Significant changes to the General Education Development test, or GED, will greatly impact people who are working toward taking the test. Among the changes, the test will be computer-based, more expensive, and likely more difficult. The change in the GED test is at a national level and is an issue of concern to adult-education advocates.
The new test is being developed by Pearson, a large British-based publisher of educational materials and tests, and the American Council on Education, which has run the exam as a nonprofit program since the 1940s. They formed the company GED Testing Service and are revamping the test, which they say has become outdated. The new GED test is expected to be introduced in January, 2014.
In the meantime, the existing GED test has been computerized and is being offered at many testing sites, such as Bucks County Community College. The cost to take the computerized test is $120, a 60% increase in cost over the former paper and pencil test. What the cost will be starting in 2014 is unknown. Some testing centers will most likely not make the transition to computer-based testing, possibly reducing the number of testing sites.
Vita Education Services, a Bucks County-based nonprofit agency, offers GED preparation classes at no cost through grants from the PA Departments of Education’s Division of Adult Education. These students depend on the exam to open career doors for them or to advance to post-secondary education. For some of these students, regardless of determination and desire, the increase in the GED testing fees is more than they can afford.
Realizing a need, Vita has established a GED Scholarship Fund to help students with a proven record of achievement in Vita’s GED preparation classes pay for the GED test. The motivated adults who meet the requirements of Vita’s screening process have an excellent chance of passing the GED test.
Vita is reaching out to area businesses to help support the fund and partner with Vita toward the betterment of adult learners, our workforce, and our community.
For more information, visit www.VitaEducation.org or call 215-345-8322.
