The American Council on Education, the creators of the GED test, recently announced an update to the test to better reflect modern needs, including alignment to the Common Core and career readiness standards.
However, when it came out that the new test would only be offered online and that the cost was almost double ($120) the previous version, states started shopping around for alternatives. Two competitors, the TASC and the HiSET, have entered the market. States are free to choose one of them, the new GED, or a mixture of all three for their high school equivalency needs. Check with your state’s Department of Education website to see which they have opted for, or where they stand in the decision making process.
GED® Test
The new GED tests four subject areas: language arts reasoning, math reasoning, science, and social studies. Because all testing is online, scores are available within three hours of completion. Items have also been updated to reflect technology capabilities, asking testers to drag-and-drop and digitally organize information. There will still be two extended responses, one in language arts and one in social studies. Testing is completed at state-approved testing centers.
HiSet
The High School Equivalency Test, HiSET, also tests the five subject areas of the former GED and the TASC. It is also available online and via paper, but testing locations are left to the states to decide. The HiSET is already fully aligned to the Common Core and will further modify itself once instructional programs can align themselves both to the Common Core and the HiSET itself. The HiSET also costs $50, with two retakes.
TASC
The Test Assessing Secondary Completion, or TASC, is available both online and on paper. This makes it possible for the test to be administered anywhere, depending on their state’s rules. The TASC tests the same subject areas as the old GED, meaning testers can combine scores from previously taken GEDs and the TASC. Although not currently aligned, the TASC will be phasing in Common Core content over the next three years. Score reporting is instant if the online option is used or available in 10 days if the paper test was taken. The cost of $52 includes two retests.
One thing is certain: preparation materials are almost certainly out-of-date. In fact, most publishers have not had the opportunity to release new workbooks and other resources for the new tests. The best bet to prepare a student for your state’s chosen high school equivalency test might be to enroll in a comprehensive tutoring and preparation program that can take the changes into account.