Jeanne Steffener, Tulalip Tribes Higher Education
If you have begun working toward your GED, you are being urged to complete it before December 31st 2013. As of January 1st 2014, there will be some major changes to the test for a high school equivalency diploma (GED). One change includes starting over from the beginning if you have not completed the battery of five (5) tests before 2014.
The GED testing service is introducing a new version which will align the tests with the new Common Core curricula which has been adopted by most states to increase college and career readiness. Common Core standards place more weight on writing and content analysis. The test was originally developed back in 1942 for U.S. military personnel who had not completed high school. Although there have been regular updates, the last one occurred in 2002.
The testing will shift from pencil/ paper to computer format. The computer based version will be double the $$ cost of the current version. Instead of five (5) sections, the test series will be modified down to four (4) and evaluate reasoning through Language Arts, Mathematical Reasoning, Science and Social Studies. Language Arts and Social Studies sections will absorb the essay section with writing assignments in these two (2) areas.
The test is not necessarily going to be more difficult but it will test different skills. Not only will high school equivalency be tested, there will be questions on the test addressing college/ career readiness.
In conclusion, please finish those tests this year because 2014 brings new changes to GED.