SCC to offer computerized GED testing

Southeast Community College is partnering with GED Testing Service to offer the General Educational Development test on computer, a move that is expected to provide more adult learners throughout the area with a high school credential.

Mark Bayliss, SCC’s testing center coordinator and chief GED examiner, said Southeast was one of three Nebraska community colleges selected as pilot sites for the switch from paper testing to computerized testing.

“We’re excited about this new opportunity for GED test-takers,” Bayliss said. “Registering, scheduling and testing on computer will provide a new experience and new benefits for GED test-takers. These new features will improve the GED testing program, which is a gateway for adults to find jobs or better-paying jobs, enter the workforce or college training programs, and better support themselves and their families.”

During the week of June 18-22, GED Testing will be at SCC to help launch and promote the change in testing format. Bayliss said the goal is to have people testing on June 25.

Randy Trask, GED Testing Service’s president and CEO said, “Adult learners are often times juggling jobs, families, study time, and transportation issues. GED testing on computer will be a significant step to make the scheduling and testing experience easier, more flexible and faster for adult learners across the state and eventually the country. We are so pleased that Southeast Community College is our partner in this important endeavor.”

The GED test on computer is the same test content currently offered on paper. Its accompanying systems will provide an array of new benefits for both the testing center and GED test-takers. Some of the initial benefits include one-stop online registration and scheduling available 24/7, flexible testing appointments for test-takers, instant test scores on four of five content areas, an introduction of basic keyboarding and computer skills, and enhanced test security.

“SCC is proud to lead the way on GED testing on computer,” Bayliss said. “This new option for adult learners will provide immediate and long-term benefits. From hospitals to construction sites, basic technology, including computer use and keyboarding skills, are common in the workplace today. Test-takers can now demonstrate mastery of these basic technology skills through the GED test on computer, learn immediately of their results and be better prepared to enter the workplace.”

Test-takers interested in taking the test on computer at SCC should go to www.southeast.edu/continuing/abeged or www.GEDtestingservice.com.

Offering GED testing on computer also has an important role to increasing accessibility and flexibility for test-takers, since a double-digit increase in the number of GED test-takers is expected by 2013. A new GED assessment is scheduled to be released in January 2014, and a significant number of adults who haven’t taken or passed all five content areas will want to test before their scores expire at the end of 2013.

While testing and scheduling on computer is a significant new benefit for test-takers, GED Testing Service warns consumers there are those who will attempt to bilk unsuspecting adults out of precious dollars by creating confusion online.

“The GED test, whether on paper or computer, must be taken in-person at an official GED testing center,” Trask said. “Potential test-takers should not respond to individuals or so-called ‘institutions’ offering an online GED test.”