Insider tips: Where do I take the GED?
Many technical colleges and some public libraries offer GED testing; you can find locations throughout the state. For example, in the Atlanta area, Atlanta Technical College and the Fulton County Public Library downtown offer the test, along with the Fulton County Board of Education Staff Development Center in nearby East Point.
Use the GED Testing Locations website, listed below, to find the closest location, and think strategically when you do. Which location will be easiest for you to get to? You’ll want to feel well-rested when you arrive, so plan for traffic and other challenges.
If you’re taking more than one test, be sure to pack a healthy snack and water to drink.
Check the website for locations:
http://www.gedtestinglocations.com/ged-testing-locations-in-georgia.html
(NOTE TO NSS - break up copy with numbers - trying to add more “air” and make reader-friendly)
$7,000 +
For a variety of reasons, students may find themselves unable to complete high school and earn a diploma. And it may be several years before they are in a position to finish those requirements. Though they may have found jobs to match their skills, having a high school degree can still be beneficial. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, a person with a high school diploma has the potential to earn about $7,600 more per year than someone without it.
4-year investment alternative
Another reason to consider finishing a high school program is that it is often a necessity in order to continue into higher education. Technical schools, 2-year colleges and 4-year universities require it. But for many who have put the high school scene far behind them, and may have taken on job and family responsibilities in the intervening years, going back to a traditional classroom set up may not be practical.
95% of colleges
But an alternative is available. The state of Georgia offers a General Education Development program, commonly called a GED, that is a series of tests showing a student’s grasp of concepts in five key areas: writing, reading, science, social studies and math. A GED diploma is recognized across the country and is accepted by 95 percent of colleges and universities.
$0.00 - free!
The preparations to pass the GED sections tests can be done individually with workbooks or through online classes. Georgia residents have another option: Atlanta area technical schools offer GED classes at no charge. Courses are offered at Atlanta Technical College on the city’s southside, Chattahoochee Technical in Cobb, Georgia Piedmont Technical in Clarkston, Gwinnett Technical in Lawrenceville, Lanier Technical in Oakwood and Southern Crescent Technical in Griffin. In addition, several local organizations such as the Asian American Resource Center in Duluth and some local public school districts have teamed with the technical schools to offer the courses.
$40
To be eligible for the GED test, candidates must be at last 16 years old; must have not graduated from or be enrolled in an accredited high school; and must provide a valid photo identification. A $40 testing fee is charged per subject area. Retests are available for $20 and after a 30-day waiting period.
$500
The advantages of a GED go beyond proving acquired knowledge in various areas. Studies have indicated that those who earn a GED are likely to continue into higher education, where they perform as well as recent high school graduates. Along with boosting confidence, earning a GED often sets a positive example for family members, encouraging them to stay in school or to continue their own education. Here again, Georgia residents have an advantage: Although they are not eligible for the state’s HOPE scholarship, they may receive a $500 grant toward further study at a state institution.
Information about obtaining a GED is online at www.tcsg.edu and www.gedtestingservice.com.
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