Two-year college system now pays half the cost of GED test for adult learners

MONTGOMERY – Adult students interested in taking the General Equivalency Diploma (GED) test at Department of Postsecondary Education-funded locations around the state may now qualify to take the test for half the previous testing fee: $25 instead of the normal $50.

Alabama Community College System (ACCS) Interim Chancellor, Joan Davis has approved the use of state-appropriated adult education funds to help defray the cost of GED testing fees for adult education students in non-institutionalized settings.

Students greatly increase their chances of passing the GED exam by participating in free GED preparation programs. Eighty-eight percent of adult education students who set that as their goal pass the GED exam, compared with a 60 percent pass-rate for all GED test-takers.

“We cannot risk individuals passing up the opportunity to better themselves and their communities because they cannot afford the cost of the GED test,” Davis said. “By absorbing half of the cost we are alleviating some of the financial pressure which will hopefully allow the test-takers to focus on the test and pass it.”

Formerly, the test fee for individuals taking the GED test for the first time was $50. With the equivalency diploma, adult education students will be better prepared to enter the workforce or postsecondary education or training.

“Despite the tough economic times, we are committed to assisting our students with the fee because we want to provide them with every avenue available to earn a credential that can help transform their lives,” said Susan Price, vice chancellor for Instructional and Student Services. “For people in Alabama who do not possess a high school diploma, obtaining a GED opens the door to a pathway that can lead them to better, more financially stable lives.”

To be eligible to participate in this program, an adult education student must:

·         Be currently enrolled in a Department of Postsecondary Education-funded

adult education program (GED Preparation class)

·         Be pre-tested on an approved adult education assessment instrument (this

test is given during GED preparation classes)

·         Have received at least 30 hours of instruction

– more –

·         Be post-tested with an approved, parallel adult education assessment

instrument (also given during GED preparation classes)

·         Have attained a standard score of 500 or greater on each part of the

Official GED Practice Test

·         Never have been administered the GED Test in whole or in part