South Puget Sound Community College

All first time GED testers at South Puget Sound CC must attend the GED Orientation. It is a one time presentation of all the GED information students must know. The information covered includes test descriptions, testing procedures, test scores, GED transcripts, etc. All the questions covered in this FAQ page, and more, are covered in the Orientation.

No formal preparation is required, but many people attend adult education classes before taking the GED. South Puget Sound Community College offers GED Prep classes for $25.00 per quarter. The classes offer one on one tutoring and provide pre-testing to let you know your progress in each area. Check with the Admissions Office about how to get enrolled in these classes.

Another way to prepare is by studying on your own. Many bookstores and libraries carry study guides that are designed to help you study at home and at your own pace. They often include self tests that will indicate how ready you are to take the actual test. These prep books range from $12.00 - $25.00. Check with your local bookstore or library. A variety of preparation material is also accessible on the Internet. Simply perform a search using "General Education Development" in the search line. Or, you can click on the following links to visit GED practice sites on the Internet.

http://www.gedpractice.com

The State Board of Community and Technical College's Approval to Test for the GED form lets the Testing Center know that a student is no longer enrolled in a high school and has permission to take the GED test. Any student under 19 years of age must have a signed Approval to Test for the GED Form from their home school district before starting to test. Since the GED is considered an equivalent of a high school diploma, a student cannot be enrolled in a high school and at the same time try to earn a GED. Therefore the school district must "release" a student in order for that student to get a GED.

You can get an Approval to Test for the GED Form at most high schools or from the Testing Center at South Puget Sound Community College.

The cost for taking the GED is $75.00 ($15.00 per test). This covers the original 5 tests in the GED. You also have the option of just paying the $15.00 testing fee for each test you plan to take that day. This fee is payable to the Cashier in Bldg. 25 and must be paid before you begin testing. You must bring the receipt with you the first time you test. The following section covers retest fees.

The cost to re-take any one test is $15.00. This fee must be paid to the cashier prior to testing. You must bring the receipt with you to the test session.

We have a “walk-in” testing format on Thursdays each week beginning at 9:00 am and ending at 8:00 p.m. Each of the 5 GED tests has a time limit, and we must allow the maximum amount of time for each test section. It is possible to complete the entire GED battery of tests in one day, allowing one full week for the Writing Essay component to be read, scored and reported back to us. You may take as many tests in one day as time allows, but you must arrive with enough time to complete the test(s) you wish to take.

For example, if you want to take the Writing test during walk in time on a Thursday you must allow the maximum of 120 minutes to complete your test (see chart above.) You must arrive and be seated and testing BY 6:00 PM AT THE VERY LATEST for that test. It is preferable to come earlier and have a relaxed testing session! The maximum times for test taking vary, so pay attention to the above chart when taking advantage of our all day walk-in testing format.

Retests are allowed. You may take each test up to 3 times a year. After that, there is a waiting period to take a test. This time allows for new test versions to be ordered by the Testing Center.

Washington state requires a minimum score of 410 on each of the five tests to be considered passing. If you score below 410 you must re-take that test. In order to earn a GED Certificate you must have an overall average of 450 and you must earn 2250 points or more. That means, if you score a 410 (passing score) on a test, you are 40 points below the average of 450, so you will need to make up these points by scoring higher than 450 on another test.

There are several ways to check on your test scores. The GED phone number is (360) 754-7711 ext. 5238

• You can receive your scores at the time of testing
• You may come in and ask to see your test results during normal office hours.  Valid photo ID must be presented to obtain your scores.
• Over the phone, we can only inform you of your pass/fail status. We will NOT give out scores over the phone.