Frequently Asked Questions — English

What does GED mean?
— GED means General Educational Development. The GED is equivalent to a high school diploma from the United States and its territories. The GED is for persons 16 years or older who have not completed high school. The five GED exams measure your knowledge and skills in language arts: writing, science, social studies, language arts: reading and mathematics.

Why would I need a GED?
— Many companies are now requiring new employees to have a high school diploma or equivalent. A GED may also open more doors for you to continue your education.

Do I need to take GED preparation classes before taking the exams?
— No. It is not necessary to take classes before taking the exams, but the classes can help you prepare for the exams. The classes are $35 a term and are offered in English. The Salem campus offers a GED preparation class in Spanish. For more information about the classes, you can call 503.399.5224.

Do I need to take all the exams at once?
— No. You can take any exam or exams on any scheduled testing day. You can call 503.399.6556 for more testing information.

What should I do now?
— When you are ready to take the GED exams, you need to pay the $100* testing fee at the Business Office in Building 2. Then you need to attend an registration session on a day and time one is offered (call 503.399.6556 for current term schedule or additional information on GED testing). After having attended an registration session, you can begin taking the exams. If you feel you need to better prepare for the exams, you may enroll in GED classes.

*The $100 payment covers all 5 exams. If you need to retest in a subject area, you will need to pay a $10 per test retest fee. If you have already passed some of the GED tests elsewhere or have questions about testing, contact Testing Services at 503.399.6556.

If you would like more information about ABE/GED or Basic Skills Development classes, please use the links on this page or contact the Developmental Education Department at 503.399.5224.

Updated January 2007 by the Developmental Education Department.