General Educational Development (or GED) tests are a group of five subject tests which, when passed, certify that the taker has American high school-level academic skills. The GED is also referred to as a General Education Diploma, General Equivalency Diploma, or Graduate Equivalency Degree.
The American Council on Education is the sole developer for the GED test. The test is always taken in person and never available online. Jurisdictions award a “Certificate of General Educational Development” or similarly titled credential to persons who meet the passing score requirements.
Only individuals who have not earned a high school diploma may take the GED tests.
More than 15 million people have received a GED credential since the program began. One in every seven Americans with high school credentials received the GED, as well as one in 20 college students. Seventy percent of GED recipients complete at least the 10th grade before leaving school, and the same number are over the age of 19, with the average age being 24.
In addition to English, the GED tests are available in Spanish.
At Vista Academy, Students who have not had success in traditional high school settings, or had other circumstances which did not allow them to complete high school may take GED classes.