GED Testing

GED Testing

Objectives:

• The Official Testing Center:– Procedures for opening a new one– Policies and procedures for operating one– The staff required to operate one

• Test Administration– Test compromises and Test irregularities– Establishment of addendum sites

GED Testing

Objectives (cont.):• Test Preparation

– Adult Education– Request for accommodated Testing of Adults with

Disabilities

• Costs– GED Test Batteries– Scoring Fees– Administration of other formats of the GED Tests– Test security

The Official Testing Center

• An Official GED Testing Center may be established at:– Public high schools– Postsecondary educational institutions– Military installations– VA hospitals and medical centers– Correctional facilities

The Official Testing Center

GEDTS ships secure testing materials

And other testing supplies to the New Official Testing

Center.

Institution’s Chief Administrative Officer

Completes forms and returns them to GEDTS

GEDTS sends the State Administrator an Annual

contract, Order Form, Test Security Memo, and Test

Center Profile

GED/State Administrator recommends to GEDTS the

establishment of new center

GEDTS Approves Sites

Policies and Procedures

• Under penalty of closure or being denied approval, each Official GED Testing Center must provide the following assurances to GEDTS:

Assurances

• Assurance of Suitable Physical Facilities– Secure, dedicated storage for all GED testing material– Quiet, clean, comfortable, well-lighted testing rooms– Seating must be staggered to preclude copying or

collaborating– Chairs, seating, desk and writing surfaces must be

suitable for adults– Space must be ADA compliant– Testing environment must be free of distraction and

interruptions

Assurances

• Assurance of Adequate Staffing– All GED Chief Examiners, Examiner, and

Proctors must have appropriate professional backgrounds

– Appropriate training and supervision are provided to Official Testing Center staff to ensure knowledge of and compliance with GEDTS policies

Chief Examiner

• Must hold a Bachelor’s degree

• Must have training in teaching, training, counseling, or testing

Examiner

• Must hold a Bachelor’s Degree

• Must have training in teaching, training, counseling, or testing

OR

• Must hold an Associate’s Degree

• 3 years experience in test administration, teaching, or counseling

Proctor

• Must have a HS diploma or GED

Assurances

• Assurances of Full Testing Support Services– Commitment to the values and traditions of

the GED Testing Program– Written plan for receiving secure materials

that all Official GED Testing Center staff members understand

– Convenient testing schedules that meet community needs

Assurances

• Assurances of Full Testing Support Services (cont.)– Written emergency plans for handling testing

interruptions– Pre-testing and counseling for candidates– Detailed and accurate record keeping– Commitment to conduct all required

inventories

Assurances

• Assurances of Full Testing Support Services (cont.)– Information publicized on availability of test

accommodations for adults with disabilities– Outreach to local employers and

postsecondary institutions.

Assurances

• Assurance of Financial Management– An Official GED Testing Center must assure:

• Prompt payment of all invoices (within 30 days)• Sufficient quantities of testing materials ordered

Assurances

• Assurance of Test Security– An Official GED Testing Center’s assurance

of test security includes:• Full compliance with all procedures and policies

listed in the GED Examiner’s Manual• Secure storage, handling, and shipment of testing

materials• Full compliance with the GED Testing Service in

any instance of test compromise• Prompt return of all restricted testing materials at

the end of contract year.

Test Irregularities and Compromises

• GEDTS has the right to cancel test results if it concludes that

1. Scores were earned under unauthorized conditions

2. Some or all candidates at the center may have received improper advance access to GED Tests questions or received improper assistance during testing

Test Irregularities and Compromises

• Candidates must be informed of Official Testing Center’s policies before testing session begins– dismissal from the testing session – non-scoring of their answer sheets:– post-test cancellation of scores – an imposed waiting period before re-testing

Test Irregularities and Compromises

• Inappropriate or Disruptive Behavior– “All GED candidates are entitled to a quiet,

comfortable, testing environment that is free as possible from distractions.”

Test Irregularities and Compromises

• Inappropriate or Disruptive BehaviorIf a GED Candidate’s disruptive behavior

warrants removal from the testing session, the Examiner may:

– have candidate promptly removed from testing room

– cancel the candidate’s test results – file a report– reschedule the candidate for a private testing

session

Addendum Sites

Examples of Addendum sites:

• Vocational training programs

• Local jails and hospitals

• Workplaces that provide instruction

• Other educational institutions

Addendum Sites

No staff members at any addendum site are eligible to be appointed to

serve as Chief Examiners, Examiners, or Proctors, and

therefore may not administer the GED Tests.

Addendum Sites- Process for Approval

GEDTS enters the name of the approved addendum site into

permanent record of the Official GED Testing Center.

Institution’s Chief Administrative Officer and GED Chief Examiner must sign and return the original contract addendum. Copies should be distributed to the following:The Chief Administrative OfficerThe GED Chief ExaminerThe jurisdiction’s GED Administrator

GEDTS sends the State Administrator a formal amended annual contract

GED/State Administrator recommends to GEDTS the

establishment of an Addendum Site

GEDTS Approves Sites

Addendum Sites

Transportation of Testing Materials

• Can only be done by:– GED Administrator, – Chief Examiner, – Examiners

• Must be– Exact number of tests plus one

Addendum Sites

Transportation of Testing Materials• In a secure lockable storage container• Shall be within visual sight and control of

Examiner at all times during transport• A complete inventory must be done;

– Before leaving the Official Testing Center– Upon arrival at the addendum site– Before departure from the addendum site– Upon return to the Official Testing Center

Accommodated Testing for Candidates with Disabilities

Under ADA – any candidate who has a documented disability is entitled to certain accommodations when taking the GED

Approved Accommodations:• Extended time• Private room• Supervised breaks• Scribe• Audiocassette• Braille• Calculator or Talking calculator

Accommodated Testing for Candidates with Disabilities

Request for Accommodations

• The need must be fully documented

• 4 possible types-– Physical/Chronic Health– Emotional/Mental Health Disability– Learning and Other Cognitive Disabilities– Attention–Deficit/Hyperactivity

Cost

Test Batteries

• 1 test booklet – contains 6 test books– Language Arts, Writing– Social Studies– Science– Language Arts, Reading– Mathematics (2 parts)

• The cost is $175

Cost

Testing Fees

• Each testing center may establish Testing Fee not exceed:• $50.00 - complete battery

• $12.00 for Language Arts, Writing Test

• $10.00 for the Social Studies, Science, Mathematics and Language Arts, Reading

Costs

Scoring Fees• Each agency administering the GED must

remit the following fees for scoring:• Complete Test Battery $17.00• Retest of Language Arts, Writing $5.00• Retest of Social Studies $4.00• Retest of Science $4.00• Retest of Language Arts, Reading $4.00• Retest of Mathematics $4.00

Costs

Test Administration – Staffing Ratios

Up to 20 GED Candidates

1 Examiner and 1 Proctor

21-40 GED candidates 2 Examiners and 1 to 2 Proctors

41-60 GED candidates 3 Examiners and 2 -3 Proctors

Costs

Accommodated Testing – administration of

• Private room

• Extended time

• Supervised breaks

• Scribes or sign interpreters

GED Testing

Additional Information

• http://www.acenet.edu/AM/Template.cfm?Section=GEDTS

• http://www.firn.edu/doe/workforce/gedover.htm