GED Test vs High School Diploma

Adults who have not completed their high school diplomas soon find themselves wishing they had done so. There is a significant difference in the earning potential of a high school graduate and someone who hasn't completed high school as well as a much greater chance of a graduate's being employed.

There are two ways to earn an education equivalent to a high school diploma. The first is to enroll in a high school program and complete the requirements. The second way is to earn a General Education Development (GED) by taking classes, if required, and passing a series of GED tests.

1) The General Education Development Credential (GED)

Although a high school diploma and GED are traditionally viewed as equivalent academic credentials, not all colleges or employers view them the same way. In fact, the GED still carries a stigma as many employers and college administrators feel that the GED does not reflect the same academic achievement and commitment as a traditional high school diploma program.

However, according to statistics from the American Council on Education, a GED is still a great way to become more competitive in the job marketplace as well as provide a path to a post-secondary education:

• 96 percent of companies accept applicants with a GED for positions that require a high school diploma
• 98 percent of colleges and universities that require a high school diploma accept the GED credential

In turn, there are inherent advantages both to a high school diploma program and GED program. If you would like the distinction of a high school diploma, you should enroll in an accredited high school program, which are also offered through online education institutions as well.

2) What is the GED Test?

Today, the GED is administered by the American Council on Education. GED testing is available to those who have not graduated from high school and partial high school credits do not count towards a GED. According to the American Council on Education, over 17 million have earned their GED credential since its inception in 1942.

The GED consists of a battery of tests in five core content areas, including:

• Mathematics
• Language Arts (Writing)
• Language Arts (Reading)
• Social Studies
• Science

It is important to remember that--according to the American Council on Education--that only 60 percent of graduating seniors would pass the GED test on their first try. Indeed, it is not an easy test and should be taken seriously.

3) The GED Test: Points to Consider

If you are considering taking the GED test, here are some key points to remember.

• Testing. The are no online options for taking the GED. Test takers are required to take the test at one of the 3,400 testing centers located worldwide.
• Testing Time and Details. The test consists of five content areas and completing all five areas typically takes 7 hours.
• Scoring. To earn a GED, test takers must score at least 2250 on all 5 content area tests and a minimum of 410 on each individual content test. However, each state and jurisdiction that administers the test can require higher passing scores.

In 2008, 73 percent of all GED test takers passed the exam--totaling 493,400 individuals.

4) What is a High School Diploma?

The second educational option to returning students is finishing the high school diploma. Today, there are numerous online education programs that allow students to finish their high school diploma in a self-paced format. Online high school programs traditionally use asynchronous learning--which means you don't have to be online to meet with your instructor or other students--allowing you freedom in your scheduling.

Depending on the number of credits you need to complete, a high school program can take anywhere from six months to two years to complete. Most programs include coursework in the following areas:

• Science
• Social Studies
• Mathematics
• English
• Foreign Languages

5) High School Diploma: Points to Consider

If you are considering a high school diploma program, you should keep the following points in mind.

• Credits. The length of time since you attended high school may affect whether your previously earned credits transfer into your new program. Check with school counselors to see if your high school credits can be used towards program requirements for a high school diploma.
• Convenience. With an online education program, there are no classroom requirements. That means you can balance your family, work, and school commitments in a much easier fashion.
• Accreditation. Research prospective high school diploma programs to ensure they are accredited by a third-party accrediting agency under the purview of the U.S. Department of Education.

Remember, online education programs require significant time commitments and self-discipline. If you are ready and motivated to succeed, then an online high school diploma program may be the right choice for your educational needs.

6) GED versus High School Diplomas: Career Earnings

As you navigate your educational options, you may wonder if there are any significant differences between a GED and high school diploma when it comes to career earnings. The key to remember is that an education makes a difference in the career earnings, not necessarily the credential itself.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, workers with less than a high school diploma earned $23,556 in 2008 while workers with a high school diploma earned $32,136. The Bureau of Labor Statistics also reported that high school graduates saw 5.7 unemployment rates in 2008, while non-graduates experienced 9 percent unemployment.

Earning a GED or high school diploma simply opens the door to future post-secondary education and career success. Because most employers expect an applicant to have at least a high school education, earning a diploma or GED is important. Whether you're exploring an online education program to complete your high school diploma or are considering studying for the GED test, you are taking the first step towards a new investment in your future.