GED testing is now available through COCC
Click to view GED testing schedules and location information for any of the following test centers:
PREPARING FOR THE GED TEST
To prepare for GED testing:
- Please visit COCC’s Adult Basic Skills (ABS) program at 541-504-2950 or COCC’s website: http://abe.cocc.edu/
- GED preparation books are available at most libraries.
- Visit www.GEDPractice.com for GED practice tests in English and Spanish.
ABOUT THE GED
The GED consists of five timed tests. Except for math and writing, you may take the tests in whatever order you choose. Tests are given by appointment only, and you may take more than one test on a given day. Please complete all five tests at one location, and plan to attend a required Orientation Session prior to your first test (even if you have already started GED testing elsewhere). You will earn your GED as soon as you pass all five tests, and you will receive your official State of Oregon GED certificate four to six weeks after that date.
The test is scheduled to be completed in two days (Day 1 and Day 2 of Testing Session). You must arrive on time for your one Orientation Session and all testing sessions, and you must bring:
1) Government-issued ID that shows your correct name, address, date of birth, photo, and signature (you must show this at Orientation and before EACH test you take)
2) Receipt of payment
3) Proof of online registration (this is your “access code”)
4) Copies of transcripts from any previous GED testing
If you only want to take one or more of the shorter tests (Reading, Science, or Social Studies), you are still required to attend one Orientation Session before testing. If you attend Orientation on Day 1 of testing and also plan to test on Day 2, you should arrive about 15 minutes before the start of your scheduled test in order to sign in, show your ID, and be assigned a seat. Please wait quietly outside the testing room if “TESTING IN PROGESS” sign is on the door.
Day 1 of Testing Session
9:00-9:45 Orientation (mandatory)
9:45-11:15 Mathematics (90 minutes, Part 1 and Part 2)
11:15-11:45 Break
11:45-1:00 Reading (65 minutes), Science (80 minutes), or Social Studies (70 minutes)
1:00-1:15 Break
1:15-2:30 Reading (65 minutes), Science (80 minutes), or Social Studies (70 minutes)
Day 2 of Testing Session
9:00-9:45 Orientation (mandatory; waived if tester attended on previous day)
9:45-11:45 Writing (120 minutes, Part 1 and Part 2)
11:45-12:15 Break
12:15-1:30 Reading (65 minutes), Science (80 minutes), or Social Studies (70 minutes)
1:30-1:45 Break
1:45-3:00 Reading (65 minutes), Science (80 minutes), or Social Studies (70 minutes)
Any electronic devices (cell phones, watches, pagers, etc.) must be turned off and will be collected by the Examiner before testing begins. Please leave bags, backpacks, purses, extra clothing, etc. at home or in your vehicle, as nothing can be in your testing area except items given to you by the Examiner. Although the Examiner will designate an area of the room for storage of personal belongings, he/she is not responsible for your possessions.
You will not be able to leave the testing room during a test, nor can you leave the testing room until the Examiner reviews your test materials and dismisses you.
FORMAT OF THE TEST SCORING
| Subject |
Number of Questions |
Time |
| Language Arts, Reading |
40 questions |
65 minutes |
| Language Arts, Writing |
50 questions and one essay |
120 minutes |
| Mathematics |
50 questions |
90 minutes |
| Science |
50 questions |
80 minutes |
| Social Studies |
50 questions |
70 minutes |
Scores range from 200-800 with a score of 500 representing the average performance of graduating high school seniors. You must receive a minimum score of 410 on each test AND a total of 2250 overall (450 average) to earn your GED certificate. Candidates with an average score of 650 or better will receive “honors,” will have a seal on their certificate, and will be more qualified to compete for scholarships in the State of Oregon.
You are allowed to retake a particular test if:
- You earn less than 410 on a test, AND
- You have completed all of your tests and your total is less than 2250 overall; OR
- Your scores do not meet the requirement of an organization/program (documentation required)
You may retake any subject twice in one calendar year, but you must take all five subject area tests before retaking any test. You must pay a $17 fee per test retake fee.
Please note that in January, 2014, GED is projected to change to a computer-based testing program, which will impact rules and costs for the GED.
OTHER FORMATS OF THE GED TESTS
GED Tests are available in English, Spanish, and French languages. A candidate may choose different languages for different tests (for example, math and science in English; reading, writing, and social science in Spanish). For the Spanish and French language tests, candidates are given five extra minutes for writing, reading, social studies, and science, and ten extra minutes for math.
For candidates with certain disabilities, large-print and audio versions of the tests are available. For more information on testing accommodations, please call COCC’s Disability Services at 541-383-7583.
ELIGIBILITY TO TAKE THE GED
- If you have previously taken any GED tests elsewhere after January 1, 2002, you must bring a copy of your scores (transcripts) to your first testing session. These cost $5.00 through the Oregon GED Program, (503) 378-4325. You may also print out Oregon’s "GED Test Records Request Form" at: www.oregon.gov/CCWD/GED/PDF/GEDRecordRequestForm.pdf.
- If you are 16 or 17-years-old, you must also bring ONE of the following:
- Release from Compulsory Education: This form includes the Oregon statute as well as the signature of a parent/legal guardian and a school official. It can be obtained from your high school, Education Services District, or school district in the district where you reside.
- Oregon Options Form and purple bubble form
- Home school students: ESD/Parent Assurance Form and purple bubble form.
NOTE: Students who move into a school district and choose not to enroll in the Oregon Education System will be excluded from GED testing until the age of 18.
- You must bring your receipt for payment and your registration access code to orientation and testing.
- You must bring your required ID to each session; make sure it has current, valid name, address, photo, signature, and date of birth on it. (Please call Floy Sitts at 541-383-7701, ext. 2271, if you have questions about ID requirements.)
COSTS
You must pay for your tests in advance through a COCC Admissions and Records Office (in person or over the phone). You will be assigned a COCC ID number if you do not already have one. You can pay with a credit card over the phone, or you may pay by cash, credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover), or check at a COCC Admissions Office. These include:
COCC Bend
Admissions and Records
Boyle Education Center
541-383-7500
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday
9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Wednesday
|
COCC Madras
Front Desk
541-550-4100
9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday
9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Wednesday
|
COCC Crook County Open Campus, Prineville
Front Desk
541-447-9233
8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday |
COCC Redmond
Student Services Desk
541-504-2900
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Monday-Friday
9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Wednesday |
GED exam fees are:
|
$120 -- Covers all five tests, Oregon State fee, and processing fee
($15 per test, $35 GED Oregon State GED fee, $10 NRSpro surcharge fee)
Additional Fees
$35 – Oregon testing fee
$35 – Out-of-state transfer fee (within the past three years)
$35 – Oregon renewal fee (over three years since the first test date)
$17 – Per test fee and per test retake fee
$40 – Penalty fee (for rendering a test book unusable—writing in the test book, tearing the
pages, etc.)
$20 – No-show fee may be incurred, unless COCC GED Testing Center receives a call at:
541-383-7701 ext.2271 within 48 hours prior to the test date
|
After you pay, you will be given a receipt that you will need for registration. NOTE: You must bring this receipt to orientation and testing.
HOW DO I SCHEDULE GED TESTING?
You will make your testing appointments through a COCC cashier, or you may call 541-383-7701, extension 2271, to reserve your testing dates. When you call, you will be reminded to bring to testing:
- Your required picture ID,
- Any previous testing scores and transcripts,
- Your receipt of payment, and
- Your proof of registration.
Remember to bring as few personal items as possible into the GED testing room. The Examiner will collect all electronic devices, which must be turned off. Please wait for dismissal by the Examiner, and to avoid a no-show fee, arrive on time for Orientation and testing. Candidates who are charged a no-show fee must pay before testing can be rescheduled.
HOW DO I REGISTER FOR GED TESTING?
After paying for your tests and scheduling test dates, you MUST also register for the tests online. You will need an email address, and you will need to follow these steps:
Step 1: Go to www.ged123.org
Step 2: Click on "begin."
Step 3: Click on "Oregon" on the map.
Step 4: Click "continue." DO NOT TYPE anything in the white box.
Step 5: Enter the information requested (making sure your email address is correct), and
then click "continue." (You are now being sent a confirmation email.)
Step 6: Go to your in-box, and find the email from www.ged123.org.
• If you do not see the email, try checking your junk mail folder.
• If you have not received the email within five minutes, you will need to start over at Step 1.
Step 7: Click where it says "click here" in the email.
Step 8: Answer all of the questions to the best of your knowledge. If you are not sure, just
give your best guess. Leave the instructional center code blank.
Step 9: Print out two copies of the proof of registration at the end, and sign the copies
where indicated.
Step 10: You must bring the printed-out copies to orientation/testing.
PLEASE REMEMBER you must show the Examiner an approved form of government (U.S. or foreign) ID—a current, valid state driver’s license, DMV permit or identification card, passport, military ID card. You may use more than one form of ID to meet these requirements (a passport and a DMV ID card, for example). Whatever form of government ID that you bring, make sure it has on it your:
1) correct name
2) current address
3) photo
4) date of birth
5) signature
CHECKING YOUR SCORES ON-LINE
You will be given an access code to check your scores on-line. Scores are generally available online 48 hours after you test, with some exceptions for the writing test, which takes longer to be read and scored.
Copies of GED transcripts and duplicate GED certificates are provided by the State Board of Education GED Program for $5.00 each. For requests for transcripts, certificates, or third party verifications, see:
http://www.oregon.gov/CCWD/GED/index.shtml
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Please contact:
Floy B. Sitts
COCC GED Chief Examiner
541-383-7701, ext. 2271