Diploma Factories: Ged Vs. Fake High School Diploma

For today's student, distance learning can provide afor you, look for a program, class or choose materials
valuable and affordable way to work toward a GED.that include all the components needed to prepare for
But there are a growing number of companies andthe GED test.
schools who aren't really in the business of education.Here are some guidelines for choosing a real online
Instead, they're in the diploma business-their biggestGED program provider and avoiding bogus schools or
business is selling quick and easy programs or simplefake diploma scams:
online tests that come with worthless transcripts andThe American Council on Education (ACE), GED
fake diplomas.Testing Service, has tight guidelines for the GED. The
In most cases, the GED - the term for Generaltest covers science, social studies, language arts
Education Development credential-is the only officialreading and writing, and math - including algebra,
'diploma' that has value and is meaningful for adultsgeometry and data analysis. Find a program that
who never completed their high school education.includes all testing areas; avoid any solution or school
There are exceptions. But as a rule most transcriptsthat doesn't include all test areas or information about
and diplomas ordered or obtained from online hightest areas and ACE requirements. Learn more at
schools are worthless. Unfortunately, students andGED practice tests are available online and are a good
adult learners are easily misled by these diplomaway for a student to determine what to study to get
factories or diploma mills. Here's a recent letter from aready for the test. But the real GED test cannot be
new GED student, who learned about one educationtaken online! The test is only given at official test sites.
business the hard way:So avoid any company that claims to offer the official
"I paid $250 and got this 'diploma' in the mail, but it didn'tGED test or a quick online version for a diploma. For a
help me get a better job. It was a ripoff. It wasn't till mylisting of official test sites and state contacts, visit Test
boss told me that I found out it wasn't a real highSites. Or, use this link:
school. It wasn't even a real high school diploma, justRead the fine print, before you pay-make sure you
something somebody made on a computer. But itunderstand what the company or school is offering
looked like a real school. With a real test."and determine if it's worth the price. Is it a worthwhile
This student's story is typical and more common everylearning process or just a fake diploma? Will it help you
day. Many adult learners fall victim to diploma scams,progress in your career or education? Will the online
usually paying $200 to $1,000 in tuition, testing, andGED program or learning solution you choose really
transcript or diploma fees. But because the school orprepare you for the GED test? Ask for guidance if
program isn't accredited, the diploma has no value...it'syou're unsure. Talk to a local GED instructor or agency
meaningless. When it comes to employers, job trainingyou trust about local resources.
programs, tech school, community colleges andLook beyond the company or school; discover what
universities, bogus diplomas are useless.other teachers, students and adult learners say. Learn
The GED is a program of the American Council onfrom their experiences. Explore GED and education
Education who authorizes each state to administer themessage boards, online forums, library materials, local
standardized test through 3400 test centers. A 'real'newsletters and news articles or learning communities.
GED is certified by the state where the test is taken.Be very cautious in dealing with any company or online
The GED test cannot be taken online, only in-person athigh school that offers a diploma or transcript after
ged test centers. Be wary of schools that promise apassing an online test. The GED test is difficult; the test
quick GED diploma online. The GED diploma can onlyis timed and usually takes more than seven hours.
be issued by your state after you have passed theBasically, just as the old adage says: "If it sounds too
battery of five tests making up the 7 ½ hourgood to be true it probably is too good to be true."
GED test.Education is probably the best investment you can
When choosing an education program, a student's bestmake in yourself. Make sure your investment is a good
bet is a GED solution, whether enrolling in a local class,one, and gives you a return that's worthwhile. The
an online preparation program or managing self-guidedGED credential might be harder to get than a $250
study through the selection of quality study materials. Ifdiploma. Still, you sure can count on it to take you to
online learning or distance learning is the best solutionwhere you want to go.