Posts Tagged ‘General Education Development’

A GED is Worth More than a Fake High School Diploma

Tuesday, December 7th, 2010



For today’s student, distance learning is an ffordable way to work toward a GED, the best way for an adult to demonstrate the skills of a high school education. But there are a growing number of companies and schools who aren’t really in the business of education. Instead, they’re in the education business — their biggest business is selling quick and easy programs or simple online tests that result with worthless transcripts and fake diplomas.

In most cases, the GED — the term for General Education Development credential — is the only official ‘diploma’ that has value and is meaningful for adults who never completed their high school education. There are exceptions. But as a rule most transcripts and diplomas ordered or obtained from online high schools are worthless. Unfortunately, students and adult learners are often misled — and easily misled — by these diploma factories or diploma mills. Here’s a recent letter from a new GED student, who learned about one education business the hard way:

“I paid $250 and got this paper in the mail, but it didn’t help me get a better job. It was a ripoff. It wasn’t till my boss told me that I found out it wasn’t a real high school. It wasn’t even a real high school diploma, just something somebody made on a computer. But it looked like a real school. With a real test.”

This student’s story is typical and more common every day. Many adult learners fall victim to diploma scams, usually paying $200 to $800 in tuition, testing, transcript or diploma fees. But because the school or program isn’t accredited, the diploma has no value — it’s meaningless. When it comes to employers, job training programs, tech school, community colleges and universities, bogus diplomas are useless.

But a GED credential is useful. For today’s 34 to 38 million adults in the US who never graduated from high school, passing the GED test is a pass key to both career and educational opportunities. Approximately 95 percent of employers and 97 percent of US colleges and universities accept the GED because it’s an official, accredited ‘diploma.’

When choosing education, an adult learner’s best option is GED prep, whether enrolling in a local class or online preparation program. If online learning or distance learning is the best solution for you, look for a program that includes all the components needed to prepare for the GED test.

Here are some guidelines for choosing a real online GED program provider and avoiding bogus schools or fake diploma scams:

– The American Council on Education (ACE) has tight guidelines for the GED. The test covers science, social studies, language arts reading and writing, and math – including algebra, geometry and data analysis. Find a program that includes all testing areas; avoid any solution or school that doesn’t include all test areas or information about test areas and ACE requirements.

– GED practice tests are available online and are a good way for a student to determine what to study for the test. But the actual GED test cannot be taken online! The test is only given at official test sites. So avoid any company that claims to offer the official GED test or a quick version online.

– Read the fine print, before you pay — make sure you understand what the company or school is offering and determine if it’s worth the price. Is it a worthwhile learning process or just a fake diploma? Will it help you move ahead in your career or education? Will the online GED program or learning solution you choose really prepare you for the GED test? Ask for guidance if you’re unsure.

– Look beyond the company or school; discover what other teachers, students and adult learners are saying. Explore GED and education message boards, online forums or learning communities.

– Be very cautious in dealing with any company or online high school that offers a diploma or transcript after passing an online test. The GED test is difficult; the test is timed and usually takes more than seven hours. So check out the school with your state Department of Education. Basically, just as the old adage says: If it sounds too good to be true it probably is too good to be true.

Education is about the best investment you can make in yourself. Make sure your investment is a good one, and gives you a return that’s worthwhile. The GED credential might be harder to get than a $250 diploma, but you can sure count on it to take you to where you want to go.

For more information about the GED, and free GED resources online: visit http://www.passGED.com.

By: Leonard Williams

A GED or General Education Diploma

Friday, April 30th, 2010



A GED or General Education Diploma is sometimes also called a General Education Development program. The basis for the GED is a series of tests to determine if a minimum level of proficiency has been reached. These are not difficult tests but do require a wide breadth of understanding on a variety of subjects.

Today, distance learning may be the option most preferred. It is an affordable way to work toward a GED, and determine the level of skills necessary to pass the GED exams. Unfortunately, there are companies that offer shortcuts to almost every kind of education. Promises of college degrees, doctorates, and even high school diplomas are all available for the right price. These companies are in the business of selling shortcuts that are really bogus credentials. Fake diplomas and worthless transcripts are a growth industry with the explosion of information found on the Internet.

In most cases, the GED — the term for General Education Development credential — is the only official ‘diploma’ that has value and is meaningful for adults who never completed their high school education. There are exceptions. Many people have been duped or misled with the promises of phony certifications. These diploma mills are nothing more than a printer, some software and a marketing plan.

The reality is however, that many businesses do not check into the background of a person to that extent. This is especially true of jobs in the lower 50% of the general pay scale. Recently there have been a rash of high level business president, vice-president types who have been found to have used phony credentials to obtain their positions. If large corporations paying huge salaries to these types of people don’t check them out, how deeply do you think they will check your his troy?

Still, the future is anything but set. Although it’s possible to get away without having solid educational proof, the future may be much different. In a few years, it may be possible for companies to check historical records online and then the phone degrees will all become evident.

The very best solution is to obtain a solid education no matter how much effort it may take.

By: Abbie Frank

How to Get Your GED Fast

Sunday, April 25th, 2010



It has been asked over and over again – Can you get a GED online?

In all honesty the answer is no you can not get a it Online at this time.

However you can take preparation courses online. The benefits of enrolling in online courses are that they allow to get your GED Faster. Taking General Education Development preparation courses online will help you prepare to take your actual GED test.

Benefits of taking GED courses online

1) You can get your GED Faster

2) You increase your chances of Passing your Exam

3) You can take preparation Courses in the comfort of your own home

4) High School Equivalence Diploma preparation courses are very brief generally lasting a few days

5) After you pass the preparation courses your registration fee may be waived

Although this doesn’t help you get your GED Online per-say it does help you greatly improve your chances of successfully passing your exam. One of the main reasons that taking courses online is popular is because of privacy. Nobody will even know that you are going to take the test because your taking the courses in the privacy of your own home. Before you know you will be finished with the GED course and ready to pass your exam.

Many people don’t want to physically drive to a location for a GED course. For two reasons: they are generally lazy, and they are embarrassed – they don’t want others to see that they are trying to get their GED. People also would like to get their diploma at an accelerated pace and taking online courses will save you some time.

Did you know that a record high number of employers are employing staff members who their GED?

More and more people are getting their adult education diploma. With the competition in our already staggering economy it is advised that you to do the same. Also many colleges accept students who have obtained their General Education Development diplomas.

You can find information online regarding Colleges and Universities who accept students who have their Adult Education diplomas. Also a new option for people who have passed their exam is that they can receive a college scholarship. The post GED scholarship is an award given to people who passed the exam within a specific amount of time prior to enrolling in College.

Test Preparation

As far as Preparation as you already know there are preparation courses available online. Also a new aspect of preparation is GED en espanol. You can now take preparation courses en espanol. Testing en espanol is also available now! It is strongly advised to make the arragements to take the exam en espanol upon registration. Learn how to Get a High School Equivalence Diploma

1) Prepare yourself – take an online prep course, purchase a preparation book and take the practice Test.

2) Review the rules specific to your State and GED Testing Center.

3) Register with your local Testing Center or with the State Department of Education.

4) Arrive at the Testing Center, enter the facility prepared now go make yourself proud.

One last thing be prepared before you register for the exam there are plenty of Online courses and preparation books. Also have some cash on hand during your registration in case you have to pay a registration fee. Good Luck!

By: Melvin Le