GED is a battery of tests of four subjects; passing it makes you eligible for college education. It is explained as General Education Diploma and proves high school equivalent efficiency of the test takers. There are certain rules and regulations to fulfill to use GED to apply for college education programs. These rules pertain to qualifying age, States’ statutory requirements, etc.
If you want to use GED to go to college at 16, the answer is ‘yes, you can! However, you require to fulfill certain additional requirements compulsorily. We have explained here the conditions in which the GED test at 16 is allowed, how to get those waivers, and which states approve them.
Before going to exceptions and other details, lets’ understand who needs a GED score to go to college.
Who needs GED score to get admission to colleges?
A number of scores (HiSAT, GED, etc.) or credit points are submissible in the US colleges to secure admission. If the student could not complete the high school curriculum, he can still apply for admission by submitting the GED score. A GED score of minimum 145 marks is needed to be eligible for entering the college degree programs.
GED test score is valid for admitting those students who have officially withdrawn from their last schools. They should not have joined any school in the last six months at least to be eligible for GED score submission. Veterans of war, school drop-outs, and students with special needs can benefit from the GED score arrangement and pursue their graduation dream.
GED age requirements in various states
A candidate should be joining the college in those states where the age of 16 is the qualifying criterion. They must know about the additional requirements to be fulfilled if they are trying to get admission to college at 16. Here is the state-wise list of minimum age requirements to fulfill to get the benefit of GED score.
Alabama – Minimum age requirement is 16 years. Both 16 and 17 years old students need to meet additional requirements strictly. Alabama Community College System can be approached for GED tests.
Alaska – Minimum age criterion is 16 years. The Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, in collaboration with the Alaska Job Center Network, conducts GED tests here.
Arizona – This state has set the minimum age for GED score at 16 years. The Arizona Department of Education Arizona (Adult Education Services) conducts GED tests in this State.
Arkansas – Minimum age requirement for the GED test here is 16 years. The Arkansas Department of Career Education (Adult Education) organizes GED tests here.
Colorado – Colorado approves 16 years as the minimum age for taking GED test.
Delaware – Delaware allows GED tests to be taken at the minimum age of 16 years. Delaware Department of Education holds responsibility for the GED exam here.
Apart from these states, Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York State, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington State, West Virginia, and Wyoming allow 16 years old students to take GED test.
Every state has its own set of additional requirements that students need to meet to take the GED test at 16 years and get entry into a college. Mostly, it requires the last school’s withdrawal certificate; in addition, other state-specific requirements are to be found from the State’s concerned departments. Some states require high school transcripts along with the parent’s approval. You can check the additional requirements for your chosen state here.
Conditions in which age waiver is granted
The age waiver is granted to the students below 18 years of age when they submit the following documents:
- Proof that they are not enrolled in any high school for at least six months. They must have notified the Office of the State Superintendent of Education (OSSE) about the same too. Intent to homeschool needs to be notified to the concerned authority.
- Enrollment with DC Public-Charter School Based educational program can also be served to support age waiver claim.
- The candidate must show proof of inability to complete high school education within the given time frame. They may be incarcerated or have secured an out-of-home placement within the juvenile justice system. Proof of credit points not enough to complete compulsory education may also be asked to submit to get age waiver.
What to expect in a GED test
GED test content is revised from time to time to ensure a candidate’s college readiness. In the latest version, the test comprises four subjects:
- Mathematics
- Science
- Social Studies
- Reasoning through Language Arts
It is a computer-based test and marks in each subject are given in the range of 100 to 200. Minimum of 145 marks is essential to prove high school equivalency.
Summing up,
GED test is an arrangement for those students who need to save time doing high school programs due to a valid reason. Financial constraints, learning difficulties, joining forces to go on a war, etc. are some of the reasons that force people to drop out of school. To help such candidates pursue higher studies. The GED test is organized. Age waiver to appear for the exam in 16 years supported by the state-approved document can help gain benefit from the GED scores to get admission to college education programs.
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