Links to additional information:
Information on the changes in the new GED 2002 test
Ohio Department of Education GED
information
Question: Where can I take
GED classes?
Answer: Contact the Ohio Literacy Network at 1.800.228.7323,
for GED preparation classes.
Question: Where are GED Test
Centers located?
Answer: GED Test Centers are listed on our web site:
www.ode.state.oh.us go to "TOPIC", click on "GED"
Question: How do I get an
application; and what is the fee?
Answer: Applications may be printed from the ODE web site:
www.ode.state.oh.us or be obtained through your local
testing center. The application fee for Ohio residents and
non-residents is $55.00 (money order only).
Question: How do I get a
Fee Waiver?
Answer: Ohio residents are eligible for a Fee Waiver by
sitting for the Official Practice Test (OPT). Upon passing
the OPT, the student will be issued a Fee Waiver to cover
the costs of up to three (3) GED tests within the calendar
year the Fee Waiver was issued (within the re-testing
schedule requirements).
Question: Who can take the
GED?
Answer: Anyone who is 19 years or older, who has not
graduated from an accredited high school can apply to take
the GED.
Quesiton: How old do I have to be to take the GED?
Answer: Minimum age is 16 yrs old with written approval from
a parent, guardian or court official and the local school
superintendent or his/her designee must sign the age waiver
from on application. Refer to
www.ode.state.oh.us for
application instructions.
Question: Do I need a work
permit to take the GED?
Answer: No. But, if you are under 19 yr. old, you do need
the signature of the superintendent from the school district
from where you last attended or currently reside, that shows
that you have officially withdrawn from school; or you have
been home schooled; or you currently reside in a district in
which you never attended school.
Question: Who needs to sign the
application for those 18 yrs old?
Answer: The local superintendent or his/her designee, from
the school where the applicant last attended or where he or
she currently resides.
-OR-
If the applicantıs class has graduated, one can
attach an official school transcript that demonstrates the
class from which you last attended school has graduated.
Question: If I show up
late, and they have already started the instructions, can I
still sit for that GED testing session?
Answer: No! If you are late, you will have to reschedule.
All instructions are important for all test-takers and other
examination preparations have already been adjusted as a
result of your being late. Get there early next time!
Question: What if, after I have begun testing, I have
an emergency and have to leave before completing all parts
of the GED test?
Answer: If you leave or do not return as scheduled, prior to
completing all parts of the test form you have begun, the
examiner will collect all test materials and end this GED
test form session. You must reapply and register to take a
different form of the GED test. You must pay the application
fee again if you didnıt have a fee waiver.
Question: What if I forget my
proper ID, can I bring it back after the test?
Answer: No! Without proper ID, no one will be allowed in the
test room. Of course, if an examiner personally knows you
and will verify your identity, then you may be allowed to
test.
FYI EXAMINER: If an examiner makes a personal
identification, he or she must submit with the score sheet,
his or her signed statement verifying the studentıs
identification.
Question: Do I have to use my
social security number when applying for a GED or Official
Practice Test?
Answer: No! Use of an applicantıs social security number is
the applicantıs choice. If an applicant decides not to use
his or her SS #, a Security Number must be inserted (using
applicant zip code and date of birth).
Remember: If applicant
uses the Security Number option on the application and fee
waiver, the same number must be used on the Official GED
test.
Question: Do I get the
special accommodations I had in High School when taking the
GED?
Answer: Not necessarily. The State GED Office must approve
special accommodations in advance of taking the GED test.
The applicant must obtain a
SA-001 or L-15 and an Accommodation Tracking Form
from the test site where he or she plans to eventually take
the test. Once the proper forms are complete and sent to the
State GED Office, the requested accommodations may or may
not be approved. You will receive a formal letter stating
what accommodations are approved and for what reason(s).
Question: Can I bring my
own color overlay or other item as a special accommodations
I had in High School when taking the GED?
Answer: Possibly! Anything a student wants to bring into the
testing room and keep at his or her seat to assist in
testing must:
1. Be allowed per the No
Prior Approval necessary list: Large Print/Seat near natural
light/Split Testing Days/Large Button Calculator/Non-ruled
glide/Graph paper/Seat cushion/Seat near direct
lighting/Magnifying strip/overlay/Colored overlay/Drink
(i.e. soda, water/Ear plugs/Manipulative/Other (call ahead);
and
2. Be inspected and
approved by the test administrator prior to testing; and
3. Be noted on the header
sheet.
Question: Can I get a refund if I
decide not to test and I have already sent my money in for
processing?
Answer: No! The application you sign clearly states that the
application fee is non-refundable once it has been entered
and approved.
Question: What is the GED web
site address?
Answer:
www.ode.state.oh.us , go to
"TOPIC" and click on "GED; our application, transcript
request form and test sites are listed under "GED Links".
Question: Am I approved to take
the test once my application is entered?
Answer: When approved (about 10 days after mailing), our
office will post your authorization on the GED computer
system. You may verify your authorization by contacting a
test site near you. To find the site nearest you, go to the
web site-
www.ode.state.oh.us.
Go to TOPIC and click on GED. Authorization postings are
good for 120 (four months) from the date application was
entered.
Question: When will I get my
scores?
Answer: Results are mailed approximately 3-6 weeks after
test is completed. No one gets test scores over the
phone!
Question: If I do not earn an
Ohio GED, can I have my tests re-scored?
Answer: Yes. All requests for re-scoring must be written and
addressed to the State GED Office. Since a computer scores
your tests, errors are rare (none have changed thus far).
Question: Why did I fail the GED?
Answer: You did not earn an Ohio GED because your sub-test
scores did not meet the minimum score requirements (410
on each sub-test) or your overall total score was below
2250.
You may need additional training in a specific subject area,
or you may not have been prepared to take the test at that
point in time.
Question: When can I re-take the
GED?
Answer: You can re-take the GED and the Official Practice
Test (OPT) as listed below: If you do not pass the GED or
OPT by:
1-50 points, you must
wait 30 days before
re-testing.
51-100 points, you must
wait 60 days before
re-testing.
101-or more points, you
must wait 120 days before
re-testing.
Question: Can I re-test before
the published waiting period?
Answer: You may request in writing to the GED State Office
that the waiting period be waived.
Waivers will granted if:
Applicant attaches to application, a letter stating the
low scores are reflective of a life crisis (e.g. death in
the family or other extreme life crisis);
OR
1. Applicant attaches to
application a letter from Adult Basic Literacy Education
instructor asking to waive the waiting period because of
additional classes taken; AND
2. A form showing the
applicant has met the minimum sub-test score (410) and a
total score (2250) on a subsequent Official Practice Test.
Question: If I do not pass
a sub-test, do I have to take the entire GED test again?
Answer: No! As in the past, an applicant only has to re-test
the sub-test(s) he or she does not have a minimum score of
410. However, if the applicant has met the minimum sub-test
scoring requirement of 410 on each sub-test and not the
minimum overall total score of 2250, the applicantıs best
chance of success is to take more than one sub-test to
achieve the minimum overall score (Donıt bet the bank on one
race! Donıt put all your eggs in one basket).
Question: How can I get my scores
from another state?
Answer: Contact that States Department of Education and
request that an official transcript to be sent directly to
the State GED Office in Columbus. Phone numbers for all
states are located on the American Council on Educationıs
web site-
www.acenet.edu
Question: Where can I get a copy of my diploma?
Answer: The diploma is issued one time only. However, an
"Official Transcript", which is official proof of a GED, may
be obtained by printing, completing and sending to the
address on the form. The "Transcript Request" form is on the
ODE web site:
www.ode.state.oh.us
Question: Where can I walk in and
get a transcript the same day?
Answer: Transcripts may be obtained on walk-in basis only in
Columbus. Go to the Ohio Department of Education GED Office,
located at 25 South Front Street, Columbus, Ohio. Applicant
must have $10 exact cash or money order and picture
identification.
Question: What if my name,
security #, birthdate, etc. is incorrect on my diploma?
Answer: Draw a line through any errors, write the correction
above the error. Mail both parts of the diploma (original-no
copies) to the Columbus GED office. We will correct and
re-issue a new diploma. The Columbus GED office address is
on the front of the diploma.
If the social security number is incorrect, include a copy
of your social security card or valid driverıs license with
social security number on it.
Question: What if I took the GED
in the military prior to 1974?
Answer: If you are an Ohio resident, you should request that
DANTES send your scores to the Ohio GED Office. You must
submit a written request with a $10 money order to:
Defense Activity for Non-traditional Educational Support (DANTES)
CN 6605
Princeton, NJ 08541-6605
Question: What if I took the GED
in the military after 1974?
Answer: If you are an Ohio resident, you should request that
the American Council on Education send your scores to the
Ohio GED Office. You must submit a written request with a
$10 money order to:
Program Secretary
The American Council on Education
GED Testing Service
One Dupont Circle NW
Washington, DC 20036-1193
Question: Is there a special High
School Diploma for Veterans?
Answer: If you are a World War II veteran, you should
contact the Governorıs Office of Veteranıs Affairs at
614.644.0898.
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