Adult Basic Education
Adult Basic Education Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
GED (General Education Development) Orientation
- Does TMCC offer classes in GED preparation?
- Do I have to attend classes in order to take the GED exam?
- How much does it cost to take the practice GED test and how much do classes cost?
- How will the classes help me?
- Do I have to take all of the classes?
- How will I know if the GED prep classes are right for me at this time?
- What is required of me when attending the GED Prep classes?
- Are books supplied?
- When are the classes offered?
- What happens if I don't pass the GED Exam?
- May I continue with the classes as long as I need to prepare for the GED Exam?
GED Examination *
- What areas does the GED exam cover?
- How many questions and how much time is allowed per section?
- How much does it cost to take the test?
- Is advance registration necessary?
- How often is the test offered?
- Do I have to take the entire test over if I miss one part?
- How many times can I take the tests?
- How is the test scored?
- Where is the test given?
- Must I be a resident of Nevada to take the test?
- Is there a minimum age requirement to take the test?
- Is it possible to take the test in Spanish?
- If I take the test in Spanish will that be indicated on my GED certificate?
- Are there other versions of the test available?
- If I am a foreign language student taking the test in English, may I use a translator?
- Do I need a Social Security Number to take the test?
- May I take the GED test if I am not a U.S. Citizen?
- May I take the GED test if I have a high school diploma from another country?
- How do I prepare for the test?
- How are candidates faring with the GED?
- What is the primary reason for adults to take the GED test?
- Is the GED accepted at colleges and universities?
- Do employers accept the GED certificate as equivalent to a traditional high school Diploma?
- How many people take the GED test?
* This information and answers are based on information provided through the Nevada Department of Education and is subject to change.
Does TMCC offer classes in GED preparation? 
Yes. GED preparation classes are offered year round at the Meadowood Center site. They are a blend of live classroom-based instruction and individual computerized modules.
The classes are unique in that each session is tailored to meet the specific needs of the students enrolled in that session. This is determined through a series of pre-tests, practice tests and administration of the Comprehensive Adult Student Assessment System (CASAS).
CASAS and the GED Practice Test series are administered after orientation: An individual meeting with the GED coordinator occurs the day before classes begin to discuss your test scores.
Classes are scheduled in 12 week blocks and usually have 25-40 students enrolled.
Do I have to attend classes in order to take the GED exam?
No. You can register (the fee is currently $60*) to take the GED exam right away; however, taking the CASAS and GED practice tests during the initial week will help you determine how ready you are and will actually help predict your scores! You can bypass taking the classes if your scores indicate you are now ready. Contact testing services for additional test registration information.
How much does it cost to take the practice GED test and how much do classes cost?
There is no charge!
The classes are tailored to address your strengths and weaknesses. Areas you need to improve on will be addressed and areas you've already mastered will be skipped.
Do I have to take all of the classes?
Yes, a commitment throughout the entire 12-week session is mandatory (unless it's determined that you're ready to take the actual GED exam [see #2 above]). Each class in the session is specifically designed to help the students in that session meet the specific academic requirements of the GED material in which they need further study.
How will I know if the GED prep classes are right for me at this time?
If you have a strong desire to pass the GED exam in as short a time as possible and are committed to making that happen, than the class is for you.
Your CASAS reading and math scores need to be 235 and 220 respectively. Your practice-GED exams need to be at least 400 each (for all 5 areas). If your scores are below these guidelines, you will need to strengthen those areas before beginning GED preparation. TMCC offers individual tutoring and small group classes in reading, writing and math in preparation for GED study. These classes are offered through Adult Basic Education and also English as a Second Language classes.
You will schedule an appointment with a Student Placement Advisor to help you chart the best course of academic action.
What is required of me when attending the GED Prep classes?
We ask that you make a strong commitment to attain your GED as quickly as possible, and you will need to sign a contract to that effect. You will need to agree to attend all classes of the session and take the pre and post assessments. The amount of time it will take you to be ready to pass the GED exam will depend on the balance between your program entrance scores and amount of time you spend weekly studying the material.
Yes. Books are provided for classroom use free of charge.
You will need to purchase a Casio fx-260solar calculator to bring to class. The Steck-Vaughn Complete GED Preparation Book and the Math Supplement are especially helpful to have for your own use. You are requested to provide your own writing paper and writing utensils.
Morning Classes
Morning classes meet Monday and Wednesday from 9 a.m. to noon in Room 108, and on Tuesday and Thursday, in Room 123 for Teacher Assigned on-line modules.
Evening Classes
Evening classes meet every Tuesday and Thursday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in Room 108, and Monday and Wednesday in Room 124 for Teacher Assigned on-line modules.
What happens if I don't pass the GED Exam?
You have three chances within each year to pass each section of the exam. You are not required to retake any of the sections you passed, just those in which you need to improve your scores. You are welcome to return to class and study those sections.
May I continue with the classes as long as I need to prepare for the GED Exam?
Yes. If you are still not ready to take and pass the GED exam at the end of the 12-week studying sessions, and you have met the terms of your contract, you will be given preferential registration privileges for each subsequent session.
What areas does the GED exam cover?
Language Arts Writing (Parts I and II), Reading, Social Studies, Science and Mathematics
How many questions and how much time is allowed per section?
| Test | Content Number | Items | Time Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Language Arts Writing Part I |
Organization 15% Sentence Structure 30% Usage 30% Mechanics 25% |
50 | 120 minutes (45 minutes of this time is allowed for the essay.) |
| Language Arts Writing Part II |
Essay | 1 | |
| Social Studies | U.S. History 25% World History 15% Civics and Government 25% Geography 15% Economics 20% |
50 | 70 minutes |
| Science Life | Science 45% Earth and Space Science 20% Physical Science 35% |
50 | 80 minutes |
| Language Arts Reading |
Nonfiction Texts 25% Literary Texts 75%
|
40 | 65 minutes |
| Mathematics | Number Operations and Number Sense 25% Measurement and Geometry 25% Data Analysis, Statistics, and Probability 25% Algebra 25% |
Part I 25 with Calculator 45 minutes Part II 25 no calculator |
45 minutes |
| Totals: | 240 + essay | 7 hours, 5 minutes |
How much does it cost to take the test?
Currently the fee is $60 for the entire battery of tests. The fee is payable at the time of registration and is non-refundable (without a valid written medical explanation from a health care professional).
If this fee poses a financial hardship, check with Nevada Job Connect, JOIN, or other agencies in your area to see if aid is available. Contact testing services for test registration information.
Is advance registration necessary?
If you are over eighteen, you will need proof of Nevada residency, a government issued picture ID (driver's license or identification card) and another form of identification. If you are under the age of 18 you will need other documentation, so check with your test registrar ahead of time to be sure you bring the proper papers with you when you register. If you are not a U.S. citizen, see information that follows.
How often is the test offered?
Check the GED Testing Dates for the latest scheduling information.
Some sites give the entire test in one day, in which case all parts of the test must be completed on the same day. Some sites give the test over two days. If the test site gives the test over two days, the applicant, except those requiring special accommodations, must complete initial testing in no more than two sessions held within a period of six weeks. If applicant fails to complete the tests within the six-week period, the results of the initial testing become invalid.
Do I have to take the entire test over if I miss one part?
An applicant who takes the GED for the first time must complete the entire battery of five tests before retesting on any individual tests. An applicant who completes initial testing but fails to achieve the minimum scores may be retested on the entire battery of tests or on the failed individual test or tests. You only have to retake the parts of the test below the required minimum score of 410 points unless you need a higher score to bring your average up to 450. Also, if you score below 1.5 on the essay, you must take the entire writing test over.
How many times can I take the tests?
An applicant may be retested any number of times, although availability of alternative forms of the test may limit the number of possible retests in any 12 month period. If an applicant to be retested was initially tested with an edition in the English language, a different form of the edition must be used for the retest.
Each part of the test is scored separately. An overall score of 2250 with an average standard score of 450 is required to pass the test. No score may be under 410.
You can register to take the GED exam through TMCC's testing office or through various testing centers throughout Nevada. You may take it at any site convenient to you. Some versions of the test may not be offered at every site. Some test sites may have more versions of the test and/or accommodations than others.
Must I be a resident of Nevada to take the test?
Yes. Certificates of High School Equivalency (proof of passing the GED) are only issued to persons who reside in the State of Nevada or who are on active military duty and have attended secondary school in Nevada. Nevada's residency policy for GED testing allows for testing certain non-residents who live near the border of Nevada in adjacent states when a testing site is not easily accessible to the non-resident.
Is there a minimum age requirement to take the test?
Yes. The minimum age is 18, except in the following cases.
- The board of trustees of a school district may, upon request and for good cause shown, grant permission to take the tests of general educational development prescribed by the state board to a person who:
- resides in the school district
- is at least 16 years of age but less than 17 years of age
- submits to the board of trustees written permission signed by his parent or legal guardian
- has not graduated from a high school
- is not currently enrolled in a high school, and
- satisfies any other requirements prescribed by the board of trustees.
- Applicants who are 17 years of age, but less than 18 years of age may register to take the GED exam after presenting:
- written permission signed by parent or legal guardian, and
- verification of withdrawal from school.
Is it possible to take the test in Spanish?
Yes. There are actually seven versions of the test. The Spanish version of the test is offered at many of the sites in Nevada. Call your local test site or the Adult Education Office to learn where the Spanish version of the test is offered.
If I take the test in Spanish will that be indicated on my GED certificate?
No. However, it will be indicated on your GED transcript.
Are there other versions of the test available?
Yes, there are seven versions of the GED test (English, Spanish, French, Canadian, audio, large print, and Braille). Not all sites will have all the versions. You will need special permission to take the test in audio, large print, or Braille, so make those arrangements well in advance of testing.
If I am a foreign language student taking the test in English, may I use a translator?
No. If you feel your English skills are not sufficient, you may take the test in one of the other language and accessibility versions of the test. Taking the exams in any of these languages is equally difficult to the English version.
Do I need a Social Security Number to take the test?
No.
May I take the GED test if I am not a U.S. Citizen?
Yes. GED Testing Service guidelines stipulate that in order for a person to take the GED tests, he or she must possess verification of identity and eligibility for testing. Identity and age must be verified using acceptable photograph-bearing identification. Driver's licenses, valid passports, military IDs, or other forms of government-issued (national or foreign) identification that show name, address, date of birth, signature, and photograph are all acceptable forms of identification, unless there is any reason to question their authenticity. An appropriate combination of documents may be used to satisfy the requirements. Non-citizens, including refugees, legal and illegal immigrants, resident and nonresident aliens, and other foreign nationals are eligible to take the GED Tests if they meet all of the requirements of the Commission and the state, province, or territory, including requirements on age and withdrawal from school.
May I take the GED test if I have a high school diploma from another country?
Yes. Persons whose high school diploma is from an unaccredited high school are eligible to take the GED Tests if they meet all other requirements of the Commission and state, province, or territory. Persons who earn diplomas in countries that do not participate in the GED testing program are likewise eligible to take the GED Tests if they meet all other requirements
How do I prepare for the test?
Many Nevada community college and literacy agencies offer GED preparation classes. If you prefer to study on your own, books are available at bookstores and your local library. Practice tests and other resources are available on the Internet. Public television stations (PBS) also offer GED classes on television, although many of these are given in early morning hours and you may wish to tape them for viewing at your convenience.
How are candidates faring with the GED?
4,002 GED certificates were earned in Nevada in 2007. This constitutes a 71% pass rate. For that same year, TMCC issued 502 GED certificates. TMCC's pass rate was 68%.
What is the primary reason for adults to take the GED test?
Seventeen percent said they were taking the test for personal satisfaction.
Others said their primary reason was to qualify for further education. GED certificate holders can also expect to earn about $2,000 more per year than adults who never return to complete the requirements for a high school diploma.
Is the GED accepted at colleges and universities?
Yes. Approximately 97% of colleges and universities admit GED graduates who meet their other qualifications.
Do employers accept the GED certificate as equivalent to a traditional high school Diploma?
Yes. More than 95% of employers do. Many employers are happy to accept the GED certificate because the score sheet provides specific information as to the skills mastered.
How many people take the GED test?
Visit the adult education/Nevada literacy Web site for up-to-date statistics. See also: How are candidates faring with the GED.