NMSU-A » Advising » GED Prep & Testing

GED Prep & Testing

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 Basic 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.

  • A $50 testing fee 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.
  • From the date of the first GED test, the candidate MUST complete and pass all five tests within 3 years (36 months). If not completed within the 3 year time frame, any scores earned during that period will be discarded and the candidate must begin the testing process again.
  • 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

STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES: To recieve 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.

Telephone: 439-3720
Email:  advisor@nmsua.nmsu.edu

The Adult Basic Education Office is located in the Tays Center.  For more information call the ABE Office at 439-3812.