GED Program Bulletin 20101221 - GED Academy: Online GED .

NAME/ADDRESSCHANGESTo apply for a special accommodation, you must:1 Fill out the Request for Special Accommodations Form located on Page 26 oronline at www.prometric.com/ged and mail it to Prometric.9Name/Addresschanges2 After you receive your approval authorizing you to test with specialaccommodations, complete the standard scheduling process as outlined onPage 2. The testing center will be notified that you are testing with specialaccommodations.Note If you wish to request a special accommodation, it is stronglyrecommended that you submit the necessary form at least three monthsbefore the date on which you want to test.If your name or address changes during the course of your taking all five of theGED Tests, you should:1 Fill out the GED Name/Address Change Form located on Page 30 of thebulletin and fax it or mail it, along with legal documentation, to the addressindicated on the form. (Supporting documentation examples include copies ofmarriage certificates, divorce decrees, adoption papers, etc.)2 Inform the RRC when you schedule your next GED appointment that yourname has changed.3 Notify the Testing center Administrator when you check in at the testingcenter.Preparing for your examBeing well prepared can help you pass your test and possibly save you moneyand time spent retaking it. This section offers: An overview of the GED Tests, including test categories. An explanation of the types of questions that will be on the test.Overview oftests9The GED Tests are administered in a standardized environment in the quiet andprivacy of separated testing stations. It is advisable that you dress to becomfortable but in such a way that you can adapt to any room temperature.The computer-based version of the GED Tests offered by Prometric is based onthe 2002 Series GED Tests, and is only administered outside the United Statesand Canada. As of January 2, 2008, the 2002 Series GED Tests administeredinternationally are the same as the paper-and-pencil content in the UnitedStates and Canada. Passing the computer-based version of the GED Testscontinues to allow international test-takers to earn a U.S. high schoolequivalency diploma from the state of Maine.Note Because most material presented in the GED Tests requires the abilityto understand written text, the skill of reading comprehension is veryimportant.5

PREPARINGFORYOURTest batteryEXAMThe GED test battery is composed of five tests that each assess the skills andknowledge in a core high school academic subject.The five content area tests are: Language Arts, ReadingLanguage Arts, WritingMathematicsScienceSocial StudiesThe GED test battery may be taken in a linked format: Linked Writing Skills & Reading Linked Social Studies, Math, & ScienceTest NameLanguage Arts, Writing Part I and Part IITotalItems50 1 essayTest Time(Min)Appt Time(Min)149175Language Arts, Reading4065100Social Studies5085145Science5095145Mathematics, Part I and Part II5090145Linked: Writing Skills Part I and Part II and90190250270340Reading 1 essayLinked: Social Studies, Math and Science150The difference between the Appointment Time (often referred to as the SeatTime) and the Test Time is due to the following additional steps in the testingprocess: Introduction screen presented verifying the test you are about to take andyour name. An online tutorial that instructs you on how to maneuver throughout the testusing the applications and functions. A demographic survey. Test completion screen. Final signoff and exit screen.Test questionformatAll of the GED computer-based tests contain multiple-choice questions thatassess your ability to understand and use information or ideas. In many cases,you are asked to use the information provided to solve a problem, and analyzeand evaluate information. The questions do not ask about narrow definitions orspecific facts. Instead, the focus is on the major and lasting skills and knowledgeexpected of high school graduates.In addition to the multiple-choice questions, the Writing Skills Test includes anessay section. In this section, you are asked to write an essay on an assignedtopic. The topics are designed to be very general. All essay responses are typedon screen as prompted. There is no option to handwrite.6

THECOMPUTERTESTINGPROCESSThe multiple-choice questions are presented in one of three ways: Accompanied by a reading selection that may be as brief as one or twosentences or as long as 400 words; Accompanied by a table, graph, chart or illustration; or Stated as a problem to be solved (this type is most often used in theMathematics Test).Sample questions from each of the GED Tests, along with explanations of thecorrect answers, appear in this Bulletin beginning on Page 12. Read the samplequestions to become familiar with the type of material you will find on the GEDTests.Taking your examKnowing what to expect when taking your test may help you prepare for it. Thissection contains: An overview of the computer testing process.Detailed information on identification requirements.Regulations that will be enforced at the testing center.A guide to understanding your test results.Arrival. You should arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduledappointment. This allows time for you to sign in and for the testing center staffto verify your identification and take your photograph. If you arrive 30 minutespast the scheduled start time, you will not be admitted and your fees will beforfeited.The computertesting processYour test will be given by computer at a Prometric testing center. There is acomputer-based tutorial before beginning your test that features the following: Moving the mouse and using the mouse to select answers.Marking a question for review.Reviewing questions.Viewing a summary list of questions showing answered and unansweredquestions. Submitting a test for scoring.The following screenshots are samples of what you will see during the tutorial.Notice in all screenshots that the time remaining is displayed in the upper righthand corner.Using the mouse. This screenshot explains how the mouse is moved so thatthe arrow points to the appropriate response and how to use the “Next” and“Previous” buttons. The left button on the mouse is clicked or pressed to make aselection.7

TAKINGYOUREXAMReviewing items. Below is an example of the Review page, which providesinformation on how to review questions that are marked for review, and haveand have not been answered. You can open any question from this page byclicking on the appropriate button.8

TSYou must present a valid form of identification to be admitted to a testingcenter. That identification document must: Have a name that exactly matches the name used to register for the test(including designations such as “Jr.” and “III”). Have a recent, recognizable photograph. Contain both your signature and date of birth to verify your current age.9If your identification is questioned by the testing center staff, be prepared topresent a second form of identification bearing your signature and either aphotograph or physical description. All forms of identification must have beensigned before the day of test.Important Failure to provide appropriate identification at the time of thetest is considered a missed appointment. If you are not admitted to the testingcenter because you do not have valid identification, your fees will be forfeited.Acceptable forms of identification include: Passport (required if you are testing in Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan).National identification card.Photo-bearing driver’s license with signature.Photo-bearing employee identification card.Photo-bearing military identification card.Photo-bearing student identification card (if you are using this as your primaryidentification you must present a second form of identification as well).Unacceptable forms of identification: Social Security card. Draft classification card. Credit cards of any kind.If you do not have photo-bearing ID, you may bring in a letter of identity by: Asking an official at the institution you attend/attended to verify your identityon official letterhead stationery, affixing a photo to the letter and having thetitle, signature, and institution seal overlap the photo. Affixing a recent photo of yourself on a blank piece of paper, indicating yourphysical description, signing the paper, and having it notarized. The seal mustoverlap the photo.TestingregulationsTo ensure that all test-takers are tested under equally favorable conditions, thefollowing regulations and procedures will be observed at each testing center.Failure to follow any of these security procedures may result in thedisqualification of your test. Prometric reserves the right to audiotape andvideotape any examination session.References. No reference materials, dictionaries, books, papers or studymaterials are allowed at the testing center. If you are found with these or anyother aids, you will not be allowed to continue the test and your answers will notbe scored. You will be provided with scratch paper and a pencil to use duringthe test session. These items will be collected at the end of the test session.9

TAKINGYOUREXAMSignature. You will be required sign in before your test begins and sign out atthe end of the test session.Personal items. Prometric is not responsible for items left in the reception areaof the testing center. It is recommended that personal items not be brought intothe testing center. Note the following: Electronic equipment is not permitted in the testing room. This includes cellphones, PDAs, pagers, beepers, cameras, tape recorders, stereos, radios withheadphones, watch calculators, and watch alarms. Pocket items—keys, wallet, etc.—must remain in your pocket during testing. Other personal items—outerwear that is not being worn while testing (sweater,jacket, etc.), briefcases, purses, etc.—are not permitted in the testing room.Food and Beverages. You may not eat, drink, or use tobacco during the testadministration.Visitors. No guests, visitors or family members are allowed at the testingcenter.Security procedures and misconduct. Test-takers who engage in any kind ofmisconduct, disruptive or offensive behavior, or fail to comply with anExaminer’s directions, will be automatically disqualified and summarily dismissedfrom the testing center. If this should be necessary, no scores will be reportedfor this test and your fees will be forfeited. You will not be eligible to register foranother test for three months. Forms of misconduct include: Attempting to take a test for someone else.Creating a disturbance.Giving or receiving unauthorized help.Eating or drinking during the test.Attempting to tamper with the operation of the computer.Attempting to remove questions from the testing room.Weapons. No weapons of any kind are not allowed at the testing center.If questions arise. If at any time during the test you believe you have aproblem with your computer or need the Examiner for any reason, you shouldraise your hand. Testing center Examiners are not allowed to answer anyquestions pertaining to the test content. If you do not understand a question onthe test, you should answer the question to the best of your ability.Your testresultsWhen you complete your testing for the day, the testing center staff will giveyou a Test Completion Notice after you exit the testing room and before youleave.You must earn a minimum score of 410 on each of the five tests, with a totalscore of not fewer than 2250 points. This means you must score higher than410 on some tests to earn the extra 200 points. For example, if your scoreswere: Literature Arts: Writing - 410; Mathematics - 450; Science - 450; SocialStudies - 410; and Literature Arts: Reading - 450, you would not pass the GEDTests even though you received a minimum score of 410 on each test. The totalscores in this example only added up to 2170 points - 80 points short of theminimum total score of 2250 points required to earn a high school equivalency10

YOURTESTRESULTSdiploma. To achieve the extra points, you may retake any section of your choicewithin the allotted retest policy.GED retest policyYou must pass all five subjects to earn a U.S. high school equivalency diplomafrom the state of Maine. If you do not pass any one of the five GED Tests, youmay retest up to three times per calendar year, but must wait at least threemonths before retesting. It is your responsibility to keep track of the timeinterval between retaking the same test. If you retest without waiting the threemonth time period, your score for that test will be considered invalid and yourfee for taking the test will not be refunded.GED TranscriptsAfter you have completed each exam, you will receive an Official Transcript ofGED Test Results in the mail regardless of pass or fail status. This will allow youto easily identify which subject exams you might need to retake.Once you have successfully passed all five of the GED Tests, you will receivethree finalized copies of the GED Transcripts. GED Transcripts will be mailed assoon as they are processed — approximately four to six weeks from completionof testing.In addition, your GED Transcript will be sent automatically to the state of Maineby Prometric for processing of your GED equivalency diploma. Your equivalencydiploma will be mailed to you as soon as it is processed — approximately four tosix weeks from your final testing date. Three final GED Transcripts will beincluded with the mailing of your equivalency diploma.When you take the Literature Arts: Writing Test, you will be given anopportunity to indicate the address to which you would like your equivalencydiploma sent, if different from the address you used when registering.For example, if you have a relative or friend living in the United States, or if youwill be moving soon, you might want to have the equivalency diploma sent to adifferent address other than that which is contained in your registration records.(Please use the GED name/address change form on Page 30 of this bulletin.)Additional requestsTranscripts. To request additional GED Transcripts or to have an OfficialTranscript of GED Test Results sent to educational institutions on your behalf,complete the Request for GED Transcript form on Page 27 of this bulletin.Transcript requests must be in writing and bear your signature as authorizationto release your GED Transcript. The fee for additional GED Transcripts is 25(money order or bank draft is required as payment) made payable to Prometric.Diplomas. To request an additional official GED Diploma be sent to you, submitthe Request for Additional GED Diploma form on Page 28 of this bulletin alongwith the associated fees.Combining GED test scoresIf you wish to have your paper-based test scores (for tests taken prior toDecember 31, 2001), combined with your computer-based test scores toachieve a passing score, please include a copy of the score report for yourpaper-based test and a brief summary of the scores that you wish to combine.11

GEDSAMPLEQUESTIONSA copy of your paper-based test score report is required to process yourrequest. The information you supply will be verified with the state’s Departmentof Education records.Only scores from the same language editions may be combined. All editionswithin a language can be combined. For example, test scores of the U.S. Englishlanguage large print editions may be combined with audiocassette scores of astandard U.S. English language print edition. Examples of scores that cannot becombined are: Spanish language test scores with those of the English languageor French language editions, and Canadian English language test scores withU.S. English language scores.Complete the Request to Combine GED Test Scores form on Page 29 and fax theform and supporting documentation to 410.537.1421 or mail to the address onthe form. If your combined scores meet the minimum score requirementsoutlined in the “Your test results” section on Page 10 of this bulletin, you willreceive an Official GED International Score Report and an equivalency diplomawill be processed and mailed to you. If your combined scores do not meet theminimum score requirements, you will receive a Status Report containing yourcombined scores.GED sample questionsThe following samples may be useful to review for the type of questions thatmay be included in your test.The GED Language Arts: Writing Test has two parts, multiple choice and essay.The multiple-choice portion requires you to correct or revise sentences thatappear in a writing selection. For the essay portion, you will write an essayresponse to a subject or an issue that is assigned.Your essay score, together with your score from the multiple-choice section,becomes your Writing Skills Test composite score.Literature Arts,Writing:Multiple choiceThis test section contains paragraphs with numbered sentences followed byquestions based on those sentences. Each writing selection contains about 10 to14 numbered sentences in one or more paragraphs.Questions in this section cover sentence structure, usage, and mechanics. Youwill be asked to identify and correct errors that occur in sentences throughoutthe selection.Directions: Choose the one best answer to each item. Questions 1-3 refer tothe following paragraph.(1) One of the lifelong memories many of us share are the moment we obtained adriver’s license. (2) If we were teenagers at the time, these licenses signified ourpassage to adulthood. (3) We clearly remember practicing to handle a car well in heavytraffic and learning to parallel park. (4) We also prepared for the test by studying thedriver’s booklet, memorizing rules, and learning road signs. (5) Because we dreadedpossible disaster, the road test seemed worse than the written test. (6) Whileconducting these difficult tests, the state driving inspectors often seemed stern andunyielding. (7) Therefore, when all the tests were finally over, we felt a real sense ofachievement. (8) Whether or not we have chosen to use our licenses since then, theyremain of enormous value to us. (9) They symbolize our passport both to independenceand to the open road.12

LITERATURE1.ARTS,WRITING:MULTIPLECHOICESentence 1: One of the lifelong memories many of us share are themoment we obtained a driver’s license. What correction should be madeto this sentence?(1)(2)(3)(4)(5)change the spelling of memories to memorysinsert a comma after memorieschange are to ischange driver’s to driversno correction is necessaryCorrect Answer: 3Difficulty Level: Moderately difficultAbout half of the questions in this test section ask you to find and correct any errors inthe sentence. Because the subject of this sentence is One (not memories), the mainverb in the sentence, (are) must agree in number. Thus, the correct answer is (3)“change are to is.” Options 1, 2, and 4 introduce errors into the sentence, so none ofthese is the best answer. Notice that this item type has an alternative (5) “no correctionis necessary.” Choose this if the sentence is correct as is.2.Sentence 3: We cl

tests that make up the GED test battery, an individual can demonstrate an acquired level of learning that is comparable to that of U.S. high school graduates. The international GED testing program gives individuals greater access to the GED Tests by providing computerized GED