The key to passing the GED is preparation. The GED is a seven-hour test that checks important basic skills. Passing the GED shows that you have thinking, reading, writing, and math skills that are the key foundation for jobs and higher education. That’s why the GED is valuable. It shows employers and colleges that you’ve passed a milestone in acquiring the skills you need to advance.

The difference between a state like New York and one like Iowa has to do with the approach to the GED. Passing the GED isn’t just about walking in to a test center and taking a test. It starts with checking your skills, to see what gaps you need to fill in. Then, you need preparation, to get the skills that you’re missing. You need to know what’s expected on the GED and build up your abilities. Then, when you’re ready, you take the GED test. GED success is a process that includes preparation as a key element.

GED preparation is a serious problem for many people. Adults who dropped out of high school have adult responsibilities, including jobs and children. They have financial responsibilities to care for their families, time constraints, and difficulties with transportation. Even a well-run state program can be discouraging for adults who have trouble finding the time, childcare, and resources to attend GED classes.

Technology is a promising way around these problems. Innovative online learning solutions can be inexpensive and accessible for learners with restrictions on their time and resources. Online learning can be done at home or anywhere a computer and internet connection is available. More importantly, the best online learning is directed toward an individual student’s needs. Adult learners are all starting at different levels and filling different gaps in their learning. Managing an adult education class, filled with students with a wide variety of needs, is challenging. Truly personalized, engaging online learning can help adults learn faster and easier, encouraging them to stay on track to get a GED.

The benefits of the GED for both an individual adult and for the community are great, especially when the GED is viewed as a milestone in a journey toward a career or a higher education. Adults without a high school diploma or GED are the most likely to be unemployed. The Community Service Society estimates that adults without a high school diploma cost New York City $135,000 more than they pay in taxes over the course of their lifetime. The GED is an investment in the future, one that can pay off for individuals, businesses, and government.

The Community Service Society report on the New York GED can be found here: http://www.cssny.org/userimages/downloads/From%20Basic%20Skills%20to%20Better%20Futures%20Sept.%202009%20Final%20Report.pdf

The GED is more than just a piece of paper on the way toward something else, though. In studying for the GED, it’s important to think of the GED as a stepping stone to college and to a better life. GED students can learn important skills that will help them in college or in the workplace, and by learning these skills, instead of just focusing on the GED test itself, studiers can earn their GED easier as well as prepare for what’s beyond.

To make the most of your GED experience, while you’re working on your GED, you should work on:

1) good study habits… things like making a study schedule and study space, and figuring out how best to spend your study time.

2) learning to be responsible for your own learning–to own what you know and judge what you’ve learned and what you haven’t.

3) thinking about how you learn best and learning study techniques.

4) developing reading, writing, math, and thinking skills… Learning basic skills is the essence of studying for the GED because these are the skills that the GED tests. Realizing that they’re essential skills for college and the workplace puts them in a new perspective.

The GED Academy focuses on teaching these skills in addition to just knowledge that’s on the GED, because they’re skills you need, but it’s not just about being “taught.” It’s about actively learning.

No matter how much GED preparation you get, college can be a tough transition. That’s why the GED Academy recommends community or junior colleges as a transitional step between the GED and 4-year colleges for most students. Community and junior colleges have a lot of support and extra classes for students who have been out of school for a while, and you can get your feet wet at the college level. Community colleges generally accept local residents who have a GED or high school diploma. Once you have community college grades, they will be what a 4-year transfer college looks at. However, if you wanted to go directly to a four-year college, you might need higher GED scores and have to meet other requirements, like SAT or ACT score requirements. The requirements are different at different colleges.

On the positive end, in a lot of ways, college isn’t like high school. Your teachers know you’re adults. And you and your classmates are there because you want to be. You’re working toward a career and a future that YOU envision for yourself. You’ve got more responsibility, and more control over your own curriculum. These factors can make college a very positive experience, once you make a commitment to succeed.

Practice tests are desirable for GED learners. A good GED practice test will give a learner an overview of what the GED is really like, and what areas to study. A practice test also lets you know how prepared you really are for the GED test.

More than that, practice tests give learners a valuable edge in preparing for the GED. In a 2009 GED Testing Service study, “Preparation for and Performance on the GED Test,” the passing rates for students who used all types of GED preparation–public school adult education classes, community college adult education classes, independent study, and even no preparation–increased among students who took a GED practice test. Among learners preparing with independent study and adult education, a practice test increased passing rates by 11% to 15%. Taking a practice test was associated with generally higher GED Test scores, and the rise in test scores was highest in math, a subject that many GED learners struggle with.

GED practice tests prepare you for the GED test-taking experience. They give you practice in answering real GED-type questions and understand what you need to focus on in your studying. No matter what type of preparation you’re using to get ready for your GED test, be sure to include GED practice tests as part of your preparation.

The star of ABC’s new show “The Forgotten,” where he plays an ex-cop who investigates unsolved cases of unidentified bodies, appeared as a guest on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” in January, 2010 and discussed his GED. He has been working since he was nine years old, and was motivated to get his GED in order to show his children that education was important. After earning the GED, Slater began to work with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation “Get Schooled” program, which grapples with the issue of high school dropouts in the U.S.

Over 39 million American adults don’t have a high school diploma or GED. Many of these adults dropped out of school to go to work or to care for their families. The changing economy makes it important for former dropouts to earn a GED, and perhaps even more important for their children to earn a high school diploma and go on to college. Education opens up more possibilities for the future, something every parent wants for their children.

Earning a GED can be a life-changing experience, for both parents and their children. Children who see their parents working on a GED often work harder in school and become more involved in learning. And parents who decide to get a GED as an example for their children often experience a new-found self-esteem and pride at earning a high school diploma, even after many years have passed.

The GED does not need to be difficult. Many people can pass the exam with a little bit of preparation, especially if instruction is targeted to their individual needs. The rewards for passing can go beyond just being eligible for more jobs and higher education, including intangible benefits for both GED earners and their families.

Judge Mathis grew up in the housing projects in Detroit. He was involved in gangs. He spent time in jail. How did he pull himself out? After learning that his mother had cancer, Mathis decided it was time to change the course of his life. He was offered probation, if he entered a GED program. He didn’t just stop at a GED, though. He went on to college and law school, and he became the youngest superior court judge ever to serve in Michigan. Did he stop there? No, he went on to have his own television court show.

With a GED, opportunities for job advancement or for new careers can open up. Many promising careers, like nursing, law enforcement, and hair stylish, require a high school degree or GED as a first step to career training. The armed forces also require a GED or high school diploma. High school graduates and GED earners make an average of $385,000 more in their lifetime than people without a GED or high school diploma, and going on to higher education or career training means even more earning potential. The GED is most lucrative when it’s a gateway to higher education at trade schools, community colleges, or universities. The average income for college graduates is $44,000, more than double the income of people who haven’t graduated high school, and 97% of colleges accept GED graduates.

Another highly respected GED graduate, ABC News anchor Peter Jennings, was an active sponsor of scholarships for GED recipients. When speaking at a GED scholarship ceremony in 2003, he said: “You are now so much more prepared to go off in search of America. … You have indelibly today taken a huge and magnificent step forward.” Are you ready to take that step forward and find the land of opportunity?

Earning a GED is not difficult. Most people can prepare in a few short months with online GED study programs. The GED exams cover the bare essentials from high school, the things that are most valuable for success in today’s job market. You don’t need to memorize a lot of facts and dates. The GED focuses on critical thinking skills: analyzing, making inferences, and applying concepts to new situations. With a little practice, you can quickly improve these valuable skills and earn a GED.

1) Employment

Maybe when you graduated high school, employers didn’t necessarily expect a high school diploma. A lot of people got jobs in factories, offices, or other companies without a diploma, and they’ve stayed in their jobs for years. The trouble comes when you get laid off, the company goes out of business, you get passed up for promotions, or your job doesn’t pay enough (or give you enough job satisfaction) for the life you want. Every day, adults are laid off and realize that the job market’s changed. Without a GED, getting a new job or promotion can be tough. The GED can open doors to jobs, promotions, and job training.

2) Education

When your goals are high, a high school diploma isn’t enough. The best-paying and often most satisfying jobs require training and education. The GED opens the doors of trade schools, community colleges, and universities. Barack Obama has set a goal for education in the United States, that by the year 2020, America will again have the highest proportion of college graduates in the world. A higher education is good for the individual, and it’s also good for the country. It helps the U.S. compete in the world economy, and it helps America’s economy. The GED is the first step for many Americans to participate in that goal.

3) Self-Esteem

Most people start on the road to get their GED so that they can get a better job or more education. There’s a benefit from earning a GED that many people don’t take into account: feeling good about yourself. Too many smart people feel stupid, because they were told they were stupid or because they had problems in school. Too many adults feel left behind because those around them have high school and college diplomas. When adult learners earn a GED, they earn a sense of pride and accomplishment. They learn that they can aim higher than they thought possible. Dropping out of high school doesn’t have to close doors permanently in your life. You can earn a GED and show yourself how much you can achieve.

Far from being something for “losers,” the GED is a chance for people to turn their lives around. Staying in the same place, with a low paying job, or no job at all, and low self-esteem is not the answer. The GED is the path to get back on track, and one of the best roads it can lead to is college.

Recently, three students who earned their GEDs at New Mexico State University were profiled in the Cibola Beacon. All three have gone on to succeed in college, on their ways to new careers. Stefanie Grandjean, mother of a seven-year-old daughter, is studying to become a nurse with a graduate degree, as well as teaching math to other students studying for their GEDs.

Arnold Davis also works for the GED program where he studied for his GED. He is studying for a degree in automotive mechanics and is active in student government. His future goals include earning a degree in social work. Sandra Daily, who earned her GED in 2006, already has an AA in general studies and is planning to get a degree in fine arts. Over the course of three months, she went from grade-school level to being ready for college.

The GED is a step forward, toward more confidence, higher education, and better jobs. It is a path toward tearing down those walls built up by voices saying, “You’re stupid.” Just succeeding at the GED goes a long way toward students regaining belief in themselves.

See the Cibola Beacon article here: http://www.cibolabeacon.com/articles/2009/11/05/features/doc4af36314ae42e018756565.txt

Why would a medical doctor go back to earn a high school equivalency diploma? When Adams went to college early in the 1940s, he wasn’t required to graduate high school. He skipped forward again into medical school, at a time when the requirements weren’t as formalized as they are today. In more recent years, Adams has been active in water issues in his community of West Linn, Oregon, and he wanted to earn certification as a water plant operator. That’s when he ran into a problem. The certification requires a high school diploma.

Adams’s problem is similar to the situation many adults today are facing. In the past, many jobs and opportunities were open to those without a high school diploma. In many cases, quitting high school early didn’t seem like a major issue, since it was easy to enter the job market without a diploma. That’s changed. If a person without a high school diploma or GED loses their job, it’s much harder to get a new job now, without a diploma. Promotions, higher education, and changes in career can be closed off, even to a seasoned professional, without a diploma.

The good news is that the GED gives adults the opportunity to catch up with a world that demands a high school diploma. Adams took a GED practice test and discovered that he was ready to earn a GED right away, and many adults will have the same experience. For many others, just a few weeks of brush-up is enough to catch up on high school skills and be ready for the GED. Even for those who left school many years ago or didn’t do well in school, a good study program can provide quick and easy preparation.

A high school diploma is quickly becoming a necessity in today’s world, even for someone like William Adams, with many accomplishments and a long-standing career. For the 39 million American adults with no high school diploma, the GED is the answer, and it’s never too late to start moving forward with a GED diploma.

Graves knew that she’d need to get her high school diploma to move forward with her life. That’s when she found out about the GED. Instead of taking night classes to finish high school, Graves was able to earn her GED diploma. Now, Graves works as an office manager. This year, she spoke at the GED graduation ceremony for local GED graduates, who included her two youngest brothers who earned their GED this year.

Graves hopes to earn a college degree, and keep moving forward in her life. Her story shows the challenges that face American adults who never graduated high school. The GED provides the opportunity to qualify legitimately for the better jobs and higher education that allow adults to care for their families and accomplish their goals in life.

The road to success takes a commitment to get your GED, but passing the GED is an achievable goal. Many people can prepare for the exams with a few weeks of brush-up. Most adults have more of a foundation of high school skills than they think. Learners, even if they’ve been out of school for a while or had trouble in the classroom, can gain the essential skills the GED tests through a good study program. Taking Pam Graves’ example and earning your GED can be a breakthrough decision for the rest of your life.

Paul Salopek was born in Barstow, California in 1962. He dropped out of high school, and he took the GED to earn his high school equivalency. He didn’t stop there. While working as a fisherman and farm worker, Salopek earned a degree in environmental biology from UC Santa Barbara, graduating in 1984. When his motorcycle broke down in New Mexico a year later, he took a job at a local newspaper to earn money to repair his bike. It was the beginning of a career.

Salopek has worked for National Geographic and Texas’s El Paso Times. Currently he is a foreign correspondent for the Chicago Tribune, writing about Africa, Central Asia, and the Balkans. In 1998, he won a Pulitzer Prize for writing about the Human Genome Diversity Project, and in 2001, he won another for his writing about Africa, including the civil war in Congo. He has written about over 50 countries throughout the world. In 2006, Salopek was held in prison for five weeks in Darfur, one of the many conflict zones he’s travelled to as a writer.

Salopek is the recipient of the 2009 Elijah Parish Lovejoy Award for courageous journalism. As part of the award, he received an honorary doctor of laws degree from Colby College in Waterville, Maine.

Paul Salopek took his GED and went to the ends of the earth with it. That’s what the GED is for. It opens doors for adults who need more opportunity, for better jobs, higher education, and personal fulfillment. Each GED earned represents the potential for achieving a dream.