GED Prep & Testing

NOTE: GED will change to computer-based testing starting January 2014. ALL CANDIDATES MUST SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETE ALL FIVE TESTS PRIOR TO DECEMBER
6, 2013. Any examinee who has not completed all tests by that date will lose their scores and will need to retest in all areas. Computer based testing fees will increase to $120.00. Until December 6, 2013 tests will continue to be a pencil-paper test and the cost will remain at $50.00 for the series.

Getting the New Mexico High School Diploma, by taking the General Education Development (GED) examination, can be an important step in your life. This diploma can open doors to college and to employment as well as giving a sense of accomplishment and completion.

A visit to the Office of Adult Education will help you get started. At the office you can:

take the GED pre-tests to become familiar with the format of the examination

identify weak areas that need review

take classes or tutoring as necessary

find out the dates for the official GED examination

watch the instructional math video

take English as a Second Language classes

The GED battery of tests consists of five exams: Writing, Social Studies, Science, Literature, and Math. It is usually taken over a series of two Fridays. The results of the Writing test take several days to be processed because the essay is read and scored by at least two readers. All tests are scored by the Oklahoma Scoring Service.

ATTENTION ALL GED EXAMINEES: GED testing will be computer-based starting January 2014. Any examinee who has not completed all tests will loose their scores and will need to retest in all areas.

GED testing will be computer-based starting January 2014. All candidates must successfully complete all five tests prior to December 31, 2013. Any examinee who has not completed all tests will loose their scores and will need to retest in all areas. The cost of the test will also increase to $120.00. Until that time the tests remain a pencil-paper test costing $50.00 for the series.
A $50 testing fee (paper tests) will be charged the first time you test with NMSU-A.
A $10 fee per exam will be charged for retakes.
Two ID’s are required. One of the ID’s must be your Social Security Card.
All Local Area Students under 20 years of age must submit a high school withdrawal form.
You will be charged $3 if you do not show up for testing.
Any candidate failing a test must wait 60 days before taking that subject test again. Exception: a candidate may retest in 30 days if they achieved a minimum score of 410 on at least four tests.

To obtain GED scores from the GED WIZARD website, login to: https://secure.gedwizard.com

NMSU-A WILL NOT BE AUTHORIZED TO SEND GED TRANSCRIPTS AFTER FEBRUARY 15, 2013. All GED transcripts and verification of transcripts must be sent to DiplomaSender. The website is https://www.diplomasender.com. New Mexico GED Examiners will no longer be able to verify or send transcripts.

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: To receive disability accommodations on your exam, you must come to Advising in Student Services to obtain the paperwork that must be filed with the GED National Office. Accommodations for pre-testing at Adult Basic Education can be provided thru the Advising Office after completing the appropriate paperwork.

If you plan to attend college at NMSU-Alamogordo, or another college, and are interested in financial aid, you should apply immediately because it can take up to 12 weeks to find out if you are eligible for financial aid. You do not need to have completed your GED examination to apply for financial aid.

Financial Aid includes grants (such as pell grants, which do not need to be repaid), loans (which must be repaid), and work study positions. A grant for someone who is full eligible will usually cover tuition, books, and fees. You do not need to attend full time to receive federal financial aid. However, if you are eligible for the New Mexico Lottery Scholarship, you will need to complete 12 credits (i.e., be full-time) the first semester after you complete your GED. (Foreign students are not eligible for financial aid.)

Advisors are available in the Advising Office in Student Services on a walk-in basis from 8:30 – 5:30, Monday through Thursday. They would be glad to talk to you about getting started on your college education.

Current GED Testing Dates For 2013

Date	Subject
May 10	Writing plus one (science, social studies or reading)
May 17	Math plus two (science, social studies or reading)
June 7	Writing plus one (science, social studies or reading)
June 14	Math plus two (science, social studies or reading)
July 19 – Writing plus one (science, social studies or reading)	Writing plus one (science, social studies or reading)
July 26	Math plus two (science, social studies or reading)
Sept 20	Writing plus one (science, social studies or reading)
Sept 27	Math plus two (science, social studies or reading)
Oct 11	Writing plus one (science, social studies or reading)
Oct 25	Math plus two (science, social studies or reading)
Nov 15	Writing plus one (science, social studies or reading)
Nov 22	Math plus two (science, social studies or reading)
Dec 6	Last day to test before computer-based testing begins in January 2014