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	Valerie Fischer Division of Adult Education and Literacy
	Division of Adult Education and Literacy 600 East Boulevard Avenue Bismarck, ND 58505-0440	Phone: (701) 328-2393 Fax: (701) 328-4770 E-mail: vfischer@nd.gov
	Section I
	ND State GED Office General Information
	Section II
	Requirements for GED Testing Required Tests Test Content Preparing for Taking the Tests Administration of the GED Tests Modification to Test Administration Score Requirements and Reporting of Scores Reporting of Test Results
	Section III
	Additional Information Persons Testing Outside North Dakota GED Test Scores Obtained in Another State GED Test Scores Obtained in Military Service Test Scores Obtained through the GED Testing Service Testing Fees and Diploma Issuance Policy
	North Dakota State GED Office Personnel
	Division of Adult Education and Literacy Department of Public Instruction 600 East Boulevard Avenue Bismarck ND 58505-0440 Phone: (701) 328-2393 Fax: (701) 328-4770	Valerie Fischer, State G.E.D Administrator E-mail: vfischer@nd.gov  Jolli Marcellais, Administrative Assistant E-mail:  jmarcellais@nd.gov
	General Information
	A high school diploma is a minimum qualification for almost all types of employment and for admission to most post-secondary, educational, and vocational programs. Without it, advancement in many fields is almost impossible. Because of the importance of a high school diploma, the North Dakota General Educational Development program was established by the Department of Public Instruction more than 55 years ago. This program was established to assist people who have not completed a formal high school program leading to graduation from a high school. The North Dakota G.E.D. High School Diploma is based upon the successful completion of the General Educational Development (G.E.D.) tests. In recent years, over 1,200 individuals per year have obtained their G.E.D. The program has given many people an opportunity to demonstrate their educational growth since withdrawing from school, and to benefit accordingly. Persons who demonstrate appropriate educational development, and pass the G.E.D. test, receive the North Dakota G.E.D. High School Diploma from the Department of Public Instruction. The completion of the G.E.D. program does not replace the regular established procedures for completing a high school program. The North Dakota G.E.D. High School Diploma is intended only for those persons who withdrew from their regular high school program.
	Requirements for GED Testing
	In order to earn a North Dakota G.E.D. High School Diploma, a person must meet each of the requirements described below: Non-Graduation Requirement: The candidate must not have graduated from an accredited high school.  Minimum Age for Testing in North Dakota: Eighteen. However, applicants who are 16, 17, or 18 whose class has not graduated may request permission to test from the N.D. G.E.D. Administrator. Instructions for applicants who are eighteen and over and whose class has graduated: Make arrangements for testing directly with an approved ND G.E.D. Testing Center. Instructions for applicants who are age 16, 17, or 18 whose class has not graduated must do the following to request permission for testing:  Complete items 1-17 of the Application for Early G.E.D. Testing form (SFN 53203).  Write a letter indicating the reason you need to take the tests early.  If enrolled at a Job Corps Center or any correctional center, obtain a letter of certification and recommendation from the agency CEO or designee.  If not enrolled in any institution listed above, you must obtain and include with your application a letter, from the School Superintendent/designee of the school at which you were previously enrolled, certifying: the date you last attended school likelihood of re-enrolling in school, and that you would benefit from taking the G.E.D..  Obtain a letter from a parent or guardian stating their consent for you to test.  Obtain a letter of recommendation from an Adult Learning Center, verifying that you have demonstrated readiness to take the G.E.D. Tests.  All documentation must accompany the Application for G.E.D. Testing. All documents should be mailed to the Chief Examiner of the GED Test Center where the applicant intends to test. Applications will be reviewed and returned to the applicant. Please allow 2 to 3 weeks for processing. Applicants make arrangements for testing directly with an approved North Dakota G.E.D. Testing Center.
	Required Tests
	All candidates who wish to earn a North Dakota G.E.D. High School Diploma must take the tests of General Educational Development (G.E.D. tests) of the American Council on Education. The required G.E.D. tests are: Language Arts - Writing Social Studies Science Language Arts - Reading Mathematics
	Test Content
	The G.E.D. Writing Skills Test consists of two sections. Part I is a multiple-choice section that measures the examinee's ability to edit sentences within the context of one or more paragraphs of extended discourse. Part II is an essay section that measures the examinee's ability to compose a well-written response to a question about a subject or an issue. The Writing Skills Test score combines the scores of the two parts. Scores for Part I and Part II are never reported separately. The Language Arts, Writing Test is in two parts. Part One has 50 questions, and Part Two requires that you write an essay. The time allowed for the Language Arts, Writing Test is two hours. 75 minutes should be used to answer the 50 multiple-choice questions and the remaining 45 minutes to write an essay. The questions in Part One of the Language Arts, Writing Test are drawn from the following content areas: organization 15%, sentence structure 30%, usage 30%, and mechanics 25%. Part One contains three types of documents: informational documents, instructional or how-to documents, and workplace documents.  In Part Two of the Language Arts, Writing Test examinees write an expository essay on a topic of general interest. The essay test provides information on the examinees ability to generate a clear, well-organized piece of writing. Examinees are asked to explain their ideas and support them with details and examples.  GED essay topics are carefully chosen with several criteria in mind. First of all, topics are expository rather than persuasive. The examinees objective is to present a point of view or give an explanation, not to convince others of the virtues of his or her beliefs. Secondary, none of the topics are controversial or deeply emotional. Since an overly emotional response may result in a less effective and controlled essay. Finally, topics may be answered on the basis of general knowledge, life experience, and personal observations. Students should be able to answer the questions without any specialized background. The Social Studies Test is 70 minutes in length. It is administered in a multiple-choice format and measures the critical thinking skills of comprehension, application, analysis, and evaluation. The test measures concepts and skills from the following content areas: United States and world history 40%, civics and government 25%, economics 20%, geography 15%. The test context is of a national as well as global nature.  The Science Test is 80 minutes in length. The GED Science tests includes the following content area: life science 45%, earth and space science 20%, and physical science 35%. The GED test is administered in a multiple-choice format while assessing the higher order thinking skills of application, analysis, and evaluation.  The Language Arts, Reading Test is 65 minutes in length. The Language Arts, Reading test is 40 items in length and is divided into the following content area: literary context 75%, and nonfiction text 25%. The literary and non-fiction selections in the Reading tests depict a range of ethnic backgrounds, ages, gender, and regional backgrounds. This diversity is intentionally maintained within each test period.  The Mathematics Test is 90 minutes in length and is administered in two parts. The examinee may use a calculator (provided by the test center) for Part One. Part Two should be completed without the calculator. Part One is a multiple-choice test with six alternate formats and one coordinate plane grid. An examinee is allowed 45 minutes to complete the 25 questions in Part One. The GED mathematics test measures analytical and reasoning skills as well as the application of mathematical theory.
	Preparing for Taking the Tests
	Candidates are not required to take any courses or to prepare in any way for the test. However, candidates may wish to improve their skills by attending one of the North Dakota Adult Learning Centers or by studying at home.
	Administration of the GED Tests
	Initial Testing  In order to be eligible to take the required tests for a North Dakota G.E.D. High School Diploma, the candidate must satisfy the non-graduation and age eligibility requirements described previously.  Retesting  A candidate who has tested previously for the North Dakota G.E.D. High School Diploma must meet the following requirements for retesting: A candidate who has been granted permission to test early need not apply for permission to retest. Permission to retest can be obtained at the test center, providing a candidate meets requirements #2 and #3.  The candidate must have waited at least a minimum period of 15 working days before retesting, and, The candidate must retest on a form of the tests that he/she has not taken previously. Retesting is permitted on the entire battery or on certain test(s) in the battery. There is no limit on the retesting allowed, although availability of alternate test forms may limit the number of possible retests. If the candidate does not meet the requirements for retesting, the candidate will be notified by the local test center. G.E.D. graduates who have earned a North Dakota G.E.D. High School Diploma, but would like to earn a higher G.E.D. test score are eligible to retake the G.E.D. tests. A candidate who retests will be given credit for the highest score earned to date on each test. General Procedures for Testing A candidate should contact an approved GED Testing Center to discuss the testing procedures and for an appointment for testing.
	Modification to Test Administration
	The applications for modifications must originate with the chief examiner. If a candidate has a disability and wishes to apply for test modifications, the request must accompany the candidate's application to the G.E.D. test center. The request should be made on the G.E.D.T.S. Forms for accommodations are available from the GED Testing Center. The request should also include, in writing, documentation (from an appropriate professional person) of the candidate's handicapping condition and should recommend appropriate test administration modification to meet the candidate's handicapping condition. The Chief Examiner at the local test center will review requests for Test Administration Modification for a candidate with a physical handicap. The chief examiner will determine modifications based upon the testing manual and policies described by the GED Testing Service. For a candidate whose handicapping condition is other than physical, the application and appropriate materials will be sent to the office of the State G.E.D. Administrator located at the Department of Public Instruction. If the request is approved, the chief examiner at the test center will be notified and advised to make arrangements for appropriate modification within the guidelines prescribed by the GED Testing Service. Allow at least 2-4 weeks for completion of this process.
	Score Requirements and Reporting of Scores
	The candidate who has met all the requirements for receiving a North Dakota G.E.D. High School Diploma may be awarded a diploma from the Department of Public Instruction if he/she meets the following criteria: A candidate has successfully taken and passed all five (5) GED exams with a minimum standard score of 410 on each of the five exams and an average standard score of 450 for all five exams. The candidate must meet all test administration guidelines as determined by DPI.
	Reporting of Test Results
	Each candidate will be notified of his/her test results as soon as possible after testing. A candidate who meets all the requirements will receive an original diploma and transcript. A candidate who wishes to obtain a duplicate transcript must request release of his/her scores in writing from the Department of Public Instruction. There is a *$2.00 processing fee for each transcript and a *$10.00 processing fee for each duplicate diploma.  * Subject to change without notice.
	Additional Information
	Most individuals earn their North Dakota G.E.D. High School Diploma by taking the required tests at a North Dakota test center. However, there are some people who test outside the state, but prefer a diploma from the State of North Dakota.  Persons Testing Outside of North Dakota The North Dakota Department of Public Instruction may accept G.E.D. test scores obtained by a candidate who takes the test outside the state. The candidate must meet the age and minimum score requirement in effect in North Dakota at the time of application. The following procedures will be used to obtain a North Dakota G.E.D. High School Diploma. If a person takes a test outside of North Dakota and fails that State's minimum requirement, that person must retest in North Dakota, pay appropriate fee, and earn North Dakota required passing scores. G.E.D. Test Scores Obtained in Another State The tests must be taken at an official test center. An original certified score report (transcript) must be sent directly to the Department of Public Instruction by the Official G.E.D. Test Center. A candidate must also file a North Dakota Application for G.E.D. Testing. G.E.D. Test Scores Obtained in Military Service A certified transcript must be forwarded directly to the Department of Public Instruction by DANTES, the G.E.D. Testing Service or an official state testing agency. In addition, the candidate must also submit a North Dakota Application for G.E.D. Testing. Test Scores Obtained through the G.E.D. Testing Service American civilians or foreign nationals who are stationed overseas at military bases and test through the National G.E.D. Testing Service may use those scores to obtain a North Dakota Diploma if they meet all North Dakota requirements. The candidate must request the National G.E.D. Service to forward an official transcript and application to the Department of Public Instruction.  Testing Fees and Diploma Issuance Policy Testing fees are determined by each testing center. The fee is based upon the cost of the test and the processing time required. North Dakota G.E.D. High School Diplomas are issued by the Department of Public Instruction to examinees who have met the minimum requirements. It takes approximately 7-15 days to process scores. The first diploma will be issued free of charge to the applicant. Duplicate copies can be issued at a cost of *$10.00 each. The department will issue transcripts based upon a written request by the applicant. The processing fee for each transcript will be *$2.00. All out-of-state applications will require a $10.00 processing fee except those individuals who are serving in the armed forces.  *Fees subject to change without prior notice.

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North Dakota Department of Public Instruction Dr. Wayne G. Sanstead, State Superintendent 600 E. Boulevard Avenue, Dept. 201 Bismarck, North Dakota 58505-0440 701/328-2260 Disclaimer Statement