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Although it is being taken in greater numbers and by increasingly younger people, the General Education Development (GED) test is viewed skeptically by the military, college admission officials, and some employers. The public perception of the GED tends to give it second-class status compared to a high school diploma. However, studies of GED completers and high school competency-test completers show that the holder of a GED certificate shows as much, if not more competence than high school seniors. Why is the GED denigrated as a literacy standard? The military finds GED holders less desirable because their attrition rate is double that of high school graduates. Attrition of GED holders from college courses also appears high. However, this difference may be explained by social and economic factors. The typical GED holder attends college part time, has family responsibilities, holds a job and is financially independent. (The document includes a list of questions to consider in assessing the GED. Resources for additional information are listed. Outline maps showing minimum ages for test credentials and minimum test scores are included.) (CML)

Although it is being taken in greater numbers and by increasingly younger people, the General Education Development (GED) test is viewed skeptically by the military, college admission officials, and some employers. The public perception of the GED tends to give it second-class status compared to a high school diploma. However, studies of GED completers and high school competency-test completers show that the holder of a GED certificate shows as much, if not more competence than high school seniors. Why is the GED denigrated as a literacy standard? The military finds GED holders less desirable because their attrition rate is double that of high school graduates. Attrition of GED holders from college courses also appears high. However, this difference may be explained by social and economic factors. The typical GED holder attends college part time, has family responsibilities, holds a job and is financially independent. (The document includes a list of questions to consider in assessing the GED. Resources for additional information are listed. Outline maps showing minimum ages for test credentials and minimum test scores are included.) (CML)