+ includes:

• A bilingual GED advisor to guide and motivate learners
• Access to English and Spanish study materials

• GED Ready practice tests
• Access to online tutors for tough topics
• GED tests

Our data shows that learners who go through the GED+ program are 2x as likely to earn their GED credential than those who study on their own. With GED+, the cost of the GED test and any retakes are covered until the learner earns a credential.

“The GED+ program gave me the confidence to pass! My fantastic advisor helped me get to my goal faster.” — CJ, GED+ Graduate

Educators can purchase vouchers with the 10% discount on behalf of learners using the promo code: GEDPLUSEDU

After purchasing the vouchers, educators can gift them to learners to access GED+ at no cost.

GED+ four-subject vouchers can be purchased here and one-subject vouchers can be purchased here.

The Online Proctored GED test continues to be a popular option for eligible students in participating states.

Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, some test centers are still operating under limited capacity. This remote testing option provides many students with a flexible way to earn a credential.

Here are some tips to help your students prepare and succeed:

Let your students know that the Online Proctored (O.P.) GED® test is an option for them.

• State-by-state information about online testing is available here: https://ged.com/state-information-online-testing/
• Eligible students need to have a computer, webcam and internet, quiet and private workspace, a government-issued ID and ‘Green’ GED Ready score within the last 60 days.

All the information students need to know about the O.P. test is available on GED.com.

• Students can find information about eligibility, an overview of the testing process, exam rules, FAQs and more on our student online testing webpage.

Before test day students should practice with the Whiteboard tool to get comfortable before they test.

• Students can draw and write out math calculations using the online whiteboard.
• This video reviews how to use the whiteboard during testing.
• Students can learn more about how to use the Whiteboard tool and practice here: https://home.pearsonvue.com/onvue/whiteboard

Complete the online system check before scheduling—to make sure their equipment works properly.

• Students should do a system test to make sure their computer, webcam and internet connection meet the requirements for testing online.

The content on the O.P. test is the same content they would see when testing in person.

• Test questions, timing and scoring are the same as tests taken in person at authorized test centers.

Another important reminder: GED test vouchers need to be purchased specifically for OP testing; in-person test vouchers will not work for this testing option. Test vouchers for in-person and OP testing are available for purchase on GED Marketplace.

We’re excited about the work we’re doing to build pathways from credential to career for our learners.

Our placement in Pearson’s Workforce Skills Division gives us unique opportunities to help learners discover their talents and employers identify the investments they should make in their current and future workforce. The GED test program was created to help learners develop the academic skills needed to excel in postsecondary education and the workforce.

We have always prioritized preparing learners for the next step in their journey while allowing them to define what success looks like on an individual basis. The one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work for our learners, yet we understand the need to share available options and how to pursue them. Under the Workforce Skills Division, we can create stronger pathways for GED graduates by utilizing platforms and programs designed to support career development.

Diagnose, Learn, and Certify

We’re exploring innovative ways to use data, research, and artificial intelligence (AI) to determine the future of work while providing learning opportunities and administering credentials. “Diagnose-learn-certify,” is a data-driven approach to pathways that identify a learner’s skills, matches them with in-demand career options that align with their strengths, offers learning opportunities, and provides certifications that demonstrate what they have learned.

Here’s an overview of our related organizations that focus on learners, organizations, or both:

Accelerated Pathways: A non-traditional, online college experience that offers flexibility when earning a Bachelor’s degree. Learners work with an academic counselor to develop a customized degree plan that fits their identified goals, budget, and schedule.

Credly: A digital credential platform that issues badges to learners that can be shared online as proof of certification and achievement. Badges link to the Credly website, where viewers can see all the details of a learner’s achievement with verification.

TalentLens: Assessments that predict the performance and suitability of a candidate at any level or position in an organization. These assessments include language proficiency for selection or placement into learning programs (Versant), cognitive ability and personality, and career assessment and coaching (Which Career for Me).

Faethm: A platform that uses AI-powered analytics to help organizations determine their workforce needs based on skills that are currently needed and others that will be in high demand in the future. It uses data to identify specific skills gaps across the workforce and how employers can help employees gain the skills needed to succeed.

The Path Forward

We envision a future where all GED graduates earn their credentials and immediately connect with postsecondary and career opportunities. GED graduates currently have the option to receive Credly badges to confirm that they have earned their GED credential. Graduates also actively enroll in the Accelerated Pathways program to explore what majors and degree programs are a good fit while saving money on coursework and eliminating some associated costs like campus fees. Through Faethm and TalentLens and our direct work with companies and organizations, we have the data and knowledge to help prepare learners to meet the demands of today and tomorrow’s workforce.

We’re excited about what’s to come for the GED test program, our learners, and the pathways we’re creating for their success.

–Vicki Greene, President of GED Testing Service/ SVP of Americas for Pearson’s Workforce Skills Division

News and updates for January 2022:

• New webinar: Join us on January 25th for this month’s Tuesdays for Teachers webinar, Taking the Angst Out of Scoring the GED® RLA Extended Response at 3:30 pm ET. This session will focus on using the Extended Response Scoring Tool and other strategies to help students improve their writing skills. Register today!
• Reminder: GED test vouchers need to be purchased specifically for in-person or OP testing and don’t work for both testing delivery methods. Test vouchers for in-person and OP testing are available for purchase on GED Marketplace.

News and updates for January 2022:

• New webinar: Join us on January 25th for this month’s Tuesdays for Teachers webinar, Taking the Angst Out of Scoring the GED® RLA Extended Response at 3:30 pm ET. This session will focus on using the Extended Response Scoring Tool and other strategies to help students improve their writing skills. Register today!
• Reminder: GED test vouchers need to be purchased specifically for in-person or OP testing and don’t work for both testing delivery methods. Test vouchers for in-person and OP testing are available for purchase on GED Marketplace.

News and updates for January 2022:

• New webinar: Join us on January 25th for this month’s Tuesdays for Teachers webinar, Taking the Angst Out of Scoring the GED® RLA Extended Response at 3:30 pm ET. This session will focus on using the Extended Response Scoring Tool and other strategies to help students improve their writing skills. Register today!
• Reminder: GED test vouchers need to be purchased specifically for in-person or OP testing and don’t work for both testing delivery methods. Test vouchers for in-person and OP testing are available for purchase on GED Marketplace.

GED Testing Service is partnering with When We All Vote to encourage voter registration and emphasize the importance of participating in local elections. We believe that it is important to ensure students have the opportunity to register and have their voices heard in every election.

When We All Vote is a non-profit, nonpartisan organization that is on a mission to increase participation in every election and close the race and age voting gap. Their goal is to change the culture around voting, harness grassroots energy, and create strategic partnerships to reach every American. When We All Vote helps people register to vote, check their current registration status, find resources on voting rights, and provides links to ways you can get involved with advocacy efforts and contact elected officials.

You can join us by sharing these resources with your learners, on social media, and in your classrooms. In addition, you and your learners can register to vote or check your voter registration status by visiting vote.civicnation.org/register/ged/.

The GED test program has returned to New York and will now be the only test for earning a high school equivalency diploma in the state.

Beginning this month, students can start testing in New York at a testing center. This is the first time the GED test has been available to New York residents since 2013. All passing subtest scores from the TASC Test™, 2014-2021, and prior passing GED scores, from 2002-2013, can be used toward meeting the requirements for an HSE diploma.

There is no cost for students to take the GED test in New York. More information about the state policies related to the GED test and student eligibility is available here.

As an educator, you can also apply to become a test center in the state of New York. You can view the requirements and how to get your test center up and running by navigating here.

To learn more about the GED in New York and access professional development resources, visit our webpage dedicated to educators in New York.

You can read the full announcement from New York State’s Education Department on their website.

Staying motivated can be difficult when learners have busy lives and other priorities. However, there are many ways to help learners stay on track and motivated to earn their GED credential.

Make learning easily accessible

One of the ways that learning can be accessible, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, is by hosting online classes or learning sessions. This allows your learners to be engaged wherever they are. In addition, online classes are a way that students can fit studying and working towards their GED credential into their busy schedules. Learning can also be made accessible by providing your students with our free classroom materials. These materials are at no cost to students and include tutorials and practice questions.

Help learners work towards their short-term goals

Accomplishing short-term goals keeps learners motivated to finish their GED journey. Earning a GED credential can be tough, and it comes with many challenges, but breaking down barriers one by one helps learners feel confident. A way to help students accomplish their short-term goals is by mastering each GED test subject one at a time. Taking each subject and topic one by one allows learners to manage and master the content that they are learning easily.

Determine their need to earn their GED

Learners go on their journey to earn their GED credential for a variety of reasons. Helping your students figure out and remember why they want to earn their GED is helpful so that they start the year strong and are motivated to finish through their GED journey. In addition, it is important to remind your learners that earning their GED is an investment for their future. Sit with your learners and talk about what benefits will come if they earn their GED credential. Earning a GED credential will open doors to new jobs and educational opportunities, allow graduates to earn more money than they previously did, and grow as an individual.

Build a relationship with your learners

Building a relationship with your learners is crucial to guiding them through their GED journey. Support your learners and push them to persevere when they feel doubtful about their education. Being supportive to your learners and letting them know you are a helpful resource allows them to feel confident and will keep them motivated.

Many helpful resources are available to guide your GED instruction for learners of all levels.

You can view detailed information on the skills students need to demonstrate to pass, what is being assessed in each content area, and more. Free classroom resources include professional development webinars, tutorials, and scoring tools.

You can download free classroom materials such as tutorials, practice questions, and reference sheets. Our free tutorials are for students to become familiar with different types of test questions and how the test and calculator work. Students can view the Computer-Based Test Tutorial and Calculator Tutorial in both English and Spanish.

Some other free resources are provided to you to give your students are our free online sample tests and study guides. Your students can try a free sample test in each GED subject. These sample tests will give your students an idea of what to expect when taking the actual GED test. The study guides explain all the skills covered in the GED test and include sample questions. The study guides are available in both English and Spanish.

GED also holds a bi-monthly Tuesdays for Teachers webinar series, a free professional webinar series designed for educators. The webinar will also help you have a deeper understanding of classroom strategies and techniques for the GED test. Our past webinars have covered mathematical reasoning, GED testing accommodations, and more.

Teaching resources are available that allow you to effectively instruct and guide your students to develop the skills they need to pass the GED test successfully. Our teaching resources include an educator handbook, an overview of the GED test content, and how to teach the content to students. You can also view Performance Level Descriptors and see what skills your students need to have to earn each score level. Lastly, we also provide How-to-Guides for supporting your students. These guides are step-by-step instructions on applying for accommodations, scheduling a test, and more.

If you have not already, sign up for the InSession Educator Newsletter to get the latest news and resources at the bottom of the Professional Development page.

As the year comes to an end, we are sharing a closer look at the progress of the GED test program, our learners, and what’s to come.

Data provides a snapshot of our successes and an assessment of what areas we can make improvements. This is just one aspect of how we approach the work we do every day and the commitment we have to creating equitable access to a GED credential and pathways to a better life.

Our Learners

Evolving as a learner-centric program requires us to understand better who our students are and what support they need. For example, we know that the average GED test taker is 25 years old, and 50% of test-takers stated that they belong to communities of color, including Black, Hispanic/Latinx, and Indigenous communities.

Our learners leave traditional school settings due to various circumstances, with 42% stating personal reasons, 30% for personal and academic reasons, and 13% identifying academic reasons. Many students share that their families are the primary reason for going back to school and earning their credentials. In addition, 40% listed educational gain as a motivating factor, 32% listed personal gain and achievement, and 21% were motivated for work-related reasons.

We’ve seen these demographic trends for the past three years (2019 to 2021), and it’s helping shape how we reach out to our learners, develop products, and improve access to resources.

The GED Test Program and Journey

The ongoing pandemic has changed our lives in unexpected ways and has certainly impacted our testing program. Our online proctored testing option was created in response to test center closures and limited availability during the early phases of the pandemic. It has remained as an option, offering the flexibility our learners want and need.

Approximately 150,000 test takers earn a GED credential per year. This includes test-takers in over 90 countries where the GED test is offered. The average GED test journey is 90 days. The national pass rate for 2019, 2020, and 2021 was around 75%.

Almost 500,000 GED.com accounts were created in 2021. Through ongoing research, we are identifying how we can help more interested learners take the first step in their GED journey and continue until they earn their credentials.

Our employer-offered GEDWorks program has grown to more than 50 employers, health plans, and non-profit organizations and has helped nearly 5,000 GEDWorks graduates earn a credential at no cost.

What’s to Come in 2022

Our learners come from every background with a common goal of earning a high school equivalency diploma. In 2022, we will expand how we connect all learners to workforce development opportunities and postsecondary education as part of Pearson’s Workforce Skills Division. Under this new umbrella, we are more closely aligned with programs and services that will give our learners access to career exploration tools, additional employer partnerships, and training opportunities. We know that currently, 50% of GED graduates enroll in college within four years. We will continue to work with learners to help them identify college and vocational training programs that will prepare them for their desired career fields.

Thank you for your hard work and dedication. Your partnership and commitment are essential to the success of our learners and the GED test program. We wish all of you a safe, healthy, and happy holiday season and end of the year. We look forward to all the success to come in 2022!

–-Vicki Greene, President of GED Testing Service

Our new GED+ product is helping self-study learners reach their GED credentials in an all-inclusive program.

The GED+ product offers learners everything they need during their GED prep journey, including:

• A GED advisor
• Access to English and Spanish study materials

• GED Ready practice tests
• Access to online tutors for tough topics
• GED tests for every subject

GED+ was created to help learners studying on their own benefit from the structure of an all-in-one program with the support of an advisor in the process. Advisors act as coaches and motivators, as well as hold learners accountable for earning their GED credential. Learners also have the opportunity to be matched with a tutor who can help them tackle tough topics. The GED Ready practice test acts as a starting point to help learners see firsthand what to expect on their test day and what they need to study.

GED+ was launched as a pilot in May. Our data shows that students who go through the GED+ program are 2x as likely to earn their GED credential than those who study on their own. In addition, as an all-inclusive program with a “test pass guarantee,” the cost of the test and any retakes are fully covered throughout the student’s entire journey of earning their GED credential.

GED+ is available for all four subjects at $389 or each subject can be purchased individually for $119. Educators and programs can purchase GED+ four-subject vouchers here or one-subject vouchers here. To learn more about this product and how it can help your learners visit: ged.com/gedplus.