Module 3 – Curriculum
GED Skills
“I want a GED” is one of the most common goals stated by adult literacy learners. The General Educational Development (GED) diploma is perceived by adult learners as a key to respect – for oneself and from the community – a step toward a better job, and a requirement for most post-secondary study. 97% of colleges and universities accept the GED diploma as equivalent to a traditional high school diploma.¹ Thus, passing the GED requires not only basic reading, math, and writing skills, but the ability to use these skills at higher levels.
Learners want to know specifics about the exam – what it costs, where you take it, how to sign up, etc. They want to know what skills they will need to pass the test and in what areas they may need instruction. Luckily, because the GED is such a popular goal, there is a wealth of resources available to learners and instructors. Preparing students for the GED is not, however, just about academic skills. The GED exam is an intimidating, formal exam taken over several hours. Students need strong test-taking skills, including stress-management techniques, to increase their probability of success. Some adult learners do not realize the extent of the skills necessary to obtain the GED and expect to be able to see quick results, even after only a few hours of studying.
Consider the last time you took a major test addressing academic skills like math or grammar, one where you had to “bubble-in” your answers.
- How did you feel before, during, and after the exam? Was the exam a positive experience for you? How did you prepare?
- Bring those “exam feelings” to mind. How would you feel if, today, you were asked to write a five-paragraph essay in an hour on a topic someone else chose?
- What would you say is your weakest academic skill? How would you review or study to improve that skill in preparation for this type of assessment?
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On your worksheet, make some notes about the feelings and concerns you had, or have, about major formal exams like the GED. |
Because obtaining the GED is such a large part of many adult learners’ goals, there are many resources on GED preparation. Only a brief overview of the issues, skills, and curricula can be included in this course. If this topic is of strong interest to you, be sure to review the links “For Further Study” in the GED Skills sections.
Click "Next" below or a specific topic on the outline to the left to continue.
References:
1 General Educational Development Testing Service. (2003). College is Possible. Washington, DC: American Council on Education. Retrieved from http://www.acenet.edu/bookstore/pdf/2003_CIP_3fold.pdf