GED TEST: Start Here

 


GED TEST - Hawaii High School Equivalency Diploma

The GED Program in Hawai'i

Office of Curriculum, Instruction and Student Support
School and Community Leadership Branch
Department of Education
State of Hawaii
November 2007

PURPOSE:

The General Educational Development (GED) Test provides a valid means of measuring the educational achievement of adults who are nonhigh school graduates and of comparing their academic competence with that of high school graduates. Individuals who successfully complete the test battery will receive an official GED transcript and may qualify for a State of Hawaii High School Diploma. The diploma may provide graduates the opportunity to enter the military service, gain college admission, increase income, increase job qualifications, or assist in obtaining work advancement.

CONTENTS:

The GED Test series consists of five subtests, each measuring the major skills considered to be the outcome of a high school education.

As of January 1, 2011, GED will launch a new series of GED tests. All partial scores from subtests taken prior to January 1, 2011 will be invalid.

  • LANGUAGE ARTS, WRITING: The questions on the Writing subtest are intended to assess the student’s ability on sentence structure, usage, organization and mechanics. Business communications documents such as letters and reports are used. “How to” passages such as dressing for success, leasing a car, planning a trip may also be used. Skills including transitions, text divisions, topic sentences, and unity/coherence are also used to measure writing skills. An essay portion is included and must be passed to satisfactorily complete the writing subtest.

    • Part I: Multiple Choice (75 minutes)
      • Mechanics 25%
      • Usage 30%
      • Sentence Structure 30%
      • Organization 15%

    • Part II: Essay (45 minutes)
      • Plan, draft, revise and write an essay

  • SOCIAL STUDIES: The candidate must demonstrate the knowledge and skills necessary to make informed and reasoned decisions for the public good as citizens of a culturally diverse and democratic society in an interdependent world. The Social Studies subtest will assess comprehension, application, analysis and evaluation. It covers national and global materials. Practical document(s) such as voters’ guides, or tax forms may be used. Excerpt(s) are used from the U.S. Constitution, Declaration of Independence, and/or Federalist Papers. Land-mark Supreme Court cases also may be used.

    • 70 minutes
      • Economics 20%
      • Geography 15%
      • Civics & Government 25%
      • Natural History 25%
      • World History 15%

  • SCIENCE: The Science test questions are drawn from life science, earth science, space science, and physical science (physics and chemistry). Questions relate to environmental and health topics such as recycling, heredity, disease prevention, pollution, climate, and on science’s relevance to everyday life. Assessments are based on conceptual understanding, problem solving and graphic stimuli.

    • 80 minutes
      • Life Science 45%
      • Physical Science (Chemistry & Physics) 35%
      • Earth & Space Sciences 20%

  • LANGUAGE ARTS, READING: The Reading subtest questions will assess comprehension, application, analysis and synthesis. Most of the questions will reflect higher order and critical thinking skills. Content areas are defined by the type of texts: Literary and Nonfiction. Included are comparing/contrasting, business documents, and visual representation questions.

    • 65 minutes
      • Literary Texts 75%
        • Poetry, Drama, Prose, Fiction
      • Nonfiction 25%
        • Prose, Critical Reviews
        • Workplace & Community Documents
  • MATHEMATICS: The Mathematics subtest includes assessments in arithmetic, algebra, geometry, number relations, data analysis, statistics, probability and set-up questions where candidates must identify correct ways to solve problems. Charts, graphs and tables are also included. All candidates will be issued the Casio fx 260 Solar Calculator by the test center for Part I of the subtest.

    • Part I (45 minutes) with Calculator Use
    • Part II (45 minutes) No Calculator Use
    • Number Operations & Number Sense 25%
    • Measurement & Geometry 25%
    • Data Analysis, Statistics & Probability 25%
    • Algebra, Functions, & Patterns 25%

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • Who may take the GED Test? The GED Test may be administered to qualified individuals 16 years of age or older. The established procedures to obtain clearance for under-aged youth, ages 16-17, must be adhered to using the Exceptions to Compulsory Education, Form 4140.

  • What must I do to take the test? Call or go to any community school for adults listed in this brochure and inquire about the test schedules. Register to take the test. Advanced payment of the test fee is required at the time of registration.

  • How much does it cost to take the test? The test fee, as of January 1, 2008, will be $75 for the entire GED Test.

  • How may I prepare for the GED Test? Enroll in a GED preparation course offered by the community schools for adults.

REQUIREMENTS FOR THE HIGH SCHOOL DIPLOMA

There are two requirements for the Hawaii high school diploma:

  1. The applicant must pass the GED Test with an average standard score of 450 for the combined five subtests with no score on any one test less than 410.

  2. The applicant must have successfully completed at least one semester of high school work at an accredited private or public school in Hawaii or a community school for adults.

MORE INFORMATION

For further information, contact any of the following adult education providers or the state office.

  • HONOLULU

    • Farrington Community School for Adults
      1101 Kalihi Street, U101
      Honolulu, Hawaii 96819
      Telephone: 832-3595

    • Kaimuki Community School for Adults
      2705 Kaimuki Avenue
      Honolulu, Hawaii 96816
      Telephone: 733-8460

    • McKinley Community School for Adults
      634 Pensacola Street, Room 216
      Honolulu, Hawaii 96814
      Telephone: 594-0540

  • CENTRAL OAHU

    • Moanalua/Aiea Community School for Adults
      2825-A Ala Ilima Street
      Honolulu, Hawaii 96818
      Telephone: 837-8466

    • Wahiawa Community School for Adults
      1515 California Avenue
      Wahiawa Hawaii 96786
      Telephone: 622-1634

  • LEEWARD OAHU

    • Waipahu Community School for Adults
      94-1211 Farrington Highway
      Waipahu, Hawaii 96797
      Telephone: 675-0254

  • WINDWARD OAHU

    • Windward School for Adults
      730 Iliaina Street
      Kailua, Hawaii 96734
      Telephone: 254-7955

  • HAWAII

    • Hilo Community School for Adults
      450 Waianuenue Avenue, C-3
      Hilo, Hawaii 96720
      Telephone: 974-4100

    • Kona Community School for Adults
      74-5000 Puohulihuli Street
      Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96740
      Telephone: 327-4692

  • MAUI

    • Maui Community School for Adults
      179 Kaahumanu Street
      Kahului, Hawaii 96732
      Telephone: 873-3082

  • KAUAI

    • Kauai Community School for Adults
      3607-A Lala Road, P-12
      Lihue, Hawaii 96766
      Telephone: 274-3390

  • STATE OFFICE

    • Community Education Section
      Department of Education
      475 22nd Avenue, Room 124
      Honolulu, Hawaii 96816
      Telephone: 735-8371