GED Classes & Testing

The General Education Development credential measures high school level knowledge and skills and is accepted as an equivalent to a high school diploma by 98 percent of colleges and 96 percent 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 Reading and Writing; Mathematics, Science and Social Studies. Candidates who successfully pass the GED test will earn a Commonwealth Secondary School Diploma.

Free GED/Basic Skills Program

(Funding provided by the Bureau of Postsecondary and Adult Education/ Pennsylvania Department of Education)

The mission of the program is to teach basic through higher level skills and to assist learners in developing the job readiness skills and credentials that will enable them to move into the workforce, training programs and/or higher education. Classes are open to anyone age 18 or older and are at no cost to the participant.

Learners may attend classes on college campuses and community locations. Classes scheduled during the day meet ten hours per week for seven weeks. Sessions begin September, January, March, and May. Evening classes meet six hours per week for 10 weeks. Sessions are offered September, January and April. Enrolled learners who obtain a GED® diploma are eligible for a College application fee waiver and invited to a graduation ceremony held annually on the Marple Campus.

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Testing

Testing Center Location
Delaware County Community College - Marple Campus
901 S. Media Line Road
Media, PA 19063.
610-325-2776

The GED^® Test Specifications
Four content areas:

• Reasoning Through Language Arts (RLA) (150 minutes)
  - Section 1 (35 minutes*)
  - Section 2 (45 minutes)
  - Student Break (10 minutes)
  - Section 3 (60 minutes*)
  *The time allotted for sections 1 and 3 may vary slightly, but the total test time will always be 150 minutes.
• Mathematical Reasoning (90 minutes)
  - Part 1 - calculators not allowed
  - Part 2 - calculators allowed
• Science (90 minutes)
• Social Studies (90 minutes)
  - Section 1 (65 minutes)
  - Section 2 (25 minutes)

• English and Spanish
• 3 opportunities to test per year, per content area
• Delivered on computer (not online)
• Paper testing only available as an accommodation

The 2002 GED^® Test

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.