2014 To See Arrival of Computerized GED® Test
Feb 1, 2013 - Beginning in January 2014, major changes are coming with the next generation of the General Education Development Test (GED). Not only will it be aligned to the new Common Core State Standards as well as college and career readiness standards, but it will also be a computer-based test. The days of the pencil paper version of the test will be over. Another major change is that current official GED test centers must convert to Pearson Vue Testing Centers in order to maintain their status as test centers.
Escondido Adult School has embarked on the first steps in the application process with Pearson-Vue to become an official GED test center. The school is busy remodeling a new computer lab to meet all of the criteria. Twenty new computers, a server, appropriate furniture and seating have all been purchased and are in the process of being installed in order to meet the requirements for certification. The administration hopes the final approvals will be complete by early spring, at which time the plan is to offer the current version of the GED test on computer.
Students who are currently in the process of completing the GED examination using the paper version will continue to do so. However, new students who will begin the testing process this spring will be expected to take the computer-based-test version. Under the current requirements, scores achieved on paper-based testing cannot be matched with scores on the computer-based test.
There will be many advantages for students once the computer-based testing model is fully employed. First students will be able to register and schedule their testing appointments on line. There will be enhanced testing security and instant score reporting. The new testing model will also enable measurement of concepts and or skills that cannot be fully or appropriately captured by paper-based tests. While the test will be designed so that a learner with only basic computer skills may test successfully, basic keyboarding and familiarity with hardware such as a keyboard and mouse will be required.
The last time the GED test was changed and reconfigured was in 2002. What this means for students is that anyone who has begun the test since that time, and has yet to complete or pass the examination must do so by December 31, 2013. Students who do not complete or pass by that time will have to begin the process all over again. With the end of this generation of the GED, testing centers are planning for an increase in the number of test takers during the coming year, so students should plan accordingly.
For more information about the GED, please call 760.739.7300.
Escondido Adult School has embarked on the first steps in the application process with Pearson-Vue to become an official GED test center. The school is busy remodeling a new computer lab to meet all of the criteria. Twenty new computers, a server, appropriate furniture and seating have all been purchased and are in the process of being installed in order to meet the requirements for certification. The administration hopes the final approvals will be complete by early spring, at which time the plan is to offer the current version of the GED test on computer.
Students who are currently in the process of completing the GED examination using the paper version will continue to do so. However, new students who will begin the testing process this spring will be expected to take the computer-based-test version. Under the current requirements, scores achieved on paper-based testing cannot be matched with scores on the computer-based test.
There will be many advantages for students once the computer-based testing model is fully employed. First students will be able to register and schedule their testing appointments on line. There will be enhanced testing security and instant score reporting. The new testing model will also enable measurement of concepts and or skills that cannot be fully or appropriately captured by paper-based tests. While the test will be designed so that a learner with only basic computer skills may test successfully, basic keyboarding and familiarity with hardware such as a keyboard and mouse will be required.
The last time the GED test was changed and reconfigured was in 2002. What this means for students is that anyone who has begun the test since that time, and has yet to complete or pass the examination must do so by December 31, 2013. Students who do not complete or pass by that time will have to begin the process all over again. With the end of this generation of the GED, testing centers are planning for an increase in the number of test takers during the coming year, so students should plan accordingly.
For more information about the GED, please call 760.739.7300.