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