Question |
Answer |
| What
are the GED Tests? |
| Purpose
and Policy: |
| The
Tests of General Educational Development (GED) measure knowledge
in five different areas: writing, social studies, science, interpreting
literature and the arts, and mathematics. An important feature
of the GED Tests is an essay that documents your ability to
write and communicate effectively. The battery of five GED Tests
takes 7 hours and 35 minutes to complete. |
| The
GED Tests are standardized and normed using a national stratified
random sample of graduating high school seniors. In order to
pass the tests, the GED candidate must demonstrate a level of
skill that meets or surpasses that demonstrated by approximately
67 percent of graduating high school seniors. |
| The
GED Testing Service (a program of the not-for-profit American
Council on Education) develops the policies and procedures for
the administration of GED Testing. |
| Official
GED Testing Centers operate under the joint supervision of the
GED Testing Service and the New Mexico State Department of Education. |
|
| Who
can take the GED? |
| Eligibility
Requirements for GED Testing: |
| GED
Tests can be administered only to persons who have not graduated
from an accredited high school or received a high school equivalency
certificate or diploma; and who are not currently enrolled
in a regular high school; and who meet the state’s minimum
age requirement. |
| The
minimum age is 16. Individuals under the age of 18
are required to obtain and submit a completed Underage Permission
Form indicating parental consent and local district approval.
Individuals residing at a NM Juvenile Correctional or Juvenile
Residential facility are eligible for testing at age 16
with parental consent and the recommendation from the authorized
correctional official. New Mexico residency is not a requirement
for testing. |
| All
GED candidates must present two (2) forms of identification.
At least one must be a government-issued photo identification
(e.g., driver’s license, state-issued ID, U.S. Passport) and
must indicate name, date of birth, and signature. The
second form of identification must verify two of the
following: name, date of birth, social security number or signature. |
|
| What
do I get if I pass the GED Tests? |
| Title
of credential issued: |
| Upon
successfully completing the GED Tests, the New Mexico
High School Diploma is issued only to New
Mexico residents. Residency is verified with a valid New
Mexico Driver’s License or a valid New Mexico Non-Driver’s License
(New Mexico ID). |
|
| What
is a passing score? |
| Minimum
Test Score Requirements: |
| A
minimum standard score of 41 on each test in the battery
and an average standard score of at least 45 on the tests
in the battery are required to pass the GED in New Mexico. |
| Testing
with the Spanish-language version is available in some locations.
Score requirements are the same as the English-language version.
Additionally, a standard score of 41 is required on Test
6, English Proficiency. |
|
| If
I fail to pass the GED, when can I re-test? |
| Requirements
for re-testing: |
| A
person can take the GED Tests no more than three (3) times
in a contract year (August 1- July 31). Specific subject matter
preparation is highly recommended and strongly encouraged prior
to re-testing. |
| Test
scores expire three (3) years from the date of
initial testing. |
| All
test scores from the current 1988 Series GED Tests will expire
on December 31, 2001. |
| Scores
on the new 2002 GED Tests may not be combined with partial
scores earned on previous series of the GED Tests. |
|
| Where
and when can I take the GED? |
| GED
Official Testing Centers: |
| Application
must be made at one of the Official
GED Testing Centers located throughout New Mexico.
Check with the testing center nearest you for specific dates,
times, and locations. |
|
| How
much does it cost to take the GED? |
| Testing
fees: |
| Fees
vary from testing center to testing center and are subject to
change. Check with the testing
center nearest you for specific costs. |
| Fees
for re-testing also vary. Check with the individual testing
centers for specific costs. |
|
| Are
Special Accommodations for GED testing allowed? |
| Applying
for Special Accommodations: |
| Special
accommodations for testing are available for eligible candidates
and are determined on an individual basis. |
| Application
for Special Accommodations for GED testing must be made at the
Official GED Testing Center where the candidate wishes to
take the test. |
|
| Can
I get a copy or duplicate of my original New Mexico High School Diploma? |
|
Policy
for issuance of credential:
|
| Only
one New Mexico High School Diploma is issued
to New Mexico residents upon successfully completing the GED
Tests. |
| New
Mexico does not issue duplicate diplomas, but does issue
additional official transcripts upon request. |
|
| How
do I get a copy of my transcripts? |
|
Transcript
Policy and Procedures:
|
| For
an Official Transcript, a person must obtain and submit a completed
GED Transcript Request Form to the NM GED Testing
Office. Telephone requests are not accepted. |
| Transcript
requests require a minimum of two weeks to be processed. |
| There
is no fee for transcripts. |
| The
NM GED Testing Office maintains records only for candidates
who have successfully completed the GED Tests. If a person has
not completed the GED Tests a transcript must be requested from
the Official GED Testing Center where the exam was administered. |
|
| |
To view this page
in pdf format click the icon. |
| For
More Information Contact:
New Mexico GED Testing Office
Public Education Department
Education Building - 300 Don Gaspar
Santa Fe, New Mexico 87501-2786
Phone: (505) 827-6702
Fax: (505) 827-6616 |
|
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