What is the GED?
The GED Tests measure the academic skills and knowledge expected of
high school graduates. Recognized throughout North America, the GED Testing
Program has served as a bridge to education and employment. The GED Tests
provide a reliable vehicle through which adults can certify that they
possess the major and lasting outcomes of a traditional high school education.
The tests are designed to measure the general knowledge, ideas and thinking
skills that are normally acquired through four years of high school but
which are gained in a different manner. Many acquire knowledge and skills
through work experience, reading, social interaction and communication,
and informal training.
The GED Tests consist of content area tests in reading, writing, mathematics,
science and social studies. The tests also measure communication, information-processing,
problem-solving and critical-thinking skills. A rigorous exam, passing
scores for the GED Tests are set at a level sufficient to ensure that
just six in ten graduating high school students will pass.
The GED Testing Program is jointly administered by three separate entities:
the GED
Testing Service of the American Council on Education; each participating
state, provincial, or territorial government; and each of the 3,400 Official
GED Testing Centers that serve as the main point of contact for GED candidates
in communities across North America and overseas.
For more information, view the GED Information Bulletin (Canadian Edition). 
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Who writes the GED?
GED candidates are a richly diverse group. Some have recently left school.
Others have been out of school for several years. Most take the tests
to qualify for further education, or to qualify for a new job or promotion;
others do it to encourage younger family members to stay in school. Many
who take the GED Tests are preparing to enter a college, technical institute
or university. GED graduates have gone on to become successful doctors,
public servants, office workers, mechanics, technicians, college professors,
business people, writers and artists.
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Why should I write the GED tests?
The General Educational Development (GED) test provides individuals
with the opportunity to earn a high school diploma, a credential recognized
as a key to employment opportunities, advancement, further education
and financial rewards.
The GED Tests allow people to prove what they know. Every Canadian province
and territory recognizes that passing the GED Tests demonstrates the
knowledge and skills of a high school graduate.
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Who is eligible to take the tests?
Any person who is:
- Eighteen (18) years of age or over
- Under special circumstances, exemptions may by approved by applying
to the provincial GED Administrator.
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How can I apply to write?
You are required to complete an application form and send it to the
GED office at Saskatchewan Advanced Education & Employment for approval.
GED Office
Saskatchewan Advanced Education & Employment
12th floor, 1945 Hamilton Street
Regina SK S4P 2C8
Application forms can be obtained at the registration offices of Regional
Colleges or SIAST campuses, Canada-Saskatchewan Career & Employment
Services offices, by contacting the GED Office at (306)787-5597 or by
e-mail at GED@sasked.gov.sk.ca.
The application could also be downloaded by clicking on the link below.
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How much does it cost?
The cost to write the GED tests in Saskatchewan is $35.00. This amount
must be included when you send in your application form. The $35.00 registration
fee is non-refundable. The $35.00 entitles you to write the five tests
and receive two (2) original transcripts and the equivalency diploma
if you are successful. Payments should be made by cheque or money order,
made payable to the Minister of Finance.
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Where can I write the GED tests?
You can write during a scheduled session at any regional college or
SIAST campus once your application has been approved by the GED office.
We recommend that you write at the college or campus nearest to you as
the tests are normally written over a two (2) day period. This would
reduce your travel or avoid an overnight stay.
GED test sittings are regularly scheduled at your local regional college
or SIAST campus. Many centres test about once per month, except during
the summer. You can download a copy of this year’s testing schedule
below or contact the regional
college or SIAST campus
for details.
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What should I do next?
Your next step is to contact your nearest SIAST campus or
regional college listed below or the nearest Canada-Saskatchewan
Career & Employment Services office. They can help
you complete the application form and give you a schedule
of the dates and times of the test
sittings. They can also provide information as to how
you can prepare to write. Their counsellors can also help
you develop a career path and choose the programs and courses
you need to pursue your goals. Check this map for the regional college nearest you.
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How can I prepare for
the tests?
Skills acquired through work, training, reading and other life experiences
may already have prepared you to write the GED Tests. However most people
need to refresh or gain additional skills before they are successful
in passing all five tests. For additional preparation you can:
- study books from the library;
- purchase a study guide from local bookstores or regional college
or SIAST campus and study at home with the help of a friend or tutor.
- Enroll in a GED Preparation program offered by regional colleges
, SIAST, community based organizations or private trainers.
- For additional advice on programs and materials available contact
your nearest, Canada-Saskatchewan Career & Employment Services
offices, regional college or SIAST campus.
GED Preparation courses are generally recommended as they refresh your
knowledge and skills, and build confidence in taking timed tests.
To determine how you should best prepare for the tests, you can start
by contacting your local regional
college, SIAST campus, Dumont
Technical Institute or your nearest Canada/Saskatchewan
Career and Employment Services office. (Check your local telephone
directory.) Trained Adult Education counsellors at these locations can
not only help you decide the extent to which you need to study for the
five GED Tests, but they can also help you develop a study plan that
is best for you.
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Am I ready to take the
GED tests?
You can take the Official GED Practice Tests to determine
your readiness to take the GED Tests. The Official GED Practice Tests
questions are similar to those on the GED Tests in content, difficulty,
and format. The Practice Tests are a good tool to help you decide whether
you are adequately prepared to succeed on the actual GED Tests or whether
you would benefit from additional study or practice. The practice tests
are available in most commercial book stores or use the simulated tests
included in some GED preparation books.
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What
are the GED tests like?
With the exception of Part II of the Writing Test, which
requires you to write an essay, all questions on the GED Tests are multiple
choice. The questions vary in difficulty and cover a wide range of subjects.
Language Arts - Writing (120
minutes)
The Language Arts -Writing Test has two parts. Part I contains 50 multiple-choice
questions that require you to revise and edit workplace, “how to,”and
informational documents. Part II assesses your ability to write an essay
about a familiar assigned topic. The scores earned on both parts are
combined and reported as a single score.
Part I: Multiple Choice (75 minutes)
30% Sentence Structure –Correct sentence fragments, run-on sentences,
comma splices, improper coordination and subordination, misplaced modifiers,
and lack of parallell structure.
30% Usage –Correct errors in subject-verb agreement, verb tense, and
pronoun reference.
25% Mechanics –Correct errors in capitalization, punctuation, spelling
(restricted to errors related to possessives, contractions, and homonyms.)
15% Organization –Restructure paragraphs or ideas within paragraphs,
identify topic sentences, create unity and coherence in the document.
Part II: (45 minutes)
200-250 Word Essay –In the second part of the Language Arts -
Writing Test, you will write an essay about an issue or subject of general
interest. The essay topic will require you to present your opinion or
explain your views about the assigned topic.
You will have 45 minutes in which to plan, write, and revise your essay.
You will be given scratch paper on which you may jot notes, outline,
and first draft. The answer booklet has two pages of lined paper on which
you will write your final essay.
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Science (80 minutes)
The Science Test consists of 50 multiple choice questions in the following
content areas:
45% Life Sciences
20% Earth and Space
35% Physics and Chemistry
Test questions require you to understand, interpret, or
apply information that is provided on the test or that is learned through
life experience. The information may be a paragraph, chart, table, graph,
map or figure.
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Social Studies (70
minutes)
The Social Studies Test contains 50 multiple-choice questions from
the above content areas. (Note: There are different Canadian and U.S.
versions of the Social Studies Test.)
25% National History
20% Economics
25% Civics and Government
15% World History
15% Geography
Most of the test questions are based on written and visual texts drawn
from a variety of sources, including academic and workplace texts, as
well as primary and secondary sources. The information provided may be
one or more paragraphs, a chart, table, graph, map, photograph, cartoon
or figure. In every case, to answer the questions in the Social Studies
Test, you must understand, apply, analyze or evaluate the information
provided.
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Language Arts - Reading (65
minutes)
The Language Arts -Reading Test contains 40 multiple choice questions
that measure your ability to comprehend and interpret workplace and academic
reading selections and to apply those interpretations to new contexts.
The questions ask you to understand, apply, analyze and synthesize information
that you are given in the reading sections.
75% Literacy Test
25% Nonfiction Prose
Literacy texts constitute 75% of each test and include at least one
selection from each of the following areas:
- Poetry
- Drama
- Prose fiction before 1920
- Prose fiction between 1920 and 1960
- Prose fiction after 1960
Nonfiction texts constitute 25% of each test and include two selections
on nonfiction prose from any two of the following areas:
- Nonfiction prose
- Critical review of visual and performing arts
- Workplace and community documents, rules for employees behavior,
legal documents and communications (for example, letters and excerpts
from manuals.)
The reading selections in the Language Arts - Reading Test range from
200 to 400 words, with poetry running from 8 to 25 lines. A purpose question
appears in bold before each selection; the question is designed solely
to help you focus and provide a purpose for reading the text. You are
not asked to answer the purpose question. Each selection is followed
by four to eight questions.
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Mathematics (90 minutes)
The Mathematics Test assesses your understanding of mathematical concepts
and the application of those concepts to various real world situations.
The following four major areas are tested on the Mathematics Test:
25% Numbers, number sense & operations
25% Measurement and Geometry
25% Data, Statistics and Probability
25% Algebra, Functions and Patterns
The Mathematics Test is divided into two equally weighted parts, each
containing 25 questions. On Part I of the test, you may use the Casio
fx-260 calculator to compute answers. A calculator will be provided for
your use at the official GED Testing Center. Because estimation and mental
math are critical skills, you are not permitted to use the calculator
on Part II of the test.
Although 80% of the mathematics questions are multiple choice, 20% of
the questions require you to construct your own answer. Rather than select
from five choices, you must record answers on either standard or coordinate
plane grids. Both Parts I and II of the Mathematics Test have multiple
choice, standard grid, and coordinate plan grid questions.
For more information, view the GED Information Bulletin (Canadian Edition).
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How can I order copies of my GED
transcripts?
A transcript is an offical copy of your GED results. All GED transcripts are
paper copies; at this time no electronic transcripts are available. Official
transcripts often are used to demonstrate proof of your GED standing to educational
institutions and employers.
1. Complete the "Request
for Student Transcripts and GED Diploma form." Send it with
your payment of $15.00 to the GED Office, or
2. Visit the GED Office in person
during business hours (8:00 am - 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm). Payment
can be made by cash, cheque or money order, or
3. Write a letter to the GED Office with
your payment, requesting your transcripts. Please be sure to include
the following information in your request:
- You are requesting your GED transcripts
- First name, middle name or initial, and your current surname.
- Complete mailing address, including your postal code.
- Location and year that you wrote.
- Any previous names.
- Social Insurance Number
- Birthdate—month, day, and year.
- Day-time telephone number
- Complete mailing address(es) to which transcripts should be sent.
- Your signature
Please make payment by cheque or money order made payable
to “Minister of Finance.”
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How can I order a copy
of my GED Diploma?
1. Complete the "Request
for Student Transcripts and GED Diploma form." Send it with
your payment of $15.00 to the GED Office, or
2. Visit the GED Office in person
during business hours (8:00 am - 12:00 pm and 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm). Payment
can be made by cash, cheque or money order, or
3. Write a letter to the GED Office with
your payment, requesting your diploma. Please be sure to include the
following information in your request:
- You are requesting your GED diploma
- First name, middle name or initial, and your current surname.
- Complete mailing address, including your postal code.
- Location and year that you wrote.
- Any previous names.
- Social Insurance Number
- Birthdate—month, day, and year.
- Day-time telephone number
- Complete mailing address(es) to which diploma should be sent.
- Your signature
Please make payment by cheque or money order made payable
to “Minister of Finance.”
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I wrote the GED
in another province. Whom should I contact about my records?
If you have writen your GED tests in another province,
you need to contact the GED Office in that province or territory. Here
is a link to listings of GED
Contacts in Canada.
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For more information
please contact:
GED Office
Programs Branch,
Saskatchewan Advanced Education & Employment
12th floor, 1945 Hamilton Street
Regina SK S4P 2C8
Tel: (306) 787-5597
Fax: (306) 787-7182
Email: GED@sasked.gov.sk.ca
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