The initials "GED" stand for General Education Development. Created in 1942 during World War II, it was meant to allow veterans to quickly get credentials that would be equal to a high school diploma so that they could go on to college. It then became available to all adults.

What is on the test?

The GED Test measures the skills and general knowledge that are acquired in a high school education. You are not expected to remember a lot of details, or facts, but it does test your ability to think and evaluate a variety of topics. Much of the knowledge tested is based life experience, so, with a pre-test, available at the center, we can show you the areas you will need to study. But you should not be at too much of an disadvantage if you have been out of school for a while.

A 9th grade reading level is an average expectation. This means that you have the ability to read and understand newspapers, forms, and letters. You must also have the ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide by hand. The tests cover five major areas: Writing Skills; Social Studies; Science; Interpreting Arts and Literature; and Mathematics.

The Perry County Literacy Council provides free one-on-one tutoring to help you prepare to pass the exam. You can take practice tests to compare your improvement, and even work on the computer in our center to help prepare for the exam.

If you are interested in preparing for your GED Call the office at (717) 567-7323 for an assessment appointment.

How much does it cost?

It costs $50-$75 to take all five tests, depending on the GED testing site. The cost for retaking the tests varies from $10-$15. You can take one or more tests at a time.

Eligibility for GED Testing

• Be at least 18 years old or have a signed waiver form from your local school district office.
• Not be enrolled in high school
• Not have a high school diploma or high school equivalency certificate or diploma

Where do I go?

It is now possible, to take the GED test here in Perry County. Newport School District, in conjunction with the Perry County Literacy Council, is now conducting GED testing. Call the Literacy Council or Career Link for the next test dates. The cost of the full battery of 5 tests is $75.00. Students may take one or all five tests during a cycle as they would like. Registration for the tests is being done at the Career Link (582-8971) or at the Literacy Council (567-7323), call to schedule a time to register for the next available test.

How do I sign up?

Requirements vary, but most sites ask that you register in advance and provide the following the day of the test. Some sites ask that you sign up the week before and give you a "ticket" for the day of the test to facilitate faster registration on the day of the test.

• Receipt of payment from cashier
• Social Security Number
• Proof of residency
• Picture ID