Many immigrants discover that their foreign educational credentials are not accepted in the United States. This can be because they lack formal documentation of their achievements, or employers and colleges here may not be familiar with the education system in their country. Some newcomers also arrive with little schooling to begin with. In any case, getting a GED certificate (general equivalency diploma) is important for immigrants who want to get better jobs or enter college.
It’s always a great time to pursue your GED. In this post, we will look at free GED classes online and other choices for you to study and take the test. The GED is a well-known test that assesses a person’s level of education in four areas: science, social studies, math, and reading. It is important to have a high school diploma or equivalent if you want to go on to higher education or enroll in other career training programs
Thankfully, there are loads of free resources out there to help you get ready for the GED test. Keep reading for more information.
Problems with Your Home Country Certificate
Many of the immigrants who come to us are high school graduates with a certificate or diploma from their home country. However, depending on what they want to do, many employers will respect a GED more than an HS diploma from a country that they’re not familiar with.
Education from another nation is an unpredictable thing. For example, what were the expectations for students in that country? Does the government that gave out the diploma still exist? What was the language used in those classes? With so many questions left unanswered, it’s difficult to assess the credibility or validity of foreign qualifications.
Here’s where GED comes in as a more reliable option. Most tests are conducted and based on English standards (you can opt into taking the test in French or Spanish). The current GED testing system employs CCRS (College and Career Readiness Standards) created by OCTAE (Office of Career, Technical and Adult Education).
So before passing a GED test, employers and colleges know exactly what content a student should be familiar with—and this goes for other High School Equivalency tests like TASC or HiSET too.
What Does GED Mean?
GED stands for General Educational Development. It is also called a high school equivalency diploma. The test is designed to evaluate how much a person has learned in four general academic areas: science, social studies, math, and reading.
How much will a GED Certificate improve an Immigrant's Earnings?
On average, people who get their GED earn $9,000 more per year than those with only a High School diploma. For immigrants looking to increase their earnings potential and open up job opportunities, this can be extremely beneficial.
Who Can Take the GED?
The GED can be taken by anyone who is 18 years of age or older and not enrolled in an accredited high school. If you are under 18, you may still be able to take the test provided that you meet certain requirements.
What Topics are on the GED?
The GED consists of four sections: science, social studies, mathematics, and reading. Each section is timed and you will have to answer a variety of question types, including multiple-choice, drag-and-drop, short answer, and extended answer. Each exam has a possible score range of 100-200 points, with a passing score of 145.
Already Have a High School Diploma?
Immigrants that have been in the U.S. as a child may already have a high school diploma. If you need a copy of your high school diploma or transcripts, contact your old high school. You cannot take the GED as a substitute.
What are the ID Requirements for the GED Test?
GED testing centers always require identification, which is typically one non-expired government-issued ID like a driver’s license or passport.
However, some states have a specific rule that requires two forms of IDs; this usually happens if either the ID doesn’t contain a home address and the state has a residency requirement, or if the primary ID doesn’t contain a signature. In these cases, testers will be asked to provide a secondary form of identification.
Can Non-Citizens take the GED?
If you are not a citizen but meet the identification and eligibility requirements from GED Testing Service as well as your state’s requirements, then you can take the test. Some states only allow residents to take the exam.
Can You Get a GED Online?
Yes, both classes and the testing can be done online.
There are many ways to get your GED online, and we will cover some of them below. One way is by taking online classes. These can help you review the material that will be on the test. You can also find free resources to help you study independently.
How Long Does it Take to Get a GED as an Immigrant?
If you only have some elementary or middle school educational background and have never attended high school, it may take longer.
You can take the GED test online or in person at a designated testing center once you’re feeling prepared.
Free Online GED Classes for Immigrants
Let’s review some of the most popular free online educational resources and GED classes for immigrants.
Khan Academy
khanacademy.org Although it is not a GED prep site, it is still one of the best free educational sites on the Internet. If you have not started to study specifically for the GED but want to, this site will give you the academic skills needed for success. They also offer practice questions and mock tests in mathematics, civics, writing, and grammar so that get comfortable with the types of questions that will appear on the GED.
Khan Academy’s math section can take a student from 1+1 all the way to advanced topics. It is also a great resource for immigrant children as a free resource in their daily school life.
USA Classroom - Dedicated to Helping Immigrants
https://classroom.usahello.org/programs/ged/ provides free online GED classes. They have lesson plans for each of the 4 topics.
The site helps immigrants and refugees coming to the U.S. and offers free courses on the GED exam.
The Florida Literacy Organization
Floridaliteracy.org (https://floridaliteracy.org/ged_generalinfo.html) offers free online classes, practice tests, test day tips and more for adults preparing to take the GED. They also have an app that helps you track your progress as you prepare.
Test Prep Champions
https://www.youtube.com/c/TestPrepChampions/videos
This YouTube channel is designed to help students excel on the GED exam by providing comprehensive content that covers all aspects of the exam. New videos are added regularly.
https://www.testprepchampions.com/
Not only does the site have free practice tests, but it also has YouTube videos to explain why each answer is correct.
Paid Options for GED Classes
GED Academy
GED Academy (passged.com) is an online GED prep course offered by Essential Education. While this is a paid option, there is a scholarship that you can apply for that would significantly lower the cost. Payment options are monthly or one-time. The fee includes over 3,000 GED test questions to help you prepare.
GED Testing Service
Provides online classes and study-on-demand pre-recorded videos to help you prepare for the test. These self-paced lessons have been developed with Kaplan (a leader in online test preparation).
Be ready to commit to studying as your payment grants 90 days of access to their GED Test Prep courses. They also offer practice tests that need to be purchased separately.
Study.com
Study.com offers a complete GED study course. At $59.99 a month, it is one of the more expensive options. It does provide test questions and extensive videos on each subject. With the average test prep time at around six weeks to one year, depending on your level, make sure you can commit to the course to get the most value.
How Much is the GED Test?
The price of the GED exam differs depending on how you take it- in person at an official testing center or online. Taking the test in person is generally less expensive than taking it online.
Ged.com has a great tool for finding out the cost and testing rules for your state. Check it out at https://ged.com/about_test/price_and_state_rules/
What’s the next step after you’ve passed all four parts of the GED?
Now that you’ve passed the GED test, follow up with your state’s GED testing department so you can receive your transcript as proof.
How to Enter College with a GED?
Although a GED is not equivalent to a highschool diploma, you can still use it to apply to college. The application process may be different for students with a GED, so make sure to research the admissions requirements of your chosen colleges ahead of time.
As you further your studies with the goal of a college degree consider community colleges as a low-cost alternative that may offer the flexibility you are looking for if you have full-time job. There are also online FREE college degree options.
You can often transfer credits from a community college and enroll in universities throughout the US to further your studies.
Helpful Tip:
As an immigrant applying to college you may be eligible for scholarships to help defer the costs. Check out:
Vocational School
Have you considered vocational school (also called a trade school) once you receive your GED? Getting your GED could be a great way to get accepted into most trade schools so that you can receive the education necessary for a prosperous career.
It is a common misconception that you are too old to go back to school once you reach a certain age. However, this simply is not the case. You can always get your GED no matter how old you are. Whether you want to continue your education, start anew with a different career path, or just finish high school for personal satisfaction, getting your GED is always a great option worth considering.
Successful Completion of Your GED Program – The Path to Success
If you are an immigrant living in the US, obtaining a GED is a great way to increase your chances of getting into college, obtaining a better job, or advancing in the career you already have. It can give you the qualifications necessary for successful integration into US society and help build a brighter future for yourself and your family.
