By Guy Harrison
Media and Marketing Specialist
PINAL COUNTY, Ariz. – With the number of adults without a high school or General Educational Development (GED) diploma reaching new heights, the GED Testing Service plans to roll out a new test in January of 2014.
“The new test will be computer-based, more expensive, and much more difficult and involved,” Ronny Douglass, director of adult basic education at Central Arizona College, explained.
In a community where some residents may have limited access to computers or are not proficient in using a computer, Douglass believes that those considering taking the test should plan to do so in the next year to year and a half.
In addition to a new, computer-based format, some of the new changes planned for the updated test include four content areas – reasoning through language arts, mathematical reasoning, science and social studies. In addition, tests will no longer be exclusively multiple choice; tests will include fill in the blank, brief short answer, drag-and-drop, and responses that will require 550-650 words to answer.
Since 2002, students have been able to complete and pass all five subjects of the current test at their leisure; however, starting Jan. 1, 2014, all GED test takers will start from scratch regardless of how many subjects they had previously completed. In addition, the cost to take the test is expected to climb significantly.
“It’s going to be a whole new ballgame,” Douglass stated. “If you are on the fence about whether or not to get your GED, now is the time.”
Each semester, CAC prepares students who wish to earn a GED with preparatory classes at several locations throughout Pinal County. These classes are offered at no cost to Arizona residents and, beginning Aug. 2, students can register for the classes at any one of CAC’s 10 locations across the county. Students must show proof of legal presence in the United States.
For more information on CAC’s GED prep classes, please call 520-494-5950.