| Over 39 million Americans don’t have a high | | | | most importantly, test-takers have to think |
| school diploma, and trying to find a good job or | | | | critically and solve problems. These aren't just |
| better education can be nearly impossible without | | | | “school skills.” These are skills that |
| getting over the high school hurdle first. For many | | | | everyone should have. And everyone can learn |
| people, the GED is the best solution. But they are | | | | them. |
| left with the question: Is the GED too hard? Can I | | | | Another problem is that, often, adults who never |
| pass? | | | | graduated high school didn't learn how to learn. |
| The benefits of earning a GED are clear. Adults | | | | Studying on your own or going to adult education |
| with a GED credential earn on average $350,000 | | | | classes might not be right for many adult learners. |
| more during their lifetime than those who never | | | | Test prep books may be frustrating, and going to |
| got a high school degree. For people who use the | | | | classes after a long day's work may seem |
| GED as a stepping stone to higher education at a | | | | impossible. Fortunately, modern technology |
| college, university, trade, or technical school, that | | | | provides options. Computers and the Internet |
| amount could rise steeply... and they could earn up | | | | have changed our lives, and they're also changing |
| to a million dollars more throughout their career. | | | | the way we learn. Innovative GED study |
| The biggest stumbling blocks to earning a GED are | | | | programs are available online that can help |
| usually the same things that stopped potential | | | | students learn at their own pace. Effective |
| GED test-takers from graduating high school. | | | | programs usually focus on real-life issues and skills, |
| Some had problems at home. Some had to get | | | | and they engage learners through an entertaining |
| jobs. Many had trouble learning in a traditional | | | | and simple educational experience. |
| school environment. | | | | Be wary, though. Websites that offer a "GED" or |
| A recent study supported by the Bill and Melinda | | | | "high school" diploma in 10 days or a week |
| Gates Foundation ( ) found the most high school | | | | through an online test are usually scams. These |
| dropouts leave school because they found school | | | | worthless "diploma mills" charge $200 to $1,000 |
| uninteresting, boring, and not relevant to their | | | | for a piece of paper that has no value. The real |
| lives. Most of these students had grade point | | | | GED must be taken in person, at a test center. |
| averages of C or better and could have | | | | Here are tips to make a study plan: |
| graduated. The students had the skills, but life and | | | | 1. Take a practice test to see what skills you |
| the school system got in the way. | | | | need to work on. |
| Many adults expect studying for the GED to be | | | | 2. Find a study program that lets you focus on |
| like school, and often adult learners have even | | | | areas you need to improve and fits into your |
| more responsibilities now than in high school: | | | | lifestyle and learning style. |
| paying rent, supporting a family, and making ends | | | | 3. Set aside an hour a day to study, starting with |
| meet. The good news is that the GED isn’t | | | | the areas that need the least studying. |
| like school, and studying for the GED isn’t like | | | | 4. When you’re ready to pass a couple of |
| going back to high school. | | | | the GED test areas, schedule a test day... |
| Often, students are overwhelmed by the idea of | | | | you’ll feel great to have passed some of the |
| having to relearn high school, but GED test-takers | | | | tests already. |
| don't need to learn a whole high school curriculum | | | | Soon, you'll be on your way to a GED credential, |
| to prepare for the GED. The GED exams test | | | | more options, and greater earning potential. The |
| whether you have essential thinking skills, not a lot | | | | most important step in earning a GED is the first |
| of facts and figures in your brain. Instead of | | | | one: making a commitment to yourself and |
| memorizing the history of Europe or complex | | | | getting started on your studying. Can you pass |
| math equations, adult learners need to understand | | | | the GED? The answer is yes, if you make the |
| basic, fundamental concepts of math, science, | | | | commitment. |
| social studies, language, and communication. And | | | | |