Following suit with national regulatory guidelines, Western Nebraska Community College in Scottsbluff and Chadron State College announced that the current version of the GED test expires at the end of 2013. The current version, known as the 2002 Series GED test, will be replaced with the new 2014 GED test on January 2, 2014.
Those who have taken the 2002 Series GED test, but not passed all five parts, have until the end of 2013 to pass or they will need to start over again in 2014 with the new GED test in order to receive their high school credential.
"The GED test opens doors to college, better jobs, the respect adults deserve, and the satisfaction of earning a high school credential," said Marilyn Dodge, educational outreach programs director at WNCC. "So we want to be sure that everyone is aware of this deadline. GED test-takers must act now to finish and pass before the current test expires."
GED Testing Centers in the WNCC service area are located at the John N. Harms Advanced Technology Center, 2620 College Park in Scottsbluff and on the Chadron State College campus, 1000 Main, Old Admin Building, Room 131, in Chadron.
"Support is available, right here in the WNCC service area," Dodge, also chief GED examiner at WNCC, added. "We can help adult learners get prepared to take the parts of the GED test they still need to pass. We want you to succeed."
Interested GED test-takers can find more information at www.finishtheGED.com.
A few important tips about testing in the WNCC Testing Centers before the end of 2013:
- Registration deadline for GED® test-takers at the Scottsbluff Testing Center is the Thursday prior to each monthly paper/pencil Tuesday GED test. Testing in Scottsbluff is conducted the third Tuesday of each month.
- Call 308.635.6770 for the last registration date for Chadron.
- In Scottsbluff, the last day to take the current version of the GED® test is December18.
"To anyone who has already started the GED test, your future is calling. By passing the GED test, you can answer that call," said Randy Trask, president and CEO of GED Testing Service. "You owe it to yourself. Don't miss the chance to turn one small step into your next big opportunity in life."
Following the retirement of the previous incarnation of the test, the 2014 GED test is entirely computerized. Instructors anticipate several advantages to computer-based testing:
- Video and high-resolution graphics
- Text presented in mixed formatting
- More flexible exam scheduling
- More test locations
- Faster score reporting
- Reduced costs
- Use of a wide variety of question types
- Better security for testing
- All students will be on the same footing when they take the test
"Computer based testing will aid GED students to have the computer skills needed for post-secondary education and training," Dodge said. "As educators, we must look ahead and make sure students are ready to be contributing members of society and able to improve the quality of life, not only for themselves, but for their families as well."