Community Services
I now hunger for the classroom
I feel like a completely different person than the one who entered 2011, and it is because having my GED has given me a type of confidence that even my age didn't provide -- it's really cool. I can't explain it, I'm excited about it and it's making me hunger for being in a classroom as much as I fear being in a classroom, and learning difficult things and being challenged by scientific things and having to memorize medical terminology. I don't care. I welcome it.
after GED graduation, Spring 2011
GED
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The General Education Development (GED) credential measures high school level knowledge and skills and is accepted as an equivalent to a high school diploma by 98% of colleges and 96% of employers.
Delaware County Community College offers preparation for candidates interested in earning their GED credential. Adult Basic Education levels and more advanced preparation classes are available.
Delaware County Community College operates as an official Pennsylvania GED Testing Center for residents in Delaware and Chester Counties. The GED testing consists of five separate tests: Language Arts Writing, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies and Reading. Candidates who successfully pass the GED test will earn a Commonwealth Secondary School Diploma.
Who is eligible to take the GED Tests in Pennsylvania?
If you are 18 years old or older, you must meet the following criteria to take the GED Tests in Pennsylvania:
- Be a resident of Pennsylvania
- Have not graduated from high school or received a high school diploma or equivalency certificate
- Are not enrolled in a public, licensed private, registered accredited, or licensed nonpublic secondary school
- Can provide necessary documentation to prove your identity
If you are 16 or 17 years of age, you must meet the above criteria and also provide written verification from your school superintendent or principal stating that you are withdrawn from school. In addition, you must provide a letter on official letterhead from one of the following:
- An employer stating that you must pass the GED Tests in order to gain or maintain employment
- A college or postsecondary training institution stating that passing GED test scores are required for enrollment
- A branch of the Armed Services stating that passing GED test scores are necessary for induction
No persons under the age of 16 are eligible to take the GED Tests in Pennsylvania.
If you have a physical, mental, emotional, or learning disability that makes it difficult for you to take the GED tests, you may request special testing accommodations. Ask your test examiner for the appropriate request form and instructions. Each request is considered on an individual basis.
Passing the GED
There are two parts to passing the GED. First, a candidate must obtain a cumulative total score of 2250 (an average of 450 per test). Second, no test standard score may be less than 410. If these scores are not achieved, an applicant may retest. Because an applicant may take each exam only three (3) times within a calendar year, it is recommended that he/she wait 90 days before retesting. This allows time for applicants to better prepare for and pass the exam. An applicant may choose to retake one or more tests to acquire the score necessary to qualify for the diploma. It is mandatory that any test score below 410 be retaken.
For further information about the GED test visit www.education.state.pa.us.