| For today's student, distance learning can provide a | | | | for 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 and | | | | the 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 biggest | | | | GED program provider and avoiding bogus schools or |
| business is selling quick and easy programs or simple | | | | fake diploma scams: |
| online tests that come with worthless transcripts and | | | | The 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 General | | | | test covers science, social studies, language arts |
| Education Development credential-is the only official | | | | reading and writing, and math - including algebra, |
| 'diploma' that has value and is meaningful for adults | | | | geometry 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 transcripts | | | | that doesn't include all test areas or information about |
| and diplomas ordered or obtained from online high | | | | test areas and ACE requirements. Learn more at |
| schools are worthless. Unfortunately, students and | | | | GED practice tests are available online and are a good |
| adult learners are easily misled by these diploma | | | | way for a student to determine what to study to get |
| factories or diploma mills. Here's a recent letter from a | | | | ready for the test. But the real GED test cannot be |
| new GED student, who learned about one education | | | | taken 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't | | | | GED 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 my | | | | listing of official test sites and state contacts, visit Test |
| boss told me that I found out it wasn't a real high | | | | Sites. Or, use this link: |
| school. It wasn't even a real high school diploma, just | | | | Read the fine print, before you pay-make sure you |
| something somebody made on a computer. But it | | | | understand 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 every | | | | learning 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, and | | | | GED program or learning solution you choose really |
| transcript or diploma fees. But because the school or | | | | prepare you for the GED test? Ask for guidance if |
| program isn't accredited, the diploma has no value...it's | | | | you're unsure. Talk to a local GED instructor or agency |
| meaningless. When it comes to employers, job training | | | | you trust about local resources. |
| programs, tech school, community colleges and | | | | Look 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 on | | | | from their experiences. Explore GED and education |
| Education who authorizes each state to administer the | | | | message 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 at | | | | high school that offers a diploma or transcript after |
| ged test centers. Be wary of schools that promise a | | | | passing an online test. The GED test is difficult; the test |
| quick GED diploma online. The GED diploma can only | | | | is timed and usually takes more than seven hours. |
| be issued by your state after you have passed the | | | | Basically, just as the old adage says: "If it sounds too |
| battery of five tests making up the 7 ½ hour | | | | good 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 best | | | | make 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-guided | | | | GED credential might be harder to get than a $250 |
| study through the selection of quality study materials. If | | | | diploma. Still, you sure can count on it to take you to |
| online learning or distance learning is the best solution | | | | where you want to go. |