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General Educational Development

The General Educational Development (GED) is a series of standardized tests assessing high school-level proficiency in four core subjects—reasoning through language arts, mathematical reasoning, science, and social studies—awarding a credential intended as an equivalency to a traditional high school diploma for those who did not complete secondary education.^[1]^[2] Initiated by the American Council on Education in 1942 to certify World War II veterans' pre-service education levels, the program expanded in the postwar era under the GED Testing Service (established 1963) to serve broader adult populations seeking vocational or postsecondary opportunities.^[3]^[4] By providing a structured pathway for skill validation without requiring classroom attendance, the GED has certified over 20 million recipients, facilitating access to employment, military service, and higher education for many dropouts.^[5] However, rigorous empirical analyses reveal that GED attainment yields minimal causal improvements in earnings, employment stability, or health outcomes compared to non-credentialed dropouts, often functioning more as a low-barrier signal than a robust substitute for formal graduation, with evidence suggesting it may even incentivize premature high school exit in some contexts.^[6]^[7]^[8]

Historical Development

Inception and Early Purpose

The General Educational Development (GED) tests originated in 1942 amid World War II, when the United States Armed Forces Institute (USAFI), in collaboration with the American Council on Education (ACE), sought to address the educational disruptions faced by over 10 million service members who had enlisted before completing high school.^[4]^[9] This initiative responded to projections that up to 50% of enlistees lacked high school diplomas, creating barriers to postwar reintegration, including access to higher education and civilian jobs.^[10] The early purpose centered on validating the non-traditional learning acquired by veterans through military service and self-study, rather than replicating standard high school curricula. An ACE advisory committee, chaired by University of Chicago educator Ralph W. Tyler, selected and adapted five examinations from the Iowa Tests of Educational Development to measure competencies in areas such as correct social usage, interpretation of reading materials, and background in natural and social sciences.^[11] These tests aimed to certify "general educational development" equivalent to the twelfth grade, facilitating college admissions for qualified veterans without requiring full high school reenrollment.^[12] By 1944, the program had administered over 1,500 tests, primarily to wounded or discharged personnel, establishing it as a targeted tool for military-affiliated adults rather than a broad public alternative to diplomas.^[13] This veteran-focused framework reflected postwar policy priorities, including the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944 (GI Bill), which emphasized rapid educational credentialing to support economic recovery.^[14]

Expansion and Key Milestones

The GED program expanded beyond its initial focus on World War II veterans in 1947, when New York became the first state to authorize civilians, including school dropouts, to pursue the credential through testing.^[15] This marked a shift from military-specific equivalency to broader adult education, driven by efforts from the American Council on Education (ACE) to secure state-level recognition amid postwar labor demands and educational gaps.^[12] Other states gradually followed, with adoption accelerating in the 1950s as evidence mounted that GED holders demonstrated competencies comparable to traditional high school graduates, facilitating workforce reintegration and further training.^[4] By the early 1970s, all 50 states had incorporated the GED as an official high school equivalency, representing a key milestone in nationwide standardization and accessibility.^[15] This full adoption reflected institutional validation, with state boards of education endorsing the tests after pilot validations confirmed their rigor, though early criticisms noted variability in state-specific pass rates and preparation programs. In 1963, ACE formalized operations by creating the GED Testing Service, which centralized development, scoring, and credential issuance, enabling scalable administration and reducing inconsistencies across jurisdictions.^[4] These developments correlated with rising test-taker volumes, as the credential addressed dropout rates exceeding 20% in some demographics, providing a verifiable pathway to postsecondary opportunities without requiring classroom attendance.^[16] International expansion began in the late 20th century, with Canada adopting the GED in the 1970s and other countries like South Africa and Germany recognizing it by the 1990s for expatriates and immigrants, though U.S. states remained the primary market.^[4] Peak participation occurred in the 1990s and early 2000s, with over 700,000 annual test administrations at its height, underscoring the program's role in remedial education amid economic shifts favoring credentialed workers.^[17] Despite later competition from alternatives like HiSET in select states post-2014, the GED retained dominance, issuing credentials to approximately 18 million individuals cumulatively by 2022.^[4]

Major Revisions and Modernization

The GED test underwent its first significant revision in 1988, introducing a 45-minute essay component to the Language Arts, Writing test to assess composition skills and shifting emphasis toward problem-solving across subjects, reflecting evolving educational demands for analytical abilities.^[18] This update maintained the paper-based format with multiple-choice questions but expanded evaluation of written expression and critical thinking.^[19] In 2002, the test series was revised to align more closely with the knowledge and skills of recent high school graduates, incorporating updated content standards while retaining the five-subject structure (Language Arts, Writing; Social Studies; Science; Language Arts, Reading; and Mathematics) and pencil-and-paper delivery with five-option multiple-choice items.^[19] The passing standard was calibrated via expert judgment to approximate a 60% pass rate among high school seniors, accounting for differences in motivation between traditional students and adult test-takers.^[20] Accommodations such as large-print editions, audiocassettes, and Braille versions were available, but the format remained largely unchanged from 1988.^[20] The most transformative revision occurred in January 2014, consolidating into four content areas—Reasoning Through Language Arts, Mathematical Reasoning, Science, and Social Studies—and transitioning exclusively to computer-based administration to enhance relevance for college and career readiness.^[20] ^[21] This overhaul, developed starting in 2008 with input from Career-and-College Readiness Summits in 2011 and field testing in 2012-2013, introduced interactive item types like drag-and-drop, hot-spot selections, extended responses in Reasoning Through Language Arts, and short-answer items in Science, alongside a four-option multiple-choice format.^[20] Scoring shifted to a 100-200 scale using Item Response Theory, with automated evaluation for constructed responses via multi-trait rubrics emphasizing argumentation, evidence use, and conventions; an initial passing threshold of 145 was set, supported by norms from high school seniors and GED graduates.^[20] The changes aligned content with standards like the Common Core, incorporated technology skills such as on-screen calculators, and enabled rapid score reporting, though early implementation revealed lower pass rates due to increased rigor in reasoning and data interpretation demands.^[20] ^[22] In January 2016, performance levels were refined to mitigate test-taker anxiety and pass rate declines observed post-2014, lowering the High School Equivalency passing score to 145 per module while defining 165 as College Ready and 175 as College Ready + Credit, based on ACE CREDIT recommendations and 2014-2015 data analysis.^[23] These adjustments maintained the computerized format's emphasis on evidence-based reasoning and modern workforce needs, with ongoing accommodations for disabilities and practice resources like GED Ready.^[23] ^[20]

Test Composition and Format

Subjects and Content Domains

The GED test comprises four independent subject areas: Reasoning Through Language Arts (RLA), Mathematical Reasoning, Science, and Social Studies, each designed to evaluate foundational high school-level competencies through a combination of multiple-choice, drag-and-drop, fill-in-the-blank, and short-answer items, along with an extended response in RLA.^[24] These domains emphasize critical thinking, problem-solving, and application of knowledge rather than rote memorization, aligning with college and career readiness standards established by the GED Testing Service in collaboration with educational experts.^[25] Reasoning Through Language Arts assesses reading comprehension, language usage, and writing skills across a 150-minute test, including a 45-minute extended response requiring analysis of source texts and evidence-based argumentation. Content domains include reading for meaning (e.g., identifying central ideas, inferences, and author's purpose in literary and informational texts), creating and analyzing arguments (e.g., evaluating claims, evidence, and rhetorical strategies), and grammar/language conventions (e.g., sentence structure, punctuation, and usage in editing contexts). Texts draw from academic, workplace, and historical sources, reflecting a range of complexities to test reasoning over isolated facts.^[26]^[27] Mathematical Reasoning covers quantitative and algebraic problem-solving in a 115-minute test, with approximately 45% of content focused on quantitative skills (e.g., rational numbers, ratios, proportions, percentages, measurement, and basic geometry) and 55% on algebraic skills (e.g., expressions, equations, inequalities, functions, polynomials, and graphing). Test-takers apply these to real-world contexts like data interpretation, probability, and basic statistics, using an on-screen calculator for complex computations while demonstrating conceptual understanding without it for simpler operations.^[24]^[28]^[29] Science evaluates scientific practices and content knowledge in a 90-minute test spanning life sciences (40%, including cell biology, genetics, human anatomy, and ecosystems), physical sciences (40%, covering chemistry, physics, energy, and motion), and earth/space sciences (20%, such as weather, geology, and astronomy). Core skills include reading scientific texts for meaning, designing and interpreting experiments (e.g., hypotheses, variables, and data analysis), and using numbers/graphics (e.g., charts, models, and quantitative reasoning in scientific contexts), emphasizing evidence-based conclusions over specialized terminology.^[30] Social Studies tests reasoning with social science concepts in a 70-minute format, prioritizing civics and government (about 70%, including foundational documents like the U.S. Constitution, democratic principles, and civic institutions), with U.S. history, economics (e.g., markets, supply/demand, personal finance), and geography/world topics comprising the remainder. Skills domains involve reading primary/secondary sources for meaning, analyzing historical events/arguments (e.g., causation, continuity/change), and interpreting data/graphics (e.g., maps, timelines, economic charts), fostering application to contemporary issues without requiring exhaustive factual recall.^[31]^[32]

Delivery Methods and Technological Shifts

The General Educational Development (GED) tests were initially administered as paper-and-pencil exams at authorized in-person testing centers, a format that persisted from the program's inception in 1942 through the early 2000s.^[4] These tests required candidates to travel to designated facilities, such as community colleges or adult education centers, where proctors oversaw the process under standardized conditions to ensure security and uniformity.^[33] This method aligned with the era's limited technological infrastructure but involved logistical challenges, including manual grading that delayed results by weeks or months.^[4] Computer-based testing emerged in the early 2000s as an optional format in select locations, enabling faster automated scoring and preliminary exposure to digital interfaces, though paper versions remained dominant until the 2014 overhaul.^[4] The 2014 GED series marked a pivotal technological shift, transitioning exclusively to computer-delivered tests administered via Pearson VUE software at official test centers starting January 1, 2014, with paper options phased out by mid-year in most jurisdictions. This change incorporated interactive elements such as drag-and-drop tasks, fill-in-the-blank responses, and multimedia prompts, reflecting alignment with digital literacy demands and Common Core standards, while immediate scoring reduced wait times to hours.^[34] The format required candidates to demonstrate basic computer proficiency, with preparatory resources provided to mitigate access barriers.^[35] In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the GED Testing Service introduced an online proctored option on June 8, 2020, allowing candidates to take the full exam remotely from home using secure webcam monitoring via the OnVUE platform.^[36] This method requires a compatible device, stable internet, and a pre-test system check, with live proctors enforcing rules through AI-assisted surveillance to prevent cheating, such as detecting unauthorized materials or multiple faces in view.^[37] By 2021, the option expanded nationally, coexisting with in-center testing and increasing accessibility for rural or mobility-limited individuals, though it demands a quiet environment and may incur similar per-subject fees around $36, varying by state.^[38] These adaptations underscore a broader trend toward hybrid digital delivery, balancing convenience with integrity amid evolving infrastructure.^[39]

Administration and Participation

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility for the General Educational Development (GED) test requires that candidates not be currently enrolled in high school and must not have received a high school diploma or equivalent credential.^[40] This ensures the test serves as an alternative pathway for those who have withdrawn from or failed to complete traditional secondary education. Candidates must also typically establish residency in the state or jurisdiction where they intend to test, as GED administration and credentialing are managed at the state level.^[41] Age requirements form a core eligibility threshold and vary by state, with most jurisdictions setting the minimum at 18 years old for unrestricted access.^[40] In states permitting younger candidates, such as those aged 16 or 17, additional approvals are mandatory, including parental consent, official withdrawal from school, and sometimes a waiver from local education authorities demonstrating that continued high school enrollment is not feasible.^[42] ^[43] For instance, in California, individuals under 18 must obtain a waiver from the Department of Education, while New York restricts testing to those 19 or older unless aged 16-18 with superintendent approval.^[43] ^[44] No state allows testing below age 16, reflecting policies aimed at encouraging high school completion where possible.^[40] Certain exceptions apply for specific groups, such as court-ordered placements or veterans, which may bypass standard age or enrollment rules in select states.^[43] Candidates must verify eligibility through the official GED portal or state education department prior to registration, as unauthorized attempts can result in test invalidation.^[45] These criteria, established by the GED Testing Service in coordination with state regulators, prioritize accessibility for adult learners while safeguarding against misuse by current students.^[41]

Testing Logistics and Fees

The GED tests are administered exclusively through computer-based formats at authorized testing centers or via online proctoring in eligible jurisdictions. Candidates must create an account on the official GED Testing Service website (ged.com) to register and schedule exams, selecting from available dates and times at Pearson VUE-affiliated centers or opting for remote testing where permitted by state policy.^[46]^[47] Scheduling occurs online, with tests available year-round subject to center availability, and candidates can book individual subject tests or multiple sessions sequentially. In-person testing requires arrival at an official GED testing center, typically equipped with secure computer workstations, where proctors verify identification (such as a government-issued photo ID) and enforce rules including no personal items, calculators only if approved, and continuous monitoring to prevent irregularities.^[48] Online proctored exams allow testing from home or approved locations using a compatible computer with webcam, microphone, and stable internet, under real-time remote supervision via software that records audio, video, and screen activity to detect cheating.^[37] Not all states permit online proctoring; for instance, Florida has suspended it as of recent policy updates, mandating in-center administration.^[49] Testing fees are set by GED Testing Service but vary by state due to local regulations and additional center charges, generally totaling $120 to $160 for all four subject tests when paid individually at approximately $30 to $40 per subtest.^[41]^[50] Specific examples include $36 per subtest in New Jersey ($144 total), $32 per subtest in Florida ($128 total), and $34 per subtest in Oklahoma ($136 total), with potential extra fees for proctoring or facilities up to $20–$30 per session in some locations.^[51]^[52]^[53] Retakes incur full per-subtest fees, though some states offer discounts after initial failures, such as one free retake per subject starting in 2025 in Hawaii; payments are processed via credit card at scheduling, and no refunds are issued for no-shows or cancellations outside policy windows.^[54] State-specific rules may include residency proofs or age waivers affecting access, but fees remain consistent across delivery methods where both are available.^[41]

Accommodations and Accessibility

The GED Testing Service provides accommodations for test takers with documented disabilities or medical conditions to ensure equitable access under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).^[55] These include extended time (up to 50% additional per module), private testing rooms, extra breaks without time penalties, and assistive technologies such as screen readers (e.g., JAWS compatibility) or scribes for those unable to use a keyboard or mouse.^[56]^[57] Accommodations are individualized based on functional limitations, such as those from learning disabilities, ADHD, visual or hearing impairments, psychiatric conditions, physical disabilities, or chronic illnesses like diabetes or severe pain.^[55]^[57] Eligibility requires submission of documentation verifying the disability and justifying the specific accommodation, typically including a diagnosis from a qualified professional (e.g., physician or psychologist) within the past five years for ongoing conditions, along with evidence of how the limitation impacts test performance.^[57] Requests are initiated during GED.com account registration by selecting accommodated testing, followed by an online application through the GED Testing Service portal; approvals or denials are issued within 30 business days, with appeals possible for denials.^[56]^[58] Incomplete or insufficient documentation often leads to rejections, emphasizing the need for detailed rationale linking the accommodation to the disability's effects.^[57] Beyond formal accommodations, universal accessibility features are available to all test takers on the computer-based format, including adjustable font sizes up to 20 points, customizable color and contrast settings (10 options), ergonomic keyboards, and magnifiers for screen enhancement.^[55] These tools aim to reduce barriers without requiring prior approval, though they do not substitute for disability-specific adjustments.^[55] Test centers must comply with ADA standards, providing wheelchair-accessible facilities and proctors trained in accommodation protocols, though implementation varies by location and may involve additional verification on test day.^[59]^[56]

Evaluation and Credentialing

Scoring System

The GED test employs a scaled scoring system for each of its four subject-area modules—Reasoning Through Language Arts, Mathematical Reasoning, Science, and Social Studies—ranging from 100 to 200 points per module.^[60] Scores reflect demonstrated proficiency against established standards rather than raw percentages or direct counts of correct answers, with points awarded based on performance across item types including multiple-choice, short answer, extended response, and technology-enhanced tasks.^[61] This criterion-referenced approach calibrates scores to ensure consistency across test versions and administrations, independent of test-taker cohorts.^[23] To achieve a passing score and qualify for the high school equivalency credential, examinees must attain at least 145 points on each individual module, with no averaging across subjects permitted.^[60] Scores below 145 indicate failure on that module, necessitating retesting, while those from 145 to 164 denote basic passing proficiency aligned with high school-level expectations.^[62] Higher bands provide additional benchmarks: 165–174 signifies "College Ready" status, indicating readiness for credit-bearing postsecondary coursework without remediation; scores of 175–200 mark "College Ready + Credit," potentially qualifying for course credits or advanced standing at participating institutions, though acceptance varies by policy.^[62] This scoring framework, implemented with the 2014 test revision, replaced prior systems requiring both per-test thresholds (e.g., 410 out of 800) and an overall battery average (e.g., 450), emphasizing modular independence to better isolate subject-specific competencies.^[23] Official score reports include percentile rankings relative to recent GED test-takers for contextualization, but these do not influence passing determinations.^[61] Extended response items, such as essays in Reasoning Through Language Arts and Social Studies, undergo human scoring by trained evaluators using rubrics focused on traits like argumentation, evidence use, and organization, contributing weighted points to the final scaled score.^[61] All modules are computer-delivered and partially adaptive, adjusting item difficulty to refine score precision within the 100–200 continuum.^[60]

Passing Thresholds and Retesting

To obtain a GED credential, examinees must score at least 145 on each of the four subject tests—Reasoning Through Language Arts, Mathematical Reasoning, Science, and Social Studies—on a scaled score range of 100 to 200, where scores below 145 indicate failure in that subject.^[60] This threshold, established by the GED Testing Service (GEDTS), equates to demonstrating proficiency roughly comparable to the 40th percentile of graduating high school seniors on standardized assessments, though empirical validation of exact equivalence relies on norming studies conducted by GEDTS using national datasets.^[23] Scores from 145 to 164 confer basic passing status and eligibility for the credential upon completion of all subjects; higher bands (165–174 for "College Ready" and 175–200 for "College Ready + Credit") offer additional recognitions but are not required for credentialing.^[62] Retesting is permitted for any failed subject, with GEDTS policies allowing an initial attempt followed by up to two immediate retakes per subject without a mandatory waiting period, enabling scheduling at the test-taker's discretion through official centers or online proctoring.^[63] After the third attempt (initial plus two retakes), a 60-day waiting period applies before further retakes, enforced to encourage preparation and reduce rote repetition, with this interval required between all subsequent attempts.^[64] There is no absolute cap on total attempts per subject, but jurisdictions may impose state-specific limits or residency rules; for instance, some states reset attempt counters annually, while others align strictly with GEDTS guidelines.^[65] Retake fees apply—typically discounted by 50% for the first two retakes per subject within a year, reverting to full price thereafter—and must be paid via the GED.com portal or testing center.^[63] These policies aim to balance accessibility with rigor, as evidenced by GEDTS data showing retake rates exceeding 30% per subject in recent years, underscoring the test's challenge for underprepared candidates.^[64] Preparation resources, including official practice tests, are recommended prior to retakes to improve outcomes, with empirical studies indicating that targeted remediation correlates with pass rate increases of 20–40% on subsequent attempts.^[23] Jurisdictional variations, such as extended waits or preparatory mandates in states like Texas or New York, reflect local priorities for credential integrity over uniform national application.^[66]

Empirical Validity and Outcomes

Equivalence to Traditional High School Diploma

The General Educational Development (GED) credential is formally recognized as equivalent to a traditional high school diploma by all U.S. states and territories for purposes such as employment, military enlistment, and postsecondary admissions, with the credential certifying proficiency in core academic subjects via standardized testing rather than seat-time attendance. However, this legal and administrative equivalence does not fully align with empirical outcomes, as multiple longitudinal studies indicate that GED recipients exhibit labor market performance, earnings, and skill application more akin to high school dropouts than traditional diploma holders.^[67]^[68] In labor market analyses, GED holders earn approximately 10-20% less annually than high school graduates with diplomas, with employment rates and wage growth trajectories often mirroring those of non-credentialed dropouts when controlling for cognitive ability and prior schooling.^[69] For instance, data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth show that by age 27, GED recipients' hourly wages average closer to dropouts ($10-12) than [diploma](/page/Diploma) holders (14-16), attributing the gap not merely to selection effects but to deficiencies in non-cognitive skills like perseverance and work ethic fostered in structured high school environments.^[67] These disparities persist even after GED attainment, suggesting the credential signals baseline literacy but fails to confer the holistic behavioral and social capital accumulated through four years of secondary schooling.^[70] Regarding postsecondary education, while over 90% of U.S. colleges accept the GED for admissions—treating it as a diploma substitute—enrollment and completion rates lag substantially behind those of traditional graduates.^[71] GED recipients enroll in college at rates 20-30% lower in their late teens but partially catch up by their 20s; however, degree attainment remains inferior, with only 10-15% completing a bachelor's compared to 30-40% for diploma holders, linked to higher dropout risks due to weaker foundational habits rather than test scores alone.^[72]^[73] Health metrics further underscore nonequivalence, as GED adults report 1.5-2 times higher rates of chronic conditions and limitations than diploma holders, even after adjusting for socioeconomic factors, implying unmeasured deficits in long-term self-management skills.^[6]^[74] Economists like James Heckman have critiqued the GED's equivalency assumption, arguing from causal analyses that it primarily benefits high-ability dropouts who would otherwise pursue credentials anyway, while offering marginal gains for average or low-ability individuals, thus inflating perceived value without addressing root causes of educational failure.^[67] Despite reforms like the 2014 computer-adaptive test increasing rigor, post-reform data through 2020 reaffirm persistent outcome gaps, with GED earnings premiums eroding over time relative to diplomas amid rising skill demands in the economy.^[75]^[76]

Labor Market Impacts

GED recipients generally experience labor market outcomes superior to those of high school dropouts without credentials but inferior to traditional high school diploma holders. Analyses of longitudinal data reveal that GED certification correlates with roughly 30% higher annual earnings for holders, driven by combined increases in employment probability and hourly wages, relative to uncredentialed dropouts.^[76] However, this premium diminishes or vanishes when controlling for cognitive skills and other observables, suggesting limited causal impact beyond signaling basic persistence.^[67] In direct comparisons, GED holders earn substantially less than diploma recipients; U.S. Census data from 2009 indicate mean monthly earnings of approximately $4,700 for high school graduates versus $3,200 for GED holders, a gap of about 32%.^[77] Employment rates follow a similar pattern, with GED adults often comparable to dropouts rather than graduates in full-time work and wage trajectories.^[70] Econometric studies, including those matching on pre-dropout characteristics, confirm that GED certification yields no average wage boost for recipients relative to similar dropouts who forgo testing, attributing persistent disparities to weaker skill acquisition during initial schooling.^[69] Subgroup heterogeneity exists: benefits appear stronger for women and certain disadvantaged groups, such as racial minorities or prison inmates, where GED attainment boosts short-term quarterly earnings and employment by 25-30% through enhanced job access.^[78] Conversely, for average male recipients, labor force participation and wages lag diploma holders, with post-2002 GED revisions—raising passing standards—further eroding returns by increasing credential scarcity without commensurate skill gains.^[79] Overall, while GED mitigates some dropout penalties, it does not replicate the causal returns of completing traditional high school, as evidenced by regression discontinuity designs around passing thresholds showing negligible post-credential earnings jumps.^[80]

Postsecondary Education and Long-Term Effects

GED credential holders enroll in postsecondary education at rates substantially lower than traditional high school graduates. In a study of over 100,000 GED testers from 2014 to 2023, 27% of credential earners enrolled within one year of passing, rising to 44% within six years, with most attending two-year institutions.^[81] By contrast, recent high school graduates enroll at rates exceeding 60% within the first year.^[82] Longitudinal data tracking individuals to age 35 indicate that 70% of traditional graduates have entered college, compared to 43% of GED recipients, though GED holders exhibit delayed entry patterns, often peaking in their mid-20s and favoring community colleges.^[72] Persistence and completion among GED enrollees remain limited. Approximately 65% of those enrolling in the first year re-enroll the following year, but only 9% of all GED earners achieve a postsecondary credential within six years, equivalent to 21% of enrollees.^[81] "College-ready" GED designees, scoring in higher ranges, fare better, with completion rates up to 30-39%, yet still trail national community college averages of around 30% for six-year graduation.^[83] These outcomes reflect GED holders' lower academic preparation, as evidenced by reduced first-semester GPAs and re-enrollment likelihoods compared to diploma holders entering similar institutions.^[84] Long-term effects of the GED include modest earnings gains relative to high school dropouts but persistent shortfalls versus diploma holders. Analysis of native-born adults aged 16-64 with no postsecondary education shows GED holders earning 14% more annually than dropouts, yet 24% less than graduates overall, with gaps of 10-26% in weekly wages persisting into 2010.^[76] These differentials hold after controlling for demographics, suggesting the credential signals skills insufficient to fully bridge the gap with traditional graduates. Health outcomes further underscore limitations: among working-aged adults (30-65), GED holders exhibit health profiles akin to dropouts, with 1.3-2.7 times higher odds of chronic conditions like hypertension compared to graduates, even after adjusting for socioeconomic and behavioral factors.^[6] Mortality risks are elevated for younger GED cohorts relative to graduates, indicating broader causal disadvantages beyond education alone.^[6]

Criticisms, Defenses, and Alternatives

Key Criticisms and Empirical Shortcomings

Critics argue that the GED credential fails to serve as a true equivalent to a traditional high school diploma, as empirical analyses reveal persistent gaps in labor market performance even after accounting for cognitive ability. Research by economist James Heckman and colleagues demonstrates that GED recipients earn wages comparable to high school dropouts rather than graduates when controlling for measured intelligence via Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT) scores, with male GED holders experiencing approximately 1% lower hourly earnings than dropouts and substantially less than diploma holders.^[85] This disparity arises because the GED assesses primarily cognitive skills through multiple-choice tests but overlooks noncognitive attributes such as perseverance, motivation, and self-control, which are cultivated in structured high school environments and strongly predict long-term success.^[86] Consequently, GED obtainers exhibit higher rates of unemployment, welfare receipt, and incarceration compared to high school graduates with similar cognitive profiles.^[87] The program's structure may inadvertently encourage high school dropout by providing a perceived "second chance" pathway, reducing incentives to complete traditional schooling. A natural experiment exploiting changes in GED passing standards found that tightening requirements—lowering pass rates by 6 percentage points—decreased overall dropout rates by 1.3 points, suggesting the credential's accessibility induces students to forgo high school completion.^[8] This effect is amplified among lower-ability students who view the GED as an easier alternative, yet it yields no compensatory benefits in educational attainment or earnings, as evidenced by stagnant high school graduation trends despite GED proliferation since the 1940s.^[88] In postsecondary contexts, GED holders underperform relative to high school graduates, with lower college enrollment, persistence, and completion rates. Data from Kentucky indicate that GED graduates achieve lower first-semester GPAs and are less likely to re-enroll for a second semester, even after 2014 test revisions aimed at alignment with Common Core standards.^[89] Nationally, only about 17% of GED passers aged 18-29 enrolled in college by 2010, with completion rates trailing those of diploma holders by wide margins due to unaddressed skill gaps.^[90] Long-term health outcomes further underscore these shortcomings, as GED recipients report worse general health, higher activity limitations, and elevated mortality risks compared to high school graduates, attributable in part to deficient noncognitive skills fostering unhealthy behaviors and economic instability.^[70]^[91] These findings challenge the credential's efficacy as a mobility tool, highlighting systemic overreliance on cognitive proxies without holistic skill development.^[92]

Arguments in Favor and Achievements

Proponents argue that the GED credential serves as a vital second-chance mechanism for high school dropouts, enabling access to employment and postsecondary opportunities that would otherwise be restricted by the absence of a diploma. By certifying basic academic competencies in subjects such as mathematics, science, social studies, and language arts, the GED facilitates entry into roles requiring minimal postsecondary preparation, with data indicating that 73% of U.S. jobs demand at least a high school equivalency.^[93] This credential is particularly beneficial for subgroups like female dropouts with weaker foundational skills, who accumulate more work experience post-GED compared to non-credentialed peers.^[94] Additionally, the GED boosts the probability of pursuing further education, raising attempts by 4 percentage points for males and 8 for females, thereby supporting long-term human capital development. In the labor market, GED holders generally outperform dropouts without credentials, earning higher wages on average and achieving employment rates that align more closely with those of traditional graduates when combined with targeted training. Economic analyses further highlight that the credential narrows the earnings gap for low-skilled individuals in their mid-twenties, allowing them to approximate the income levels of higher-skilled dropouts lacking the GED.^[95] For postsecondary pathways, college-ready GED recipients demonstrate strong outcomes, enrolling and persisting at rates comparable to or exceeding traditional diploma holders, with elevated graduation from four-year institutions among prepared candidates.^[81] The GED's economic returns amplify with additional education, yielding benefits equivalent to those for high school graduates.^[7] Since its inception in 1942 for military veterans, the GED program has issued credentials to an estimated 12.6 million individuals, representing a substantial scale of impact on adult education.^[96] By the early 2010s, over 18 million adults had earned the credential, accounting for approximately 12% of all U.S. high school equivalency diplomas awarded annually and one in seven total high school completions.^[6]^[69]^[96] In recent testing cycles, about 70% of examinees complete all modules, with 85% of completers passing, underscoring the program's accessibility and success rate.^[97] Widespread institutional acceptance bolsters its utility, as 90% of colleges and universities recognize the GED for admissions purposes.^[96] These metrics reflect the GED's role in credentialing millions who might otherwise remain educationally sidelined, fostering broader workforce participation.^[85]

Proposed Reforms and Competing Credentials

In response to criticisms that the GED credential incentivizes premature high school dropout and yields limited long-term outcomes compared to traditional diplomas, researchers have proposed reforms such as restricting eligibility to those at least two years out of school, requiring more extensive preparatory coursework, and raising passing thresholds to discourage its use as an "easy out."^[98]^[99] These measures aim to prioritize completion of formal high school programs while enhancing GED preparation with integrated basic skills, occupational training, and career pathway components to better align with workforce demands.^[100]^[101] The 2014 GED overhaul represented a major reform effort, shifting to computer-based testing, aligning content with college- and career-ready standards akin to Common Core, and introducing a $120 fee structure, which prompted states to implement subsidies, teacher training, and digital literacy programs to mitigate access barriers for low-income adults.^[102] However, this led to a 48% national drop in participation from 2012 to 2014 and pass rates falling to 63%, highlighting the need for further adjustments like hybrid preparation models combining test prep with postsecondary bridging.^[102] Additional proposals emphasize elevating adult education goals beyond credential attainment to include workplace readiness and seamless transitions to further education, as evidenced by state-level initiatives in places like Indiana.^[101] Competing credentials have proliferated since the 2014 changes, with HiSET (developed by ETS) and TASC (by McGraw-Hill/CTB) emerging as primary alternatives accepted in multiple states, offering lower costs ($50–$60 including retakes), paper-pencil options alongside computer-based formats, and five subject areas versus the GED's four.^[102]^[103] As of 2015, eight states like California, New York, and Texas endorsed all three tests, while others dropped the GED due to fee hikes, prioritizing alternatives with broader accessibility; HiSET emphasizes flexibility for diverse learners, though TASC is noted for heavier algebra focus.^[102]^[104] Other alternatives include competency-based diploma programs in 11 states, which assess mastery of skills through portfolios or demonstrations rather than timed exams, awarding actual high school diplomas; the National External Diploma Program (NEDP) provides a self-paced, performance-based option recognized in select states, focusing on real-world applications over standardized testing.^[102]^[105] These options address GED limitations in employer and college recognition but introduce variability, as not all credentials receive uniform acceptance, prompting ongoing debates on standardization.^[102]^[106]

References

[1]
The GED Tests | osse - Office of the State Superintendent of Education
The 2014 GED® test is a four-subject high school equivalency test that measures skills required by high schools and requested by colleges and employers.The Ged Tests · Overview Of Ged Program... · Ged Transcripts And...
[2]
About Us - GED
The GED credential was created to provide adults with an alternative path to the traditional high school diploma. We are committed to supporting learners who ...About Us · Changing Lives · A Second Chance At Education
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DCS GED® Prep Online - GEDOnline.org
The initials GED® stand for General Educational Development. The GED® test was created in 1942 during World War II. Originally, it was meant to allow veterans ...
[4]
The Evolution of the GED: Eight Decades of Student Success
Dec 22, 2022 · As of 1963, Veteran's Testing Service (VTS) was officially known as GED Testing Service. The new name stuck all the way to today! In 1969 ...
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GED Test History
almost 20 million individuals have obtained their high school equivalency credentials.Center-Based GED Test · Online-Proctored GED Test (OP) · 1978-Getting Jobs
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Health in Working-Aged Americans: Adults With High School ... - NIH
The high school equivalency diploma was associated with nonequivalent health: adults with a GED had health comparable to that of high school dropouts, not ...<|control11|><|separator|>
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[PDF] NBER WORKING PAPER SERIES IS THE GED AN EFFECTIVE ...
Thus, any serious economic role the GED might play likely lies in the extent to which this credential helps school dropouts move into postsecondary education ...
[8]
Taking the Easy Way Out: How the GED Testing Program Induces ...
This paper evaluates the effect of three different GED policy innovations on high school graduation rates. A six point decrease in the GED pass rate due to an ...
[9]
The Evolution of the G.E.D. Test: Entering the Educational Mainstream
Jan 16, 1985 · The General Educational Development Test was instituted by Unit-ed States Armed Forces Institute in 1942 to help returning soldiers who had ...
[10]
GED was never meant to be second-chance diploma
Jan 3, 2014 · The GED test was set up to help GIs get high school credit when they returned from war. ... In 1942, Congress lowered the draft age from 21 to 18.
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[PDF] The General Educational Development (GED) Credential - NCSALL
In 1942, an advi- sory committee to the Army Institute, headed by Ralph Tyler, selected five tests from the Iowa Test of Educational Development to form the ...<|separator|>
[12]
[PDF] Chapter 6 An Institutional History of the GED
The history traces ACE's work promoting use the GED tests to measure “equivalency” to high school and its successful efforts to block states from issuing “ ...
[13]
[PDF] Adult Education, Assessment and the Beginnings of the GED
The testing program was instituted relatively quickly. By April of 1944 Tyler was able to report that 1500 tests had already been given. (This was both general ...Missing: origin | Show results with:origin
[14]
Our History - American Council on Education
In addition, ACE founded the Program on Non-collegiate Sponsored Instruction in 1940 to assist campuses in granting credit for what service members and veterans ...Missing: WWII | Show results with:WWII
[15]
Second-Chance Diploma: Examining the GED | American RadioWorks
But in 1947, New York became the first state to allow civilians to take the test. A quarter-century later, all 50 states were using the GED. Use of the GED ...
[16]
https://ncsall.net/fileadmin/resources/ann_rev/rall_v5_ch3.pdf
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1971 through 2013 - National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
A revised GED test was introduced in 2002. In 2001, test takers were required to successfully complete all five components of the GED or else begin the five- ...
[18]
Revised GED Test Shifts Focus to Analysis - The Washington Post
Jan 6, 2002 · In 1988, the questions called for more problem-solving skills, and a 45-minute essay component was added. Describing the impetus for the latest ...
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[PDF] Technical Manual: 2002 Series GED Tests - ERIC
This is the Technical Manual for the 2002 Series GED Tests, published by the GED Testing Service, a program of the American Council on Education.
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[PDF] 2014 GED Technical Manual
This manual was written for anyone who is interested in (a) learning about the background of the GED® testing program, (b) understanding how the GED® test ...<|control11|><|separator|>
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Significant Changes to GED Test Beginning in January 2014
Jan 2, 2014 · The new test will have four parts and will only be available in the computer-based format. Paper-based testing will be available in limited ...Missing: Development | Show results with:Development
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GED Gets A Makeover To Keep Pace With Changing Workforce - NPR
Jan 5, 2014 · The GED test is getting an overhaul. The exam has historically served adults who have fallen through the cracks of the educational system.
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Score Scale and Content Descriptions for the GED test
In 2016, the performance levels and cut scores on the GED® test were revised, as follows: Pass/High School Equivalency: Minimum score of 145 on each of the four ...
[24]
Test Subjects - GED
The GED® test includes 4 subjects, with separate exams you can take at your own pace. Learn what's on each test and plan your study strategy.Mathematical Reasoning · Social Studies · Price & State Rules · Language ArtsMissing: timeline | Show results with:timeline
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[PDF] Assessment Guide for Educators: Introduction - GED
Four test subjects—Reasoning Through. Language Arts (RLA), Mathematical Reasoning, Science, and Social. Studies—measure a foundational core of knowledge and ...<|separator|>
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[PDF] Assessment Guide for Educators: RLA - GED
The assessment targets for all four content areas provide a complete description of the skills and knowledge that are measured on the. GED® test. Evidence.
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Reasoning Through Language Arts: What You Need to Know - GED
Sep 10, 2019 · The Reasoning Through Language Arts (RLA) test assesses your reading and writing skills. Both of these skills are all about communication.
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[PDF] GED Mathematical Reasoning - Florida Department of Education
This test will focus on the fundamentals of mathematics in two major content areas: quantitative problem solving and algebraic problem solving.
[29]
http://www.ged.com/wp-content/uploads/assessment_guide_for_educators_math.pdf
[30]
[PDF] Assessment Guide for Educators: Science - GED
The Science test focuses on three major content domains: (1) life science, (2) physical science, and (3). Earth and space science. The science content topics.
[31]
Social Studies - GED
You'll need to apply social studies concepts, know how to read graphs and charts displaying social studies data, and use reasoning to interpret social studies ...Missing: outline | Show results with:outline
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[PDF] Assessment Guide for Educators: Social Studies - GED
The Social Studies test also focuses on four major content domains: civics and government, United States history, economics, and geography and the world. The.
[33]
[PDF] A History of Educational Testing - Princeton University
Since their earliest administration in the mid-19th century, standardized tests have been used to assess student learning, hold schools accountable for results, ...
[34]
National Debate on 2014 GED Changes - CSG Justice Center
Mar 26, 2015 · Beginning January 1, 2014, the General Education Development (GED) test is getting a facelift: it will be academically more challenging, more costly, and ...
[35]
https://www.kaptest.com/blog/press/2013/06/10/coming-overhaul-to-the-ged-in-2014-those-without-a-high-school-diploma-will-have-to-work-harder-to-pass-it/
[36]
Introducing the Official Online GED Test
Jun 8, 2020 · With the Online Proctored GED Test, students can take the GED test from home while securely monitored by an online proctor. Prior to this ...
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Online Proctored Test - Educators and Admins - GED
Take your GED test from the comfort of your home, while securely monitored by an online proctor. See How the GED Online Proctored Test Works. Privacy and ...Missing: introduction | Show results with:introduction
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[PDF] The Online Proctored GED® Test: Everything You Need to Know
Mar 23, 2021 · Online Proctored GED Test Pilot. Key Information. • Students must earn a score of 145 or higher on the GED Ready.Missing: introduction | Show results with:introduction
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Online Proctored GED Test
The online proctored GED test is a reality. The Online proctoring GED testing method is now standard and an alternative to the test center exam.
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What Are GED Requirements?
Aug 9, 2021 · 1. You do not currently attend high school. You cannot be a high school student and take the GED tests. · 2. You never graduated from high school ...
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Price & State Rules - GED
Age and other testing requirements also vary by area. Learn more about rules for testing in your area. Select your area to see your pricing.Missing: criteria | Show results with:criteria
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New Jersey - GED
You can take the exam if you're 18 or older, but you may qualify at 16 or 17. Those in the latter category need a completed Certificate of Consent to ...
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California - GED
A test taker under the age of 18, with an approved waiver from the California Department of Education due to additional requirements may be eligible to test. A ...<|separator|>
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New York - GED
In New York, you must be at least 19 years of age to take a GED test. If you are 16, 17, or 18 you must get approval to test.
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Take the Online GED Test
First, you can check here to see if your state offers online GED testing. Some states may also have specific age eligibility requirements. Once you log in to ...States and territories that offer... · Understanding GED Scores · Pass the GED Math
[46]
How to Schedule a GED® Test: Step-by-Step
Jun 8, 2023 · Step 1. Log In or Sign Up for an Account at GED.com · Step 2. Learn the Rules and Requirements · Step 3. Click “Schedule Test” · Step 4. Decide How ...
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Scheduling - GED
You will schedule your test online and you will take the test at an official GED test center or through online proctoring.
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Test Administration - Educators and Admins - GED
Online Proctored GED Test. The Online Proctored GED Test offers learners the opportunity to complete the GED test subjects from home or a remote location; while ...
[49]
High School Equivalency Diploma Program – GED Testing
Online-proctored GED testing is suspended in Florida. Students will continue to be able to access all GED ® approved testing sites and locations.Diplomas, Transcripts... · Frequently Asked Questions · Testing Administrators
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What's the cost of the GED test? - Onsego
The cost of the GED test varies from state to state, but in most states, the GED® fee is around $36 per subject test. There are 4 subject tests, ...
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Test Centers - NJ.gov
The cost of each GED ready test is $6.99. The cost of each GED subject test is $36.00. You need to pass the four subject tests (Language Arts, math, science, ...
[52]
GED® Computer-Based Test - Florida State College at Jacksonville
The computer-based GED® test costs $32 per subtest or $128 total when taking all four subtests. The testing fee is paid when you first register for the test.
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GED | Oklahoma State University - OSUIT
GED testing includes four parts, each costing $34, for a total of $136. Pay as you go and take one section at a time to fit your schedule. College Credit ...<|separator|>
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Hawaii - GED
Starting January 1, 2025: You will receive one discounted* retake for every GED® test subject you purchase but don't pass. · In Hawaii, there is a $10 test ...
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Accommodations Under the ADAA - GED
Some of the conditions that can get accommodations include: chronic pain or illness; physical disabilities; mental disorders or learning disabilities. Test ...
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Testing Accommodations - GED
Yes. When you create an account on GED.com, you'll be asked if you'd like accommodated testing. Select “Yes,” and you'll receive additional information.
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[PDF] FAQs | GED® Test Accommodations
Common accommodations include learning, visual, ADHD, psychiatric, physical disabilities, and chronic conditions like diabetes, Crohn's, and severe back pain. ...
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Exhibit 16- ACCOMMODATED TESTING PROCEDURE - GED
Candidates request accommodations during online registration, apply on the website, and wait up to 30 days for review. Accommodations include extra time, ...
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ADA Requirements: Testing Accommodations
Sep 8, 2015 · This publication provides technical assistance on testing accommodations for individuals with disabilities who take standardized exams and other high-stakes ...
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Test Scores - GED
The GED test has a passing score of 145 for each test subject. To earn your high school equivalency, you'll need to score 145 or higher on all four subjects.
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How is the GED Test Scored | GED.com
Nov 8, 2021 · The GED requires a minimum score of 145 in each subject area. Scores are based on points earned, not questions answered correctly, and are not ...
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Understanding Your Scores - GED
The GED passing score is 145. 165-174 is "College Ready", and 175-200 is "College Ready + Credit" for potential college credits.
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Top FAQs - GED
If you don't pass within your first 3 attempts, you'll need to wait 60 days for your next attempt and between every attempt thereafter. For those testing on ...
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Retake the GED Test If You Don't Pass
Apr 19, 2021 · Most states let you retake a subject test without any kind of waiting period. After three attempts, including the first, they usually give you ...
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[PDF] THE GED® PROGRAM
PBT Testing. Sites. GED® test may be administered only at Official GED® paper testing centers or at ... testing fees and will need to re issue payment at the next ...Missing: logistics | Show results with:logistics
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GED Information - Texas Education Agency
Retest Fees & Retest Rules · CBT: After the first three attempts, 60 day wait period required between subsequent retakes. This policy resets every January 1st.
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[PDF] NBER WORKING PAPER SERIES THE GED James J. Heckman ...
Jun 17, 2010 · GEDs are widely held to be equivalent to individuals who receive a traditional high school diploma by taking courses and acquiring credit ...
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Who Benefits from Obtaining a GED? Evidence from High School ...
Aug 10, 2025 · This paper examines the value of the GED credential and the conventional high school diploma in explaining the earnings of 27-year-old males ...
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The GED - ScienceDirect
The test claims to establish equivalence between dropouts and traditional high school graduates, opening the door to college and positions in the labor market.Chapter 9 - The Ged · Introduction · The Effects Of Ged...<|separator|>
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THE NONEQUIVALENT HEALTH OF HIGH SCHOOL EQUIVALENTS
The GED is referred to as the high school equivalency diploma, under the assumption that GED recipients have comparable knowledge and skills as regular high ...
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Trends in High School Dropout and Completion Rates in the United ...
The GED is accepted by most colleges and universities that require a high school diploma for admission, and most companies that have positions requiring a ...
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From GED to College: Age Trajectories of Nontraditional ...
... GED recipients have poorer labor market outcomes than those with a traditional diploma. Differences in timing, however, have been overlooked by past ...
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Is the GED an effective route to postsecondary education for school ...
Research generally reports no earnings benefit for GED holders over individuals with no credential, at least in the short run (Cameron & Heckman, 1993 ...
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The Nonequivalent Health of High School Equivalents - jstor
In employment rates, wages, and other economic indicators, adults with a terminal GED were often found to be comparable to HS dropouts rather than regular HS ...<|separator|>
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[PDF] Economic and Noneconomic Outcomes for GED® Credential ... - ERIC
Most studies on labor market outcomes for. GED credential recipients have targeted specific groups for comparisons across age, gender, or geographic areas.
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[PDF] The Impacts of the GED Credential and Regular - LINCS
Jun 9, 2012 · The empirical analysis will begin with an examination of the findings of the multivariate statistical analyses of the labor market, earnings ...
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GED Recipients Have Lower Earnings, are Less Likely to Enter ...
Feb 27, 2012 · Overall, high school diploma holders earned approximately $4,700 in mean monthly earnings compared with GED certificate holders, who earned $3, ...Missing: differential | Show results with:differential
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Labor market returns to a prison GED - ScienceDirect.com
We find that the GED leads to short-term higher quarterly earnings and employment rate increases of as much as 25%-30%, with the effect of the GED of a similar ...
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[PDF] Changes in the Labor Market Returns to Obtaining a GED after the ...
Diploma recipients enjoy more favorable labor market outcomes (with respect to labor force participation and wages) than GED recipients, and pre-2002 GED ...<|separator|>
[80]
[PDF] Labor Market Impacts of the GED® Test Credential on High School ...
To address the first question, the author conducted statistical comparisons of the labor market outcomes of GED test credential recipients and uncredentialed ...
[81]
[PDF] High School Equivalency Credentialing and Post-Secondary Success
Jul 16, 2025 · College-ready GED graduates enroll, persist, and graduate from college at even higher rates, primarily from four-year institutions. Even in this ...
[82]
https://www.bls.gov/opub/ted/2024/61-4-percent-of-recent-high-school-graduates-enrolled-in-college-in-october-2023.htm
[83]
High School Equivalency Credentialing and Post-Secondary Success
Aug 19, 2025 · Nationally, about 30% of community college entrants graduate within six years, compared to 30.4% of GED CR graduates and nearly 39% of CR+C ...
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(PDF) College Readiness, Early Post-secondary Academic ...
Aug 10, 2025 · GED graduates attain a lower first semester GPA and are also less likely to re-enroll in second semester courses. We also find that changes made ...
[85]
[PDF] The GED - IZA - Institute of Labor Economics
Once Heckman and LaFontaine correct for selection and control for AFQT scores, male GEDs earn on average 1% less per hour than dropouts while terminal high ...
[86]
The Importance of Noncognitive Skills: Lessons from the GED ...
The Importance of Noncognitive Skills: Lessons from the GED Testing Program by James J. Heckman and Yona Rubinstein. Published in volume 91, issue 2, ...
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[PDF] Lessons from the GED Testing Program - James J. Heckman
Jan 24, 2006 · The GED program is a second-chance program that ad- ministers battery of cognitive tests to self- selected high-school dropouts to determine.
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How the GED Testing Program Induces Students to Drop Out | NBER
This paper evaluates the effect of three different GED policy innovations on high school graduation rates.
[89]
https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3800208
[90]
Passed to Fail? Predicting the College Enrollment of GED® Passers
Aug 21, 2017 · Sum et al. (2012), however, found that only 17% of GED passers aged 18 to 29 years had enrolled in college in 2010, while Reder (2007) ...<|separator|>
[91]
The Health Penalty of the GED: Testing the Role of Noncognitive ...
Mar 1, 2016 · The GED health disadvantage was jointly explained by lower noncognitive skills, unhealthy behaviors, and adverse economic circumstances, with ...Missing: criticisms | Show results with:criticisms
[92]
The GED | NBER
Jun 3, 2010 · James J. Heckman, John Eric Humphries, and Nicholas S. Mader, "The GED," NBER Working Paper 16064 (2010), https://doi.org/10.3386/w16064.
[93]
What Jobs Can I Get with a GED?
Jan 9, 2020 · You'll find opportunities in every field. According to the US Bureau of Labor and Statistics, 73% of all jobs require a diploma or GED at a bare minimum.
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Who benefits from a GED? Evidence for females from High School ...
A number of studies show that male GED recipients do not fare as well in the labor market as observationally similar conventional high school graduates3.
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Economic Benefits of the GED: Lessons From Recent Research
Aug 10, 2025 · Fourth, the returns to postsecondary education and training are as large for GED holders as for regular high school graduates, but GED holders ...
[96]
[PDF] GED INFORMATION
Tests of the General Educational Development (GED) were established in 1942 to help returning World War II veterans finish their studies and earn a high school ...
[97]
GED® Test Performance - Race and Ethnicity in Higher Education
The majority of GED test takers completed the exam (70.2 percent), meaning they took all four subject-area modules. Of those completers, 85.3 percent passed.
[98]
How the GED Testing Program Induces Students to Drop Out
Aug 5, 2025 · This paper evaluates the effect of three different GED policy innovations on high school graduation rates. A six point decrease in the GED pass ...<|control11|><|separator|>
[99]
[PDF] Attempted Reform of the GED Credential in Wisconsin - Minds@UW
These programs were expected to offer an academic, life skills, and remedial curriculum as well as occupational education, vocational education and support ...
[100]
[PDF] PrOmiSiNG mODElS fOr mOviNG HiGH SCHOOl DrOPOuTS TO ...
This report identifies three primary types of adult education reforms: (1) efforts to increase the rigor of adult education instruction and the standards for ...
[101]
[PDF] More Than Just a GED: Improving Indiana's Adult Education System ...
Adult education programs must reform and elevate their goals beyond the GED to include preparation for the workplace and further education.
[102]
[PDF] Options, Issues, and Improvement Strategies - CLASP
There are new state-endorsed equivalency options for individuals, and these changes, coupled with changes to the GED®, have profound implications for persons ...
[103]
Alternatives to the GED: HiSET and TASC - Tallo
Did you know that there are alternatives to GED? Visit Tallo and learn more about the HiSET and the TASC, two GED alternatives that are worth investigating.
[104]
Some States are dropping the GED ® Test as Testing Price Spikes
States considering switching to an alternative High School Equivalency exam say they'll put more emphasis on the equivalency credential or diploma they issue, ...Missing: reforms | Show results with:reforms
[105]
Guide To High School Equivalency Exams
Jul 9, 2025 · The NEDP offers a self-paced, real-world alternative that awards a high school diploma rather than an equivalency certificate.
[106]
HiSET vs. GED: Which is Best for Your Career? | Workforce Essentials
Jul 29, 2025 · The GED and HiSET are the two most common high school diploma alternatives, but many colleges and employers recognize several other academic ...