GED test changes allow some previously failed students to pass

The State Board of Community and Technical Colleges announced Tuesday that it’s retroactively lowering the passing score by five points, to 145.

“We’re pleased that the GED Testing Service has made this decision, and we give them a lot of credit for recalibrating their pass scores based the performance of recent high school graduates”, said Marty Brown, SBCTC executive director.

“The GED program continues to be much more than a high school equivalency test. These scoring changes, coupled with the new support systems such as the recently released career pathways tools, or the other extensive resources available through MyGED, mean more adult learners will be prepared for the next step in their career pathway”, said GED Testing Service President Randy Trask.

The GED has been a household name for high school equivalency for years, and was the only widely used test nationally until about two years ago, when the agency announced that they were building a new exam and aligning it with the Common Core standards many states were adopting.

In fiscal year 2015, which ended June 30, the GED test passing rate in Georgia was 65 percent of the 7,348 students who took all four sections of the exam. The two additional performance levels will be called GED College Ready, used to signify readiness to enter credit-bearing college courses; and GED College Ready + Credit, which may qualify students for up to ten hours of college credit.

“They determined after 18 months that their standards for passing the GED were more rigorous than what was required of high school students”. Corbin hinted at the new GED scoring changes, noting there would be efforts to bring the GED requirements in line with high school requirements. These “dual enrollment” options for regular high school students are proven motivators and momentum builders, rewarding college-level work done at the secondary level. The GED Testing Service has also added new scores to show whether the student is ready for college in that subject matter.

In addition to those who will receive their GED, those who have passed the test since January 1, 2014 scoring between 165 and 174, will qualify as GED College Ready. However, not all colleges or universities may accept that credit.

“The two most important things about a high school equivalency exam are providing the best prep possible to our students through well-trained instructors and accessible free class locations, and ensuring that the exam is a validated credible measure of high school equivalency”. We will continue to urge more of our GED graduates to enroll in college.

The score change is effective immediately and score reports will reflect the change on March 1.

For more information about Wallace State’s Adult Education program, contact 256.352.8078 or 256.352.8077.

Some GED test takers might have some good news heading their way.