Kansas GED Information

The Kansas Board of Regents provides statutory administration for high school equivalency in the State of Kansas. This page provides general information on taking the GED^® exam and obtaining records.

Request a GED® Transcript or Diploma	Help Employees Earn a GED® Credential

The Kansas Board of Regents issues the Kansas State High School Diploma through the successful completion of the 2014 series GED^® exam. The 2014 GED^® exam is a four-subject high school equivalency test that measures skills required by high schools and requested by colleges and employers. The four subjects are Science, Social Studies, Mathematical Reasoning, and Reasoning Through Language Arts.

An electronic diploma and GED^® Smart electronic transcript are issued by the State of Kansas via Parchment Exchange after a student passes all four subjects of the exam, and a free, professionally-printed paper copy of the diploma may be requested at www.GED.com. These documents can be used to apply to college, start a training program, or obtain better career opportunities.

1. Getting Started: How Do I Earn My GED^® Credential?
2. Where Can I Find Preparation Programs?
3. What is the GED Ready^TM Practice Test?
4. Who Can Take The GED^® Test?
5. Where Can I Take The GED^® Test?
6. Is There A Fee For Taking The GED^® Tests?
7. Are Testing Accommodations Available For Candidates With Special Needs?
8. Can I Take The GED^® Test In Spanish?
9. What Identification Is Required To Take The GED^® Test?
10. What Are The Passing Scores, And How Can They Be Interpreted?
11. Can GED^® Scores Be Used For College Admission?
12. Can GED^® Candidates Retest If They Don't Pass The First Time?
13. How Long Are GED^® Test Scores Valid?
14. I Just Passed the GED^® Tests. Where Can I Get My Free GED^® Credentials?
15. How Can I Get My GED^® Transcript or Diploma Online?
16. How Do I Verify GED^® Credentials?
17. How Do I Get Help With The Process?
18. What Is A Smart Transcript?

1. Getting Started: How Do I Earn My GED^® Credential?
The first step for anyone wishing to take the GED^® test is to create an account at www.GED.com. There is no fee or obligation to create your MyGED™ account. This portal contains important information about the GED^® test:

• Test details
• Study materials, including the GED Ready^® practice test
• Test tips
• Information on training for a career
• College search
• Careers & Salaries information

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2. Where Can I Find Preparation Programs?
Preparation programs offer instruction aimed at successful completion of the GED^® exam. Preparation Programs Offer:

• GED^® instruction
• Many offer English as a Second Language instruction
• Other Adult Education and Family Literacy services

For more specific information about what each program offers, please contact the program directly. Click here to review a list of Adult Education Centers in Kansas.

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3. What is the GED Ready^TM Practice Test?
The GED Ready^TM (official GED^® practice test) is a shortened form of the GED^® test designed to indicate whether or not a person is ready to take and pass the GED^® tests. It is a good predictor of success. For information about taking the GED Ready^TM, create a user profile (MyGED^TM portal account) on www.GED.com, and click on the “Study” tab.

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4. Who Can Take The GED^® Test?
Adults 18 years of age or older may test without any special conditions. 

We do allow 16 or 17 year olds to take the GED^® exam if the following steps are completed:

• Create an account at www.GED.com
  • Submit an email address and phone number are part of this step
  • The email account provided will receive an alert to take the next step
  • You cannot schedule a GED^® test until completing the steps listed below
• Complete a Compulsory Attendance Disclaimer Form in the school district in which the candidate currently resides The disclaimer applies to Kansas & Out of State residents who are 16 or 17 years of age
  • This is sometimes called a “Disenrollment Form” or “Exit Paperwork”
  • These forms must be accompanied by a parent and/or legal guardian’s signature, with exceptions, including candidates who:
    • present a court order or legal documentation of emancipation
    • are adjudicated and under court authority
    • present a marriage certificate
• Candidates who have graduated or disenrolled from a home school:
  • Present a graduation certificate letter of disenrollment from the home school
  • Must be signed by the home school official, student, parent, and/or legal guardian
• Fax the completed form to 888-975-8313 with “Attention GED” on the cover sheet. Please do not email documents.
  • The forms will be reviewed and saved electronically
  • The hold on the account will be removed once paperwork has been approved
  • You will receive notice via email

Other help:
Sample test questions: http://gedtestingservice.com/educators/freepracticetest 

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5. Where Can I Take The GED^® Test?
GED^® Testing is not conducted or available through correspondence or the Internet. You must appear in person, at a testing center to take the GED^® test. The GED^® test is not available anywhere online. Any website advertising an online GED^® test is fraudulent.

GED Testing is a computer-based exam, conducted under secure conditions exclusively at authorized Pearson VUE Testing Centers (PVTC). Authorized PVTCs are approved by the National GED Testing Service and the State GED Administrator. PVTCs are staffed by approved Pearson VUE Test Administrators.

To register for the GED^® exam through a PVTC:

• Go to www.GED.com and create a user account
• About the test: https://ged.com/about_test/test_subjects/
• Scheduling your test: https://ged.com/about_test/scheduling/

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6. Is There A Fee For Taking The GED® Tests?
Most Kansas GED^® Testing Centers are supported primarily through fees charged for testing. As of July 1, 2015, the fees are as follows:

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7. Are Testing Accommodations Available For Candidates With Special Needs?
GED^® test candidates with learning challenges or physical challenges may request modifications of standard testing conditions based on documented special needs. Select the checkbox indicating a need for testing accommodations when creating your user profile (MyGED^TM portal account) at www.GED.com or by downloading and submitting forms available here: http://www.gedtestingservice.com/testers/computer-accommodations. 

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8. Can I Take The GED® Test In Spanish?
Yes, the GED^® exam is available in Spanish at all authorized Pearson VUE testing centers by selecting the Spanish language format when scheduling each test module. The default language is English; therefore, it is very important to ensure Spanish is selected for each module.

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9. What Identification Is Required To Take The GED® Test?
GED^® candidates must provide unexpired photo identification, which includes name, address, date of birth, and signature. Acceptable current photo identification includes:

• Driver's License
• Government-issued Photo ID
• Passport
• Military ID
• Other form of national or foreign government ID

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10. What Are The Passing Scores, And How Can They Be Interpreted?
A GED^® Diploma is awarded when a candidate receives a score of at least 145 on each of the four tests for a total score of 580 or higher.

• Performance Level 1: 100 – 144 = Not passing
• Performance Level 2: 145 – 164 = Pass / High School Equivalent
• Performance Level 3: 165 – 174 = GED^® College Ready
• Performance Level 4: 175 – 200 = GED^® College Ready + Credit
• The score scales for the GED^® tests are referenced to the performance of graduating high school seniors on the GED^® tests.
• To ensure that scores reflect the performance of contemporary high school seniors, the tests are periodically checked.

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11. Can GED^® Scores Be Used For College Admission?
Nearly all colleges and universities in the U.S. accept the GED^® diploma as a high school equivalency credential. "GED^® College Ready" and "GED^® College Ready + Credit" are two new scoring levels introduced on the GED^® test. These new score levels replace the former "GED^® with Honors" score level.

The American Council on Education (ACE) CREDIT^® initiative examined the content of the GED^® test and during this process, a team of postsecondary content specialists and psychometricians determined whether, at the highest level of performance, the GED^® test items reflect college-level work.

Based on their review and recommendations, GED Testing Service created the "GED^® College Ready" and "GED^® College Ready + Credit" score levels:

GED^® College Ready (165-174) demonstrates the skills needed to start college-level courses. Depending on the college or program applied to, test-takers may not be required to take a placement test or any remedial courses in college.

GED^® College Ready + Credit (175-200) demonstrates some of the skills taught in college-level courses. Depending on the college or program applied to, test-takers may be eligible for up to 3 credits in Math, 3 credits in Science, 3 credits in Social Studies, and 1 credit in English.

If someone earned over 175 on each of the four test subjects, he or she could get up to 10 semester hours of college credit.

Requesting An ACE Transcript

The ACE CREDIT^® program has established relationships with approximately 2,000 universities and colleges nationwide that grant credit based on ACE CREDIT^® recommendations. For a test-taker to take advantage of this credit opportunity, he or she needs to:

1. Check with the college being applied to and find out whether they will grant credit
2. Visit the ACE CREDIT^® website and request an ACE Transcript
3. The transcript request is sent to GED Testing Service for approval and then the transcript is issued

You can find detailed instructions for requesting an ACE Transcript here.

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12. Can GED^® Candidates Retest If They Don't Pass The First Time?
Yes. Retests are administered using a form of the GED^® test(s) different from the form(s) the candidate has already taken. Candidates that did not receive the minimum passing score of 145 points may retest up to two additional times in a twelve month period in order to bring the score up to the minimum.

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13. How Long Are GED^® Test Scores Valid?
Once a test-taker passes the GED^® exam, the test scores become permanent and the test-taker receives a Kansas State High School Diploma based on the passing scores at the time of issuance.

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14. I Just Passed the GED^® Tests. Where Can I Get My Free GED^® Credentials?
A test-taker who passes the GED^® test will automatically receive an electronic, secure diploma and Smart Transcript, delivered immediately to their email address after their final test is scored. Please always check your “SPAM - JUNK” folders as well for these documents.

• The test-taker can request a professionally-printed diploma free of charge
• The test-taker can send the transcript to an employer or college of their choice
• Colleges and employers can search for and order documents for test-takers who have passed the test
  
• Test-takers can order duplicate transcripts or diplomas at https://ged.com/life_after_ged/ for a fee of $20

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15. How Can I Get My GED^® Transcript or Diploma Online?
GED Testing Service will fulfill diplomas and transcripts for both new and repeat requests for as far back as there is data available. Visit www.GED.com and click "Life After GED."

• Repeat requests cost $20 for delivery of an official copy of the transcript or diploma
• You will need a credit card (or debit card) to complete your online order
• If you are assisting someone who does not have access to the internet and/or a credit card, you can pay by money order:
  • Money Order Credential Requests should allow 3-4 weeks for delivery
  • Click here to download a GED Money Order Form
  • Please note: the local public library may offer free use of computers with internet access
• For questions, contact the GED^® Credential Helpline: 1.888.906.4031 (English and Spanish)

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16. How Do I Verify GED^® Credentials?

Click here to verify a transcript or diploma with a Parchment Receive account.

1. Follow the instructions
2. Third-party verifications cost $20 to verify the transcript
3. You are only charged when a credential has been verified
4. For questions, contact the Third-Party Vendor Helpline: 1.888.662.0874

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17. How Do I Get Help With The Process?

GED^® Testing Center Student Support Helpline: 1.877.EXAM.GED (392.6433)
GED^® Credential Helpline: 1.888.906.4031 (English and Spanish)
Kansas GED^® State Administrator: 785.430.4289
Third-Party Vendor Helpline: 1.888.662.0874
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. - For faster service please include the following in your request:

• First and Last Name
• Mailing Address
• Telephone Number
• Your GED^® ID number, if available

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18. What Is A Smart Transcript?
What does passing the GED^® test mean? How do colleges and employers view the achievement? The answer lies in the transcript they review:

With the Smart Transcript from GED^® Testing Service:

• Colleges and employers can easily see the skills and abilities a graduate demonstrated and the meaning behind their scores from the transcript links
• Graduates can receive full recognition and credit for passing the new GED^® test and, in some cases, earning the GED^® College Ready or the GED^® College Ready + Credit distinction
• Transcripts are delivered securely using Blue Ribbon™ Security, a patented secure delivery system used by more than 1/3 of all high school diplomas
• Colleges, employers, and other third-party verification companies can easily and securely request a graduate’s Smart Transcript at the www.GED.com Life After GED^® page and complete this online form to request a new GED Credentialing Parchment Exchange account

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