GED Test Success Now Just Clicks Away

In striving to provide more adult learners throughout the state with a high school equivalency credential and basic technology skills, the College of DuPage Testing Center is partnering with GED Testing Service to offer the GED test on computer. Online registration and scheduling began on Oct. 29.

“As society integrates technology into almost every facet of life, and the job market continues to be shaped by technology, adults will need basic technology skills to be successful,” said Randy Trask, president of GED Testing Service. “Moving the GED test to computer helps adults demonstrate necessary basic technology skills and makes their testing process easier and more efficient. We are so pleased that College of DuPage is our partner in this important endeavor.”

Several new services will streamline the testing process and benefit adult learners who often need to move very quickly into jobs or training programs. These benefits include:

• Online scheduling and registration that is available 24/7
• More testing flexibility for test-takers: They can choose when and where to take their test
• Instant unofficial score reports: Faster results mean adults can apply for jobs or immediately begin studying if they need to retake a subject area
• Enhanced test security

 

“We are very pleased to be the first site in the Chicagoland area to offer the new computerized GED test,” said COD President Robert L. Breuder. “Our institution is dedicated to ensuring that adult learners in the community have expanded access to GED testing so that they can later enroll and succeed in postsecondary or training programs.”

COD Dean of Learning Resources Lisa Stock said, “We are very excited to be a pilot site for the new online GED testing. We have a talented and dedicated staff ready to assist test takers through this new process. We believe it will streamline testing for the GED and help prepare students for testing situations in the future.”

According to state GED program leadership, the computerized test will initially be offered in four locations across the state before it is eventually expanded. The College of DuPage Testing Center is located in the Berg Instructional Center, Room 2405. Adults interested in registering for the GED test on computer, should visit www.GEDtestingservice.com.

Since the launch in January, more than 14,450 computerized GED tests have been delivered in at least 28 states, including the District of Columbia, and test-takers have taken advantage of the new benefits. “The computer test was easy to use and the instant score report helped motivate me to finish the rest of the sections,” said Eric Martinez, who was one of the first individuals in Nebraska to take the GED test on computer. GED Testing Service expects more than half of all states to offer the test on computer by the end of the year.

The GED test on computer is the same test currently offered on paper and pencil. Whether a candidate takes the test on paper or computer, it must be taken in person at an official GED testing center. The GED test is never offered online.

States currently offering the GED test on computer are preparing for the new 2014 GED test, which will only be available on computer. Offering the test on computer before January 2014 allows testing centers to become familiar with the new system and better prepare test-takers.

For adults interested in taking or learning more about the GED test on computer, please visit www.GEDtestingservice.com.

For information about taking the GED test at College of DuPage, visit the Testing Center web site.

Caption: (Clockwise from left) Joe Cassidy, Dean of Continuing Education, COD; Dr. David Deggs, Senior Program Manager, GED Testing Service; Vicki Greene, Vice President, Operations Management, GED Testing Service; Dr. Jean V. Kartje, Vice President, Academic Affairs, COD; Jennifer Foster, Senior Director for Adult Education and Family Literacy/State Director for GED Testing, Illinois Community College Board; Jarret Dyer, DuPage County Chief GED Examiner / Coordinator, Specialized Testing Services, COD; Dr. Lisa Stock, Dean, Learning Resources, COD; Dan Deasy, Program Compliance Manager, ABE/GED/ESL, COD