Online GED Study

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Free GED Practice Tests and Courses

Are you looking for GED online programs and practice tests? There are more than a dozen free practice test sites, and several prep courses to help you get your GED.

If you're willing to put in the effort, your community, your state, and your country will provide you with lots of free help to prepare and practice for your GED tests.

They WANT you to get your GED. It's not just good for you. It's good for all of us when you go as far as you can in your education.

#1 What is the GED? 

The tests of GED, General Educational Development, are administered by the American Council of Education (ACE). They were orginally developed for the Army after World War II as a way for veterans who left high school for the service to show their knowledge and get employment after the war.

Now these tests are used by all states as the key requirement for a high school equivalent certificate or diploma. Because of that, the state diploma or certificate is usually referred to as the "GED" as well. So you often hear the GED called a General Education Diploma or General Equivalency Diploma or degree.

All states help adults obtain their equivalency certificate or diploma by providing GED preparation courses, usually conducted in the evening at a nearby community college or adult learning center. More and more states are offering free online courses as well.

What's a GED Worth to YOU? 

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#2 What are the requirements for a high school equivalency certificate or diploma? 

GED diploma

These vary by state. Some states permit students as young as 16 to take the GED tests. Others require you to be at least 18 years old.

Check your state's GED website to find out if you meet the requirements and what you have to do to obtain your high school equivalency diploma or certificate. Some states require more than successful completion of the GED tests. For example, Illinois requires that you pass an exam in US and state government, as well as the GED, to receive a certificate or diploma.

GED requirements info

#3 What exactly does the GED test cover? 

Exams

GED requirements info
There are actually five GED tests. They cover high school-level knowledge and skills in:

  • Reading
  • Math
  • Social studies
  • Science
  • Writing


ACE GED Testing Service, which administers all GED tests, provides answers to frequently asked questions about these tests, as well as free practice questions and tips on taking the tests.

GED Test Info Links 

ACE Introduction to GED Test-takers
Information and tips on preparing for and taking the GED, scores & transcripts.
GED Testing Info - The GED Exam
Significant features of the GED Tests including time permitted to complete each section and details of each topic area.

GED on Facebook

You can now socialize with others preparing for the test and get tips from those who've already taken it. Visit the Official Home of the GED Tests, managed by the GED Testing Service.

#4 What free classes are available to help me prepare for the GED? 

GED preparation classes

In the Classroom

Each state offers on-site (classroom) prep courses to help you prepare. Teachers in a classroom setting provide immediate feedback and answers to your questions.

Most of these classes are free, and are provided in the evening at nearby community colleges, adult education centers and community centers. Some states also offer free online prep courses.

Your state's website will provide you links to local organizations with classes in your area. America's Literacy Directory can also help you to find classes closest to your zip code for GED study, testing, and learning English. Or you can call your local community college or high school to find GED classes closest to you. Often these classes are free of charge, or charge for books and materials only.

GED prep in the classroom

Online State GED classes

A growing number of states, such as Virginia and Missouri, offer online prep courses as well. Some people prefer online courses because of the flexibility they offer when you have other commitments during scheduled on-site classes. These are great advantages, but online courses require a good amount of self-discipline.

Kentucky and other states have contracted with KET's PBS LiteracyLink GED Connection to provide online courses that accompany the PBS materials for free to eligible state residents. Contact your state agency or PBS LiteracyLink to find out if your state has a lease for PBS LiteracyLink materials. You can use LiteracyLink GED Connection for study, even without the material. GED Connection is the only free online program officially certified by ACE GED Testing Service.

PBS LiteracyLink GED Connection

Online Free to Everyone

There are also a few non-profit websites that offer free online GED prep courses. They are not affiliated with a particular state.

GEDforFREE has an excellent free GED prep course. This course is completely self-paced, but does not offer you a way to communicate with an instructor or other students.

Free-Ed.net offers a GED & College Prep course combined for those seeking GED certification prior to starting college. This is an interactive scheduled virtual classroom that enables you to chat online with class members. They now offer their course in the Second Life virtual world, where you can create yourself as a virtual student for online discussions. Because the Free-Ed.net course is so comprehensive, it takes 2 years to complete, but students are often ready to take the GED tests after just 1 year.

Second Life GED prep

Free Online GED Courses 

GEDforFREE
Self-paced online GED prep course with practice tests
Free-Ed.net
Free online interactive GED and college prep class.
PBS LiteracyLink GED Connection
GED and pre-GED prep and practice tests connected to TV series. Certified by ACE GED Testing Service. Study booklets are free or deeply discounted to residents of Kentucky.
eLearnVA
Innovative distance learning program to help Virginia residents prepare for the GED.
Missouri GED Online Class
GED test prep from home for Missouri residents, with the help of an online teacher.
GED-i Online
Online GED prep course for residents of Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, North Carolina and Washington.
KET | GED Study at Home
Kentucky GED high school equivalency exam enrollment to home study program.
Purdue OWL GED Writing Study Guide
Online CWEST Study Guide helps you prepare for Writing Part I, Multiple Choice and Writing Part 2, Essay Writing.

More Free GED Study Help 

Online Websites for Math, Science, Social Studies, Reading & Writing


LearningReviews.com has a directory of hundreds of free websites to help you learn more about topics such as algebra, the scientific method, world events, how to write a good essay, and grammar.

- - - - MATH - - - - | - - - SCIENCE - - - | - - - READING & WRITING - - | - SOCIAL STUDIES

LearningReviews.com MathLearningReviews.com Science LearningReviews.com Reading & Writing LearningReviews.com Social Studies






For the essay writing portion of the test, you'll find some terrific instruction and examples on The Five Paragraph Essay Wizard.

#5 Where can I find practice GED tests? 

PBS LiteracyLink GED Connection
Several websites offer free practice exams. Instructors recommend you obtain a practice score of 410 on 2 practice exams in a content area before you schedule your formal exam.

GED Practice Test Links 

GED Source: GED Tips: A Teacher's Experience
An experienced GED teacher provides 25 tips for practicing for and taking the GED tests.
4Tests.com - Free, Practice GED Exam
4Tests.com provides dozens of practice questions in all content areas.
Quia - Pre-GED Math Assessment
It is important that you know where to start studying in your GED math. Take this assessment to determine if you are ready to study GED Math (higher level whole numbers, fractions, decimals, percents, algebra, and geometry) or if you should take a Pre-GED class (foundational skills).
ACE | GED Prepare Online
Prepare for the GED Tests online using the official sample questions from GED Testing Service or with online activities from GED Testing Service partner, KET.
LiteracyLink - Learning Plan
LiteracyLink lessons include free practice tests. Free registration is required to take the lessons and tests. LiteracyLink is one of three ACE GED Testing Service-certified content providers.
Steck-Vaughn GEDPractice.com
Practice tests for all subject areas. Steck-Vaughn is one of three ACE GED Testing Service-certified content providers.
GED Test Practice Questions - Testpreview.com
Help your GED Exam Score with free GED Test Preparation. Unofficial GED Test Information and GED Exam Questions.
Contemporary's GED Science Practice Test
This site provides students with additional preparation for the GED Science Test.
Contemporary's GED Mathematics Practice Test
This site provides students with additional preparation for the GED Mathematics Test.
Contemporary's GED Language Arts, Reading Practice Test
This site provides students with additional preparation tools for the GED Language Arts, Reading Test.
Contemporary's GED Language Arts, Writing Practice Test
This site provides students with additional preparation for the GED Language Arts, Writing Test.
Contemporary's GED Social Studies Practice Test
This site provides students with additional preparation for the GED Social Studies Test.
GED Sample Essay | Liz's World
Sample essay with comments, as well as links to tips on writing a good essay.
ACE | GED Sample Test Questions
This section of the official GED web site provides several example questions from each section of the GED Tests.
The GED: Official Test Format
The GED is a comprehensive test designed to measure your knowledge of all the major subject areas you would have mastered during high school. The GED has five sections. Each one contains a specific number of questions that must be completed within a set timeframe. Read the information below to learn

#6 Where do I take the GED tests? 

GED testing centers

There are more than 3,400 testing centers around the country. Check the ACE GED testing center locator or your state's GED website to find the one closest to you. You can only take the the tests IN PERSON at an ACE-approved testing center.

While there are many free resources to help you prep for GED tests, you must pay to take the tests. The cost varies widely by state. North Carolina charges $7.50, while California charges $100. Costs could also differ from one testing center to another in the same state. The fees pay for the cost of testing materials, test administration, and scoring of the writing section of the GED.

You must have a minimum score of 410 to pass one content area of the tests. You must have a minimum score of 2250 total for all five tests. That averages out to 450 per test. Some states may require higher scores.

If you had an identified learning disability in school, notify your state agency. There may be some accommodations that can be made in your test-taking. You will have to fill out a special form, L-15, to request the accommodations.

PBS LiteracyLink GED Connection

ACE GED Test Links 

GED's Official Facebook Page
Read some inspiration stories and news items, participate in discussions, ask questions, and read and leave notes on the wall.
ACE | Locate a GED Testing Center
Type your Zip/Postal Code to get a list of the closest testing centers. South Carolina residents, use the link at the bottom of ACE's locator page.
GEDTS - How to request accommodations using Form L-15
When applying to take the GED with accommodations, candidates must get form L-15, Accommodation Request for Learning Disabilities and/or Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.

WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! 

You CANNOT take your official GED test online.

Please do not give money to an online site that promises GED testing and certification. They will rip you off. GED testing and certification can only be done through ACE-approved facilities.
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#7 What if I don't pass a GED test? 

Don't get down on yourself! About 30% of candidates do not pass one or more sections of the test. You can retest in that content area twice more in one year. You may have to pay an additional fee to re-take a test.

Your chances of passing are much greater if you take and pass at least two official practice tests (OPT) for each content area.

Determine you area(s) of weakness from your test results. Then study that topic more, in class or online, take and pass two official practice tests, then try again.

LearningReviews.com has a directory of many other free websites that can help you learn and improve your skills in all of the content areas.

If you have not passed all five sections of the 2002 Series GED Tests by December 31, 2011, you will have to retake ALL of the tests using the new 2012 Series GED tests.

#8 After I pass all the tests, how do I get my GED certificate or diploma? 

Celebration time! You've successfully completed the hard part. Now comes graduation. Once again, the type of certificate or GED diploma you receive is determined by your state of residence. ACE's After the GED Tests webpage provides info on receiving a transcript and college admissions with GED certification.

Refer to your state's GED website to determine what other steps you must take to obtain your certification or equivalency diploma.

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#9 So How Do I Get My GED? 

There truly is no "best way". Your state may require that you take one or more courses in a classroom. Some people do best learning from a book. Others learn best with a teacher and discussion with other students. You may like the flexibility of self-paced online instruction.

The important thing is to get started.

1. Find out your state's requirements and if you meet the qualifications.
2. Take a GED pretest and find out what you need to work on. Focus on that.
3. Study, practice, test, study.
4. Take 2 practice tests in each subject. If you don't make 450 on each, don't waste you money yet on the official test.
5. Schedule you test at the local testing center.
6. Follow up with you state agency after you get your scores, if you have to complete further paperwork for a high school equivalency diploma or certification.

Do you have a high school education? 

Diploma, GED, not there yet?

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Some Inspiration and Advice 


79-Year-Old Gets GED


Math Skills & Equations : Passing the GED Math Test


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GED Graduates in the News 

Books behind bars: Many young adults looking to learn while stuck in jail
"I want to get my GED. I like school," said Elderkin, 19, a high school dropout who is serving time at the Warren County Jail. On Thursday, Elderkin spent ...
Community Wishbook: Gifford mother needs help getting GED
Shelly, a mother of seven children, was recently laid of from Habitat for Humanity and is looking for someone to tutor her in math so she can get her GED ...
Madison County Reads Ahead gives helping hand in GED prep
Stagnitti, the coordinator at Canastota, has had two students earn their GED and has one planning to take the test in January. Furthermore, she has had one ...
Land O'Lakes GED program put to test under new grad rating system
So officials are investigating alternatives to the GED exit option that would allow students to stay on track to get a special diploma, while also staying ...

Have you used any of these GED prep and exam practice sites? 

Which were most helpful to you?

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