Local Ivy Tech center to offer GED test on computer

In striving to provide more adult learners throughout the state with a high school credential, the Workforce Certification Centers at Ivy Tech Corporate College have partnered with GED Testing Service to offer the GED test on computer.

Registration and scheduling is available and centers in Greencastle and Terre Haute are actively testing candidates.

Registering, scheduling and testing on computer will provide a new experience and new benefits for GED test-takers. The new features will improve the GED testing program which is a gateway for adults to find jobs or better paying jobs, enter the workforce or college training programs, and better support themselves and their families.

"Adult learners are often times juggling jobs, families, study time and transportation issues," Randy Trask, GED Testing Service's president and CEO said. "GED testing on computer will be a significant step to make the scheduling and testing experience easier, more flexible and faster for adult learners across the state and eventually the country. We are so pleased that Ivy Tech is our partner in this important endeavor."

The GED test on computer is the same test content currently offered on paper. Its accompanying systems will provide an array of new benefits for both the testing center and GED test-takers.

Some of the initial benefits include:

-- One-stop online registration and scheduling available 24/7

-- Flexible testing appointments for test-takers.

-- Instant test scores on four of five content areas.

-- An introduction of basic keyboarding and computer skills.

-- Enhanced test security.

"Ivy Tech is proud to be partnering with GED Testing Services and being a part of this educational process," Lea Anne Crooks, executive director of Ivy Tech Corporate College, said. "For individuals who are taking this next step, our staff works hard to maintain a comfortable environment with limited distractions, in a Center designed specifically for computer-based testing."

Offering GED testing on computer also has an important role to increasing accessibility and flexibility for test-takers, since a double-digit increase in the number of GED test-takers is expected by 2013.

A new GED assessment is due to be released in January 2014, and a significant number of adults who haven't taken or passed all five content areas will want to test before their scores expire at the end of 2013.

While testing and scheduling on computer is a significant new benefit for test-takers, GED Testing Service warns consumers there are those who will attempt to bilk unsuspecting adults out of precious dollars by creating confusion online.

"The GED test -- whether on paper or computer -- must be taken in-person at an official GED testing center," Trask said. "Potential test-takers should not respond to individuals or so-called 'institutions' offering an online GED test."

For more information about GED testing on computer, visit www.GEDtestingservice.com. To learn more about the GED testing program at Ivy Tech in Greencastle call 653-7410.