Are you contemplating whether a GED diploma is the right choice for you? You’re not alone in this consideration, as approximately 11% of U.S. adults lack a high school diploma or its equivalent. Without a high school credential, accessing various employment and higher education opportunities can be challenging. The GED serves as a valuable tool to bridge this gap. Are you uncertain about the difficulty of the GED test compared to graduating high school? Is it more advantageous to pursue a high school diploma or opt for a GED? The answer hinges on your personal goals and aspirations. Making such a significant decision can be challenging. This guide on the GED provides the necessary information to help you navigate and determine if the GED is harder than high school diploma? Need online GED science test help? Takemygedtest.com is your solution. Contact us for more information.
What is the GED?
The GED officially stands for General Educational Development, although various states and testing services may use alternative terms like General Equivalency Diploma, Graduate Equivalency Degree, or similar combinations, all of which denote the same test. The roots of the GED trace back to World War II when numerous military service members enlisted without completing high school. In response, the American Council on Education (ACE) created the GED as a solution. This high school equivalency diploma enabled these service members to access employment opportunities and pursue higher education.
GED Test Format
The testing authority Pearson, responsible for administering the GED test, discontinued traditional bubble sheet testing in the mid-2000s. Presently, the GED test is exclusively administered in a computer format. Testing options include online GED test or at an official test center. Originally, the GED was exclusive to test centers until the onset of the COVID pandemic. The introduction of the online test version allowed students to continue testing during lockdowns and periods of social distancing. It’s essential to note that both testing methods, whether online or at an official test center, adhere to a closed-book policy and are proctored.
Read more: Take My Proctored GED Test for Me
GED Test Content
The GED assesses the academic standards typically covered in high schools, encompassing four primary sections:
Each section can be taken independently, allowing you to proceed at your preferred pace. For instance, you might choose to tackle one exam every Friday until all sections are completed. It’s crucial to achieve a passing score in every section to successfully obtain your GED.
GED Test vs High School Diploma
Is the GED more challenging than obtaining a high school diploma? The answer hinges on your individual learning style. For some, the higher course load in high school may pose greater difficulty, while others may struggle with the accelerated pace of learning GED material. The content covered in the GED aligns closely with high school coursework. However, various factors play a role in determining the suitable learning path for you.
1. Eligibility
The initial step involves establishing your eligibility. Both the GED and high school diplomas are governed at the state level, and eligibility criteria may vary among high schools, counties, districts, or individual policies. Your eligibility status may limit your choice between the two options, irrespective of other considerations. If you are unable to meet specific requirements, you may need to either wait until you become eligible or opt for the available option.
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GED Eligibility Criteria
Typical GED eligibility requirements encompass:
- Minimum age of 16-18 years
- State residency
- Lack of a high school diploma
- Non-enrollment in current high school classes
- Successful completion of pre-coursework and/or testing
It is crucial to note that state requirements can vary considerably. For example, North Dakota does not mandate state residency and sets the minimum age at 16. There is no required preparatory coursework, but a mandatory Civics exam is administered. Conversely, Hawaii has a minimum age requirement of 18, with no residency constraints. However, individuals must complete a minimum of 60 hours of additional instruction, a prerequisite for obtaining the official GED diploma. Generally, GED eligibility is more flexible, allowing individuals to take the GED at any age above the specified minimum. GED programs are also adaptable for situations where regular attendance is impractical, such as correctional facilities or long-term care hospitals.
Continue Reading: Can I Take my GED at 16?
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High School Diploma Eligibility Criteria
Typical high school eligibility requirements may involve:
- Maximum age limit of 20-21 years
- Residency within the school district
- No legal impediments
- Regular attendance
- Successful fulfillment of credit hours, participation in extracurricular activities, and/or passing exams
It’s essential to recognize that high school diploma requirements can exhibit more variability than those of the GED. Diverse types of high schools each have their unique conditions for eligibility and graduation. Alternative high schools, a less familiar option, can provide unconventional instruction, proving especially beneficial for students facing challenges in meeting credit hour requirements due to missed or failed classes. If you’re currently grappling with issues like attendance or grades, exploring alternative high school options within your district could be a viable solution.
2. Coursework
The GED and a high school diploma share similarities in their academic content, encompassing foundational benchmarks in reading, writing, and math. While the GED includes social studies and science, it does not feature separate tests for elective subjects like STEM, business, art, and foreign language, nor does it incorporate extracurricular activities such as music, drama, or sports. It’s important to note that, when exploring college scholarships, the absence of extracurriculars and electives in the GED may impact certain options, although obtaining a GED can still open up alternative opportunities.
In contrast, high school classes typically entail a more rigorous coursework load, even if your state mandates preparatory courses. Standard coursework involves daily assignments, tests, and substantial projects. Additionally, high school students often contend with an average of up to 17.5 hours of homework per week.
3. Testing
The GED comprises four primary tests, each dedicated to a specific knowledge area. Each test operates with its own timer and results. GED preparatory courses often include pre-tests and post-tests to ensure mastery of the material before attempting the official tests. In contrast, high school education involves various testing methods to facilitate learning. This includes regular assessments like pop quizzes, practice tests, and exit exams. Many high schools incorporate midterms and final exams into their assessment strategies. Additionally, individual states implement their own assessment tests, with examples such as Texas using the State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR) system to evaluate student performance at grade level.