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Home  /  Articles  /  Step by Step: Getting the GED®

Step by Step: Getting the GED®

Deborah Bryan

November 29, 2017

There are so many more opportunities for employment or secondary education after you have your high school diploma or GED®.  Here are the steps to get your GED.

  1.  Register at www.GED.com.  You'll need to have an email address. If you don't have one, this tutorial explains how to set one up. Registering will give you valuable information:
    • Test details, including where to take the test
    • Study materials, including the GED Ready® practice test
    • Test tips
    • Information on training for a career
    • College search
    • Careers & salaries information
  2. Study for the test - and remember, you don't need to study on your own!

    3. Let's Help has GED®classes with open enrollment so you can sign up anytime. You'll then be given the next orientation date when you can take some pre-tests, which will help the teacher understand where you are in reading and math to plan your class schedule. Classes are small and run Monday through Friday from 8:15-11:30am.  Contact Let's Help at 270-5267 (for Adult Education) to get started.Another place to take GED® prep classes is through Washburn Tech's Advantage Center. Students must attend one of their regularly scheduled orientation sessions to get started in the classes. Contact Washburn Tech at 785-670-2390 or e-mail Mandy Cox to find the date of their next orientation session and to get more information about the classes.If you want individual help, contact the Topeka Literacy Council at 234-2806 and ask them to match you with a tutor who can work with you one-on-one.If you're studying on your own, the library has GED® study guides you can check out and an online test preparation resource called Learning Express that provides access to GED® test preparation books, tutorials and practice tests.

  3. Take the Practice test. You can take the practice test at any time on the GED website. The GED ReadyTM (official GED® practice test) is a shortened form of the GED® test designed to indicate whether or not you're ready to take and pass the GED® tests. It is a good predictor of success. For information about taking the GED ReadyTM, create a user profile (MyGEDTM portal account) and click on the “Study” tab.
  4. Schedule a time and take the test. You've worked hard and you're ready!
    • Go to www.GED.com and create a user account
    • Locate an authorized Pearson VUE Testing Center under the “Find a Test Center” tab on the portal.
    • Contact the testing site and schedule your test.
    • You will need to provide unexpired photo identification that includes your current name, address, date of birth and signature on the day you take the test.
    • Most Kansas GED® Testing Centers are supported primarily through fees charged for testing. As of July 1, 2015, the fees are as follows:

      • ($132 for the full battery)

      ($24 for the full battery)

      ($16 for the full battery)

      $33 per moduleFee to take the each of the four official GED® exams on computer at an authorized Pearson VUE testing center (to locate a testing center near you, visit www.GED.com).
      $13 per moduleFee to retake any official GED® module (i.e. subject area); up to two re-takes per module within 12 months.
      $33 per moduleFee to retake any official GED® module after 12 months from the original test date.
      $6 per moduleFee to take the GED ReadyTM online after creating a user profile (MyGEDTM portal account) at www.GED.com (available under the "Study" tab).
      $4 per moduleFee to take the GED ReadyTM through participating Adult Education Centers. Some centers waive the fee for their students. For more information, contact a center near you.
  5. Congratulations, you have taken the GED! If you get a score of 145 or higher, you'll pass. When you pass you will automatically receive an electronic, secure diploma and Smart Transcript, delivered immediately to your email address after your final test is scored. If you did not receive the minimum passing score of 145 points, you may retest up to two additional times within 12 months to bring the score up to the minimum.

If you need more information, check out the Kansas GED® information page from the Kansas Board of Regents.

Here is a GED success story from Let's Help Director of Education Danette Cox:

A 28-year single father with five children started the Let's Help GED program but then dropped out. Later I saw him sitting on the side of the road holding a hand-printed sign that read "Need Work." I got him to come back to the program. After completing his GED, Let's Help staff helped him polish his resume. He then secured a job in restaurant management. He told us, "For the first time in my life I can see a real future for myself." It was heartwarming and is what makes this program so worthwhile. In addition, this young man can now make enough to support himself and his children. He has a goal of eventually attending college to study theology.

You'll never find success if you don't start - so take the first step today!

 

Deborah Bryan

Job & Career
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