Last week, the GED Testing Service announced revisions to the “cut” (or passing) scores, as well as performance levels for its high school equivalency test, and is making those revisions retroactive to Jan. 1, 2014, when the 2014 GED Test series was first released. North Carolina, including Sampson Community College, will join 32 other states in recognizing these changes immediately, possibly resulting in as many as 700 new high school equivalency diploma holders in the state.
The first student affected by the change at SCC was Clemencia Covarrubias. Covarrubias’ reaction to the news was excitement, as reflected in the photo accompanying this article. She was not aware of the change until she was given the news as this photo was taken.
“The GED Testing Service is contacting those affected by the changes via email,” says Candance Taylor, Director of Basic Skills at Sampson Community College. “However, test takers with questions can log into their MyGED.com account or go to http://www.gedtestingservice.com/testers/tester-score-change-faqs for information.”
The “cut” or passing score is being revised from 150 per test module to 145. Additionally, GED is recalibrating its performance levels to the following scale: Performance Level 1: Below Passing (100-144). Performance Level 2: Pass/High School Equivalency (145-164). Performance Level 3: GED College Ready (165-174). Performance Level 4: GED College Ready + Credit (175-200).
Those who test at Performance Level 4 may be eligible for up to 10 semester hours of college credit as recommended by the American Council on Education (ACE) College Credit Recommendation Service. The eligibility of the college credit is at the discretion of the local institution. For more information on ACE®, please visit http://www.acenet.edu/Pages/default.aspx.
These enhancements are the latest demonstration of a commitment to make data-based decisions, and continually improve the efficacy of the GED program to benefit adult learners. The performance level enhancements are driven by a detailed analysis of educational outcomes of GED program graduates compared to high school graduates over the past 18 months. Initial outcomes data show that GED graduates are performing as well as, and in many instances outperforming, high school graduates in terms of not needing remediation when entering postsecondary programs.
Based on these detailed analyses, the GED program can now measure the full spectrum of a typical graduating high school class. A graduating class represents a range of ability and performance, from those meeting the minimum requirements to those demonstrating college readiness, and those who may even earn college credits during high school. The GED testing performance levels can now reflect this range of skills and performance.
The GED program continues to be much more than a high school equivalency test. These scoring changes, coupled with the new support systems such as the recently released career pathways tools, or the other extensive resources available through MyGED, mean more adult learners will be prepared for the next step in their career pathway.
“We are working with our GED state representative to ensure students and programs get the necessary information to implement this new change,” said Dr. Lisa Chapman, Senior Vice President for Programs in the NC Community College System. North Carolina’s 58 community colleges have the option of offering three high school equivalency tests: GED®, HiSET®, and TASC.
For more information on high school equivalency testing opportunities, please visit http://www.nccommunitycolleges.edu/college-and-career-readiness/high-school-equivalency or contact Taylor at 910-592-8081 ext. 3514 or Donnette Pope at 910-592-8081 ext. 3507. Additional information on the GED Testing Service changes is available at www.GEDtestingservice.com/score-changes.