GED


General Educational Development (or GED) tests are a group of five subject tests which, when passed, certify that the taker has American or Canadian high school-level academic skills. The GED is also referred to as a General Education Diploma, General Equivalency Diploma, Graduate Equivalency Degree. — Wikipedia

See schedule for class dates.

GED Examination

  • Q: Are there other versions of the GED exam available?
    A: Yes, there are seven versions of the GED test (English, Spanish, French, Canadian, audio, large print, and Braille). Not all sites will have all the versions. You will need special permission to take the test in audio, large print, or Braille, so make those arrangements well in advance of testing.
  • Q: Do employers accept the GED certificate as equivalent to a traditional high school diploma?
    A: Yes. More than 95% of employers do. Many employers are happy to accept the GED certificate because the score sheet provides specific information as to the skills mastered.
  • Q: Do I have to take all of the GED classes in the session?
    A: Yes, a commitment throughout the entire 5-week session is mandatory. Each class in the session is specifically designed to help the students in that session meet the specific academic requirements of the GED material in which they need further study.
  • Q: Do I have to take the entire GED exam over if I miss one part?
    A: An applicant who takes the GED for the first time must complete all five subsections of the test before retesting on any individual subsection. An applicant who completes initial testing but fails to achieve the minimum scores may be retested on the entire series of tests or on the failed individual subsection tests. You only have to retake the parts of the test below the required minimum score of 410 points unless you need a higher score to bring your average up to 450. Also, if you score below 1.5 on the essay, you must take the entire writing test over.
  • Q: Do I need a Social Security Number to take the GED exam?
    A: No.
  • Q: How are candidates faring with the GED?
    A: In 2007 4,002 GED certificates were earned in Nevada. This constitutes a 71% pass rate.
  • Q: How do I prepare for the GED exam?
    A: You can take GED classes at CMC. They are offered throughout the year. Check the calendar link to calendar for the date for registration and the date the next class begins.
  • Q: How is the GED exam scored?
    A: Each part of the test is scored separately. An overall score of 2250 with an average standard score of 450 is required to pass the test. No score may be under 410.
  • Q: How many people take the GED exam?
    A: Visit the Adult Education/Nevada Literacy Web site for up-to-date statistics. See also: How are candidates faring with the GED.
  • Q: How many questions are there on the GED exam and how much time is allowed per section?
    Test Content Number Items Time Limit
    Language Arts Writing Part I Organization 15%
    Sentence Structure 30%
    Usage 30%
    Mechanics 25%    		 50 120 minutes
    (45 minutes of this time is allowed for the essay.)
    Language Arts Writing Part II Essay 1 1
    Social Studies U.S. History 25%
    World History 15%
    Civics and Government 25%
    Geography 15%
    Economics 20%    		 50 70 minutes
    Science Life Science 45%
    Earth and Space Science 20%
    Physical Science 35%    		 50 80 minutes
    Language Arts Reading Nonfiction Texts 25%
    Literary Texts 75%
    • Prose Fiction
    • Poetry
    • Drama    		 40 65 minutes
    Mathematics Number Operations and Number Sense 25%
    Measurement and Geometry 25%
    Data Analysis, Statistics, and Probability 25%
    Algebra 25%    		 Part I
    25 with Calculator
    45 minutesPart II
    25 no calculator    		 45 minutes
    Totals: 240 + essay 7 hours, 5 minutes
  • Q: How many times can I take the GED exam?
    A: An applicant may be retested any number of times, although availability of alternative forms of the test may limit the number of possible retests in any 12 month period. If an applicant to be retested was initially tested with an edition in the English language, a different form of the edition must be used for the retest.
  • Q: How often is the GED exam offered?
    A: Check with us at registration for the most up to date information.
    Some sites give the entire test in one day, in which case all parts of the test must be completed on the same day. Some sites give the test over two days. If the test site gives the test over two days, the applicant, except those requiring special accommodations, must complete initial testing in no more than two sessions held within a period of six weeks. If the applicant fails to complete the tests within the six-week period, the results of the initial testing become invalid.
  • Q: If I am a foreign language student taking the GED exam in English, may I use a translator?
    A: No. If you feel your English skills are not sufficient, you may take the test in one of the other language and accessibility versions of the test. Taking the exams in any of these languages is equally difficult to the English version.
  • Q: If I take the GED exam in Spanish, will that be indicated on my GED certificate?
    A: No. However, it will be indicated on your GED transcript.
  • Q: Is advance registration necessary for the GED exam?
    A: If you are over eighteen, you will need proof of Nevada residency, a government issued picture ID (driver’s license or identification card) and another form of identification. If you are under the age of 18 you will need other documentation, so check with your test registrar ahead of time to be sure you bring the proper papers with you when you register. If you are not a U.S. citizen, see the information that follows.
  • Q: Is it possible to take the GED exam in Spanish?
    A: Yes. There are seven Spanish versions of the test. The Spanish version of the test is offered at many of the sites in Nevada. Call your local test site or the Adult Education Office to learn where the Spanish version of the test is offered.
  • Q: Is the GED accepted at colleges and universities?
    A: Yes. Approximately 97% of colleges and universities admit GED graduates who meet their other qualifications.
  • Q: Is there a minimum age requirement to take the GED exam?
    A: Yes. The minimum age is 18, except in the following cases.
    1. The board of trustees of a school district may, upon request and for good cause shown, grant permission to take the tests of general educational development prescribed by the state board to a person who:
    -a. resides in the school district
    -b. is at least 16 years of age but less than 17 years of age
    -c. submits to the board of trustees written permission signed by his parent or legal guardian
    -d. has not graduated from a high school
    -e. is not currently enrolled in a high school, and
    -f. satisfies any other requirements prescribed by the board of trustees.
    Note: it is no longer necessary for a 16-year-old to seek permission for GED testing from the Nevada State Board of Education.
    2. Applicants who are 17 years of age, but less than 18 years of age may register to take the GED exam after presenting:
    -a. written permission signed by parent or legal guardian, and
    -b. verification of withdrawal from high school.
  • Q: May I take the GED exam if I am not a U.S. citizen?
    A: Yes. GED Testing Service guidelines stipulate that in order for a person to take the GED tests, he or she must possess verification of identity and eligibility for testing. Identity and age must be verified using acceptable photograph-bearing identification. A driver’s license, valid passports, military ID, or another form of government-issued (national or foreign) identification that show name, address, date of birth, signature and photograph are all acceptable forms of identification, unless there is any reason to question their authenticity. An appropriate combination of documents may be used to satisfy the requirements. Non-citizens, including refugees, legal and illegal immigrants, resident and nonresident aliens, and other foreign nationals are eligible to take the GED Tests if they meet all of the requirements of the Commission and the State, province or territory, including requirements on age and withdrawal from school.
  • Q: May I take the GED exam if I have a high school diploma from another country?
    A: Yes. Persons whose high school diploma is from an unaccredited high school are eligible to take the GED Tests if they meet all other requirements of the Commission and State, province or territory. Persons who earn diplomas in countries that do not participate in the GED testing program are likewise eligible to take the GED tests if they meet all other requirements
  • Q: Must I be a resident of Nevada to take the GED exam?
    A: Yes. Certificates of High School Equivalency (proof of passing the GED) are only issued to persons who reside in the State of Nevada or who are on active military duty and have attended secondary school in Nevada. Nevada’s residency policy for GED testing allows for testing certain nonresidents who live near the border of Nevada in adjacent states when a testing site is not easily accessible to the nonresident.
  • Q: What areas does the GED exam cover?
    A: Language Arts Writing (Parts I and II), Reading, Social Studies, Science and Mathematics
  • Q: What is the primary reason adults take the GED exam?
    A: Seventeen percent said they were taking the test for personal satisfaction. Others said their primary reason was to qualify for further education.
    GED certificate holders can also expect to earn about $2,000 more per year than adults who never return to complete the requirements for a high school diploma.
  • Q: Where is the GED exam given?
    A: You can register to take the GED exam at various testing centers throughout Nevada. You may take it at any site convenient for you. Some versions of the test may not be offered at every site. Some test sites may have more versions of the test and/or accommodations than others. Check with CMC for a complete list of test sites in Las Vegas.

GED Preparation

  • Q: Are books supplied for GED Preparation Course?
    A: Yes. Books are provided for classroom use free of charge. You may purchase individual books from the Center. Check with the reception desk for a complete price list. You will need to purchase a Casio fx-260 solar calculator to bring to class. You may purchase this on your own or from CMC.
  • Q: Do I have to attend classes in order to take the GED exam?
    A: No. You can register (the fee is currently $60*) to take the GED exam right away; however, taking the CASAS and GED practice tests during the initial week will help you determine how ready you are and will actually help predict your scores! You can bypass taking the classes if your scores indicate you are now ready.
  • Q: How much does it cost to take the practice GED exam and how much do classes cost?
    A: There is no charge for the practice exam, but there is a registration fee of $10 for each time you take the course.
  • Q: How will I know if the GED prep classes are right for me at this time?
    A: If you have a strong desire to pass the GED exam, in as short a time as possible, and are committed to making that happen, then this is class is for you.
    Your CASAS reading and math scores need to be 240 and 230 respectively. If your scores are below these guidelines, you will need to strengthen those areas before beginning GED preparation. CMC offers small group tutoring in reading, writing and math in preparation for GED study. These classes may be Adult Core Education classes or they may be English as a Second Language classes.
  • Q: How will the GED classes help me?
    A: The classes are tailored to address your strengths and weaknesses. Areas you need to improve on will be addressed and areas you’ve already mastered will be skipped.
  • Q: May I continue with the classes as long as I need to prepare for the GED exam?
    A: Yes. If you are still not ready to take and pass the GED exam at the end of the 5-week studying sessions, and you have met the terms of your contract, you will be given preferential registration privileges for each subsequent session.
  • Q: What happens if I don’t pass the GED exam?
    A: You have three chances each year to pass each section of the exam. You are not required to retake any of the sections you passed, just those in which you need to improve your scores. You are welcome to return to class and study those sections.
  • Q: What is required of me when attending the GED prep classes?
    A: We ask that you make a strong commitment to attain your GED as quickly as possible, and you will need to sign a contract to that effect. You will need to agree to attend all classes of the session and take the pre- and post-assessments. The amount of time it will take you to be ready to pass the GED exam will depend on the balance between your program entrance scores and amount of time you spend studying the material each week. You will be expected to work outside of class as well on the computer with the GED Academy program. You will have online access and can use the computers at CMC or your own at home.
  • Q: When are the GED classes offered? Current Schedule.

    Morning Classes
    Morning classes meet from 9 – 12:30 Monday through Thursday or for five weeks each session for a total of 60 hours of class time. Classes are divided by day to include math, reading, writing and social studies/science.
    Evening Classes
    Evening classes meet from 5:30PM – 9PM Monday through Thursday for five weeks each session for a total of 60 hours of class time. Classes are divided by day to include math, reading, writing and social studies/science.
    Both morning and evening classes meet at

    CMC 2215A Renaissance Dr., Las Vegas, NV 89119