GED - General Information
GED TESTING
The GED Testing program was developed by the American Council on Education to provide persons who have not graduated from high school the opportunity to earn the High School Equivalency Certificate. The Regional Office of Education administers the test of General Education Development (GED). Examinees who achieve the minimum standards established by the Illinois Community College Board will receive the High School Equivalency Certificate.
• High School Equivalency Certificate or GED Transcript Request Form (Word document)
GED PREPARATION
While no formal preparations are required to take the GED Tests, examinees may take advantage of preparatory courses offered through Southwestern Illinois College or, at times, the Regional Office of Education. Classes are tuition free to eligible individuals.
All classes offer open enrollment, and instruction is individualized according to each student's educational needs.
Contact the Chester office at (618) 826-5471 or the Waterloo office at (618) 939-5650 for additional information.
ELIGIBILITY
Prospective registrants must reside in Monroe or Randolph County, have been an Illinois resident for not less than 30 days and be at least 17 years of age and no longer enrolled in high school. Contact our Regional Office at (618) 826-5471 or (618) 939-5650 regarding specific documentation required.
REGISTERING FOR THE GED TEST
Individuals must register in person at the Regional Office in which they will be testing. No appointment is necessary.
Registrants must present a government-issued ID (i.e. driver's license, state ID, valid passport or other form of government-issued ID). Further, one additional proof of registrant's Monroe or Randolph County address must be presented. Also, if the registrant has been enrolled in high school within the past 12 months, he/she must present a letter from the school, stating the drop date. Registrant's name is placed on the testing schedule when the registration fee is received.
REGISTRATION FEE
A $50.00 fee for testing and issuance of the High School Equivalency Certificate must be paid at the time of registration. Cash or money order is the only acceptable form of payment.
GED SUBJECT TESTS
There are five subject tests: Mathematics, Language Arts-Writing (Writing Skills), Language Arts-Reading (Literature and the Arts). Science, and Social Studies. Examinees must obtain the minimum required scores on the GED Tests and the Illinois and Untied States Constitution Test to secure the High School Equivalency Certificate.
CONSTITUTION TEST
The test covering the Illinois and the United States constitutions, the Declaration of Independence and the flag code must be passed if it was not passed in an Illinois high school or a GED class. Verification is required.
The Constitution Test is administered following the GED testing. There is no additional fee to take the Constitution Test. There is no time limit for this test.
Constitution study guides are available in each Regional Office.
SPECIAL ACCOMMODATIONS
Not all individuals can be fairly tested under standard conditions. If you have a documented learning, physical or emotional disability, you may qualify for accommodations for a GED test administration. If approved, accommodations are provided at no additional charge. Contact either Regional Office for more information.
GED PRACTICE TEST
The GED Practice Test is offered through the Chester office only to those individuals who are unsure if they need to participate in GED classes. While similar to the actual GED Tests, it requires less time and there is no registration fee. Results of the test will indicate if further instruction in particular subject areas is needed.
GED AND CONSTITUTION RETESTS
An examinee who fails to make the required score on the GED Tests has the option of retaking the entire battery or the subject test(s) failed. Examinees may test 3 (three) times in a calendar year. An examinee may take the Constitution Test as many times as is required to pass. Examinees must register with the Regional Office to retest . Retest fees are as follows: Language Arts-Writing (Writing Skills) $15.00, Language Arts-Reading (Literature and the Arts), Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, $10.00 each. There is no additional fee for the Constitution Test.