High School Equivalency: Is the GED Really the Equivalent?
The GED, also known as the high school equivalency test, actually stands for the General Educational Development test or Graduate Equivalency Diploma, and is taken by those who have not completed high school but still wish to receive their diplomas. The important question looming in most people's minds is, "Will I still have the same options available to me if I get a High School GED and complete the equivalency test, or is a traditional diploma going to be a better choice for me in the future?"
The GED or the High School Diploma – What's the Difference?
The first, and most obvious, difference between obtaining a GED and getting a high school diploma is that the former is a single examination that's usually taken during a two-day period, and the latter must be earned by attending four years of high school. Another difference is that students who attend all four years of high school will accrue what is known as a GPA, or Grade Point Average. The GPA is the culmination of every year's grades and is considered by colleges and universities upon applying for admission to better gauge an applicant's existing knowledge on the subjects that are normally studied during high school.
Although GED recipients may not have a GPA to include in their list of achievements or on college applications, they will have their test scores to use as proof of their general knowledge. In order to pass the high school GED or equivalency exam, one must score the same as or higher than 60% of graduating seniors. Each question on the test's different sections comes with one point for a correct answer, then the section's answers are totaled and converted into one standard score ranging anywhere from 200 to 800 points. To successfully obtain their GED, candidates must score at least 410 points in each of the five sections and have an average score of 450 points total.
College, Employment, and the GED
Recent statistics put the number of colleges and universities who accept a GED instead of a high school diploma for admission to their schools at an impressive 98%, which means that only two higher learning institutions out of every 100 will not accept the GED credential from prospective students.
Today, it's estimated that over 95% of all employers in the United States consider the GED to be equal to the standard high school diploma. Despite the stigmas of the past that suggested a GED wasn't “as good" as a regular diploma, the high school equivalency test is now actually highly regarded by many who are aware of the skills and knowledge needed to pass the two-day exam. In fact, larger corporations like General Motors are known to regard the GED and high school diploma to be one and the same in terms of whether or not an applicant will be hired for employment with the company.
If you haven't completed high school and did not receive your diploma, earning a GED now certainly has the great potential to open many doors that would have otherwise been locked and closed to you – boosting your self-esteem, increasing your earnings, and allowing you to continue your education even further.
