Wednesday, November 30, 2011

http://www.martinsvillebulletin.com/article.cfm?ID=31138

The high school equivalency test will change in 2013, and people who have not passed all sections of the current test before then will have to be tested again with the new exam.

The new edition of the GED Testing Service exam will be offered in January 2013, so it is important for people to take or finish sections of the current test before then, said Stacey Wright, West Piedmont regional program manager for adult education.

If they do not complete the exam by then, they will have to be retested with the new edition, Wright added.

According to Wright, the current test has one essay section while the new test will have two. The new test will not be all multiple choice; a section with open-ended questions will require short answers.

The math problems in the new edition will require more critical thinking and will involve trigonometry. The current test covers just algebra and geometry.

The new test will have four sections instead of the current five. Currently, the test sections include writing skills, reading skills, science, math and social studies. The new test will combine the reading and writing skills sections, she said.

In addition, the new test will be given totally on computers, Wright said.

The purpose of the test changes is “to make the test more in line with the high school graduation requirements,” she said.

The GED math test will be offered from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the New College Institute, 30 Franklin St., Martinsville.

The day will begin with a tutoring session followed by the test in the afternoon, according to Wright said.

To be a part of the free test on Saturday, register by 3 p.m. Thursday by calling West Piedmont Adult Education Transition Specialist Cynthia Ingram at 734-7468.